Citizenship in Saint Kitts & Nevis

St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program (CBI Program)
The St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program is the oldest investment program of its kind. This investment program was first created in 1984 by the government to attract investors to contribute to the development of the St. Kitts and Nevis economy and, in return, investors are able to gain citizenship directly which allows them visa-free access to 157 countries.


Eligibility Requirements
• The candidate needs to be at least 18 years of age.
• There is mandatory personal interview requirement for all applicants that aged 16 years and over.
• The candidate is required to undergo medical examinations before applying for citizenship. (All candidates including children are required to pass an HIV test in order to apply for the CBI program).
• Make the required investment mentioned under the investment options.
 

Program Benefits
• There are no mandatory travel or language requirements.
• The program does not require a minimum stay period.
• The applicant and immediate family will obtain citizenship for St. Kitts and Nevis directly after the investment is made.
• Parents of the main applicant or the spouse of the main applicant aged 65 or over, living with and fully supported by the main applicant can be included in an application.
• Dependent children aged under 18 years can be included in an application;
• Dependent children aged between 18 and 25 who are in full-time attendance at a recognized secondary or tertiary level institution of learning and fully supported by the main applicant can be included in an application;
• Dependent children aged 18 or over who are physically or mentally challenged can be included in an application;
• The St. Kitts and Nevis passport allows visa-free travel to 156 countries including the EU countries including Switzerland, UK and Ireland and Schengen states. Also, its citizens are able to reside in any of the Caribbean Community countries (CARICOM). 
• The St. Kitts and Nevis passport and second citizenship is for life and can be passed down to future generations.

Investment Options
1. Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC)

The minimum SISC contributions required by law are as follows:
• Main applicant only: USD $250,000.
• Main applicant and a spouse: USD $300,000.
• Main applicant and one dependant: USD $300,000.
• Main applicant, a spouse and one or two dependants; USD $350,000.
• Main applicant and two or three dependants: USD $350,000.
• Each additional dependant under 18: USD $50,000.
• Each additional dependant aged 18 or over: USD $75,000. 

OR,

2. (A) Real Estate
• The minimum real estate investment in an Approved Development is USD $400,000 (resalable after seven years) for each main applicant. 

OR,

2. (B) Private Home Sales
• The minimum investment in a condominium unit designated as an Approved Private Home is USD $400,000. OR,
• The minimum investment in a single-family private dwelling home designated as Approved Private Home is USD $800,000.

A property purchased under the Private Home Sale Investment Option shall not be resold for a period of at least seven (7) years.

The Approved Private Home does not qualify for purchase in a subsequent CBI application, 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.

Government fee
On approval in principle of an application made through a real estate investment, a Government fee applies, as follows:

• Main applicant: USD $25,000
• Spouse of the main applicant: USD $15,000
• Any qualified dependant under 18: USD $10,000
• Any qualified dependant aged 18 or over: USD $15,000

OR,

3. Public Benefit Option
Under the Public Benefit Option, each main applicant is required to make a minimum contribution of USD $250,000 in a unit of an Approved Public Benefit Project, to be paid to the relevant Approved Public Benefactor.

On approval-in-principle of an application made through the Public Benefit Option, the following post-approval application fees apply:

• Main applicant: USD $25,000
• Spouse of the main applicant: USD $15,000
• Any qualified dependant under 18: USD $10,000
• Any qualified dependant aged 18 or over: USD $15,000

Process
Within 120 days of acknowledgment from the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) of submission of a CBI application, the CIU will advise whether an application is:

• Approved-in-principle;
• Denied; OR
• Delayed for cause and is still being processed.

Interview
Each main applicant is required to attend an interview conducted by an independent professional firm commissioned by the CIU or by officials of the Unit either virtually, in person in St Kitts and Nevis or in person at such other location approved by the Board of Governors of the CIU.

Dependants aged 16 or over may if deemed necessary also be required to attend an interview.

Due diligence fee 
• USD $10,000 for the main applicant, and
• USD $7,500 for each dependent of the main application who is over the age of 16 years.

Banned Nationalities
In the interest of national security, defense and public safety of St Kitts and Nevis, every citizen of, and persons ordinarily resident in, the following countries shall be excluded from any application for CBI: Afghanistan, Belarus, Iraq, Iran, North Korea, and Russia.

St. Kitts and Nevis Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who will not be eligible to apply for Citizenship by Investment in St Kitts and Nevis?
Please note that any person who: (a) Has been denied citizenship of any country; or (b) Has been denied a visa to any country to which citizens of St Kitts and Nevis have visa-free travel, and has not subsequently obtained a visa to the country that issued the denial, will not be eligible to apply for Citizenship by Investment in St Kitts and Nevis.

2. Is the SISC a secure contribution?
Indeed. The SISC is a sustainable and secure contribution.

3. Is the Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF) investment option available?
No. Kindly note that the Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF) is replaced by the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC).

For more information, please fill out our Free Assessment and find out if you qualify.