St. Kitts & Nevis

St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program Overview

St. Kitts and Nevis launched the world’s first citizenship-by-investment program in 1984, granting full citizenship to qualifying investors and their dependents. 

In 2024, the National Assembly passed the Citizenship by Investment Unit Act, restructuring the administering body as an independent statutory corporation separate from the government.

Four investment routes are available, starting from US$250,000: a non-refundable government contribution (SISC).

Eligible dependants may include a spouse, children under 18, financially dependent children aged 18 to 25 enrolled full-time in a recognized educational institution, children 18 or over with a physical or mental disability, and parents or parents-in-law aged 55 or over who live with and are financially supported by the main applicant. 

There is no cap on the number of dependants.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants may pursue one of the following routes: 

Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC) – US$250,000

• A non-refundable contribution paid into the Federal Consolidated Fund.
• The government directs funds toward seven stated priorities: food production, green energy, economic diversification, sustainable industries, the creative economy, post-COVID recovery, and social protections.
• Minimum contribution: US$250,000 for a main applicant or a family of up to four.
•  Additional dependants under 18: US$25,000 each. 
• Additional dependants aged 18 or over: US$50,000 each. 
• Due diligence fees: US$10,000 (main applicant); US$7,500 per dependant aged 16 or over.

Public Benefit Option (PBO) – US$250,000

• Investors contribute to government-designated projects, which may include industrial development, construction on state land, or real estate transferred to state ownership. 
• Projects must be formally designated by the Citizenship Unit’s Board of Governors before investors can participate.
• Minimum contribution: US$250,000, paid to the Citizenship Unit. Due diligence fees: US$10,000 (main applicant); US$7,500 per dependant aged 16 or over. 
• Post-approval fees: US$15,000 (spouse); US$10,000 (dependant under 18); US$15,000 (dependant aged 18 or over).

Developer’s Real Estate Investment –  US$325,000

• Purchase of a unit in an officially Approved Development. The property may be resold after 7 years.
• Minimum investment: US$325,000. 
• Due diligence fees: US$10,000 (main applicant); US$7,500 per dependant aged 16 or over. 
• Post-approval fees: US$25,000 (main applicant); US$15,000 (spouse); US$10,000 (dependant under 18); US$15,000 (dependant aged 18 or over).

Private Real Estate Investment –  US$325,000

• Investors may purchase a condominium unit or a share in a designated development (US$325,000), or a single-family home (US$600,000), designated as Approved Private Real Estate. 
• A seven-year holding period applies before resale. 
• Due diligence fees for both options: US$10,000 (main applicant); US$7,500 per dependant aged 16 or over. 
• Post-approval fees: US$25,000 (main applicant); US$15,000 (spouse); US$10,000 (dependant under 18); US$15,000 (dependant aged 18 or over).

Route to Citizenship

This is a direct citizenship program, so citizenship is granted upon approval of the application. 

The Citizenship Unit takes 120 to 180 days from the date of acknowledging a complete application to advise whether it is approved in principle, denied, or still under review. 

Investment can be made only after the CIU issues an approval-in-principle. Upon completion, applicants receive a Certificate of Naturalization and may then apply for a passport.

Mobility and Taxation

Mobility

The St. Kitts and Nevis passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to approximately 157 destinations, including the Schengen Area (up to 90 days in any 180-day period), the United Kingdom (up to 180 days), Singapore, and Hong Kong. 

Holders may also be eligible to apply for a 10-year US B-1/B-2 visitor visa.

Tax

St. Kitts and Nevis levies no personal income tax, no capital gains tax, no inheritance tax, and no wealth tax. These conditions apply to citizens and tax residents of the federation. 

Non-residents receiving dividends, interest, or royalties sourced within St. Kitts and Nevis are subject to a 15% withholding tax on those amounts. 

Tax residency generally requires spending at least 183 days per year in the country; obtaining citizenship through this program does not automatically establish tax residency.

How to Apply

The program is administered by the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Unit, as regulated by the Citizenship by Investment Unit Act 2024. 

All applications must go through an Authorized Agent licensed by the Financial Services Regulatory Commission. 

Application forms are only available through agents and cannot be submitted directly. 

Fees other than SISC contributions are paid through the agent; approved SISC applicants remit contributions by wire transfer directly to the Citizenship Unit. 

Due diligence fees are non-refundable. Documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation.

The program accepts cryptocurrency as a partial source of wealth, provided a separate non-crypto proof of wealth is also submitted.