The visa policy of Saint Kitts and Nevis is quite strict and without obeying all the rules, foreigners will not be able to obtain an entry or residence permit. Depending on the duration and nature of the visitor's stay, a specific set of documents that the applicant must provide is determined. At the same time, legislative norms allow one to choose from a number of different options for permits, each of which is adapted to the specific circumstances of the arriving person.
In 2020, Russia and Saint Kitts and Nevis concluded a visa-free entry agreement. This means that Russians can freely enter, leave and stay on the islands for a period up to 90 days within six months without additional permits. If a longer stay, work or any commercial activity is planned, then it is necessary to obtain the appropriate visa. Working without a permit or overstaying a visa is illegal.
Freelancer Visa
Saint Kitts and Nevis does not have a special visa program for digital nomads. However, this does not mean that freelancers will not be able to live and work remotely on the islands. There are several available alternatives to the Digital Nomad visa that open access to the main advantage – the applicant does not have to prove that he/she has a prescribed minimum income.
Citizens of most countries of the world have the permission to a free stay in the federation from 27 to 180 days a year. As a rule, a 3-month period of free stay is applied. This means that freelancers can also come to the country and work remotely.
Currently, for remote work, you can apply for:
- Tourist visa
- Electronic entry visa.
As a rule, most countries that provide a digital nomad visa require to prove the existence of an employment contract with a foreign company or the possibility of remote earnings. There is no such obligation in Saint Kitts and Nevis. To obtain a visa for remote work on the islands, the applicant will need to collect an up-to-date dossier and correctly process the application. The set of mandatory documents includes:
- A valid passport.
- 2 recent photos
- Air tickets.
- Information on availability of housing
- Receipts for payment of state fees
- Statements from bank accounts confirming the availability of funds for accommodation.
How much does the visa cost?
It is easiest to apply for the appropriate type of visa and pay visa fees on the eVisa website. The platform allows the applicant to fill out the application, provide all documents, make a payment and track the status of the application. The online application is available to citizens of 73 countries.
There are currently several individual options available in Saint Kitts and Nevis for processing the application and the cost:
- Standard Application processing time – 17 days. Cost: 70 $
- Accelerated: Application processing time – 15 days. Cost: 95 $
- Extremely urgent. Application processing time – 14 days. Cost: 140 $
Types of visas
A tourist can get both a short-term and a long-term visa. If the applicant's citizenship allows, he/she can fill out a simple online application. Available permits can also be divided into single-entry (with a stay of up to 30 days) and multiple-entry (over 30 days).
Currently, the federal government provides several main types of visas:
- Tourist visa. It is issued for short periods for tourism purposes, visiting relatives or friends. It can be single-entry (up to 30 days) or multiple-entry (up to 90 days). Does not allow to engage in any paid or business activities. Renewal allowed.
- Visa on arrival or e-visa. Suitable for tourism, recreation, cultural and sports events or other non-commercial purposes. A single entry allows a one-time entry and stay of up to 30 days. Multiple, is valid for 90 days and does not limit the number of entries and exits.
- Business visa. Designed for foreigners planning a trip for business purposes, attending meetings, conferences, seminars or other commercial activities.
Student visa
Most students entering St. Kitts and Nevis universities need a study visa. The permit is issued on the basis of one of the existing programmes, adjusted for the requirements to provide information on enrollment in the educational institution. Before sending the petition, the applicant must provide a letter of admission to the university and a receipt for payment of the course of study. In turn, the visa application form is included in the package of documents required for admission.
The letter of admission to the university confirms that the foreigner has met all the requirements and is included in the list of students. When applying, you will need to pay a visa fee of $150, which is non-refundable in case of refusal.
Tourist Visa
If the applicant's citizenship does not allow entry into the federation without a visa or the duration of the stay exceeds the permissible time limits, then it is necessary to issue a visa for tourist purposes. The application is completed depending on the needs of the candidate. A visa for short-term tourism can be single-entry or multiple-entry with a validity period of 1-3 months from the date of issue.
You can send a request before the travel date to the nearest embassy or through the online eVisa portal. The Ministry of National Security of the country will review the application and provide a response within 14-20 days.
Business Visa
Employees and owners of foreign companies must obtain a visa for business purposes if they plan to stay on the islands for more than 90 days. The average processing time for a request is 14 days.
In order to obtain a business visa, an invitation letter from a company registered in Saint Kitts and Nevis must be attached to the applicant's file to confirm the planned business activity. Unlike a tourist visa, a business visa gives the right to engage in commercial activities, but within the framework of local legislation.
Work Visa
Designed for people planning to work on the islands and is based on a tourist or business type of visa. In this case, the future employer must be directly involved in the process of obtaining a work permit. The foreigner's file should contain documents on the candidate's approval and evidence that the employer advertised the vacancy on the local labor market for at least 3 weeks before hiring the foreign employee.
The procedures for obtaining a visa may vary slightly for each employee, but the basic requirements remain the same – the provision of a standard notarized package of documents and a work permit.
Up-to-date information on obtaining a work visa is posted on the official website of the Federation Government.
Necessary documents
Regardless of the planned activity, if the duration of the visit exceeds 3 months, it is required to issue the appropriate type of visa. To apply, you will have to prepare a package of documents confirming the identity of the applicant and justifying the purpose of the trip. Every document must be translated in English language and notarized.
In a standard situation, the candidate's dossier should include:
- Application.
- Valid passport (valid for at least 6 months and at least one blank page for the stamp).
- 2 recent Photos
- Flight ticket to and from the island.
- Documents confirming the housing availability.
- Summary of the trip's purpose.
- Receipts for payment of visa fees.
- Bank statements.
Recent changes in the visa issuance with Saint Kitts and Nevis
Since the conclusion of the visa-free travel agreement between Russia and Saint Kitts and Nevis, there have been no changes in the visa issuance question. However, global political tensions have had an impact on the program of granting federation’s citizenship to citizens of the Russian Federation and Belarus. Since March 8, 2022, the acceptance of applications has been suspended. Thus, at present, Russians and Belarusians do not have the opportunity to buy a passport of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Parallel to the introduction of modifications limiting the possibility of buying citizenship by representatives of individual countries, the federation signed a Memorandum of Agreement of the Eastern Caribbean countries. The document legalized the updated terms of the Citizenship by Investment program and set new thresholds for minimum investments in the Sustainable Development Fund and in real estate.