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• About H&P

Several countries have adopted programs which allow the acquisition of citizenship on the basis of an investment and/or a direct contribution to the state as a means of development of the country.

The Citizenship Program of St. Christopher (St. Kitts) and Nevis was established in 1984 and requires applicants to make an economic contribution to the country. In exchange, they and their families are granted full citizenship.

To qualify for citizenship, the applicant must make either an investment of at least US$ 350,000 in one of the approved real-estate developments in addition to paying government fees, other fees and taxes, or alternatively making a contribution to the Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation (SIDF, a public charity) to the amount of US$ 200,000 (for a single applicant). However, this includes all government fees.

The regulations regarding citizenship-by-investment in St. Kitts & Nevis are contained in Part II, Section 3 (5) of the Citizenship Act, 1984. These provisions allow the government to operate a program under which citizenship is granted to persons who qualify under criteria set by cabinet decision.

To qualify for citizenship under the real estate option, the government requires applicants to make an investment in designated, officially approved real estate with a value of at least US$ 350,000 plus the payment of government fees and other fees and taxes. The real-estate option also involves purchase costs of approximately 10% of the purchase price, government fees of US$ 35,000 for a single applicant plus US$ 15,000 for each dependant and a US$ 3,500 due diligence fee per adult applicant. As the application procedure under this option involves the purchase of real estate, the processing time is somewhat lengthened, ranging from 4 to 14 months. The real estate cannot be re-sold until 5 years after the purchase, and after that will not qualify the next buyer for citizenship.

Acquisition of citizenship under the SIDF option requires a contribution to the Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation. The contribution is in the form of a one-time payment, and there are four different categories:

A. Single applicant: US$ 200,000 investment required

B. Applicant with up to three dependants (i.e. spouse and two children below the age of 18): US$ 250,000 investment required

C. Applicant with up to five dependants (i.e. one spouse and four children): US$ 300,000 investment required

D. Applicant with six and more dependants: US$ 400,000 investment required.

In each of these categories, the total amount includes all government and due diligence fees. The documentation required for an application is reasonable and the application procedure is straightforward. The average processing time under the SIDF option is less than 3 months.

Click here to see the list of required documents.

Henley & Partners charges different fees depending on the case and the number of persons included in an application, and also depending on whether the real-estate or SIDF option is chosen. The full agreed fee (less any retainer paid initially) is paid into an escrow account in advance and is paid out when citizenship is granted.

Please enquire for further information on what fees would apply in your case.

Citizens of St. Kitts & Nevis are allowed to hold dual citizenship, and the acquisition of citizenship is not reported to other countries.

When you acquire citizenship under the St. Kitts & Nevis citizenship program, you and your family enjoy full citizenship. As citizens of St. Kitts & Nevis, you and your family are issued with passports which allow visa-free travel to more than 60 countries worldwide.

Of course you have the right to take up residence in St. Kitts & Nevis as well as in most of the CARICOM member countries at any time and for any length of time. You are not liable for taxation, even if you decide to reside in St. Kitts & Nevis, as there are no direct taxes whatsoever.

As a Commonwealth citizen, you receive certain preferential treatment in the United Kingdom. For example, your children may enter the United Kingdom to study without first having to apply for student visas. After studying, they may work in the United Kingdom for two years without needing a work permit.

Great care has been taken to provide the best possible safeguards for persons entering any of the programs.

Henley & Partners have been appointed by the Government of St. Kitts & Nevis and are officially authorised to handle applications under its Citizenship-by-Investment program. For the client's protection, a written agreement is signed between the applicant and Henley & Partners prior to accepting any mandate to handle an application.

The granting of citizenship is of course at the sole discretion of the St. Kitts & Nevis government. We cannot therefore guarantee that any applications will be approved. However, we check each applicant's individual situation prior to accepting a mandate and prepare each application carefully. With only very few exceptions over many years, no applicant, once accepted by Henley & Partners, has ever been refused.

As we handle all applications ourselves and do not use any intermediaries, our clients can rely on us for utmost confidentiality and efficiency. Henley & Partners is the leading firm in this field, with an international presence in key jurisdictions worldwide. Individuals as well as other consulting and law firms worldwide rely on us for specialist advice and assistance in this delicate area where our expertise and experience are second to none.

Upon request and payment of a retainer fee (for applicants who are not already clients of the firm), a complete set of required forms as well as an application guide with detailed explanations regarding all forms and documents will be prepared and sent to you by courier. Your documents are always delivered by courier, and all courier charges are included in our fees.

To proceed, to receive further information on the program or to arrange a private consultation please contact us today.

Through its office in Basseterre, St. Kitts, Henley & Partners assists non nationals in acquiring citizenship through the Citizenship-by-Investment Program.

The specialized services of Henley & Partners are also a resource and complement the services of other consulting and law firms. We frequently assist other firms and their clients with the unique and specific details required by the acquisition of citizenship under the Citizenship-by-Investment program.

Individual clients as well as other consulting and law firms worldwide rely on us for professional advice and assistance in this delicate area where our expertise and experience are second to none.