St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment program
Why choose St. Christopher Island when it comes to make a living and invest?
Table of Contents
- Why choose St. Kitts and Nevis?
- What benefits does citizenship in St. Kitts offer?
- Why should we opt for obtaining citizenship through investments in St. Kitts?
- Who can obtain this type of citizenship in St. Kitts?
- How can we obtain citizenship in St. Kitts through investments?
- What are the necessary documents to obtain citizenship?
- How much time will it take to obtain citizenship through investments in St. Kitts?
- What are the taxes you need to pay once you are a citizen of St. Kitts?
- Why should you request the help of an agent to obtain citizenship?
- How can you benefit from our services?
Why choose St. Kitts and Nevis?
With its glorious mountain peaks and luxurious white sandy beaches, St. Kitts and Nevis is a truly tropical destination that lets you take the opportunity to have a permanent vacation and call it home.
Dominated by the dormant Mount Liamuiga volcano, St. Kitts is also home to a crater lake, green vervet monkeys, and lots of hiking trails through the rainforest.
Officially called the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis, this dual-island nation was among the first Caribbean islands to be colonized by Europeans. This program is also one of the oldest and most reputable in the world, with an extensive history in the industry, one that grants the ability to pass citizenship on to future generations.
However, it is not the long-standing history of the program that attracts its investors, but the high standards and respect that the country has worked so fiercely to maintain.
The program’s stability is also something to congratulate, as many governments have passed since its inception, but it was always stable and transparent.
St. Kitts and Nevis have a politically stable and safe environment, making it a desirable and safe place to live, work, do business, and have the chance to own property there.
Some investors may also see this as an opportunity to diversify their citizenship options and increase global mobility.
It is a tax-friendly country and has a relatively low cost of living.
Quality education is a fundamental right for citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis.
The government provides free education to all citizens from pre-primary to secondary levels.
The country also has several tertiary-level educational institutions, including community colleges and universities.
Many universities and colleges in St. Kitts and Nevis participate in international student exchange programs, allowing students to study abroad for a semester or a year.
National students in any field or educational level can apply for funded scholarships to study locally or abroad in countries where they have agreements, such as the UK, Europe, the USA, and Asia.
The medical university of St. Kitts is one of the most prominent ones, and their students can qualify to further their studies in the USA and Canada.
Citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis can apply for a B1/B2 visa to enter the United States. A B1 visa is for business purposes, while a B2 visa is for tourism or medical treatment.
The duration of a B1/B2 visa usually is 10 years, allowing them to make multiple trips during this time for a stay period of 6 months typically.
Still, it can be extended for an additional 6 months by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Please be aware that these types of visas (both the B1 and B2 visas) are not permanent visas, they don’t give you permanent residency, and they can’t guarantee you will receive citizenship once you are in the USA. They are intended for temporary stays only.
On the other hand, applicants who keep an interest in having the entire process as confidential as possible can rest assured that their names and personal information are never reported by the CBI units to any other countries.
Furthermore, their names are never published in magazines or newspapers, except when authorized due diligence is performed by the agency.
Please refer to the “Second passport bullet points” document for more ideas on why to choose St. Kitts and Nevis for citizenship.
What benefits does citizenship in St. Kitts Offer?
If you’re considering applying for citizenship in St. Kitts and Nevis, there are multiple benefits for you and your family that you should know about, and we are positive they will help balance your decision.
For starters, St. Kitts and Nevis is a member of the Commonwealth countries and therefore enjoys certain benefits.
Citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis are eligible for consular assistance from the British embassy or consulate in foreign non-Commonwealth countries, where their home countries don’t have diplomatic or consular posts.
They can apply for British emergency passports if their travel documents have been lost or stolen and their national governments have given permission.
It’s easier for Commonwealth citizens to immigrate to the UK than it is for non-Commonwealth citizens.
And in the case of St. Kitts and Nevis, another of the benefits enjoyed by some Commonwealth citizens is the exemption from the English language test when applying for a UK visa.
If you are a citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis, you are exempt from registering with the local police, you can enroll in the British Armed Forces, and can be employed in non-reserved Civil Service posts.
Citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis can apply for a B1/B2 visa to enter the United States.
A B1 visa is for business purposes, while a B2 visa is for tourism or medical treatment.
The duration of a B1/B2 visa usually is 10 years, allowing them to make multiple trips during this time for a stay period of 6 months typically.
Still, it can be extended for an additional 6 months by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Please be aware that these types of visas (both the B1 and B2 visas) are not permanent visas, they don’t give you permanent residency, and they can’t guarantee you will receive citizenship once you are in the USA.
They are intended for temporary stays only.
Travel without a visa to all EU Schengen countries, including Switzerland, the UK, and Ireland. Also, you can travel to the USA if you obtain a B1 or B2 visa.
- no residency, personal visit to St. Kitts, or language requirements are needed in order to obtain citizenship
- lifetime citizenship, meaning that it can be passed down to future generations.
