Citizenship Program
The Citizenship Program of St. Christopher (St. Kitts) and Nevis was established in 1984, it mandates applicants to make a standard investment to the economic contribution to the country which is approved and recognised by the government. Such an investment guarantees the applicant and his family with a citizenship in St. Kitts and Nevis.
The regulations regarding citizenship-by-investment in St. Kitts & Nevis are contained in Part II, Section 3 (5) of the Citizenship Act, 1984. The Government determines, by Cabinet Decisions, which projects and which amounts of investment shall qualify as a "substantial investment" and thus lead to eligibility under the Citizenship-by -Investment Program.
When you acquire citizenship under the St. Kitts & Nevis citizenship program, you and your family enjoy full citizenship. As citizens of St. Kitts & Nevis, you and your family are issued with passports which allow visa-free travel to more than 100 countries worldwide, including the entire EU.
Citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis can take up residence in St. Kitts & Nevis as well as in most of the CARICOM member countries at any time and for any length of time. You are not liable for taxation, even if you decide to reside in St. Kitts & Nevis, as there are no direct taxes.
As a Commonwealth citizen, you receive certain preferential treatment in the United Kingdom. For example, your children may enter the United Kingdom to study without first having to apply for student visas. After studying, they may work in the United Kingdom for two years without needing a work permit.
How to qualify for St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by investment?
To qualify for this program, the applicant must make either an investment of at least US$ 400,000 in one of the approved real-estate developments in addition to paying government fees, other fees and taxes;
Or
The applicant may make a donation to the Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation (SIDF, a public charity) an amount of US$ 250,000 (single applicant) and this includes all government fees.
Investment in real-estate program
To qualify for citizenship under the real estate option, the government requires applicants to make an investment in designated, officially approved real estate with a value of at least US$ 400,000 plus the payment of government fees and other fees and taxes. As the application procedure under this option involves the purchase of real estate, this can lengthen the processing time depending on the chosen property.
A list of approved real-estate developments is published on the website of the Citizenship-by-Investment Unit of the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis. Our professionally dedicated team can actually advise you the better properties with the kind of investment you may have in mind.
The real estate cannot be re-sold until 5 years after the purchase, and after that will qualify the next buyer for citizenship.
Citizenship by contribution to the SIDF
Acquisition of citizenship under the SIDF option requires a contribution to the Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation. The contribution is in the form of a one-time payment, and there are four different categories:
- Single applicant: US$ 250,000 contribution required;
- Applicant with up to three dependants (i.e. spouse and two children below the age of 18): US$ 300,000 contribution required;
- Applicant with up to five dependants (i.e. one spouse and four children): US$ 350,000 contribution required;
- Applicant with seven and more dependants: US$ 450,000 investment required.
In each of these categories, the total amount includes all government and due diligence fees. The documentation required for an application is reasonable and the application procedure is straightforward. The average processing time under the SIDF option is 3 - 4 months. But with an additional fee involved we can speed up the procedure and get the passport within 60 days.