Citizenship of St. Kitts and Nevis by Investment
Want to ensure freedom of movement, tax advantages and security for the whole family? The St Kitts and Nevis Economic Citizenship Program is one of the most reliable and proven in the world. A passport from this Caribbean country opens visa-free access to more than 150 countries, including the UK, the Schengen Area and Singapore.
You can choose the investment route that suits you: a non-refundable contribution of $250,000 to the Sustainable Growth Fund or the purchase of approved real estate. The process takes from 4 months, and does not require residence or travel to the islands. You can include your spouse, children, parents and even siblings – the whole family receives a passport at the same time. Our legal team accompanies you at every stage – from the initial consultation and verification to obtaining citizenship. We work directly with licensed agents, ensure complete confidentiality and minimize possible risks.
Benefits of St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship
St Kitts and Nevis launched its CBI program back in 1984. It is the oldest and one of the most stable citizenship by investment programs recognized by the international community. Holders of a St Kitts and Nevis passport can travel visa-free to the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Hong Kong, and many other countries.
There are no taxes on worldwide income, capital gains, inheritance, or gifts, making St Kitts and Nevis an attractive jurisdiction for asset protection and tax optimisation. The government procedure takes from 120 days, including due diligence. If necessary, accelerated processing is possible. There is no need to visit or live in the country before or after receiving the passport.
You can include spouses, children under 25, parents over 55, and siblings in your application. This is a great way to provide security and benefits to all your loved ones.
The program does not require you to take exams, prove your knowledge of English, or live in St. Kitts and Nevis. Obtaining citizenship is possible entirely remotely, including submitting documents and taking an oath.
Our legal team specializes in citizenship by investment programs and accompanies clients at all stages: from the initial consultation to obtaining a St. Kitts passport. We conduct a detailed check of the applicant before the start of the process, help choose the best investment path, prepare and check the entire package of documents, cooperate directly with licensed agents in St. Kitts and Nevis, ensure confidentiality, legal protection, and support after obtaining citizenship
Who can obtain citizenship in St. Kitts and Nevis?
The lead applicant must meet the following conditions:
The St. Kitts and Nevis investment program allows post-citizenship additions family members like:
- Spouse. The marriage must be officially registered.
- Children under 25 years of age. Provided that they are dependent on the applicant or are studying at a university.
- Parents, grandparents. Age – from 55 years, and they must also be financially supported by the applicant.
- Brothers and sisters. Some St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship programs allow the inclusion of siblings (up to 30 years of age) if they are not married and do not have their own children. However, this is only possible under additional conditions and may be limited by applicable law.
Each participant in the program undergoes an independent due diligence check. Basic requirements also apply to all family members: no criminal record, no serious illnesses, full disclosure of data, and transparent financial status.
Investment options
The St Kitts and Nevis Economic Citizenship Investment Programme is considered one of the most prestigious and trusted in the world. Since 1984, it has offered investors a legal and streamlined path to dual citizenship benefits without the need to live in the country. From 2023, updated rules have been introduced, including higher rates and more precise conditions for each investment route.
1. Non-profit contribution to the state fund (SGF)
The fastest and most popular route to St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship is a one-time donation to the Sustainable Island State Contribution. The rates were revised in July 2023:
- For a single applicant, a minimum investment of $250,000 US dollars
- Spouse and two dependents – from $300,000
This option does not require real estate purchase or maintaining the investment for a certain period. In addition:
- The registration process takes from 4 to 6 months
- Minimal documentation, especially when choosing the option with individual participation
- There are no additional costs for property maintenance or paying wealth taxes in the country
This is an ideal solution for applicants who want to obtain a St. Kitts passport as quickly as possible without needing to manage assets abroad.
2. Real estate investment program
Another popular route is investing in government-approved real estate projects. The main conditions are:
- Minimum investment threshold: $400,000
- Mandatory ownership period: from 7 years
- The objects must be included in the list of government-approved real estate projects (mainly hotels, villas, and apartments in tourist areas)
This option is attractive to investors who want to combine citizenship with the possibility of receiving rental income or subsequent property resale. However, it is worth considering the additional costs of registering the property and annual maintenance of the property.
3. Alternative investments
In some cases, the St. Kitts and Nevis government also offers alternative investment schemes:
- Investing in government-approved public benefit projects like the construction of schools, medical facilities, or tourist facilities
- State duties and special fees for registration of commercial assets, within the framework of agreed schemes
These options are available for a limited time and require individual agreement. They may be of particular interest to corporate clients and large investors.
Our team provides a full range of services for obtaining a St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship: analysis of your situation and selection of a suitable investment route, full preparation of documents and legal support, interaction with licensed agents and program bodies, support after receiving a passport, from extension to tax consulting. We guarantee confidentiality, legal purity of the transaction, and transparent conditions without hidden fees.
Stages of obtaining a citizenship certificate
Initial consultation and choice of investment path
At this stage, the applicant discusses key goals and priorities with a legal consultant: speed of receipt, type of investment (non-commercial contribution or real estate projects), the possibility of including family members, and tax risks. After analyzing the situation, we select the best path.
Preparation of documents and preliminary check
Before applying for the St. Kitts citizenship, an internal due diligence process is conducted. This helps to identify potential risks of refusal in advance and eliminate them. The client collects the main package of documents:
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- Passport and identification documents
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- Certificates of criminal record
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- Confirmation of the origin of funds
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- Medical reports
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- Birth/marriage certificates (if applying as a family)
Lawyers check that formats and representations comply with CIU requirements.
