HomeSt. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment: The Ultimate Guide for Global Citizens 2023 - Lincoln Global Partners

St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship By Investment Guide

The pioneer of citizenship by investment — St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship program was originally launched in 1984. Swinging the pendulum on an entire immigration movement and evolving the citizenship by investment industry. Since its origination, the program has granted more than 20,000 passports through economic investment.

Read through the details of our ultimate 2023 guide where we make known all the CBI program details, recent changes, requirements, timeline and other notable factors.

St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Investment Program Overview

St. Christopher (St. Kitts) and Nevis citizenship investment program is the world's longest running program of its kind. St. Kitts and Nevis utilizes the citizenship by investment program to attract investors with adequate means to make substantial contributions to the development of the Federation in exchange for St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship.

Citizenship by investment programs are becoming increasingly strenuous in recent years, as governments offering them ensure strong due diligence in terms of character and financial means. High net worth investors should be capable of meeting the investment requirements along with associated government fees and be able to comfortably support themselves to acquire dual citizenship.
St. Kitts and Nevis flag and passport

Citizenship by Investment in St. Kitts and Nevis

The citizenship by investment program offered in St. Kitts and Nevis is a strong Caribbean option. Not only because it has been running the longest, but because the St. Kitts and Nevis passport offers visa free travel to 156 countries. It's the second highest ranked Caribbean passport, just under Barbados. Beyond visa free travel, St. Kitts and Nevis citizens enjoy a high quality of life in a small but thriving country. Since St. Kitts and Nevis is part of CARICOM, holders of the St. Kitts and Nevis passport enjoy access and integration with the other 20 member states.
St. Kitts City view

St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Investment Program Changes

Effective as of July 27th, 2023

The year of 2023 has been a year of major changes and revamping in citizenship and residency by investment programs. The St. Kitts and Nevis' long standing citizenship by investment program hasn’t been spared. At the end of July the government announced significant program changes. They are swapping the discounted sustainable growth foundation program entirely for raised investment costs and a new donation fund called the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC). This change scrapped the 2023 donation discount which was supposed to be in effect through January of 2024.

Beyond the fund changes, real estate costs have doubled and the timeline to resell has been increased from five to seven years. Another major change is that a mandatory interview process will now take place for all applicants. The overall process has changed, but will still remain smooth and swift.

The reason for these changes is to attract more qualified applicants.

Advantages of CBI in St. Kitts

The St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship program is a lifetime opportunity, offering a range of unique benefits. From its quick application process and passport access for family members and future generations, to its dual citizenship and visa free access — the program provides a clear pathway to St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship. Plus, the flexible requirements and potential tax freedom make the economic citizenship program a top choice for those looking for a well-known Caribbean destination.
Visa Free Travel to 157 countries
Substantially increase your global mobility with the St. Kitts and Nevis passport. You'll have visa-free access to the Schengen zone, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Hong Kong, Ireland and many more. Mexico was the latest country to be added to the list.
Access to long stay visas
Thanks to St. Kitts and Nevis's excellent visa reciprocity, citizens interested in visiting the US can apply for a 10-year multiple entry access B1 Tourist Visas and B2 business visas at any US consulate.

Full Residence Status in St. Kitts and Nevis and CARICOM
Obtain the rights to live, work and invest in St. Kitts and Nevis. As a member of CARICOM, citizens can can also reside in any other member nation.
No Physical Residency Requirements
One of the most defining benefits of obtaining a St. Kitts and Nevis passport is that you don't need to reside in the country to acquire nor maintain citizenship.
Tax Benefits
As a St. Kitts and Nevis passport holder you'll owe zero tax on worldwide income. If you opt to reside in St. Kitts and Nevis you won't face any capital gains tax, inheritance tax or wealth tax!
The entire family including siblings can be included in your application
The St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by investment program allows the main applicant to include his/her spouse, children, parents, grandparents, and siblings on their applications. What's better? They can be added after the fact, so you don't have to be in a rush to add them at the time of the main applicant application.
Commonwealth Country and Legal System
St. Kitts and Nevis is a Commonwealth country which gained independence in 1983.
Diversify your investment portfolio and earn income
Diversifying your investments and earning interest in a country that is both a safe place to live and a safe place to invest. Investors can sell after 7 years and secondary purchasers of Real Estate can qualify for CBI.

Investment Options

You can become a citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis through one of the following two forms of investment.

Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC)

The Sustainable Island State Contribution has gone into effect on July 27, 2023. 

