When choosing a country to launch an investment project, international business or protect assets, several options deserve close attention. One of them is the offshore jurisdiction of Saint Kitts and Nevis. The main advantage of this jurisdiction is its good combination of characteristics. Our specialists can register a company in Saint Kitts and Nevis in just 1-2 days. Corporate law provides effective legal tools to protect business owners.
The offshore zone of Saint Kitts and Nevis will also be of interest to high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs). Laws have been adopted here to help structure assets, segment risks and build effective alternative inheritance mechanisms through bespoke trust projects while maintaining a high level of confidentiality. Additional benefits for individuals include the ability to quickly obtain a second passport from Saint Kitts and Nevis (investment citizenship programme) and zero personal taxation.
Advantages of the jurisdiction
Tax-free countries and territories that provide services to foreigners are usually focused on a specific target audience — individuals or the corporate segment. There are exceptions to this rule, but they are rare. The offshore jurisdiction of Saint Kitts and Nevis has been able to create conditions that are valued by representatives of both worlds. Therefore, the jurisdiction will be of interest to a wide range of foreigners, not just business people and investors.
Why St. Kitts and Nevis:
- there are no personal taxes in the jurisdiction — on personal income (PIT, Personal Income Tax), inheritance and gifts, capital gains (in most cases);
- With our help, you can set up a company in Saint Kitts and Nevis in 1-2 days;
- British common law;
- effective asset protection in Saint Kitts and Nevis;
- Very high level of confidentiality;
- the legislation provides legal instruments that facilitate business operations — for example, nominee directors and shareholders are permitted in Saint Kitts and Nevis;
- Political, economic and financial stability;
- the St. Kitts and Nevis CBI programme is in place, offering the opportunity to obtain citizenship of the jurisdiction in exchange for investment.
Advantages for businessmen and investors:
- Membership in CARICOM and OECS provides access to markets in the region, the United States and Latin America.
- The national currency, the East Caribbean dollar (XCD, EC$), is pegged to the US dollar.
- An offshore bank account in Saint Kitts and Nevis eliminates problems with the availability of financial services for individuals and companies.
Registering a company in Saint Kitts and Nevis gives you access to all the resources of a modern offshore jurisdiction. The project will be of interest to wealthy individuals, founders of family offices, investors and those wishing to obtain alternative citizenship. The advantages of the St. Kitts and Nevis offshore jurisdiction are in demand when implementing real estate projects, launching start-ups, and protecting and diversifying assets.
Taxation features
Once we have registered your business in St. Kitts and Nevis, helped you obtain investment citizenship, or launched an asset protection project, our experts will help you calculate your changed fiscal obligations. A few years ago, it was believed that the main advantage of offshore companies was zero taxes. But now the priorities have shifted.
For any transaction (not just company incorporation in St. Kitts and Nevis), stability, predictability, access to legal tax optimisation tools, and complete project transparency are more important. However, we believe that even taking this into account, tax incentives remain one of the most important arguments in favour of choosing St. Kitts and Nevis. This is particularly facilitated by the jurisdiction’s good reputation among international financial regulators.
Personal taxation in St. Kitts and Nevis
If the source of income is employment, the income tax rate is 0%. However, contributions to social development and the housing fund will be withheld from this income. The rate is fixed at 5% + 1% (for accident insurance), but not more than EC$390. Any business-related activity, including trade, consulting and freelancing, is taxed at a rate of 4%. For trade and services, deductions of EC$12,500 and EC$2,000 apply. Entrepreneurs can switch to corporate taxation, but only once. You can request additional information on taxation from our specialists.
Taxation in Saint Kitts and Nevis for businesses
Resident legal entities pay tax on their worldwide income (domestic and foreign), while non-residents pay tax only on the portion of their income that was earned in St. Kitts and Nevis. The rate is fixed at 25% (until 2024, it was higher at 33%). The preferential regime exempting from taxation (if the legal entity does not operate in the jurisdiction or works only with foreign counterparties) does not apply to newly registered companies.
