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

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, but don’t be mistaken into thinking you understand its depth after a short visit.

Stay a while, and listen to the rhythm that pulses the air, whispering of old cultures and traditions.

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 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.

Some are enticed by a more modern-day phenomenon: the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship-by-Investment (CBI) program. 

The authorities there announced major changes to this CBI Program in October 2024, sparking increased interest in the Federation. 

This included 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. 

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?

St Kitts and Nevis CBI: Overview

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

However, it is the longest-standing CBI program in the Caribbean and is consistently ranked as the best CBI program in the world by the CBI Index.

The high regard for the program that the government has worked so hard to maintain attracts investors. 

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

In short, the 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 and recent changes.

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 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 travel and tax implications to consider – both of which are pretty favourable in St Kitts and Nevis, depending on where you come from.

St Kitts and Nevis passport holders can enter a total of 147 destinations, either without a visa, through a visa on arrival or via an electronic travel authorisation. 

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

Understanding the Program

St Kitts and Nevis CBI is a solid and highly efficient program that has been running for 40 years.

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

Fast-forward to today, 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 147 countries worldwide, including the EU, UK and Ireland in this short time.

While the program has recently undergone change, 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, Hurricanes Irma and Maria struck the Caribbean nation, 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.

Eventually, the country introduced the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC), which effectively reduced the price of the program in the long term.

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 to gain citizenship. 

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

Then, in 2023, the powers that be raised the investment amounts, with the donation for a single applicant increasing to US$250,000 and the minimum investment in real estate increasing to US$400,000. 

Along with these price changes, interviews for all applicants were made mandatory. 

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

The result? Yet another change in October 2024:

• The minimum investment for real estate was 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. 

These amendments reflect a desire to make its CBI program more competitive globally, foster job creation and attract substantial investment to St Kitts and Nevis.

St Kitts and Nevis Investment Options

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

Sustainable Island State Contribution

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

Under this option, 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$25,000
• Dependent over 18 years old: US$50,000.

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:

Approved Private Home Option: The program provides for investment in single-family dwellings. The minimum investment in an approved single-family private dwelling home is US$600,000.

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. 

St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Costs

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 saving only 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 147 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 CBI’s ever-changing landscape. We navigate changes and handle all the complexities so you don’t have to. Apply to become a client. 

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 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, find the property, file the paperwork, and then wait for everything 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 a chance to recoup part of that investment after the allotted time has expired.

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 

Thankfully, the St Kitts CBI program has a streamlined application process.

It is also one of the only countries 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
• Passport form and certified copies
• 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 for 12 months
• Evidence of the source of funds
• Proof of address
• Marriage certificate (if applicable).

This must be done for each applicant. 

You will be expected to submit all of the paperwork as 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 finalise your investment. 

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

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 include:

• 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 147 countries: The St Kitts and Nevis passport is ranked 49th on the Nomad Passport Index, ahead of other CBI countries like Vanuatu and Turkey. It gives you visa-free access to the EU and the UK.
• 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, which 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. 
• Tax-friendly 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. 
• 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 setting 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. 

Cons of St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship

Let’s take a look at the potential downsides: 

• 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. 

St Kitts and Nevis’ Citizenship by Investment: FAQs

Make the St Kitts CBI Program a Reality

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

However, 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 and Nevis 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 relatively easy.

The different investment routes, such as donation and real estate, have both benefits and drawbacks, but it’s important to compare which option works 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. The Nomad Capitalist team is here to help you create that plan. Become a client today.