Citizenship of Saint Kitts & Nevis

Saint Kitts and Nevis offers a politically, economically stable, and safe environment, making the country a desirable place to live, work, and conduct business. Expats from around the world consider the citizenship of the federation as an opportunity to diversify residency options and enhance global mobility.

The government of Saint Kitts and Nevis offers several pathways to citizenship, but the most well-known and accessible remains the citizenship by investment program. Launched in 1984, it is recognized as the platinum standard among similar programs worldwide.

To qualify for permanent resident status, an applicant must be of legal age, have no serious illnesses or criminal records. It is important for investors to provide proof of a stable, legal income and to maintain a good reputation.

According to the federation's laws, the applicant's family members are also eligible to participate in the program. The application may include children, as well as siblings under 30 years old, who are fully supported by the main applicant.

Ways to Obtain Citizenship

The right to grant citizenship to foreigners is based on the Citizenship Act of 1984 and the Constitution of 1983. Each of the methods provided has its own specific requirements, conditions, and associated costs. According to the current legal framework, foreign citizens can obtain residency under one of the following conditions:

• By descent (Jus sanguinis). The applicant must have at least one parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent with citizenship of Saint Kitts and Nevis.
• Through adoption. Adoptive parents who are citizens of the federation automatically transfer the corresponding right to a foreign minor child.
• Through marriage. Individuals in a lawful union with citizens of the country are eligible to apply for citizenship.
• By naturalization. A foreign citizen must live in the country for at least 14 years before applying.
• Through investment. An interested investor can contribute at least $250,000 to one of the economic sectors and receive a national passport.

The fastest and easiest way is to purchase citizenship. Direct financial investments allow you to obtain a passport within as little as 2 months without the obligation of physically residing on the islands.

The government has temporarily suspended the acceptance of applications for citizenship by investment from citizens of Iran, Afghanistan, North Korea, Cuba, and other countries.

Advantages of Saint Kitts and Nevis Citizenship

The country is recognized for its relatively low cost of living and favorable tax environment. Quality education is a fundamental right for citizens. However, the benefits of permanent residency in the federation extend beyond that. Some of the key advantages include:

• Visa-free travel to over 150 countries, including all Schengen Area nations, as well as the UK, Switzerland, Singapore, Hong Kong, Russia, and others.
• Free movement within CARICOM member states.
• The possibility of obtaining a B1/B2 visa for travel to the United States for tourism or business.
• No requirement for permanent residence in the country.
• Citizenship rights can be passed down to future generations.
• Benefits of holding dual citizenship.
• Application processing time of 6-12 months, or as fast as 1.5-2 months with an expedited procedure.
• No taxes on income, inheritance, or property.
• Access to quality healthcare and social security.
• A straightforward citizenship-by-investment program.
• The right to consular protection worldwide.

St. Kitts and Nevis is becoming a safe haven for business expansion, tax optimisation, commercial activity through European and US financial institutions, and increased personal global mobility.

Dual Citizenship

The federation's legislation does not prohibit holding dual or multiple citizenships. Regardless of the method chosen to obtain residency, the applicant has the right to acquire a second passport and enjoy all its benefits.

The right to multiple citizenships is defined in Section 93 of the country's Constitution. According to the provisions of the document, individuals holding a national identity card are recognized as citizens of other countries as long as this does not conflict with the laws of those states.

With some countries, St. Kitts and Nevis does not have international agreements defining the right to dual citizenship. However, citizens of these countries have the right to obtain a St. Kitts and Nevis passport as a second passport, with subsequent notification to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Citizenship by Investment Program

The CBI (Citizenship by Investment) program of Saint Kitts and Nevis is one of the best and oldest citizenship by investment programs. It was launched in 1984 under Section 3(5), Part II of the Citizenship Act. To qualify for the program, a candidate must have a good reputation and excellent health with no criminal record. The only requirement for the invested capital is that the applicant must prove the legality of the source of the funds.

Currently, there are several main investment ways:

• Sustainable development contribution fund: A government investment fund aimed at developing the island economy. The candidate must invest at least $250,000 (per individual). If the application includes a spouse or dependents, the amount increases by $25,000 for each additional person. Additionally, there are fees for the background checks of the applicants.
• Real estate: A foreigner can choose one of two holding periods for the purchased property – 5 or 7 years. After the holding period expires, the property can be sold. In the first case, the sale amount must be at least $400,000. In the second case, it must be at least $200,000. Regardless of the chosen option, an additional government fee is required, which is determined by the investor's family size.
• Alternative investment options: Financing pre-approved government infrastructure projects. The investment amount starts at $175,000 for a family of 3. For additional dependents, the amount increases by $10,000 for each ($20,000 for a sibling). Background check fees are also required.