What corporate taxes does an international business in Saint Kitts and Nevis pay?
If your business is registered in Saint Kitts and Nevis or managed from there, it is considered a resident organisation and will be taxed as such. For resident companies, the official corporate tax rate is 33%, but it is possible to reduce it to 1% or pay a fixed annual licence fee instead.
Non-resident companies are only required to pay tax on profits earned within the country. If such companies pay dividends to non-resident shareholders, a withholding tax of 15% applies. This tax is classified as personal tax, i.e. it is paid by a private individual (shareholder) who is a non-resident of the country. Income received from abroad is not subject to tax.
Main taxes:
- Corporate income tax — see above;
- Withholding tax on dividends, interest and royalties — 15%;
- VAT — 17%, for the hotel business and tourism sector — 10%;
- Social security contributions — 5% (to the social security fund) + 1% (employment injury benefit) + 1% (severance payment fund).
Other taxes and fees:
- on real estate — 0.2% or 0.3% (depending on the type of property — residential or commercial);
- stamp duty — from 6% to 10%.
To reduce the fiscal burden, a St. Kitts and Nevis company can take advantage of double taxation treaties (DTT). However, the list of countries that have adopted such documents is limited. It includes only six countries: the United Kingdom, Denmark, Norway, the United States, Sweden, and Switzerland.
In addition, an international company in Saint Kitts and Nevis can take advantage of certain tax incentives. Their applicability depends on the legal entity’s field of activity. When calculating the tax base, deductions are available (for marketing, R&D, and production costs), but they are not granted automatically.
What are the benefits of registering a company in Saint Kitts and Nevis?
Starting a new business in this jurisdiction will be beneficial to several categories of foreigners. The factors influencing such a decision depend on the specific situation. The common belief that the main reason is the tax benefits of the St. Kitts and Nevis offshore zone is only partially true.
The priority objectives for opening a new legal entity are:
Client group | Issues to be addressed |
Large investors, high net worth individuals (HNWI, UHNWI), family offices | Asset structuring, segmentation and diversification, improved confidentiality, alternative inheritance mechanisms, preparation of a “backup” jurisdiction |
Global business — consulting services, IT services, e-commerce (if local warehouses are not required) | Quick launch of a commercial project with a minimum of formalities, doing business in a stable jurisdiction with Anglo-Saxon law |
Clients interested in second citizenship by investment through company registration in Saint Kitts and Nevis | Obtaining a passport by registering a new legal entity for a specific purpose (investment, business, asset ownership, family office, etc.) |
Areas of activity particularly suitable for company incorporation in Saint Kitts and Nevis:
- digital business, online services — government support, no need to publish reports in open sources, official status of the English language;
- real estate in St. Kitts and Nevis, tourism — benefits, 10% VAT, soft regulation by the ECCB (Eastern Caribbean Central Bank), client participation in the citizenship by investment programme;
- intermediary services — business in a predictable jurisdiction, transparent and understandable KYC/AML (Know Your Customer, Anti-Money Laundering) requirements, fast registration of legal entities, permitted nominee services;
- digital nomad business (high-income mobile professionals) — low entry threshold, good confidentiality, quick registration.
How to open a company in Saint Kitts and Nevis
The registration conditions are in line with modern ideas about transparency in commercial operations. St. Kitts and Nevis IBC (International Business Company) allows you to achieve virtually any goal or objective; this organisational and legal form is a universal option for launching a new legal entity. In some cases, an international business company may not be effective enough, in which case our specialists will select a different corporate format for you.
