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If you decide to invest in a second passport, St Kitts and Nevis citizenship from a small Caribbean state can be your best option. This is the oldest citizenship by investment program that since mid-1980s has been attracting foreign investors, businessmen and entrepreneurs from around the world and offering them passport in return for their investment. The St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program requires applicants to make a significant economic contribution to the country. In exchange, and subject to a stringent application procedure including thorough background checks, the applicants and their families are granted full citizenship.

Why shall I get St Kitts and Nevis citizenship?

Our citizenship experts have come up with 7 key benefits of investing in a passport of this country.

Fast processing time

If you compare it with other citizenship by investment programs, here you can get a passport in 45-60 days with accelerated procedure.

No requirement to live in the country

In order to become St Kitts and Nevis citizen, you don’t need to live or visit the islands. However, it is worth coming to this tropical paradise with its warm climate, fantastic beaches and turquoise ocean.

Full confidentiality

This small island state is very strict with not passing any information about their nationals and their assets to third parties. Your participation in the St Kitts and Nevis investment program will also remain a secret.

Passport for the whole family

Apply for citizenship for the whole family including adult children and parents.

Travelling without visas

You would not need a visa to 156 countries including Schengen states, UK and Singapore. Holders of St Kitts and Nevis passport can get long-term visas to the USA and Canada.

Tax benefits

One of the most favourable taxation systems in the world. There is no income tax, inheritance or gift taxes, no dividends or capital gains tax. Property taxes are very low too.

Business opportunities

Tourism sector in this country is very developed which creates limitless opportunities for international companies registered here.

Islands of St Kitts and Nevis become more a more popular with tourists. The government is very wise in how they use foreign money by investing in local infrastructure. Besides, it is a modern place to live and can serve as a safe haven for you and your family if things in your country are not looking bright.

What are the requirements for an investor?

Though the government is very keen on attracting foreign investments in the economy, they are careful as to who is investing. There are certain criteria that you must be able to meet:

Be older than 18 years old.
Have clean criminal and immigration record.
Pass due diligence. It must be paid for and passed by the main applicant and every family member over 16 years of age.
Be of good health.

St Kitts and Nevis government is extra cautious towards investors that want to invest money of unclear origin as well as those who are under international sanctions. Moreover, the Citizenship by Investment Unit will not accept citizenship applications from nationals of Iran, Syria and Afghanistan.

How to invest in St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment

You have two options of getting a passport through investment – one non-refundable and the other is refundable in 5–7 years.

Non-refundable contribution to Sustainable Growth Fund

If you wish to obtain citizenship by investing in a development fund, you must pay $150,000 for a single applicant with the amount increasing proportionally to the size of your family. For example, a family of four will cost you $195,000 in a one-off payment.

Sustainable Growth Fund of St Kitts and Nevis distributes the money between tourism sector, agriculture, transport infrastructure, social projects, healthcare and cultural restoration works.

Purchase of real estate

Investment in a property starts at $200,000 and the money can be returned in a few years after obtaining St Kitts and Nevis passport. Please be aware of one important condition – you must invest only in the projects and developments that are approved by the government. On the one hand, it is a limitation imposed by the state on foreign investors, but, on the other hand, it is a guarantee; all developers and sites are subject to thorough checks before being approved by authorities.

Unlike non-refundable fund contribution, real estate investment amount does depend on the size of the family that is applying together with the main applicant. But the amount decides when you can get your money back. Say, you buy a share in an off-plan development for $200,000 – you can resell it only in 7 years after getting a passport. If you invest $400,000, you can get it back faster – in 5 years.

Additional payments

Irrespective of investment, applicants for St Kitts and Nevis citizenship who are over 16 must pay a due diligence fee. Real estate investors pay government fees on top of the purchase price which vary for the main applicant and dependants.

Competent lawyers of our company will help choose the right project from the approved list and minimise additional costs that otherwise could constitute up to 50% of the investment amount.

Who can help me apply for St Kitts and Nevis citizenship?

Citizenship by Investment Unit of this Caribbean country will not accept a citizenship application directly from you. You need to choose a reputable and respectable legal firm that would be your representative. Our immigration lawyers will assess all the risks and help you prepare and obtain all necessary documents.

Once you and your family members over 16 pass due diligence checks, your application will be sent for approval.

Do I need to go to St Kitts and Nevis for my passport?

After you get an approval in principal, you will need to make a relevant investment. Once your passport application is approved, your passports will be sent to us and we will forward them to you. It means you and your family do not need to travel to the Caribbean to collect your documents. An adult passport is valid for 10 years, a child one for 5. Passports can be renewed without visiting St Kitts.

Our expert lawyers have been helping clients to get St Kitts and Nevis passport for many years. We will provide support on all stages of the process – from initial consultation, risk assessment, making an investment choice and preparation of documents to representing your interests before St Kitts and Nevis authorities, as well as collecting and sending you the passports. In case you will choose real estate, our specialists will help you find a property that would suit your requirements.

FAQ about St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program

Why should I invest in Saint Kitts & Nevis?

To start with, the government of this island country launched the first ever citizenship by investment program in the world. In the 40 years of its operation, it has been polished and refined to perfection. By investing in Saint Kitts economy, a diligent investor can be 100% sure that they will get a second passport.

All other benefits of St. Kitts passport are linked to the above:

Opportunities comparable to European passport programs but at a lower cost.
Reasonable level of requirements.
Fast-track application process when you get your passport in 60 days.
You can include your family in a St. Kitts citizenship application including a spouse, children, parents and even siblings.
Investment in real-estate is completely safe as you will be buying only government approved properties from reliable developers.
The whole process is done through an agent, so you can get a second passport without leaving home.

When can I get my money back if I invest in real estate?

St. Kitts legislation says that the amount you invest will determine when you can sell it and recover your investment.

If you buy a property for $400,000 and more, you must own it for at least 5 years.

If your investment is from $200K to $400K, you will be able to sell only after 7 years.

As it is common to invest in off-plan schemes for hotels, holiday resorts, apartments and Spa centres, you might be able to recover some of the expenses you incurred when applying for a passport. To make sure your purchase generates income, find a reliable property management company with the help of your immigration advisers and start getting a monthly rental income.

Will the amount of real estate investment depend on the number of dependants?

No, it will not. Irrespective of whether you are applying alone or with a big family, you can still invest the required minimum of $200,000 and not a penny more.

However, processing and other fees will increase depending on family size and ages. Extra costs for a single investor amount to $42,500. Second citizenship for a family of 4 people will cost additional $86,500 in non-refundable processing and Due Diligence fees.

Why is confidentiality important?

It is normally not important to those who live in a country that allows multiple citizenship. Even then you will most probably be required to register your second passport with authorities and some of your rights might be limited.

Saint Kitts and Nevis government guarantees full confidentiality to all applicants. It is important if your country does not allow dual nationality – whether this restriction is only on paper and there is no penalty or liability, or you will be persecuted for the offence and potentially deported and stripped of your first nationality.

Experts at Imperial & Legal would strongly advise against breaching laws of your country even if they sound absurd. Every investor takes a risk by applying under one of the Caribbean passport schemes and all they can rely on is confidentiality guarantee.

What is the visa-free value of a Saint Kitts passport?

This small Caribbean country ranks 25^th in the Passport Index, an informal rating of countries based on how many states are open to their citizens without a visa.

Saint Kitts and Nevis government has signed visa waiver agreements with 156 countries for visa-free or visa-on-arrival regime.

The list includes all EU states, Switzerland, Norway, the UK and Singapore. Holders of a Saint Kitts passport can also apply for a 10-year business visa to the USA.

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#St Kitts & Nevis