St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship-by-Investment Program: The Ultimate Guide

Update November 2024: The St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit has announced major amendments to its CBI Program, sparking increased interest in the Federation. Key changes include reducing the minimum real estate investment to US$325,000 for a condominium unit or share in a development and US$600,000 for single-family homes. The eligible age for dependent parents is now 55, with fees for adding newborns cut to US$7,500.

Everyone has a story. 

Every place has a soul to discover. 

Some places are more compelling than others, filled with deeper histories and richer cultures. That’s exactly what you’ll find at the heart of St Kitts and Nevis.

Sure, it looks like just another Caribbean island.

That’s your first mistake.

Thinking you understand its depth after a short visit is the second.

It’s more than sun and sea. Stay a while, and listen to the rhythm that pulses the air, whispering of old, deep stories of culture and tradition.

Ruins of sugar plantations and old forts carry tales of a more recent past. 

The Zombie Dance is one such legend: Rooted in the islands’ history of slavery, it’s seen as an expression of resistance and freedom. 

Dancers move to the beat of a drum, their bodies in a trance, straining against the chains of oppression, a symbol of defiance and unbroken spirit.

The dance is not just a memory – it’s part of St Kitts and Nevis’ annual festivals, a connection to the past and a celebration of life.

Visitors are drawn to these twin islands for different reasons. Some come for the sun and the sea. Others for the famed hot, healing springs believed by the natives to be where spirits bathe.

Quite a few of our clients are enticed by a more modern-day legend: the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship-by-investment (CBI) program. 

But what does the St Kitts and Nevis CBI program have that others don’t? What makes this program more worthwhile than other Caribbean citizenship-by-investment options?

It sure isn’t the cheapest way for high-net-worth investors to obtain a second passport. It also isn’t the fastest.

What it is, though, is the longest-standing CBI program in the Caribbean and one that is consistently ranked as the best CBI program in the world by the CBI Index (it scored the top spot again in 2024). Tens of thousands of foreigners have been naturalised over a period of 40 years.

But it isn’t so much the longevity that makes this CBI tick all the right boxes; it is the high regard and the respect for a program the government has worked so hard to maintain that attracts investors.

It’s also the stability. Many governments have come and gone over the years, but the CBI program has never been threatened with closure. 

In short, this St Kitts and Nevis citizenship program is the ‘platinum standard’ and a popular choice for those seeking alternatives or additions to their current citizenship. 

Ready to invest in an idyllic future? Here is what to know about the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship-by-investment program given recent changes in October 2024.

What is Citizenship by Investment?

Before we get to the minute details about the program, it’s helpful to understand what a CBI program is. 

A citizenship-by-investment program, also called economic citizenship, requires investors to make a significant donation or an investment in a country’s economy in exchange for citizenship. 

Applicants are usually required to: 

• Make a non-refundable donation
• Invest in (government-approved) real estate
• Buy governmental financial instruments
• Set up and run a company.

An application will have to be lodged, paperwork will have to be gathered, and an investment of a specified sum will have to be made.

After the application is approved and a certificate of naturalisation is issued, the applicant will be able to claim the passport of the country. 

It will be a standard passport that can be used for travelling, working and living abroad. In other words, full citizenship is granted.

Why St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship? 

Also known as the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis, the two-island West Indian country is in the Caribbean Sea’s Lesser Antilles.

St Kitts and Nevis is an Independent British Commonwealth Nation. The islands were the first home of English and French colonists, earning them the name of the ‘Mother Colony of the West Indies.’

It is also the smallest sovereign nation in the Western Hemisphere – in both size and population – with approximately 47,000 residents.

Interestingly, the climates on these two islands are different. St Kitts is classified as a tropical savanna climate, while Nevis, by comparison, is classified as a tropical monsoon climate. 

Either way, the mountainous regions of the islands are stunning and the ocean views are magnificent, making these islands a fabulous place to spend time.

Gaining citizenship in a country is about more than just enjoying the scenery, though. There are passport powers and tax implications to consider – both of which are pretty favourable in St Kitts and Nevis, depending on where you come from.