  • Main applicant only: US$250,000
  • Main applicant and a spouse: US$300,000
  • Main applicant and one dependent: US$300,000
  • Main applicant, a spouse and one or two dependents; US$350,000
  • Main applicant and two or three dependents: US$350,000
  • Each additional dependent under 18: US$50,000
  • Each additional dependent aged 18 or over: US$75,000

The Citizenship by Investment Unit will respond to all applications within 120 days of lodging the application, At such point CIU will inform applicants of whether an application is:

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

Additional Fees:

Due diligence fee: $10,000 for main applicant and $7500 for each dependent over 16
Lawyer/Agent fee:  Typically around $6,000 per application depending on the number of family members
Passport fee: $350 per person
Additional: Courier charges, Bank transfer, Translation, Notary etc  $1,000

The Sustainable Island State Contribution fund has recently replaced the Sustainable Growth Fund. This fund will be directed towards advancing St. Kitts and Nevis into a sustainable island with a thriving quality of life, based on the following 7 pillars:

  1. Increasing local food production;
  2. Transitioning to Green Energy; 
  3. Diversifying the economy;
  4. Attracting and supporting sustainable industries; 
  5. Evolving the Creative Economy; 
  6. Recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic; and 
  7. Expanding social protection and safety nets to protect the most vulnerable.

Real Estate Investment

Property purchase in St. Kitts and Nevis can be in the form of shares or a single property investment. The real estate investment minimum ranges from $400,000 to $800,000. Account for additional fees to be tacked onto these costs such as due diligence fees, a government fee and passport fees. Real estate is recoverable after 7 years. Meaning, CBI applicants are able to sell their real estate investment and the buyer will also be eligible for citizenship by investment. 

A range of exclusive property is available on the island of St Kitts and the island of Nevis from beachfront villas, private homes or luxurious hotels to apartment and cozy mountain retreat condos.

Minimum real estate investment: $400,000 (resort hotel shares only); $800,000 (full title deed on condos or private homes)


Government Fee: of $25,000 for single applicant, and $15,000 for spouse and $10,000 for dependent children, regardless of age
Due diligence fee: $10,000 for main applicant and $7500 for dependents above 16 years.
Passport fee: $350 / person
Lawyer fee:  Averages $6,000 per application depending on the number of family members
Additional: Courier charges, Bank transfer, Translation, Notary etc  $1,000

Real estate investment must be made on an approved real estate project to qualify for the citizenship by investment program.

Eligibility and Requirements

Besides meeting investment Criteria there are a number of other requirements in which the main applicant must meet.

Key Requirements

The following criteria must be met to acquire citizenship in St. Kitts and Nevis:

  • Applicants must fulfill one of the aforementioned minimum investment requirements 
  • Attend a mandatory interview with a member of the Citizenship by Investment Unit in person at the St. Kitts and Nevis Consular or Embassy (virtual options exist) 
  • Be of outstanding character
  • Have no criminal record – a certified police certificate
  • Be in excellent health – a certified medical report
  • Have a high personal net worth from a legitimate source of funds
  • Pass the analysis done by the anti money laundering committee 

Restricted Countries:

Nationals from Russia, Belarus, Iran, Iraq Afghanistan, North Korea and Cuba are banned from applying regardless of where they reside. 

In-person meetings can be arranged with the CIU in Dubai, London and Zurich. You can make an appointment request on your online application. 

Dependents

Dependents can be added under the following criteria:

  • Main applicant’s spouse
  • Children of the main applicant and/or their spouse under the age of 18
  • Children of the main applicant and/or their spouse between 18 and 30 years if they are enrolled full time at a recognized higher education institution; and/or fully supported by the main applicant
  • Main applicant or spouse’s parents and grandparents over the age of 55 who live with and are fully supported by the main applicant
  • A child of the main applicant or spouse of the main applicant who is above the age of 18 years and physically or mentally challenged.

Dependents can now be added anytime after the main applicant obtains St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship. They will pay the required additional fees at the time of adding dependent(s). 

Required Documents

When preparing your citizenship by investment application for St. Kitts and Nevis it's vital to have the correct documents in specified formats. In the case you have any missing documents or the documents you submit are in an incorrect format you will be notified in 3-4 days and have 90 days to resubmit.

General Documentation

All applicants will need to submit to following: 

  • Completed C1 – C3 application forms;
  • Original excerpt of full birth record or certified copy of birth certificate 
  • Certified copy of proof of name change 
  • Certified copy of current national identity card(s) for all applicants over the age of 16
  • Certified copy of current passport(s) showing name, photo citizenship/nationality, date and place of issue, expiry date, passport number and issuing country;
  • HIV test results dated no more than 3 months prior to application submission date. Children under age 12 are exempt. 
  • Police Clearance Certificate
  • Six photographs approximately 35 x 45mm in size, taken within the past six (6) months (N.B. one of the photographs must be certified and attached to the C2 form).

Supporting Documentation for the Main Applicant:

In order to have your application for citizenship by investment considered, you must also provide supporting documents that include:

  • One original document of evidence of residential address (e.g. certified copy of a recent utility bill or bank statement showing full name and address, or written confirmation from a bank, attorney, chartered accountant or notary public);
  • Employment letter(s) stating the start of employment, position held and salary earned;
  • Certified copy of business license or incorporation documents;
  • One original excerpt of marriage record or certified copy of marriage certificate(s) if applicable (i.e. if married persons apply together);
  • Certified copy of divorce documents (if applicable);
  • Statement and evidence of source of fund to be invested in St. Kitts and Nevis;
  • Affidavit of financial support for applicants between the ages of 18-30;
  • Certified copy of university degrees (if applicable) and;
  • Limited Power of Attorney.