- easy to obtain a second passport and citizenship for your family members.
- privacy of a small, peaceful country.
- dual citizenship benefits, being able to choose the specific passport you want to use for traveling to different countries.
- the fastest processing time of all the Caribbean countries, 45–60 days when choosing the accelerated application process.
- processing time of 3 to 4 months when choosing the usual application route, with the possibility to even shorten this time
- free movement in the CARICOM
- St. Kitts CBI scheme does not require taking an oath from applicants, unlike other countries.
- your investment will be paid only after getting approved.
- inclusion in the citizenship program of dependent siblings of the principal applicant who has no children and are under 30.
- inclusion in the citizenship program of mentally or physically challenged dependent children or parents.
Taxes and fees:
Another great benefit of applying for St. Nevis citizenship is tax-free on your income or inheritance, while also keeping the wealth tax to zero.
Why should we opt for obtaining Citizenship through investments in St. Kitts?
St. Kitts and Nevis was the first Caribbean country to open a CBI program, and it is often considered the platinum standard.
They have a significantly streamlined and recognized program that focuses on the applicants’ due diligence, especially on the financial aspect, to maintain their program’s excellent reputation at a global level.
Its biometric passport, with a validity of 10 years, is also the most powerful in the Caribbean.
It grants its holder easy access to 156 countries, including the Schengen area, the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, Russia, and the USA, via the B-1/B-2 visa program.
They also benefit from having an embassy in the UAE, making performing any consular-required activity easier.
Who can obtain this type of Citizenship in St. Kitts?
To qualify for the St. Kitts and Nevis program, you must be an outstanding citizen above the age of 18 with no serious medical condition and no criminal record or open prosecution.
Also, you need to be able to prove you have a legal, stable income.
You should not be involved in any activity likely to cause disrepute to St. Kitts and Nevis.
Finally, you should not have been denied any category of visa to a country to which St. Kitts and Nevis has Visa-free access and been unsuccessful in obtaining a permit.
Although, in such a case, we might be able to assist you in finding a way around, given you are willing to put in some effort.
Your family members can also apply for citizenship, as follows:
- a spouse of the main applicant; the laws of St. Kitts and Nevis define “spouse” as the partner of the opposite sex by marriage. Must have no criminal records.
- a child under 18 of the main applicant or his/her spouse.
- the children of the main applicant or his or her spouse between 18 and 30 years who are in full-time attendance at a recognized institution of higher learning after the 18th birthday and/or fully supported by the main applicant.
- parents or grandparents of the main applicant or his/her spouse above 55 years living with and fully supported by the main applicant.
- any child or spouse of the main applicant, with the age above 18, that are physically or mentally challenged.
- siblings of the main applicant or spouse, under 30 years of age, unmarried, and with no children.
Must also be dependent on the applicant for financial support.
There are some categories that, for now, are not allowed to apply for a citizenship program due to various political issues.
People from these countries are temporarily suspended from applying: Iran, Afghanistan, North Korea, Cuba, Belarus, and Russia.
Citizens of these countries are banned from using it, regardless of where they live.
How can we obtain Citizenship in St. Kitts through investments?
St. Kitts and Nevis allow participation in the program via three paths:
- contributing to the Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF)
- investing in designated recoverable real estate
- purchasing a private home
Please read below about each option and decide which would be the better choice for you and your family.
At the moment, the program offers 3 investment options to choose from.
A financial contribution to the Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF):
At the moment, applicants can benefit from new prices for the first 6 months of 2023 as the country has a Limited Time Offer (LTO) on the program, offering a USD25,000 discount on their CBI donations:
- main applicant: USD125,000
- main applicant and spouse: USD150,000
- family of four: USD170,000 (spouse, main applicant, 2 dependents)
- each additional dependent under 18: USD10,000
- each additional dependent over 18: USD25,000
While normal prices are:
- main applicant: USD150,000 one-time non-refundable contribution
- main applicant and spouse: USD175,000
- family of four: USD 195,000 (spouse, main applicant, 2 children)
- other dependents: USD10,000 (no matter the age)
- siblings: USD20,000
There is also the option to make post-citizenship additions to the program.
For the posthoc addition of new family members to an already-approved application, the following fees will apply (in the case of non-accelerated applications):
Government fee:
- spouse: USD 20,000
- addition of a minor born after approval-in-principle but before citizenship is granted: USD10,000
Investment in a designated recoverable real estate investment with a value of:
- USD200,000 (hotel shares only) held for 7 years before resale
- USD400,000 (complete title deed) held for 5 years before resale, plus payment of various registration and other fees
The shares can be returned to the same developer, making it a fully refundable investment.
In addition, real estate buyers should be aware of purchase costs (mainly compulsory insurance fund contributions and conveyance fees)
Due to the increased growth of the tourism industry, there is a rising demand for tourist housing facilities, making real estate developments an excellent opportunity for investors looking to obtain a return on their investment.
