Citizenship by Investment: St. Kitts & Nevis

(Source: Citizenship By Investment Program of the Government of St. Kitts & Nevis )

FOLLOW YOUR HEART TO PARADISE...

Intoxicating natural beauty, sunny skies, warm waters, and white sandy beaches combine to make the islands one of the most seductive spots in the Caribbean. Christopher Columbus first spotted St. Kitts in 1493, when it was populated with native tribes, but the Europeans didn’t colonize until the British arrived in 1623. Its strategic location and valuable sugar trade led to an advanced and luxurious development that was among the best in the Colonial Caribbean.

The pretty two-island nation is blessed with a tropical climate & crystal blue waters. St. Kitts & Nevis has several international airlines providing direct services daily with major airports in the UK, USA and Canada. Flight time between St. Kitts and the US is just 3 hours.

Of all the Caribbean countries, St. Kitts & Nevis had the highest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2017 at US$17,000 (Data: World Bank)

 

LEGAL FRAMEWORK

The St. Kitts & Nevis (St. Christopher & Nevis) Citizenship by Investment Program was established in 1984 under the regulations of the 1984 Citizenship Act, Part II, Section 3 (5), which makes it the oldest citizenship by investment program in the world.

Applicants must meet the following qualifications;

• Outstanding character
• Excellent health
• No criminal record
• Have a high personal net worth.
• All Main Applicants will now be subjected to an interview prior to approval in principle.
• Dependents 16 years of age and over MAY also have to undertake an interview, if the Technical Committee deems it necessary or advisable.

 

GENERAL BENEFITS

Why Choose St. Kitts & Nevis' Citizenship by Investment Programme...

St. Kitts & Nevis has a track record of providing a secure, discreet, confidential route to citizenship. Individuals who choose to apply for citizenship under St Kitts & Nevis' Citizenship by Investment Programme may take advantage of the following:

• No physical residency requirements
• No requirement to travel to St. Kitts & Nevis during the application process
• No education or managerial experience required
• No language requirements
• Dependent children under 25 and dependent parents or grandparents over 65 can join
• No tax on worldwide income
• St. Kitts & Nevis recognizes dual citizenship, so investors can still benefit from their current passports.

 

ST. KITTS & NEVIS CITIZENSHIP BENEFITS

• St. Kitts & Nevis offers the most visa-free or visa-on-arrival countries, with a list of over 150 countries. These are listed on the Ministry of National Security website. St. Kitts & Nevis citizens can travel without visa restrictions to more than 156 countries, including Schengen member states, the U.K., Hong Kong, Singapore and more.
• Initial passport is issued for ten (10) years, unlike the usual five (5) year validity period of other passports.
• St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship can be passed on to future generations. Even if the applicant does not plan to reside or do business in the country of his/her second nationality, the next generation can benefit from the greater wealth opportunities offered by St. Kitts and Nevis’ consistently growing GDP.
• St. Kitts & Nevis is a low tax jurisdiction. St. Kitts and Nevis has a zero-rated personal income tax, no inheritance tax or gift tax.

ST. KITTS & NEVIS INVESTMENT OPTIONS

St. Kitts & Nevis offers the following tracks for citizenship by investment:

1. Donation Option: Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC)

In 2023, Saint Kitts & Nevis launched a new permanent investment fund, the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC), to support the economic and social development of St Kitts and Nevis following seven pillars of prioritisation:

• Increasing local food production
• Transitioning to Green Energy
• Diversifying the economy
• Attracting and supporting sustainable industries
• Evolving the Creative Economy
• Recovering from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic
• Expanding social protections and safety nets to protect the most vulnerable

The contribution fund is open for donations with the following thresholds:

• US$250,000 - Main applicant only
• US$300,000 - Main applicant and a spouse
• US$300,000 - Main applicant and one dependant
• US$350,000 - Main applicant, a spouse and one or two dependants
• US$350,000 - Main applicant and two or three dependants
• US$50,000 - Each additional dependant under 18
• US$75,000 - Each additional dependant aged 18 or over

In addition to the above, the due diligence fees are as follows:

• US$10,000 - Main applicant:
• US$7,500 - Each dependant aged 16 or over
  

2. Investment Option: Real Estate Unit Purchase

A minimum purchase price of US$400,000.00 must be paid to the developer for a real estate unit. The investment must be maintained for a minimum of seven years. Investors are required to pay additional applicable taxes and fees. The real estate unit can be re-sold once by the original purchaser.

3. Investment Option: Private Residence Purchase

A Private Home which qualifies for this option is real property owned by a citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis and approved by the Board of Governors as an Approved Private Home. The minimum investments for an Approved Private Home are:

1. US$400,000 for a condominium unit; or
2. US$800,000 for a single-family private dwelling.

The investment must be maintained for a minimum of seven years. Investors are required to pay additional applicable taxes and fees. A CBI applicant cannot make a joint investment with another CBI applicant for the purchase of a single Approved Private Home. The Approved Private Home cannot be sold to another purchaser who wishes to acquire CBI unless the Federal Cabinet is satisfied that substantial further investment was injected into the real estate unit by way of further construction, renovation or otherwise.

 

4. Investment Option: Public Benefit Project

This option features projects approved by the Board of Governors as an Approved Public Benefit project which brings substantial benefit to the people of St. Kitts and Nevis; maximizes local employment; etc.

The main applicant must purchase a Public Benefit Unit from an Approved Public Benefactor with a minimum contribution of US$250,000.00.