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Residence and Citizenship by Investment
St. Kitts and Nevis

St. Kitts and Nevis is a dual-island Caribbean destination offering pristine beaches and tropical landscapes. Its culture is diverse, with African, British, Carib, and French influences. It is an attractive location for owning a second home in the Caribbean, enjoying good air links to Europe and North America.

St. Kitts and Nevis

Citizenship by Investment Overview

In 2007, Henley & Partners was mandated by the government to reform the program and to promote it internationally for several years. During this mandate, the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program became the most successful of its kind globally.

Enquiry downloadFactsheet
investment

Investment

USD 250,000

processing

Processing time

Four months

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Key benefit

Enjoy the full benefits of citizenship for life, which can be passed on to future generations by descent.

St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment

Several countries, including St. Kitts and Nevis, have adopted programs that allow the acquisition of citizenship on the basis of an investment and/or a direct contribution to the state as a means of developing the country.

Background and legal considerations

The citizenship program of St. Kitts 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.

The legal basis regarding citizenship by investment is contained in Part II, § 3 (5) of the Citizenship Act, 1984 and the Saint Christopher and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Regulations, 2011. These provisions allow the government to operate a program under which citizenship is granted to persons who qualify under criteria set by cabinet decision.

Benefits of the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program

When you acquire citizenship under the St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship program, you and your family enjoy full citizenship for life, which can be passed on to future generations by descent.

  • Citizenship by descent is available to future generations.
  • Ability to include a spouse, children under 26, and parents aged 65 and over, as well as to add dependents after citizenship has been granted to the main applicant.
  • St. Kitts and Nevis is a member of the Commonwealth, which entitles its citizens to certain privileges in the UK and other Commonwealth countries.
  • The dual-island nation is an attractive location for owning a second home, with good air links to Europe and North America.
  • Dual citizenship is allowed by the nation.
  • There is no minimum stay required. 

St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment requirements

The St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program requires applicants to make a significant economic contribution to the country. In exchange, and subject to a stringent application procedure including thorough background checks, the applicants and their families are granted full citizenship.

To qualify for citizenship, the main applicant must be over 18 years of age, meet the application requirements, and select one of the following options:

1. Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC)

The following non-refundable contributions apply:

—    USD 250,000 for a main applicant

—    USD 300,000 for a main applicant and a spouse or one dependent

—    USD 350,000 for a main applicant, a spouse, and one or two dependents

—    USD 50,000 for each additional dependent under 18 years old

—    USD 75,000 for each additional dependent over 18 years old

2. Approved Public Benefit Project

A minimum non-refundable contribution of USD 250,000 to a public benefit unit in an Approved Public Benefit Project.

3. Real estate acquisition

The purchase of real estate with a minimum value of USD 400,000 from an approved real estate development, or a minimum of USD 400,000 for a condominium unit or USD 800,000 for a single-family private dwelling. The real estate purchased under both options can be resold after seven years under certain conditions.

Procedures and time frame of the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program

The St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) is responsible for processing all applications. The CIU examines the application thoroughly and a mandatory interview is required for all investors applying for citizenship by investment, either virtually (default) or in person at a location specified by the CIU and approved by the Board of Governors. Dependents of a main applicant aged 16 years or over may also be required to attend an interview if deemed necessary. Interviews are conducted by an independent professional firm commissioned by the CIU, which also performs background due diligence checks on the CIU itself. All background due diligence checks are commissioned by the CIU and conducted by independent professional firms in Europe, the UK, and the USA in accordance with the requirements set by the Board of Governors. The CIU will decline an application if the applicant makes a false statement or omits any relevant information. The applicant must personally complete the prescribed government forms, which are only available from an authorized service provider. The documentary requirements of the program are reasonable and the procedures straightforward.

Most applicants will usually visit the islands before deciding on the purchase of real estate, but it is not a prerequisite for the application process, which usually takes 120 days (four months) from submission of the application to the CIU for approval. Under the real estate option, the time frame may vary depending on the development, so it is important to choose a real estate project that complements the citizenship application efficiently.

Once the application has been approved, all processes and due diligence checks have been finalized and the investment has been made, a Certificate of Registration will be issued to the main applicant, which must be collected in person in St. Kitts and Nevis or at an embassy or consulate specified by the CIU as approved by the Board of Governors. The Certificate of Registration confers citizenship status and once it has been issued, the applicant is entitled to apply for a passport

Fees and costs

Henley & Partners charges different fees depending on the case and the number of persons included in an application and depending on whether the SISC, Approved Public Benefit Project, or real estate option is chosen. The full agreed fee (less any retainer paid initially) is paid into an escrow account in advance and is released when the application is submitted to the government.

Dual citizenship

There are no restrictions on dual citizenship in St. Kitts and Nevis.

Henley & Partners in St. Kitts and Nevis

Through its office in St. Kitts, Henley & Partners has been helping foreign nationals acquire citizenship through the citizenship by investment program for nearly 20 years. The firm has unrivaled expertise and experience in relation to this program, having been mandated by the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis to reform the program in 2006–2007 and to design the new contribution option at that time. The changes introduced by the government in 2007, with the professional assistance of Henley & Partners, including the creation of a dedicated citizenship by investment unit, the streamlining of processes, redesign of application forms and procedures, and the international promotion of the program, have made the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program one of the most successful programs in the world.

St. Kitts and Nevis

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Should you have any questions, or if you would like a detailed breakdown of the exact costs for your family, kindly contact us and we will be delighted to help you.

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