Saint Kitts and Nevis passport holders can enter a total of 145 destinations, either without a visa, through a visa on arrival, or via an eTA. 

Add to that no income tax, whether you’re a tax resident or not, and no inheritance taxes, and it’s easy to see why St Kitts and Nevis citizenship is so appealing to many.

St Kitts and Nevis’ CBI Program

Not one for lounging around on beaches? Let’s go straight to the heart of the matter then. After all, that’s what we’re all here for – to find out how to get a second passport in the most efficient way possible. 

Luckily, St Kitts and Nevis citizenship-by-investment is a solid and highly efficient processing system that has been running for 40 years.

The program was established back in 1984 when the sugar industry collapsed and the country found itself in dire need of investment. 

Fast-forward to today, the St Kitts and Nevis CBI is one of the most trusted and successful programs out there. 

The process is relatively quick, taking just three to four months, with the new passport holder gaining access to 145 countries worldwide, including the EU, UK and Ireland in this short time.

While the program has recently undergone change as of October 2024, it isn’t the first time this CBI program has changed in an effort to attract more investors.

Changes to St Kitts and Nevis CBI Program in 2017

In 2017, Hurricanes Irma and Maria struck the Caribbean nation. 

It was devastated by the hurricanes, severely damaging infrastructure and other essential areas, such as schools, agriculture, main roads, police stations and the fire department. 

The damage totalled approximately US$150 million, and St Kitts and Nevis needed money to rebuild.

As of 2017, eligible donors could gain citizenship of St Kitts and Nevis by contributing just US$150,000 to the new Hurricane Relief Fund. Compared to the previous price tag of US$250,000, this was a bargain.

Of course, whenever a scheme like this comes into effect, you can expect some opposition. 

Eventually, the country introduced a more permanent government fund – the Sustainable Growth Fund (now The Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC)) – that effectively reduced the price for the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship-by-investment program long term.

The motivation?

St Kitts and Nevis was not the only island country trying to rebuild from the 2017 hurricane season. Other countries were and still are competing to attract folks looking to invest somewhere to gain citizenship. 

This competition created an ongoing price war in the Caribbean, driving down prices for existing programs and prompting the creation of new programs.

Recent Changes to St Kitts and Nevis CBI Program

In 2023, the powers that be doubled the required investment amounts for St Kitts and Nevis CBI, with the donation for a single applicant increasing to US$250,000. Similarly, the minimum investment in real estate increased to US$400,000. 

Along with these price changes, it also added another layer of due diligence, with interviews for all applicants now mandatory. 

Another crucial change was that citizenship documents were required to be collected in person, whether in St Kitts and Nevis or at a designated diplomatic mission abroad.

These changes came as the Caribbean Islands worked to adhere to the European Commission’s demands and protect its citizens’ privileged status.

The result? Yet another big change in October 2024:

• The minimum investment for real estate has been lowered from US$400,000 to US$325,000

• The investment threshold for single-family homes has been reduced from US$800,000 to US$600,000. 

• The eligible age for dependent parents is now 55 instead of 65 years

•  The program fees for newborns have decreased from US$10,000 to US$7,500. 

What gives? Why change the program so quickly after increasing the real estate investment minimum just one year ago?

These amendments reflect the Federation’s commitment to aligning the program with market demands. Basically, it is a move to make this Caribbean CBI program more competitive globally, fostering job creation and attracting substantial investment to St  Kitts and Nevis.

What has stayed the same?

The St Kitts citizenship-by-investment program still includes three routes to obtaining citizenship and a passport. They have industry-standard requirements – either make a non-refundable donation or invest in government-approved real estate.They have industry-standard requirements – either make a non-refundable donation or invest in government-approved real estate.

Sustainable Island State Contribution

All Caribbean Island CBI programs offer the non-refundable donation route and St Kitts and Nevis is no different. 

The Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC) was established to support St Kitts and Nevis’s economic and social development. 

