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Ten Questions about St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program: Overview and Benefits

Investing in a second passport is one of the best strategies in the modern dynamic world. Investing in Caribbean citizenship is on the radar of many people, especially the program offered by St Kitts and Nevis. It is a country made up of two Caribbean islands. What are the benefits of a St Kitts and Nevis passport?

St Kitts and Nevis passport is ideal for investors who want to travel around the world without a visa. St Kitts and Nevis citizenship offers a high level of security and visa-free access to the Schengen area and the United Kingdom.

In 1984, St Kitts and Nevis authorities were the first to launch a citizenship by investment program. It was designed to attract foreign entrepreneurs and their family members who wanted to obtain St Kitts and Nevis citizenship in exchange for investment in the Sustainable Growth Fund or purchase of St Kitts and Nevis real estate.

In this article, Imperial & Legal’s experts answer the most frequently asked questions about St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program.

1. How Much Money Do I Have to Invest to Get St Kitts and Nevis Passport?

The minimum investment required by the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program is relatively small. This is always a huge attraction for wealthy individuals.

There are three investment options:

  1. Non-refundable donation to the Sustainable Growth Fund;
  2. Purchase of real estate approved by the government with an opportunity to sell it after several years of ownership;
  3. Investment in public benefit projects.

Non-refundable Contribution to Sustainable Growth Fund

A wealthy foreign national can get a St Kitts and Nevis passport for a non-refundable contribution to the Sustainable Growth Fund. The money is then allocated for the diversification of the economy, development of agriculture and green energy, support of sustainable and creative industries, recovery from COVID-19, and provision of social guarantees to the most vulnerable groups.

Costs of St Kitts and Nevis citizenship with a non-refundable contribution to the Sustainable Growth Fund

CostsOne investor ($)Investor with a spouse ($)Family of four people ($)Additional adult applicant ($)

Additional minor applicant ($)

Non-refundable contribution

250,000300,000350,000+ 75,000

+ 50,000

Due diligence fee

10,000

7,500 for each family member over 16 years old

Passport fee

350 per passport

Purchase of Real Estate

If you want to recover part of the money you invest in St Kitts and Nevis citizenship, you should consider buying a property in the country. Note that you can purchase only the real estate developments approved by the government.

For the minimum investment of $400,000, you will be able to buy a share in a holiday resort, villa, or condominium. After seven years of ownership, you will be able to re-sell your property and get your money back. Note that you can re-sell real estate to its previous owner only once.

Currently, a foreign investor can choose from 50 approved real estate developments. Imperial & Legal’s specialists will help you find the most appropriate real estate that you will be able to rent out or use for a holiday yourself.

To get a St Kitts and Nevis passport by investment, you can also buy a detached house for one family at the price of not less than $800,000. The mandatory period of ownership in this case is five years. You will be able to rent your property out with the help of a property management company, but you will not be allowed to divide the house into several apartments.

Costs of St Kitts and Nevis citizenship through purchase of real estate

Costs

One investor ($)Investor with a spouse ($)Additional adult applicant ($)

Additional minor applicant ($)

Purchase of real estate

from 400,000 – share in a hotel or condominium under construction

from 800,000 – house for one family

Due diligence fee

10,0007,500 7,500

7,500 (for applicants over 16 years old)

Government fee

35,05055,10010,050

10,050

Passport fee

350 per passport

Investment in Public Benefit Projects

This is the most recent investment option that allows foreign investors to get a St Kitts and Nevis passport through participation in public benefit projects approved by the government.

Costs of St Kitts and Nevis citizenship through investment in public benefit projects

CostsOne investor ($)Investor with a spouse ($)Additional adult applicant ($)

Additional minor applicant ($)

Minimum investment

250,000

Due diligence fee

10,0007,500 7,500

7,500 (for applicants over 16 years old)

Passport fee

350 per passport

2. How Did COVID-19 Affect St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program?

The COVID-19 pandemic did not affect the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program in any way. There were no delays or disruptions.

3. What Travel Benefits Does St Kitts and Nevis Passport Offer?

With a St Kitts and Nevis passport, you get visa-free access to more than 140 countries. It is your pass to the EU, the UK, Ireland, all countries of the Schengen area, and Caribbean and Asian countries, including Singapore and Hong Kong. Moreover, the St Kitts and Nevis government has recently signed visa waiver agreements with Mexico, Georgia, and Albania.

4. What Are the Requirements for Investors?

An applicant is eligible for the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment if they meet the following requirements:

  • Be over 18 years old;
  • Have a clean criminal and immigration record and be under no sanctions;
  • Be of good health;
  • Have enough funds to make at least the minimum investment;
  • Pass a due diligence check and pay the corresponding fee (for all applicants over 16 years old).

5. How Long Is St Kitts and Nevis Passport Valid?

St Kitts and Nevis citizenship is given for life, and you will not lose it unless you break any law.

Biometric electronic passports are valid for ten years if an applicant is over 16 years old and for five years if an applicant is under 16 years old. Expired passports must be renewed.

6. Do I Have to Take an Oath to Become St Kitts and Nevis Citizen?

No, you do not. There is no requirement for an applicant to take an oath to obtain a St Kitts and Nevis passport.

