A Comprehensive Guide to Long-term Residency in Saint Kitts and Nevis
Country Profile:
Saint Kitts and Nevis is located in Central American Caribbean. It is a federal island nation consisting of the islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Tourism, offshore financial services, and manufacturing are the important pillars of St. Kitts’ national economy.
Capital: Basseterre
Population: 54,338(as of 2023, 187th)
Ethnic Group: 92.5% African, 3% Multiracial, 2.1% European, 1.6% Indian
Area: 261 km2(188th)
Offical Language: English
Currency: East Caribbean dollar( pegged to the United States dollar, at the exchange rate of US$1 = EC$2.70)
GDP per Captial: $29,893 (as of 2023)
How To Immigrate To Saint Kitts And Nevis:
Saint Kitts is the country that pioneered the concept of citizenship by investment programs globally. for almost 40 years, the country has maintained an independent and stable operation of its passport program since 1984.
Visa Exemption:
People from Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Lucia, Dominica, Saint Vincent and the Grenadlines, and Grenada can work and live in Saint Kitts and Nevis freely.
Citizenship By Investment:
As of the latest change in policy on July 27, 2023, St. Kitts offers three citizenship options to investors:
1. Donation option: Applicants make a donation to the government’s Sustainable Island State Contribution Fund (SISC). The donation amount varies based on the number of family members seeking citizenship:
- Main applicant: US$250,000
- Main applicant and a spouse: US$300,000
- Main applicant and one dependant: US$300,000
- Main applicant, a spouse and one or two dependants: US$350,000
- Main applicant and two or three dependants: US$350,000
- Each additional dependant under 18: US$50,000
- Each additional dependant aged 18 or over: US$75,000
The main applicant must pay a $10,000 background check fee; other applicants over 16 must pay $7,500 each.
At this stage, each main applicant is required to attend an interview conducted by an independent professional firm commissioned by the CIU or by officials of the Unit either virtually, in person in St Kitts and Nevis or in person at such other location approved by the Board of Governors of the CIU.
Dependants aged 16 or over may if deemed necessary also be required to attend an interview.
2. Real estate option: Invest $400,000 in shares of a local government-listed hotel and hold for at least 7 years; or invest $800,000 in a single-family private dwelling home designated as Approved Private Home and hold for at least 7 years:
The main applicant also must pay a $10,000 background check fee; other applicants over 16 must pay $7,500 each.
On approval-in-principle of an application made through a real estate investment, the following post-approval application fees apply:
At this stage, each main applicant is required to attend an interview conducted by an independent professional firm commissioned by the CIU or by officials of the Unit either virtually, in person in St Kitts and Nevis or in person at such other location approved by the Board of Governors of the CIU.
Dependants aged 16 or over may if deemed necessary also be required to attend an interview.
3. Public Benefit Option: Discerning investors who would like to develop a project which brings substantial benefit to the people of St Kitts and Nevis can apply to the CIU to be designated as an Approved Public Benefactor. They can then apply for their projects to be designated as Approved Public Benefit Projects qualified for sale under this option.
Approved Public Benefit Projects designated by the CIU can not only maximise local employment, but also make it possible to embark upon projects including transfer of technology and capacity building.
Under the Public Benefit Option, each main applicant is required to make a minimum contribution of US$250,000 in a unit of an Approved Public Benefit Project, to be paid to the relevant Approved Public Benefactor.
The main applicant also must pay a $10,000 background check fee; other applicants over 16 must pay $7,500 each.
On approval-in-principle of an application made through a real estate investment, the following post-approval application fees apply:
At this stage, each main applicant is required to attend an interview conducted by an independent professional firm commissioned by the CIU or by officials of the Unit either virtually, in person in St Kitts and Nevis or in person at such other location approved by the Board of Governors of the CIU.
Dependants aged 16 or over may if deemed necessary also be required to attend an interview.
Required documents for the Saint Kitts passport program typically include application forms, birth certificates, identity cards, passports, police clearance certificates, negative HIV test results, and six passport-sized photos.
The process for the passport program is as follows:
1. Engage a licensed agent to assist with the application.
2. Complete application forms and submit relevant documents with the agent’s assistance.
3. Undergo a background check conducted by a government-appointed agency.
4. Upon successful background check completion, receive approval and proceed with the chosen investment option.
5. After completing the investment, obtain the passport and become a citizen.
The processing time for the Saint Kitts program is typically around 120 working days, and the entire project cycle takes about 6 months. Applicants are not required to be physically present in Saint Kitts before or after obtaining the passport.
Applicants can include their spouse, children under 18 years old, mentally or physically challenged children above 18 years old, economically dependent children aged 18 to 30 years old, and parents above 55 years old as accompanying dependents.
Passport Power:
Saint Kitts recognizes dual citizenship, and its passport is ranked 24th globally. Holders of the passport have visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 154 countries and territories worldwide (as of July 2023 data).
Useful Links:
Saint Kitts and Nevis CBI official site:https://ciu.gov.kn/
Saint Kitts and Nevis visa online platform:https://evisa.stkittsnevisonline.com/ng-kn-evisa/indexlist