Under this option (which has not changed in October 2024) the minimum donation requirement is US$250,000 (plus fees) for a single applicant. A family of four can expect to make a donation of US$350,000 to the SISC.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the donation option:

• One applicant: US$250,000 
• Principal applicant and spouse: US$300,000
• Principal applicant, spouse, and one or two dependents: US$350,000
• Dependent under 18 years old: US$50,000
• Dependent over 18 years old: US$75,000

There are additional fees to keep in mind that will be used to pay for the due diligence process: 

• Principal applicant: US$10,000
• A dependent over 16 years old: US$7,500

The funds raised through CBI donations are used for food production, green energy, and social protection, among other things. 

Invest in Real Estate

There are still two routes to invest in St Kitts and Nevis real estate. These are:

• Developer’s Real Estate Option: An applicant can purchase a condominium unit or shares in a real estate development with a new minimum investment threshold of US$325,000. The property shares must be held for seven years. 
• Approved Private Home Option: The newly updated program provides for investment in single-family dwellings. The minimum investment in an approved single-family private dwelling home has been lowered to US$600,000.

As well as the standard due diligence fee of US$10,000 (US$7,500 for each dependent) for all its CBI programs, St Kitts and Nevis charges:

• A post-approval fee of US$25,000 for the principal applicant
• An additional US$15,000 for the spouse of the principal applicant
• US$10,000 for children or other dependents under 18 years old

So, if you’re a solo applicant buying real estate on your own, you will have to pay a minimum of US$360,000, including fees. This means that you are really only saving a small portion when compared to the direct donation option.

Finally, bear in mind that this is the longer of the two processes due to the extra steps required to finalise and purchase a property. Even in light of recent changes, should you explore other citizenship routes?

As we often highlight here at Nomad Capitalist, there is no one-size-fits-all solution; the answer to this question depends on your individual circumstances and goals. 

The St Kitts passport remains a lucrative prospect, giving you access to 145 countries, including the European Union. It still comes with attractive tax benefits and advantages for families, including the chance to pass down citizenship to the next generation. 

For over a decade, our team at Nomad Capitalist has mastered the art of interpreting and solving CBI’s ever-changing landscape. We navigate changes and handle all the complexities so you don’t have to. Apply to become a client, and we will be your guides. 

What Is Your Best Option for a St Kitts and Nevis Passport?

There are both benefits and drawbacks to each CBI option in St Kitts and Nevis.

Obviously, the length of the process for each of them should be considered. A donation is by far the fastest of the two methods. You make your donation, file your paperwork, and within three to four months, you should have your passport.

Real estate investment takes longer, as previously mentioned. You need to account for the time it takes to select a compatible agent, select the property, file the paperwork, and then wait for the paperwork and details to be finalised.

The next consideration is cost. A donation is by far the cheaper option of the two. You can donate to the Sustainable Island State Contribution for US$250,000 as a single applicant. 

The real estate investment is more expensive, but there is also a chance that you can recoup part of that investment after the allotted time has expired.

That may be enough justification for others to choose the real estate option, but it’s also important to note that each approved property has differing investment costs. 

If you want to recoup costs associated with the CBI program, keep in mind that you will probably not get a large portion of what you put in back. You are basically at the mercy of other CBI investors, or if you are lucky, the developer will have a buyback option.

Step-by-Step Application Process for St Kitts and Nevis CBI

So, how do you go about getting St Kitts citizenship? Thankfully, the St Kitts CBI program has a streamlined application process.

It is also the only country that guarantees that the process will be done in a specified timeframe. When it comes to service and high-level due diligence, St Kitts is ahead of neighbouring competitors. 

To qualify for the St Kitts citizenship-by-investment program, you must be of outstanding character, have no criminal record, be in excellent health and be a high-net-worth individual. 

When applying, your documentation should include:

• Application for registration as a citizen
• Photograph and signature certificate
• Medical certificate with HIV test results for anyone over the age of 12 (the results must not be older than three months)
• Birth certificates for each applicant
• Police records
• Bank statements
• Proof of address
• Marriage certificate (if applicable).

