The St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program requires applicants to make a significant economic contribution to the country. In exchange, and subject to a stringent application procedure including thorough background checks, the applicants and their families are granted full citizenship.

Benefits

St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship has many benefits including:

• Applicant and family enjoy full citizenship for life, which can be passed on to future generations by descent
• Visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to 157 destinations including Hong Kong, Russia, Singapore, the UK, and Europe’s Schengen Area.
• Citizenship-by-descent is available to future generations.
• Applicants are able to include a spouse, children under 31, parents, grandparents aged 55 and over, and unmarried dependent siblings under 31 with no children, as well as to add dependents after they have been granted citizenship
• St. Kitts and Nevis is a member of the Commonwealth, which entitles citizens to certain privileges in the UK and other Commonwealth countries
• Dual citizenship is allowed by the nation.
• There is no minimum stay required.

Qualification Criteria and Requirements

To qualify for citizenship, the main applicant must be over 18 years of age, meet the application requirements, and select one of the following options:

1. A non-refundable contribution of USD$150,000 to the Sustainable Growth Fund for a single applicant. An additional USD$25,000 applies for a spouse, USD$20,000 for each sibling, and USD$10,000 for any other qualifying dependent.
2. A non-refundable contribution of USD$175,000 to the Alternative Investment Option for a single applicant or family of up to four members. An additional USD$20,000 applies for each sibling and USD$10,000 for any other qualifying dependent.
3. The purchase of real estate with a minimum value of USD$200,000 (resalable after seven years) or USD$400,000 (resalable after five years) from an approved real estate development.

Procedures and Timeline

The St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) is responsible for the processing of all applications. There is also an accelerated application process available with a 45- to 60-day processing time frame. The CIU examines the application thoroughly and may request that the applicant attend an interview, although this is rarely necessary. The CIU undertakes strict due diligence checks and will decline an application if the applicant makes a false statement or omits any relevant information. The applicant must personally complete the prescribed government forms, which are only available from an authorized service provider. The documentary requirements of the program are reasonable and the procedures straightforward. Most applicants will normally visit the islands before deciding on the purchase of real estate, but it is not a prerequisite for the application process, which usually takes between three to four months from submission of the application to the CIU for approval. Under the real estate option, the time frame may vary depending on the development, so it is important to choose a real estate project that complements the citizenship application efficiently.

Upon approval-in-principle of the application, the funds for the real estate, SGF contribution, government fees, and other fees will be released to the various parties. Thereafter, the prime minister will sign the certificate of registration, which confers citizenship status. Once the certificate of registration is issued, the applicant is entitled to apply for a passport.