Applying to the CIU
Once the dossier is complete, it is submitted to the government’s Citizenship Agency. The applicant also pays the mandatory due diligence fees. At this point, the official review process begins.
Conducting an official Due Diligence check
The CIU conducts an in-depth check of each adult applicant (including spouses and adult children) through international databases, reports by special agencies, and open sources. The process is conducted by an independent professional firm commissioned by the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) or officials of the commission. Additional documents or clarifications may be requested if necessary. The verification takes on average 60 to 90 days.
Making a preliminary decision
Following the review, the CIU issues a decision on the preliminary government approval letter. From this point on, the investor must make the selected contribution:
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Donation to SGF – a one-time payment is made
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Investments in real estate – a purchase and sale agreement is signed, and the property is paid for
Lawyers coordinate the process, monitor compliance of all transactions with KYC and AML rules.
Obtaining final approval
Once the investment is confirmed, the CIU issues an official citizenship letter. This is the final approval stage before documents are issued.
Oath and receiving a passport
The applicant signs the declaration of oath (this can be done remotely, at the consulate, or in the presence of a notary). After this, the passports are made and delivered to the client by courier, in person, or through an authorized person.
Required documents
Each applicant (both the main applicant and any family members included in the application) must provide basic documents confirming identity, financial solvency, and lack of a criminal record:
- International passport (valid for at least 6 months)
- Birth certificate (full form, including details of parents)
- Proof of family status (marriage certificate, divorce certificate, death certificate of spouse – if available)
- Certificate of no criminal record from the country of permanent residence and citizenship
- Financial documents: tax returns, income statements, bank statements for the last 12 months
- Medical certificate confirming the absence of serious illnesses (including HIV test results)
- Photographs (4-6 color passport-size photos)
- Documents confirming education and/or employment (upon request)
- Formal requirements for registration
St Kitts and Nevis has strict formal requirements for the submission of documents. All documents must be translated into English and notarized. Translations must be made by a sworn (licensed) translator indicating their qualifications. An apostille is required for documents issued outside the Commonwealth.
The application is submitted through a licensed agent, and the package includes a letter of representation from the authorized agent, a contract with the agent (for transparency of financial terms), proof of payment of government fees, and Due Diligence fees.
If it is necessary to include children, parents, grandparents, or brothers/sisters in the application, additional documents are submitted: certificates of dependency, documents on guardianship, and consent of the other parent (if a minor child is registered by one parent).
Our company’s legal team offers full support of the procedure: preparation of an individual checklist of documents, translations, notarization, and verification of compliance with formal requirements, preparation and submission of an application through a licensed agent, responses to possible CIU inquiries, support until receipt of a passport
Dual citizenship
St. Kitts and Nevis recognizes dual citizenship, which makes this jurisdiction especially attractive to foreign investors. When receiving a passport of this Caribbean country, the applicant is not required to renounce the citizenship of the country of origin. Moreover, the authorities do not transfer information about new citizens to third countries or international organizations, which ensures a high level of confidentiality.
The investor retains all the rights and freedoms provided by their first country, while gaining access to the benefits of a second citizenship: visa-free travel, tax breaks, and an alternative place of residence. There is also no requirement for permanent residence in the country or passing a language exam, which makes it easier to maintain citizenship. A St. Kitts and Nevis passport is valid for 10 years and can be renewed without losing citizenship.
Our legal team guides clients through all stages of citizenship application, ensuring compliance with the laws of both St Kitts and Nevis and your country of first citizenship. If you are looking for a second passport with reliable legal protection and complete confidentiality, St Kitts and Nevis citizenship is a smart choice.
FAQ
The standard procedure for obtaining citizenship of St. Kitts and Nevis by investment takes on average from 4 to 6 months. This period includes all stages: from the initial application to receiving the physical passport. The most important stage is the Due Diligence check, which can take up to 90 days. For applicants who require accelerated processing, there is a Fast Track Option: in this case, the passport can be obtained within 60 days, but this service involves an additional fee.
Yes, after receiving citizenship, the main applicant can submit an additional application to include family members. This is usually possible within a few years of receiving the main passport. It is possible to include a spouse, children (including adopted children), parents and, in some cases, siblings, subject to certain conditions (such as financial dependence on the main applicant). Each such case requires a separate check and payment of the appropriate fees.
In addition to the main investment amount (contribution to a state fund or purchase of real estate), the applicant must pay mandatory government fees, which depend on the number of family members applying. Also paid for are the services of a licensed agent, legal support, due diligence, translation services and apostille of documents. All costs are fixed and discussed in detail before the procedure begins, which eliminates hidden payments.
No, the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program does not require the physical presence of the applicant either at the application stage or after receiving citizenship. All stages can be completed remotely with the help of a licensed agent. The only requirement is a personal or notarized oath of allegiance to the country, which can also be completed remotely through a consulate or with the help of an authorized representative.
If you choose to obtain citizenship through the purchase of real estate, the property must be owned for at least 7 years (or 5 years in the case of properties purchased from another CBI program participant). Violation of this period may result in the revocation of citizenship. After the minimum ownership period, you are free to dispose of the property: rent it out, sell it, or use it for personal purposes.
The St Kitts and Nevis CBI program ensures a high level of confidentiality. Information about new citizens is not published in open sources or transferred to third countries. Moreover, the country does not participate in the automatic exchange of tax information (CRS), which is especially important for the protection of personal data and assets of applicants. All procedures are carried out through licensed agents who are required to comply with strict confidentiality and data protection requirements.