St Kitts & Nevis
This is the world’s first and oldest Citizenship by Investment Programme.
Source : Rif Trust
166
visa-free countries
$250,000
minimum requirement
6-12
months processing time
The St. Kitts and Nevis “Citizenship by Investment Program” offers many benefits. Above all, one of the main advantages is is the availability of166 visa-free travel countries, as Saint Kitts and Nevis is a member of the Commonwealth as well as being a member of the Caribbean.
Benefits of St Kitts & Nevis Citizenship
Enjoy Accessible Travel
Visit 166 countries visa-free access with Saint Kitts and Nevis citizenship.
Relax with Physical Presence Requirements
You don’t have to permanently relocate to Saint Kitts and Nevis. What's more, there are no language tests either.
Become a Dual Citizen
This Caribbean country recognizes dual citizenship. In addition, becoming a St Kitts and Nevis national can prove beneficial for tax reasons.
Make a Difference
CBI accounts for around 25%-30% of this twin-island state's GDP.
Who Can Get St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship
Investor
Firstly, over 18 years of age
Can prove your investment is legal
Have a clean criminal record
Be of good character
Not been denied a visa to a country with visa-free access to St Kitts and Nevis
Not been declared bankrupt within 10 years of applying
Spouse
Over 18 years of age
Have a clean criminal record
Be of good character
Not been denied a visa to a country with visa-free access to St Kitts and Nevis
Children Under 18
Living at home
Children 18-25
Enrolled full-time at a higher education institution
Mentally or Physically Challenged Children
Of any age
Your Parents or Parents in Law
Living with you and, in addition, fully supported by you
Aged 55 and over
St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Programme Requirements
To apply for this Citizenship by Investment Programme, fulfill ONE of the following investment options:
OPTION 1. Donate to the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC)
Your SISC donation to the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis must be at least $250,000 as a single applicant. Additionally, this rises to $275,000 if you include an extra dependent under 18. Furthermore, if you add a dependent over 18, you will pay $300,000.
OPTION 2. Invest in St Kitts and Nevis Property
The Developer’s Real Estate Option requires you to invest no less than $325,000 in an approved real estate development. Consequently, you must own the property for at least 7 years. Furthermore, it can only be resold once, to a new CBI programme member.
In contrast, an Approved Private Home, either a condo or single-family dwelling, qualifies as a CBI option. In this case, you must pay at least $325,000 to the condo owner and $600,000 to the single-family dwelling owner.
Subsequently, you have to own the private home for at least seven years. Following this, you can’t resell your real estate investment to a CBI applicant unless Federal Cabinet approves. Ultimately, you must inject substantial extra investment by way of construction, renovation, or any other improvements.
OPTION 3. Contribute to an Approved Public Benefit Project in St Kitts and Nevis
Invest at least $250,000 in a project that boosts local employment and, also, transfers all real estate to the State on completion.
Other St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Requirements and Benefits
To obtain St Kitts and Nevis nationality through this Citizenship by Investment program, you can’t either pose security or reputational risks. What’s more, as a St Kitts and Nevis passport holder, you don’t have to live on either. Yet, there are no taxes on your earnings or wealth if you’re a resident.
St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Application Process
MONTH 1
St Kitts and Nevis citizenship onboarding process
Our St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment process begins with Form 1, our RIF Trust due diligence. After this screening, we provide a Client Agreement (CA) for you to review and sign. We make this process as easy to follow as a table of contents.
Upon receiving the signed agreement and retainer payment, our St Kitts and Nevis citizenship processing team completes government forms and supporting documents. If you choose a property investment, we arrange the sales and purchase agreement with the developer. We'll liaise with the property developer and the St Kitts & Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) on your behalf.
Rest assured that we thoroughly review your application before submission to meet CIU requirements. We maintain close relations with the CIU during months 1-2 and beyond.
MONTHS 2-5
Application review and submission of your St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment
Before submitting your documents, we review your St Kitts and Nevis citizenship application to ensure your file complies with the CIU's requirements. Subsequently, our processing team will complete its final checks.
The CIU undertakes its own due diligence checks, as well. In addition, we will work closely with them to ensure your St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment application proceeds smoothly.
Applying for Citizenship by Investment here now requires a mandatory interview for main applicants and dependents over 16 years of age. During the interview, applicants must attend alone, without legal representatives or support persons. Interviews can be conducted online or in person, with certified translators available if necessary.
MONTHS 6-12
Certificate of Registration issued
The CIU assesses your citizenship application, and upon approval, you make all necessary contributions and pay any applicable government charges including due diligence fees.
Subsequently, you will need to collect the Certificate of Registration in person. You can do this in St Kitts or at an approved consulate or embassy.
Only upon the receipt of the COR will you be able to apply for a Saint Kitts and Nevis passport.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect from St Kitts & Nevis Citizenship?
Saint Kitts and Nevis, part of the Commonwealth of Nations, retains the British monarch as the head of state. This beautiful, verdant two-island state is in the Eastern Caribbean, to the west of Antigua and to the south of Anguilla.
The two islands cover 261 sq. km and house a population of just under 48,000. Despite the small size, the country is conveniently reached. There are good air links with the United States, for example, offering many flights to Robert L Bradshaw International Airport.
Tourism is the nation's economic mainstay, attracting more than 600,000 visitors every year. This accounts for most of the $1.5 billion annual income. They balance this economic success against a commitment to international agreements. The two-island state signed the Double Taxation Relief (CARICOM) Treaty 1994 and also complies with the US FATCA regime.
What are the main St Kitts and Nevis citizenship benefits?
In addition to the impressive location itself, there are many other benefits to obtaining this citizenship. Foremost:
You can enjoy visa-free access to a greater number of countries and territories.
Moreover, you can take advantage of physical residency requirements, i.e., no language tests, or need to relocate.
Furthermore, the country recognizes dual citizenship, which can prove beneficial if you're applying for tax reasons.
Who can apply for the Saint Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Programme?
To apply for St Kitts and Nevis citizenship, you must meet specific criteria. Firstly, you must be over the age of 18. Additionally, you need to have a clean criminal record. Moreover, the programme also requires that you have a stable income and good health.
What is the minimum St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment requirement?
Contribute to the country's economy through one of the following ways:
Firstly, invest $250,000 in the Sustainable Island State Contribution. Additionally, each extra dependent under 18 costs $25,000 and, each further dependent over 18, $50,000.
Another option is to commit at least $400,000 to the Developer’s Real Estate Option. Subsequently, you must own the property for no less than 7 years and then resell it to someone joining the CBI programme.
Alternatively, you can choose to pledge at least $250,000 to an Approved Public Benefit Project that boosts local employment.
Am I required to permanently reside in the country for my St Kitts and Nevis citizenship application to be successful?
No, you do not need a permanent residence. Furthermore, there is no requirement at all to visit the country. In fact, you can apply for St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment entirely remotely.
How long will my Saint Kitts and Nevis Citizenship be valid for?
You qualify for St Kitts and Nevis citizenship for life. However, your passport will be valid for 10 years.
You can renew this every 10 years indefinitely so that you do not worry about visa requirements when travelling. This means you won’t ordinarily have to obtain a visa or concern yourself with electronic travel authorization (ETA) matters.
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