St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship: How to Obtain a Passport by Investment

St. Kitts and Nevis is a small island nation popular among tourists and entrepreneurs. Its passport allows visa-free travel to the EU and the UK. It also allows for foreign bank accounts and business openings worldwide without restrictions. The main attraction of St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship, however, is the simple and straightforward application process.

Citizenship by investment is a popular option in St. Kitts and Nevis, as it offers one of the most transparent and accessible programs. Candidate requirements are minimal: there is no need to relocate, learn the language, or renounce your first passport. Prices start at USD 250,000, and the funds can be used for personal housing. The passport application process takes up to 180 days, and document submission and interviews are conducted remotely. Citizenship is granted to the entire family at the same time.

However, not everyone can participate in this Caribbean program. We’ll discuss exceptions and other little-known details below.

What does St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship offer?

From 2015 to 2022, more than 35,500 foreigners acquired St. Kitts and Nevis passports. Demand has declined slightly since 2023 due to increased application fees but remains high. St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship offers:

visa-free travel to 148 countries, including all European countries, South American countries, and CARICOM countries such as the Bahamas, Haiti, and Jamaica;
the right to hold two passports simultaneously;
the right to live in or visit any Caribbean country at any time;
easier access to 10-year U.S. tourist visa;
no income, inheritance, or property taxes: you only need to live here for 183 days to obtain tax residency;
the ability to purchase real estate, open bank accounts, and start businesses worldwide as a citizen of a Caribbean country;
a «plan b»: you can quickly travel abroad without applying for a visa or residence permit, which are not always possible to obtain.

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Who is eligible for citizenship, and what are the requirements?

Any adult foreign national who has chosen one of the investment options under the government program can apply for citizenship of St. Kitts and Nevis. You only need to prove that you have the required amount of money and that its source is legal. All applicants and their family members aged 16 and over must undergo a due diligence check, as indicated in the application.

Applications may be rejected if the applicant:

is stateless;
has been denied a visa to a country that has a visa-free regime with St. Kitts and Nevis. If a visa is reissued, however, the application will be approved;
has been declared bankrupt within 10 years prior to submitting the application;
has previously been denied citizenship of another country;
has a criminal record or is currently under criminal investigation;
is engaged in activities that could negatively impact the reputation of St. Kitts and Nevis or pose a threat to the national security of any country;
provided false or misleading information or attempted to conceal information.

All applicants over 16 years of age must undergo an interview. It is conducted by authorized agents. Interviews can be completed online or in person in St. Kitts and Nevis or at another approved location (currently Dubai, London, or Zurich).

During the interview, you may be asked to provide personal information, explain your reasons for seeking second citizenship, and discuss your future personal, business, and financial goals. The panel will also ensure that you are familiar with the details of the procedure.

The requirements for obtaining citizenship depend on which program you choose:

Purchase of real estate from a developer. The minimum investment amount is USD 325,000. You can only purchase properties approved by the Investment Promotion Agency. These properties are often hotels and resorts, such as Beach & Golf Residence Ltd., Belmont Gardens, Brimstone Village, Calypso Bay Resorts, Castle Bay Villas, and Cliffdwellers.
Contribution to the sustainable development of the state. You must make a non-refundable contribution of at least USD 250,000. These funds must be deposited into the state’s Federal Consolidated Fund account. These funds will support initiatives that contribute to the development and maintenance of the local economy.
Purchase of private real estate. There are two options: a condominium starting at USD 325,000 or a detached single-family home starting at USD 600,000. You can only purchase government-approved real estate.
Investments in socially beneficial projects. The minimum contribution is USD 250,000. Create a project that improves the lives of the people of St. Kitts and Nevis, and apply for it to be recognized as socially beneficial. Examples include the construction of real estate to be transferred to the state or the development of an economic sector. Your financial contribution must also boost employment and reduce financial risks for the state.

The contribution must be made within three months of approval of your application. Proof of payment can be a property deed or a donation check made out to the Accountant General.

For all real estate acquisitions, the property cannot be sold for seven years. Selling to another buyer who is also applying for local citizenship is generally prohibited as well. If you purchase a single-family home, you cannot convert it into a multi-family condominium. Violating these rules jeopardizes the investor’s status.

What does citizenship of Saint Kitts and Nevis offer

How to obtain St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship through the citizenship by investment program

Applications are submitted only through authorized agents appointed by the government of St. Kitts and Nevis. It is important for applicants to have their own immigration lawyer, as refusal is possible even during the application process. Seeking expert support will help mitigate all potential risks.

1. Select an investment option.

Choose a program that aligns with your goals and capabilities. Investing in the development of the state is cheaper, but essentially, you will be donating this money to the country. Investing in real estate is a real investment in the future that will return seven years later, plus interest.

2. Prepare the documents.

The exact list of documents required for St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship depends on the investment program you choose. The immigration lawyer handling your case will provide you with a complete list. A basic dossier should include the following:

birth certificate;
passport (national and international);
HIV test results no older than 90 days (children under 12 are exempt);
criminal record certificates from all countries where you have lived for more than a year in the last 10 years (except for children under 16);
6 passport-size photographs, approximately 3.5 x 4.5 cm, taken within the last six months;
at least one professional recommendation from a lawyer, notary, or accountant;
bank statements from the previous year;
at least one letter of recommendation from a recognized bank no older than six months;
military ID or discharge document;
proof of your current residential address, such as an electricity bill in your name;
a certificate from your employer indicating your date of employment, position, and salary;
your company’s incorporation documents or business license;
proof of the legal source of the funds you plan to invest in St. Kitts and Nevis’s economy or real estate;
proof of sufficient funds to support children aged 18 to 30;
an academic diploma;
a power of attorney.