Certification

Additionally, any documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation into English. Finally, all documents must be certified and authenticated according to the law of the jurisdiction from which it originates.

How to get citizenship in St. Kitts and Nevis?

Now that you're aware of the requirements, here's a rundown of the how-to process step-by-step.
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How to get a St. Kitts and Nevis Passport in 7 steps

  1. Book a free consultation with Lincoln Global Partners

Our team of citizenship investment specialists are dedicated to helping you find the right investment option to meet the necessary requirements to guarantee a successful citizenship application. They will assess your individual circumstances and present the best investment options for you based on your criteria.

  1. Gather your documentation

A comprehensive checklist will be supplied to you and an experienced citizenship specialist will accompany you through the documentation retrieval process. They will carefully inspect each document to confirm that all requirements have been satisfied.

  1. Submit your application

Once you have provided us with all necessary paperwork, our team will analyze your file and prepare it ready for submission. The authorized local agent will then submit your application to the St Kitts and Nevis government, in accordance with the law.  Prior to submission of your application the government fees must be paid.

  1. Processing of application

Once your application has been submitted The St Lucia Citizenship By Investment Unit will screen your application rigorously by performing an in-depth background check to verify the information that is provided. At this stage we will assist you with scheduling the new mandatory interview at your nearest St. Kitts and Nevis consulate or embassy or on the ground in the country.

  1. Receive your pre-approval

Once the St. Kitts and Nevis Government has reviewed the citizenship application and made a decision, you will receive an accompanying letter detailing the outcome. This will come within 120 day of lodging your application. 

  1. Complete your investment

Upon receiving pre-approval for the St. Kitts CBI program, it is time to proceed with your investment (sustainable growth fund non refundable contribution, real estate purchase or investment in approved public benefit projects).

  1. St Kitts and Nevis Passport delivery

After making the minimum investment required to obtain citizenship here, your St Kitts and Nevis citizenship certificate will be issued. Additionally, the passport application will be submitted on your behalf and the St. Kitts and Nevis passport will be courier-delivered to your chosen location without the need to visit Saint Kitts and Nevis. St. Kitts and Nevis does not require you to take an oath as other Caribbean programs do. 

GLOBAL MIGRATION SOLUTIONS

Interested in a free consultation with one of our specialist residency & citizenship by investment advisors?

Life in St. Kitts and Nevis

While there’s no requirement to live in St. Kitts and Nevis during or after going through the citizenship by investment process, you may consider setting up home in the land of your newfound passport.

St Kitts and Nevis – known as the Mother Colony of the Caribbean. St. Kitts is one of the more popular Caribbean destinations for a temporary or permanent relocation. An obvious driver for this is the long standing citizenship by investment program, but the stable economy and business opportunities also lure expats to this sunny dual-island paradise.

Aside from enjoying all the dual citizenship benefits, living in St. Kitts and Nevis can offer a much needed respite. Whether that be a break from the hustle and bustle or a tax break. Yep, you read that right. A common reason people pursue second citizenship, particularly in the Caribbean, is for the attractive tax environment. St. Kitts and Nevis tax residents enjoy tax free worldwide income and no capital gains tax. Those who obtain St. but don’t become tax residents aren’t required to pay income tax or wealth tax. So whether you acquire Saint Kitts citizenship simply for the visa free access while maintaining a home-base outside the island, or to come here and live, you will enjoy tax benefits.

As for the place itself – you are afforded benefits beyond taxes. The environment is incredible, Optimal weather conditions exist outside of hurricane season. World-class beaches are lined with palm trees, offering plenty of greenery against the sandy shores and turquoise waters. The culture is a mix of influences from African, British, Carib, and French backgrounds. The lifestyle is one of ease and calm – a true island vibe. English is the official language, so expats are completely at ease in this regard. Your money goes far here as well, although expect imported goods to have a high price tag. 

If you go for the property investment route to qualify for the CBI program, you can invest on either island. St. Kitts is the bigger, more lively island. The landscape is lush and it’s famous for its black sandy beaches. More condo types of living are available on St. Kitts. While Nevis is the more tranquil and preserved island. Known for its silver sandy beaches, hiking trails and luxury private estates. 

And while it is a hiatus, Europe and North American are in close connectivity via flights. You’ll want plenty of airport connectivity when your second citizenship allows you visa free travel to 157 countries around the globe.

Overall, St. Kitts and Nevis is certainly a citizenship program worth pursuing.

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Apply for St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship with Lincoln Global Partners

Citizenship by investment in St. Kitts and Nevis is a great opportunity for individuals to increase their global mobility, enjoy the safety net of a second passport, returnable investment opportunities, and gain exceptional citizenship benefits.

Lincoln Global Partners is a specialist international investment migration firm with offices in the UK, UAE and Brazil. Our professionals are experts in the field of citizenship by investment and we are ready to assist you every step of the way with your St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment application.

Contact Us to start the process and Become a Global Citizen in 2023

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