The main types of legal entities available for registration in Saint Kitts and Nevis are:
Legal form of business / main characteristics | IBC (international business company) | LLC (limited liability company) |
Purpose of registration | Cross-border trade, investment business | Asset protection, business with maximum control |
Structure | Classic corporation with shareholders and directors | Flexible management + limited liability of participants |
Registration | Based on the Business Corporation Ordinance | Regulated by the Limited Liability Company Ordinance |
Alternative legal forms that can be used by international businesses in Saint Kitts and Nevis, and typical options for their application:
- Local Company — business within the jurisdiction, working with clients in the jurisdiction itself;
- Partnership — joint business conducted by several people for profit;
- Limited Partnership — conducting business with full and partial (limited) liability;
- Sole Proprietorship — a small business fully controlled by the owner, who is prepared to assume unlimited liability;
- Foreign Business / External Company — easy entry into the St. Kitts and Nevis market for a foreign legal entity through the opening of a branch or subsidiary.
Company registration requirements
The features and rules of the procedure are regulated in detail in four key documents. These are the Companies Act (1996), Companies Ordinance CAP. 7.06 N (last amended on 31 December 2017), Nevis Business Corporation Ordinance (1984) and Nevis Limited Liability Company Ordinance (1995). The laws are aimed at supporting and stimulating business, attracting foreign investment and strengthening the federation’s economy. Therefore, in most cases, the incorporation of a company in St. Kitts and Nevis is carried out quickly and smoothly by Imperial & Legal specialists.
Key requirements:
- a unique company name;
- registered office (which will be the legal address) — only in Saint Kitts and Nevis;
- a local registered agent;
- a complete set of documents, including the Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Articles of Association (AOA);
one director and one shareholder (they can be the same person), there are no restrictions on citizenship, legal status (natural or legal persons) and residency, personal documents must be prepared for them:
- a letter of recommendation from a bank or a certified lawyer;
- a notarised passport and documentary proof of actual residence (a utility bill or bank statement will suffice);
- No minimum capital is required in St. Kitts and Nevis when registering a company (only for the IBC format).
- annual reporting is mandatory.
Our specialists will take care of all legal actions related to collecting the package of documents and preparing the registration of a company in St. Kitts and Nevis. Therefore, the procedure for opening a legal entity will be as transparent and simple as possible for the client.
Legal environment
Nevis LLC (IBC registration is more focused on cross-border trade operations) is a classic corporate tool for doing business with broad capabilities, designed to operate in an environment of legal certainty and predictability. The popularity of the jurisdiction is explained not only by loyal legislation or soft corporate regulation rules. It is important to find a balance between compliance with the requirements of international regulatory bodies, a comfortable business environment, legal protection and the availability of corporate and financial services. All these conditions are fully met in the offshore zone of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Features of the legal and regulatory environment:
- British common law;
- no mandatory publication of corporate financial statements;
- effective protection of intellectual property and confidentiality at the legislative level;
- full compliance with KYC/AML, FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) and CRS (Common Reporting Standard) requirements.
This means that you can start a business in Saint Kitts and Nevis with us without worrying that your company will eventually face problems and difficulties caused by unfavourable changes in legislation. When registering a legal entity with Imperial & Legal, you will rely only on verified and reliable information. Therefore, you will be able to make an informed and reasoned decision.
Citizenship by Investment Programme in Saint Kitts and Nevis
The purpose of registering a company in a jurisdiction is not always related to doing business. An alternative objective is to protect assets in St. Kitts and Nevis through a trust structure. If implemented correctly, such a project can eliminate uncertainty (for example, when drawing up a will).
Offshore trusts in Saint Kitts and Nevis are a powerful and completely legal planning tool. They can be an effective replacement for complex corporate structures created to solve a specific task. Trusts are aimed at wealthy individuals, and such projects are developed on an individual basis only, targeting HNWIs and UHNWIs.
Citizenship by Investment in Saint Kitts and Nevis is a programme with many advantages and is more versatile. CBI (Citizenship by Investment) is aimed at individuals who are interested in obtaining a second passport from a reputable and respected offshore jurisdiction.
The reasons for this may vary:
- a “fallback option” in case of an emergency in the country of citizenship or permanent residence;
- the opportunity to choose a country to live in (for study, business, etc.);
- simplified access to specific services;
- tax optimisation;
- significant simplification of international travel.
