Saint Kitts and Nevis
WHY ST KITTS AND NEVIS CITIZENSHIP?
In the eastern Caribbean, west of Antigua and south of Anguilla, lies the lovely, lush two-island nation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
St. Kitts and Nevis, a former British colony, acquired independence in 1983 but has decided to uphold ties to its colonial heritage by continuing to have Queen Elizabeth II as head of state.
The 261 sq. km.-sized islands have a population of slightly over 54,000 people who live in a federal parliamentary democracy and enjoy a high standard of living. The majority of the nation's annual income of USD 1.5 billion comes from tourism, which draws more than 600,000 tourists each year.
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, and a high standard of living, making it the perfect place to live a fulfilling and happy life.
The government of St. Kitts and Nevis has offered citizenship to investors since 1984, making it the oldest program of its kind in the world. The initiative is now widely used as an example of how to increase foreign investment in a nation's economy.
On the basis of the Citizenship Act No. 1 of 1984 and amendments to the Citizenship Act No. 25 of 1984 to the Citizenship Act No. 25 of November 22, 2018, the St. Kitts and Nevis Department of Citizenship for Investment approves applications from investors.
Citizenship in St. Kitts and Nevis has already been granted to 20,000 internationals and their families. The business community favors the nation's passport. For instance, Pavel Durov, the creator of "Telegram," and the creator of the social network "VKontakte," both became citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Key Benefits Of Obtaining A Saint Kitts and Nevis Citizenship By Investment Passport
- Visa-free travel to 157 countries including the EU Schengen area, the UK, Singapore and Hong Kong.
- Full citizenship with passport granted to the main applicant, spouse, children, and parents or grandparents.
- Citizenship can be granted to a sibling of the main applicant who is under 30 years of age, financially dependent, unmarried and without children.
- Having been established in 1984, it is the world's oldest Citizenship-by-Investment programe.
- No personal income tax, gift tax, inheritance tax, or net worth tax.
- No minimum presence is required.
- Rapid citizenship acquisition: a second passport can be obtained through an expedited application process in 45–60 days.
- Access to nations in the Schengen Zone: 90 days per half-year of visa-free travel; the UK: 180 straight days; the United States: 10 years of B1/B2 visa-free travel.
- Study with favorable conditions at some UK institutions. The prestigious University of the West Indies, which adheres to British educational norms, offers free tuition.
- Access to banks in Europe to retain your savings in hard currency, it is simple to open an EU bank account with a passport from St. Kitts and Nevis.
- If you invest in property, you have a short investment time of 5 years.
- Business climate is favorable since St. Kitts and Nevis' currency is tied to the US dollar.
- Information on investors who become citizens is kept fully private and secret.
- Transferable to descendants for the rest of one's life.
- Dual citizenship is acknowledged.
REQUIREMENTS / INVESTMENT OPTIONS
Since its inception in 1984, the government of St. Kitts and Nevis has offered investors the opportunity to become residents of the island nation. The initiative has evolved into a standard for many nations in terms of how to entice foreign investment into their economies.
On the basis of the Citizenship Act No. 1 of 1984 and amendments to the Citizenship Act No. 25 of 1984 to the Citizenship Act No. 25 of November 22, 2018, the St. Kitts and Nevis Department of Citizenship for Investment accepts applications from investors.
Citizenship in St. Kitts and Nevis has already been given to 20,000 internationals and their families.
The business community favors the nation’s visa. For instance, Pavel Durov, the creator of “Telegram,” and the creator of the social network “VKontakte,” both became citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis.
In order to qualify for citizenship for the applicant and his or her family under the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship-by-Investment Program, the applicant must spend a sizeable sum of money in the nation.
The applicant must be at least 18 years old, satisfy the due diligence standards, and choose one of the following three options in order to be eligible for citizenship:
- A nonrefundable contribution to the Sustainable Development Fund beginning at USD 150,000.
- Invest in real estate in a project that has received government approval and has a worth of at least $200,000.
- A non-refundable donation made through the Alternative Investment Option (AIO), which will be used by the government to help create a new jail or prison.
Donation
Investors presently have two donation options available. The SIDF and the Hurricane Assistance Fund have been completely replaced by the Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF).
The St. Kitts and Nevis government uses the SGF to carry out initiatives in the fields of business, infrastructure, healthcare, education, heritage and cultural preservation, and infrastructure.
The SGF contribution is USD 150,000 for a single applicant and USD 195,000 for a household of four.
The main applicant may be accompanied by their spouse, minor children, and adult children between the ages of 18 and 30 who are enrolled full-time at an accredited institution of higher education. Additionally, parents or grandparents who are over 55 and residing with and being supported in full by the primary applicant may be included.
Two cost possibilities are summarized in the table below:
| ST KITTS AND NEVIS | Single Applicant | Family of Four |
|---|---|---|
|
Contribution to SGF |
150,000 |
195,000 |
|
Due Diligence Fees |
7,500 |
11,500 |
|
Passport(s) + Bank fees |
800 |
2,050 |
Sub - Total |
USD 158,300 |
USD 208,550 |
Please note, additional charges may apply.
Alternative Investment Option
The government is using the Alternative Investment Option (AIO), a type of investment, to help create a new correctional facility that will help ensure the security and safety of St. Kitts and Nevis residents. The AIO begins at USD 150,000 for one applicant and up to four people for families.
| ST KITTS AND NEVIS | Single Applicant | Family of Four |
|---|---|---|
|
Alternative Investment Option(AIO) |
175,000 |
175,000 |
|
Due Diligence Fees |
7,500 |
11,500 |
|
Passport(s) + Bank fees |
800 |
2,050 |
Sub - Total
|
USD 183,300 |
USD 188,550 |
Please note, additional charges may apply.
Real estate
Applicants have the option of purchasing real estate from an authorized real estate initiative for a minimum of USD 200,000. Real land cannot be sold in less than seven years. The hold time is shortened to five years when the purchase is at least USD 400,000.
The two previously described scenarios would be subject to the same government fees and due diligence fees under this option:
| ST KITTS AND NEVIS | Single Applicant | Family of Four |
|---|---|---|
|
Minimum Price |
200,000 |
200,000 |
|
Government fees |
35,050 |
75,200 |
|
Due Diligence Fees |
7,500 |
11,500 |
|
Passport(s) + Bank fees |
800 |
2,050 |
Sub - Total
|
USD 243,350 |
USD 288,750 |
Please note, additional charges may apply.
The primary applicant and his or her dependents must have a spotless personal history in addition to making one of the aforementioned three financial contributions. An applicant will not be granted citizenship if they have been refused a visa to a nation with which St. Kitts and Nevis has a visa-free travel agreement, if they are considered a potential security risk, a reputational risk, or if they are the focus of a criminal inquiry.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for this program, the Investor must be:
- Over the age of 18.
- No crime history.
- With a regular salary.
- No passport rejection.
- Verify for diligence without tests in the language, history, and culture of the society.
- Applying remotely through a qualified representative.
Investor’s Siblings must be:
- Under 30 years old.
Investor’s children must be:
- Children under 30 years old
Investor’s Parents of spouses must be:
- Older than 55 years.
Application Process
Initial due diligence.
Sign Client agreement complete government forms and provide supporting documentation.
If purchasing real estate, sign an
agreement with the developer.
Application documents reviewed
and amended.
On approval, necessary
contributions are made.