Private homes sale option
The purchase of a private home as an investment option is also available, where the minimum investment per application is USD400,000 in a private single-family dwelling house that has already been designated as an approved private home.
Several applicants may apply together by purchasing one piece of real estate as long as each principal applicant contributes a minimum investment of USD400,000.
It must also be considered that an approved private home is subject to the following conditions:
- It cannot be resold within seven years;
- It cannot be resold to any other CBI applicant; and
- It cannot be converted into apartments or condominiums.
A financial contribution in an alternative investment option:
The alternative investment option is a newly introduced Public Good Investment Option (PGIO).
The minimum investment per application is USD175,000 in an approved public good investment, payable to an approved public good investor.
Note that for all the above investment options, other extra fees apply.
What are the necessary documents to obtain citizenship?
- Step 1: To start the citizenship application, you will need the passport copy of the principal applicant for due diligence from The Immigration Office specialized team.
- Step 2: If the due diligence passes successfully, we can proceed with signing a contract.
- Step 3: After the contract, the processing officer assigned to you will contact you to go through a document checklist required by the government.
There will be a little bit of work at the beginning, and we are here to guide you smoothly throughout the process.
Our company will help you liaise smoothly and efficiently by preparing and submitting the appropriate documentation.
You can rest assured all necessary paperwork will be done and submitted correctly as long as we handle your application.
As for starting the process, we only require a passport copy, a birth certificate copy, and proof of address of the applicant.
Further down the process, other documents include a police certificate report, medical exams, etc.
How much time will it take to obtain Citizenship through investments in St. Kitts?
St. Kitts and Nevis benefit from a well-organized and tested citizenship program.
Applicants that opt for the normal application process can expect the application to be processed in around 3 months.
At an extra cost, applicants can choose to shorten that period and have their application processed in as little as 45 to 60 days.
If you are in a hurry to get your citizenship, for various reasons, or you simply just want your application to be processed with priority, the possibility to do so is available.
What are the taxes you need to pay once you are a Citizen of St. Kitts?
St. Kitts citizens benefit from a significant tax regime as much as residents or non-residents.
The first ones are those who spend more than 183 days in the country.
There is no income tax, inheritance tax, wealth tax, payroll tax, and capital duty tax.
For non-residents, a 15% withholding tax is applied to dividends, interest, and royalties received from inside St. Kitts and Nevis, and the same rate applies to fees for technical services.
Citizens who own property must also pay land and building tax at a rate that varies according to the property.
Why should you request the help of an agent to obtain Citizenship?
If you’ve decided that becoming a citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis is the best choice for you and your family, let us help you with all the necessary paperwork and legal details for a citizenship application.
We know and did the research as well, so you can rest assured you are in good hands regarding any legal paperwork to be flawless with The Immigration Office processing officer assigned to your case.
Governments and their specific CBI units cannot handle the volume of applicants and do not wish to get involved in those activities.
Therefore, authorized agents are vetted and approved by the CBI units to act on behalf of an applicant and are the only ones who can handle applications for citizenship by investment. An individual can’t apply directly to a CBI unit.
Using an authorized agent can help ensure that the citizenship application process goes smoothly and that all necessary documentation is completed correctly and submitted promptly.
An agent who is authorized will provide you with the best advice out there.
You can trust they know all the specific laws and rules, they can understand the requirements better than anyone, and will represent you best in any legal proceedings or appeals.
Additionally, an authorized agent can help navigate the often complex and time-consuming bureaucracy of the citizenship application process.
Also, they are the ones to call and seek advice from if you have a particular situation that only applies to you.
They know the regulations in detail and can best represent you.
How can you benefit from our services?
Like in any type of relationship, we can build a partnership based on trust and transparency.
We guarantee that our team of experts is well-documented and able to assist you with every detail needed at every stage of this endeavor.
Our extensive experience and know-how will make for an easy, smooth process.
As a part of the application process, authorized agents know the intricacies and details of each particular program, how to perform proper due diligence, collect all the appropriate documentation, and promptly submit it to the CBI unit, so it can be done smoothly and efficiently.
Our team of highly skilled and experienced agents is here to guide you every step of the way, from the initial call and all the way up to the final step of the application process when you receive your passport.
Such authorized agents are the ones that can best assist and help you with the application process for citizenship by investment program, from completing the initial papers to making sure you hand over all the required documents and documentation.
They can also assist with the due diligence process, an essential part of the CBI application process, and help ensure that your application is complete and meets all the requirements.
Additionally, they may be able to advise you on the best investment options and provide any other assistance you need to complete the application process.
It is crucial to ensure that the authorized agent you choose is reputable and has experience with the specific citizenship-by-investment program you are interested in.
Get in touch with us today and start the process that will take you closer to achieving your citizenship dream.
Our team of experts in the field is ready to put together all the documents you need to apply for citizenship in St. Kitts and Nevis, guiding you throughout the application process.
For more detailed information, contact The Immigration Office for a free, confidential assessment tailored to your needs.
