Successful applicants under the St Kitts and Nevis Programme are registered as citizens of the nation and may apply for a St Kitts and Nevis passport

They have access to a huge range of benefits including:

• The ability to share citizenship with future generations.
• Citizenship for life, with the right to live and work in the country.
• Visa-free and visa-on-arrival travel to over 150 countries and territories.
• A fair tax regime, with no worldwide income, inheritance and gift tax for tax residents.

The St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Programme is the only programme of its kind to offer a guaranteed fast-track route to citizenship, known as the Accelerated Application Process (AAP). Under the AAP, a successful applicant can receive citizenship in as little as 60 days from submission of an application. The AAP is available for the following additional cost, inclusive of due diligence fees:

*Note: while the Citizenship by Investment Unit and the Passport Office work in unison, obtaining citizenship and applying for a passport are two distinct processes.

• Main applicant
  USD 25,000
• Any family member aged 16 or over
  USD 20,000
• Any family member under the age of 16
  USD 500 (passport fee* only)

There are four ways in which an applicant can apply for citizenship under the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Programme:

1. By donating to the country’s Sustainable Growth Fund

2. By investing in pre-approved real estate

3. By purchasing a private home

4. By choosing the ‘alternative investment option

01

THE SUSTAINABLE GROWTH FUND

The Sustainable Growth Fund is the most direct investment path to St Kitts and Nevis citizenship. The revenue from the fund is used to support sustainable growth initiatives in the country. Under a Limited Time Offer due to expire on 31 December 2021, the following contribution amounts apply:

• Single applicant
  USD 150,000
• Family of up to four persons (excluding siblings)
  USD 150,000
• Per sibling
  USD 20,000
• o Any family member after the third (excluding siblings)
  USD 10,000

02

PRE-APPROVED REAL ESTATE

Under this option, applicants are required to invest in government-approved real estate in St Kitts and Nevis. The following investment amounts apply:

An independent investment in pre-approved real-estate, to be held for a minimum of 5 years: USD 400,000

A joint investment with another main applicant, to be held for a minimum of 7 years: USD 200,000

Additionally, the following government fees apply:

• Main applicant
  USD 35,000
• Spouse
  USD 20,000
• Sibling
  USD 40,000
• Per additional dependant (other than the spouse or a sibling)
  USD 10,000

03

Until 1 November 2022, applicants can qualify for citizenship under the Programme by purchasing a private home worth USD 400,000. Two or more main applicants may also apply together provided they each contribute USD 400,000 towards the property. The property must be held for a period of five years and can never be reused in a subsequent citizenship by investment application.

Additionally, the following government fees apply:

• Main applicant
  USD 35,000
• Spouse
  USD 20,000
• Sibling
  USD 40,000
• Per additional dependant (other than the spouse or a sibling)
  USD 10,000

04

ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT OPTION

Under this new option, an applicant can place an investment in the escrow account of an approved infrastructural project or other approved development project.

To be approved for use in an application, the project must:

Not raise 100% of the capital for the project via citizenship by investment
Already have raised a minimum of 30% of the capital for the project
Be approved by the St Kitts Investment Promotion Agency and Cabinet
The cost of the investment will vary according to whether the project is, eventually, owned by the state (US$175,000) or by a private entity (US$200,000).

If eventually owned by the state, government fees apply as follows:

• Main applicant USD 35,000
• Spouse USD 20,000
• Sibling USD 40,000
• Per each additional dependant (other than the spouse or a sibling) USD 10,000

If eventually owned by a private entity, government fees apply as follows:

• Family of up to four USD 50,000
• Sibling USD 40,000
• Per each additional dependant other than spouse (to be included in the family of four) or a sibling USD 10,000

Once an individual’s application for citizenship by investment is approved, an economic citizen can apply for a passport at the Passport Office.

What are the Benefits of a St Kitts and Nevis Passport?

St Kitts and Nevis passports are CARICOM passports that are issued to citizens of St Kitts and Nevis for international travel. They are biometric documents, ensuring a greater level of safety and facilitating cross-border procedures. Holders of St Kitts and Nevis passports enjoy visa-free or visa-on arrival access to about 150 countries and territories worldwide.

Ordinary St Kitts and Nevis passports are valid for 10 years if issued to a person aged 16 or over and are valid for five years for children under the age of 16. They can be renewed at the Passport Office at the Government Headquarters in Basseterre (St Kitts and Nevis’ capital city) or at a St Kitts and Nevis High Commission, Embassy, or Consulate.

What is the St Kitts and Nevis Passport Application Process?

