Citizenship by Investment - St. Kitts and Nevis: Updates on Eligibility Requirements

The St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship-by-investment program is one of the oldest such initiatives worldwide, having operated successfully since 1984. Located in the eastern Caribbean, St. Kitts and Nevis consists of two islands: Saint Kitts and Nevis.

In 2024, to acquire citizenship, candidates may make a one-time, non-refundable contribution to the National Fund, invest in real estate, or allocate funds to socially significant projects. Investments in real estate may be recouped after seven years, allowing individuals to retain their citizenship and the benefits of a second passport.

As with similar programs, investors obtain passports under favorable conditions—they are not required to learn the language, take a language test, or demonstrate social integration. Alongside the primary investor, citizenship may also be granted to spouses, children, and parents, with additional fees applied for each family member depending on the selected investment option. The primary investment amount remains virtually unchanged.

The licensed agency GARANT.in’s new report highlights the 2024 updates to St. Kitts and Nevis’s citizenship program, including new entry options, participant requirements, necessary documents, and other key details.

Updates in the 2024 St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Program

In 2024, St. Kitts and Nevis revised the program’s requirements twice. The first update aligned with other Caribbean nations, while the second took effect on October 25, 2024, as announced in the official government gazette.

Key changes include:

• Reduced minimum investment for real estate purchases. Previously, applicants needed to invest at least $400,000 in real estate. The new minimum is $325,000. Additionally, the private ownership threshold has dropped from $800,000 to $600,000.

• Lowered age requirement for investors’ parents from 65 to 55. Investors may also add a spouse and children up to age 25 to their application.

• New option to pay a government fee for newborns added to the program. This fee is $7,500 for children under three born after the applicant obtained citizenship; for children ages 4-18, the fee remains $10,000.

• Bankruptcy history. Applicants cannot participate if they have declared bankruptcy within the past ten years.

Rationale for These Changes

These revisions aim to restore the program’s popularity, which decreased following a July 2024 fee increase. The Prime Minister reported a 60% revenue drop from the program as of September 2024, equaling a loss of 218 million East Caribbean dollars.

Previously, five Caribbean nations, including St. Kitts and Nevis, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to standardize a minimum participation fee of $200,000 across their citizenship-by-investment programs. However, St. Kitts and Nevis has since reduced the non-refundable contribution requirement by $100,000.

Benefits of St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship

Investing in St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship provides numerous benefits:

1. Visa-free travel. As of 2024, St. Kitts and Nevis’s passport ranks 27th on the Passport Index, granting visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 156 countries. Highlights include:

   • Schengen Area - 90 days within a 180-day period.
   • UK - up to 180 days per visit.
   • Hong Kong - 90 days.
   • Singapore - 30 days.

2. 10-year US tourist visa (B-1/B-2 category), allowing 180-day stays each year for business or personal visits.

3. International business facilitation. Registering or relocating a business to St. Kitts and Nevis takes approximately 14 days, with confidentiality protections and access to global banking systems.

4. Reduced tax obligations, including no income tax and no taxes on dividends, royalties, or capital gains. Tax rates include:

   • VAT - 17%.
   • Global income tax - 33% on net profit.
   • No taxes on royalties, interest, or dividends.

5. Residency flexibility. Investors are not required to reside in St. Kitts and Nevis. Passport holders can enter the country at any time.

6. Inheritance of citizenship and a simplified citizenship process with no mandatory language or cultural exams. The entire process takes 6-8 months.

Requirements for Investors and Family Members

Investor qualifications include:

• Age 18 or older, with legally obtained funds for investment.
• Financial self-sufficiency.
• No criminal record or severe health issues.

For spouses:

• Must be of the opposite sex with no criminal record.

Children up to age 18 do not have additional requirements. Children 18-25 must be:

• Full-time students financially supported by the investor.

Parents aged 55+ who rely financially on the investor may also be included.

Investment Options in 2024

Available pathways to citizenship include:

1. Non-refundable contribution from $250,000 to the St. Kitts and Nevis National Fund, with the final amount depending on the number of dependents included in the application.

2. Real estate investments starting at $325,000, either in hotel shares or residential condominiums approved by the government, with properties eligible for resale after seven years.

3. Social and infrastructure investments from $250,000 in government-approved Public Benefit projects aimed at social impact.

All documents must be in English and notarized, with preparation taking approximately 14 days.

The Process of Obtaining Citizenship in St. Kitts and Nevis

The process typically takes 6-8 months, with the following steps:

1. Initial investor check by GARANT.in specialists to verify eligibility.
2. Document collection with guidance from GARANT.in’s legal team.
3. Due Diligence background check by the citizenship department.
4. Investment completion within 90 days of approval.
5. Issuance of citizenship documents upon finalization.

Reasons for Citizenship Denial

Common grounds for denial include:

• Negative Due Diligence findings.
• Unverified legal origins of funds.
• Criminal record or previous citizenship program refusals.

Passport Renewal

The St. Kitts and Nevis passport is valid for 10 years, or five years for minors, and can be renewed remotely via a licensed agent.

If you’re interested in Caribbean citizenship, GARANT.in’s licensed attorneys can help navigate the process. Currently, applications from Russian and Belarusian citizens are not accepted, but GARANT.in can offer alternative solutions, such as residence permits in Europe or citizenship in Turkey, Vanuatu, or Egypt.