All applications to the CBI programme must be made through a licensed agent. The authorities will schedule a personal interview to verify eligibility.

Citizens of Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, North Korea, and other countries, regardless of their place of residence, are not eligible to apply (including dependents).

Recent Reforms in the Citizenship Program

In 2024, Saint Kitts and Nevis, along with five other Caribbean countries, signed a Memorandum of Understanding outlining new rules for the citizenship-by-investment program. According to Regulation No. 20, the Citizenship Division of Saint Kitts and Nevis has set the new minimum investment thresholds starting from July 8, 2024, as follows:

• Sustainable development contribution fund – from $250,000.
• Real estate purchase – from $400,000.
  

The new changes include renaming the Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF) to the Sustainable Island State Contributions Fund (SISC). Additionally, every citizenship application must now be accompanied by a personal interview at the consulate/embassy or citizenship department on the islands.

You can find more information about the citizenship program and new regulations on the government website of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Step-by-Step Application Process

When applying for citizenship by descent or through marriage, you need to submit your documents to the High Commission of the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis or directly to the Ministry of National Security in Basseterre.

Citizenship purchase applications are handled by the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU). The application process in this case involves the following steps:

Document Collection and Application Submission

The Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) of St. Kitts and Nevis and the Ministry of Internal Security thoroughly review each application and every individual included in the application. A significant change in 2024 is the mandatory interview with each candidate. In addition to the carefully prepared dossier, a mandatory in-person or online interview must now be completed. This applies to all individuals over the age of 16.

The application process involves gathering a dossier that fully complies with the requirements of the selected program. If a licensed agent is involved in the process, their specialists may review the details and point out potential shortcomings before the comprehensive assessment is conducted. The involvement of a qualified intermediary (including in other residency programs) helps to reduce the risk of rejection. In general, the procedure can be divided into several main stages:

• Collection and review of documents.
• Legal expertise.
• Approval.
• Acquisition of citizenship and passport.

The passport application procedure is separate from the citizenship process and will require a different set of documents from the applicant.

List of Documents

The set of documents required for a citizenship by investment program will differ from other residency programs without financial investment. However, there is a basic list that must be considered:

• Valid passport.
• 6 recent passport-sized photographs (one of which must be notarized).
• Birth certificate.
• Criminal background check from the current citizenship country.
• Medical certificate.
• Military service information (if applicable).
• Education and professional qualifications information.
• Proof of residence.
• Financial institution statements proving financial stability and the legality of funds.
• Receipts for payment of fees and charges.

Documents without translation by an authorized translator and notarized copies are not accepted for processing. A CD with digital copies of all submitted documents must be included with the file.

Review and Decision

The process of comprehensive verification includes analyzing biographical data, conducting internal and international checks for the applicant's presence on sanction lists, involvement in financial fraud, terrorism, etc. The fee for the reliability check is $10,000 for the primary applicant and $7,500 for dependents over 16 years old.

The standard reliability check period is from 6 to 12 months. However, the government offers an expedited process for reviewing the application and the applicant's candidacy. By paying $25,000 for the primary applicant and $20,000 for each dependent, the processing time is reduced to 60 days. In practice, most applications are processed within 45 days.

Upon approval, the candidate receives a certificate of citizenship. In the event of a refusal to grant citizenship through investment, the candidate only loses the fee for the background check, as the financial investments are made only after receiving preliminary approval.

Disadvantages of Saint Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment

Despite the fact that the CBI (Citizenship by Investment) program of the Federation is considered "platinum," it has some negative aspects. Firstly, it is important to note that there are financially more accessible "Golden Passport" programs. This factor became more relevant in 2024 after the increase in the cost of participating in the program. Therefore, it is not the cheapest CBI program in the Caribbean region (especially considering the additional fees for candidate vetting).

Additionally, like any citizenship by investment program, the CBI of Saint Kitts and Nevis offers overvalued real estate for purchase. This means that a government-approved property on the open market would be cheaper. Risks of poor-quality construction also need to be considered.