The passport application process is separate from the citizenship by investment process and requires the applicant to present a number of documents, including, but not limited to, a certified copy of the applicant’s Certificate of Registration – the document that is issued to an economic citizen at the end of the citizenship by investment process.

Every time St Kitts and Nevis passport holders re-apply for a passport (for example, because their old passport has expired), they must present their old St Kitts and Nevis passport. This will be cancelled upon issuance of the new passport.

AFRICA

AMERICAS

ASIA

EUROPE

OCEANIA

For successful applicants, the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment application process consists of seven main steps, which are:

• Step 1:
  Pre-approval by Globalciti and preparation of the application
• Step 2:
  Submission of the citizenship application
• Step 3:
  Application processing by the Citizenship by Investment Unit and internal and external due diligence checks
• Step 4:
  Approval in principle
• Step 5:
  Contribution to the Sustainable Growth Fund or investment in either pre-approved real estate, a private home, or the ‘alternative investment option.’
• Step 6:
  Citizenship certificate issued
• Step 7:
  Passport application

How long does it take to process an application?

From submission of the application to an approval in principle, successful applicants are generally expected to wait three months.

What are the investment options under the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Programme?

• A direct contribution to the country’s Sustainable Growth Fund
• An investment in pre-approved real estate
• An investment in a private home
• An investment in the ‘alternative investment option

Applicant Eligibility

Applicants for citizenship should be at least 18 years of age, of good character, without a criminal record, and be able and willing to make the required contribution or investment.

Which family members can I include in my application for economic citizenship?

You can include:

• Your spouse
• Children (yours or your spouse’s) under 18
• Children (yours or your spouse’s) aged 18-30 who are in a dependency relationship with either you or your spouse
• Children (yours or your spouse’s) aged 18 or over who are physically or mentally disabled
• Siblings (yours or your spouse’s) if unmarried, childless, 30 years of age or younger, and financially dependent on the main applicant
• Parents (yours or your spouse’s) if aged 55 or above, and living with and fully supported by you
• Grandparents (yours or your spouse’s) if aged 65 or above, and living with and fully supported by you

What does the due diligence process in St Kitts and Nevis entail?

You will be vetted by multiple entities:

• Local Authorised Persons perform KYC (know-your-client) checks
• The Citizenship by Investment Unit carries out internal checks including AML (anti-money laundering) and CTF (counter-terrorism financing) vetting
• Mandated international due diligence firms perform online and on-the-ground checks
• Regional and international law enforcement agencies check that you aren’t on any wanted or sanctions lists

Are citizens of certain countries not allowed to apply?

Nationals of Iran, Afghanistan, and North Korea, regardless of where they live, are excluded from applying (this includes dependants).

Nationals of Iraq, Nigeria, and Yemen are unable to apply for the Accelerated Application Process route.

Is This Programme for Me?

This Caribbean citizenship by investment programme is good value for money for both individual applicants and families looking to apply for second citizenship, including:

• Families of four who would also like to add dependants such as parents, grandparents, or siblings
• Single professionals who want to boost their career opportunities
• Entrepreneurs looking to expand their businesses on a global level
• Remote workers who want greater global mobility and the choice to work wherever they want to

Where Your Funds Go

The Sustainable Growth Fund allows future citizens of St Kitts and Nevis to be part of the success story. This investment channel enables both applicants and the nation to thrive. The Sustainable Growth Fund channels resources to priority areas like education, health, climate change and resilience, infrastructure, tourism and culture, and the promotion of indigenous entrepreneurship to benefit all citizens.

Investments in real estate provide wider benefits for the economy of St Kitts and Nevis through direct and indirect job creation.

Who Heads up the Citizenship by Investment Programme of St Kitts and Nevis?

Les Khan, PMP, MSOC, BBA, is Chief Executive Officer of the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Investment Unit. Les Khan has over 20 years of experience with large financial organisations and risk management companies globally. Since 2015, Les Khan has been involved in the revamping of the Citizenship by Investment Unit in St Kitts and Nevis, and has become a resident expert on citizenship programmes within the Caribbean.

Originally from Trinidad, Les Khan is a member of the Project Management Institute and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) in addition to being a member of the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS) and the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP). Les Khan earned his Master’s Degree in Counseling from the University of South Australia and his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Finance from Baruch College, New York.

How Globalciti can help?

Globalciti assists clients who wish to obtain citizenship of St Kitts and Nevis, providing them with the guidance and commitment they need to see their application processed seamlessly. Our team then ensures that clients who obtain their citizenship also apply for, and receive, St Kitts and Nevis passports should they wish to.

Government of St Kitts and Nevis

St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit

St Kitts Investment Promotion Agency (SKIPA)

Nevis Investment Promotion Agency