If applicable, provide proof of any name changes. If you are applying with your spouse, you must also include a marriage certificate. You will also need to complete several forms, which your authorized agent will provide.

All documents must be translated into English and notarized.

3. Submit an application and complete due diligence.

Submit your application to an authorized agent, who will forward it to the Citizenship by Investment Unit. Within the first 5 days, you may receive a request for additional documents. Recent changes require the submission of biometric data, including fingerprints and a photo. The agent will inform you of the location and procedure. The due diligence process takes 4-6 months.

You will also be interviewed at this stage. If you do not speak English, check with the authorized agent in advance to determine if an interpreter will be provided or if you need to arrange one yourself. It’s a good idea to prepare for the interview in advance. Immigration lawyers who specialize in citizenship-by-investment programs can help.

4. Get approval.

If your citizenship application is approved, you will receive a confirmation letter. You will then be required to pay the full amount. After paying the fees, you will receive a citizenship certificate, which you can pick up at the nearest St. Kitts and Nevis consulate or embassy.

5. Obtain your passport.

A passport for a citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis is issued approximately two weeks after receiving a citizenship certificate. You can also obtain it at a St. Kitts and Nevis consulate or embassy.

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How much does it cost to obtain St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship?

To apply for citizenship, you must pay the following non-refundable fees:

Non-refundable fees	Amount, $
Due diligence check for the main applicant	10 000
Due diligence check for each additional family member aged 16 and over	7 500
Application fee for each applicant	250

Once your application is approved, you must transfer the amount of the initial investment, which depends on the program option you choose.

Additional fees are also payable for investments in real estate and socially beneficial projects:

Additional fees	Amount, $
Main applicant’s spouse	15 000
For each dependent under 18	10 000
For each dependent over 18	15 000
Adding a spouse or dependent after application approval	30 000

If you are applying for citizenship in St. Kitts and Nevis through the purchase of real estate, an additional fee of USD 25,000 is required for the main applicant. This fee is included in the basic investment amount if you choose to donate to a public good.

If you choose the «Contribution to sustainable development of the state» option, you only need to pay the additional fee if your family consists of more than four people. The fee is USD 25,000 for each minor dependent and USD 50,000 for each adult.

For example, imagine that you want to obtain citizenship for a family of 4: 2 adults, a 14-year-old schoolchild, and a 19-year-old student. You choose the real estate option and want to buy a condominium in St. Kitts and Nevis. In total, your costs add up to:

USD 10,000 for the due diligence check for the main applicant;
USD 15,000 for the due diligence check of two additional family members over the age of 16;
USD 1,000 for the application fee for all 4 applicants;
USD 325,000 for the cost of your apartment;
USD 25,000 for the main applicant;
USD 15,000 for a spouse;
USD 10,000 for a school-age child;
USD 15,000 — contribution for a child who is a student.

The total cost is USD 416,000. If a couple has a child after receiving their citizenship certificate, they must pay an additional USD 7,500 for the child’s status.

You can sell your home after just seven years. Given rising real estate prices, there is a good chance you will recoup the entire amount spent.

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Advantages and disadvantages of the program

The St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program is one of the most popular in the world due to its many advantages:

there is no need to visit the country because the entire process can be completed remotely;
the contribution/investment is only required after the application is approved, meaning there is no risk of financial loss;
if you purchase real estate, you can recoup your investment after 7 years, with the potential for profit—the annual return on real estate here ranges from 3.5% to 7.5%;
you can include the following people in your application: spouses, minor children, adults under 25 who are studying, children with disabilities, regardless of age, parents over 55;
a child under 3 years of age born after the parents have obtained citizenship will also be granted similar status for an additional payment of USD 7,500;
the government of St. Kitts and Nevis does not notify your home country that you have been granted citizenship;
a quick procedure that takes approximately 4–6 months if you work with a lawyer;
there’s no requirement to live in the country after receiving a passport, so you can get one “just in case.”

There are a few disadvantages to the St. Kitts and Nevis investment program, but they’re worth considering:

relatively high costs: by comparison, Vanuatu offers a passport for a minimum investment of USD 130,000;
there are restrictions on real estate purchases. you can only choose from government-approved properties, and the government sets their prices, not the market;
a ban on advertising the program: if you publicly discuss current programs or post a photo of your passport, you could be fined approximately USD 3,700.

Obtain citizenship by investment with P4 support

In order to obtain a St. Kitts and Nevis passport, you must not only deposit the required funds, but also prove your financial security, demonstrate that your income is legitimate, and show that you do not intend to use your newly acquired status for illegal purposes. Those who want to obtain a Caribbean passport quickly and easily typically seek the assistance of immigration lawyers.

P4 specialists have extensive experience working with investment programs in St. Kitts and Nevis and other popular Caribbean countries, as well as in Vanuatu and Turkey. We take the following approach when working with clients:

Initial consultation: We discuss the request and select the suitable country and program for the client.
Preliminary screening: We collect documents and analyze potential risks. If a client is denied a visa to an EU country, for example, we can help them obtain one and remove the obstacle.
Submitting an application through an authorized agent: We negotiate on the client’s behalf and complete all necessary forms.
Preparing and organizing the interview: We discuss potential questions and provide an interpreter.
Processing fees: We help transfer funds legally in accordance with the chosen investment option and pay government fees.
We support you through the entire process until you receive your passports.

The main benefits of using immigration lawyers are peace of mind and significantly faster citizenship application processing. After all, someone who has never dealt with such matters and doesn’t speak foreign languages often finds it difficult to navigate the process and complete the necessary paperwork. Therefore, legal assistance is the best way to minimize the risk of errors and delays.

An investment in citizenship is an investment in freedom