7. Do I Have to Visit St Kitts and Nevis to Collect My Passport?

No, you do not. Neither do you have to stay in the country for any time to become a St Kitts and Nevis citizen. Passports for a whole family (for example, the main applicant, their spouse, children under 25 years old, and parents over 65 years old) can be issued without your physical presence. You can then collect your documents in your immigration advisor’s office or get them posted to you. Note that the processing time is about half a year. After you invest, it will take not more than six months for you to get your St Kitts and Nevis passport.

After your application is approved, the processing is completed, the due diligence check is passed, and investment is made, the main applicant will get a certificate of registration. It must be collected in person in St Kitts and Nevis or St Kitts and Nevis embassy or consulate.

8. What Taxes Will I Have to Pay and Are There Any Exemptions for Foreign Investors?

The tax system in St Kitts and Nevis is transparent and favourable. For example, St Kitts and Nevis tax residents do not pay income or property taxes.

For a one-off investment, a foreign national will be exempt from income, dividend, inheritance, and some other taxes. You will be able to optimise taxation and successfully run businesses outside St Kitts and Nevis. Note that the trust law of this country is one of the best in the world.

9. Will My Confidentiality Be Guaranteed?

Information about your second St Kitts and Nevis citizenship will be 100% confidential and will not be disclosed to any third party.

Like all Caribbean countries, St Kitts and Nevis allows dual citizenship. You will not be asked to revoke your first citizenship. St Kitts and Nevis’s government understands that not all countries allow dual citizenship; therefore, they guarantee full confidentiality.

Note that St Kitts and Nevis is a Commonwealth country. It means that you will be protected by the UK legal system and enjoy all the guarantees, including social and political ones.

10. Can St Kitts and Nevis Citizens Get Long-term Visas to the USA or Canada?

Yes, they can. Any St Kitts and Nevis citizen can apply for a long-term visa to the USA or Canada. Since St Kitts and Nevis citizenship is trusted, your application is likely to be approved. That’s why, St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program is one of the most beneficial nowadays.

For a long time, experienced Imperial & Legal’s advisors have been helping our clients get St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment. Our experts offer a one-stop approach to second citizenship as well as catering to the client’s individual needs starting from the preparation of documents to tax optimisation and choice of real estate. If you are interested in the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program, you can book a consultation with our immigration advisors and discuss all the details with them.

Additional Questions About St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program

There are five Caribbean citizenship by investment programs. Why should I choose St Kitts and Nevis?

The unique advantage of St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program is its maturity. In the 40 years of its operation, it has been polished and refined to perfection.

If you have a good reputation and enough funds to invest, you will certainly get a St Kitts and Nevis passport in the shortest possible period.

By a number of criteria, St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program outperforms similar Caribbean programs. For example, your first St Kitts and Nevis passport will be valid for ten years while in Grenada, St Lucia and Antigua and Barbuda, the validity is five years. Visa-free or simplified access to 156 countries is also the best among citizenship by investment programs.

For these reasons, wealthy and famous foreigners choose St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment. The program is usually advertised as setting the standard for all the other similar programs around the world.

Who can I add to my application?

According to the current rules, an applicant for St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program can add the following dependants to their application:

  • A spouse;
  • Minor children, including children from previous marriages;
  • Adult children under 25 years old if they are not married and are financially dependent on their parents;
  • The main applicant’s and their spouse’s parents over 65 years old if they are financially dependent on the main applicant.

Note that your costs will increase by the number of dependants you add to your application: minimum non-refundable contribution (if you choose this investment option) and additional payments. For example, for each additional applicant, you will have to pay $7,500 in due diligence fees.

How long can St Kitts and Nevis citizens stay in the EU without a visa?

According to the visa waiver agreements between St Kitts and Nevis and the EU countries, a Caribbean citizen can stay in the EU for 90 days without applying for an EU visa.

Not everyone knows that though St Kitts and Nevis gained independence long ago, it is still formally headed by the British Crown. The country is ruled by an appointed Attorney General and is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.

As a St Kitts and Nevis citizen, you will be able to stay in the UK for 180 days in a row without a visa. Your children will also benefit if they decide to study in a British educational institution.

How can St Kitts and Nevis citizens optimise their taxes?

St Kitts and Nevis citizens do not have to pay taxes on income that originates both inside and outside the country. There are also no capital gains, gift, and inheritance taxes. However, all these benefits are available only to St Kitts and Nevis tax residents. In other words, a foreign investor needs to spend enough time in the country to get tax residency.

Non-Caribbean tax residents can also enjoy favourable conditions for running international businesses since St Kitts and Nevis is a world-known tax haven.

Can I use my St Kitts and Nevis citizenship to stay in the country for a long time?

St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program was initially designed for foreign entrepreneurs who wanted to acquire a second passport for work and travel benefits. Most investors obtain St Kitts and Nevis passports from the comfort of their home and visit the islands only to spend their holiday by the ocean.

At the same time, St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program has contributed to the country’s economic growth. Now, tourism is the main contributor to the state budget. There are a lot of hotels, holiday resorts, shops, cafes, roads, ports, and mooring berths under construction.

This means that you can use the islands not only for recreation but also as a safe haven if there are problems in your home country and as an intermediate step for getting a British, European, or American residence or citizenship.

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