This must be done for each applicant. The complete list of forms can be found here.

First, you will be expected to submit all of the paperwork we outlined above, pay the due diligence fees, and initiate the process of getting citizenship approval. This usually takes a couple of months.

Then, if your background check comes back clear, you will be approved for citizenship and invited to make or finalise your investment. 

It should be noted that St Kitts’s CBI program is currently not accepting applicants from Afghanistan, Iran, the Republic of Iraq, the Republic of Yemen, North Korea or Syria.

Currently, citizens of Russia and Belarus are also banned from applying.

Pros of St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship

There are many benefits to opting for this particular CBI program, the main ones are:

• It’s well priced: Even though it’s not the cheapest CBI program out there, some argue it’s worth paying the premium – US$250,000 – as the program is reliable and trustworthy. 
• Visa-free access to 145 countries: The St Kitts and Nevis passport is ranked 50th in the World, ahead of other CBI countries like  Vanuatu (98th) and Turkey (82nd). It gives you visa-free access to the EU, UK and Russia. 
• Bring the family: Your entire family can come. Dependents under the age of 25 can be added to the application, as can parents and grandparents over 55. 
• Pass it along: Once you obtain economic citizenship in St Kitts and Nevis, you have it for life and can be passed on to your descendants.
• Short investment period: You will have to hold your real estate investment for seven years. You can then resell it and recoup at least part of your investment. 
• Attractive tax environment: St Kitts and Nevis has no income, wealth or inheritance tax. Your global income won’t be taxed just because you’re a citizen. Among all the available Caribbean CBI programs, St Kitts and Nevis is the only country that is entirely tax-free. While other countries may market themselves as tax-free, the reality is that they have residential- or territorial-based systems and assume that investors will choose not to live or earn money in the country and thus avoid becoming subject to their country’s taxes.
• No physical presence requirement: You won’t need to visit St Kitts and Nevis before you lodge the citizenship application, nor will you have to visit the country afterwards. You can become a citizen without ever stepping foot in St Kitts and Nevis. 
• Invest only after you’re approved: Only after your St Kitts and Nevis citizenship application is approved will you have to make the full investment, thus reducing risk exposure.

Cons of St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship

Let’s take a look at the potential downside of participating in the St Kitts and Nevis CBI program: 

• There are cheaper programs: Even though St Kitts and Nevis citizenship is well priced, it’s not the cheapest CBI in the Caribbean. If you want to pay the absolute lowest price for your second passport, you’ll have to go with Dominica, St Lucia, or Antigua and Barbuda.
• The real estate may be overpriced: As with every other CBI program, the pre-approved real estate that you’re able to invest in could be overpriced. Put another way, you would never get what you paid for it on the free market. Plus, the quality of construction can often be lacking. 
• Small population: While it’s not a con for everyone, the country is the smallest of all CBI program countries in the Caribbean. Fewer people means less economic potential. 
• Climate concerns: Hurricanes and tropical storms affect St Kitts and Nevis regularly. If you’re investing in real estate, it’s certainly something to consider. What will your insurance premium be? 

St Kitts and Nevis’ Citizenship by Investment: FAQs

Learn More About the St Kitts Citizenship Program

St Kitts and Nevis is an established, quality CBI program, and even with recent price changes, is still not the cheapest.

If you feel it’s important to you to move forward with a program that offers a long history of successfully granting citizenship by investment, then the St Kitts program has the prestige of being the oldest CBI program in the world.

St Kitts citizenship program offers many advantages to those looking to diversify their affairs globally. The islands are beautiful, the people are friendly, and St Kitts makes obtaining a second passport a reality.

The different investment routes, such as donation and real estate, have both benefits and drawbacks, but it’s important to compare which options work best for your individual situation.

By diversifying your passport portfolio, you are taking an important step to globalising your affairs. The question is whether or not St Kitts CBI fits your personal strategy.

As always, the best option is to go where you’re treated best. If you need help discovering exactly where that is, reach out and get help.