The financial threshold for entry is relatively low — from $250,000. A second passport from Saint Kitts and Nevis can be obtained in exchange for non-refundable donations to the SISC (Sustainable Island State Contribution) state fund. Another popular option is to invest in real estate (only in government-approved properties). Candidates are not required to pass an exam on the language or traditions and culture of the country.
St. Kitts and Nevis CBI programme, financial conditions for immigration routes:
| Option for obtaining a “Golden Visa” (subject to change in the future) | Basic costs | Comprehensive check |
| SISC fund | From $250,000 (main applicant, family of up to 4 people), dependents under 18 — $25,000, dependents over 18 — $50,000 | Main applicant — $10,000, each dependent — $7,500 |
| Investment in real estate from a developer (primary market) | From $325,000 (resale permitted after 7 years) | Main applicant — $10,000, each dependent aged 16 and over — $7,500. Additionally, after approval of the application: main applicant — $25,000, each dependent under 18 years of age — $10,000, each dependent aged 18 and over — $15,000. |
| Investments in private real estate from a developer (secondary market) | From $325,000 (resale permitted after 7 years) | Main applicant — $10,000, each dependent over 16 years of age — $7,500. Additionally, after approval of the application: main applicant — $25,000, husband or wife — $15,000, each dependent under 18 — $10,000, each dependent over 18 — $15,000. |
| Public Benefit Option (PBO) | From $250,000 | Main applicant — $10,000, each dependent aged 16 and over — $7,500. |
What will a St. Kitts and Nevis passport give me:
- freedom to travel (visa-free access to more than 150 countries);
- simplified business start-up and opening of an offshore bank account in St. Kitts and Nevis;
- expanded opportunities for legal tax optimisation;
- the ability to add family members to the application;
- effective privacy protection (information about the applicant and dependents listed in the application is not transferred to the jurisdiction of residence or permanent residence);
- Citizenship by investment in Saint Kitts and Nevis is granted for life (passport is valid for 10 years and is subsequently replaced).
Given the high political stability of St. Kitts and Nevis and its favourable conditions, the opportunity to obtain second citizenship here is a useful and necessary option with a relatively low entry threshold. If you are interested in a comprehensive project that includes additional company registration in St. Kitts and Nevis, please contact our specialists.
Company registration in Saint Kitts and Nevis with Imperial & Legal
It is possible to start a new business on your own, but in most cases this is not recommended. If you are interested in quickly opening a turnkey company in Saint Kitts and Nevis (1-2 days, with preparation — no more than a week) with minimal hassle and the option to choose additional services, it is best to contact our specialists. Please note that this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax and/or legal advice.
To open a company in Saint Kitts and Nevis, you need to prepare a complete set of documents. Completing this stage does not involve any particular difficulties for the client. Our specialists will take care of the main tasks and ensure compliance with all corporate regulations. At this stage, we will work together to prepare the text of two important documents: the memorandum of association and the articles of association. We will also help you choose a registration agent and legal address.
Imperial & Legal specialists will check the prepared package of documents and submit them for company registration in Saint Kitts and Nevis. Additionally, you will need to pay a government fee to the registrar. At this stage, difficulties may arise only if you submit the documents yourself, whereas with the assistance of our specialists, the process goes smoothly
The national registrar processes the application, checks the completeness of the package of documents and compliance with applicable corporate rules. In most cases, if you work with us, there are no problems. The applicant receives a state certificate of registration of a legal entity and a package of documents.
Opening an offshore company in St. Kitts and Nevis with the help of our specialists is quite simple. If thorough preparation has been carried out, the procedure usually takes only a few days. If the registrar has additional questions, it may take longer, but such cases are rare.
How we can help you
Imperial & Legal is a results-oriented company that follows a simple rule: the client’s request must be fulfilled. We provide comprehensive support at every stage and offer our clients a range of additional services aimed at solving all the tasks at hand.
Our approach to company registration in Saint Kitts and Nevis:
- selection of the organisational and legal form for a specific case;
- preparing the client for successful completion of KYC/AML procedures;
- comprehensive company registration with the maximum possible exemption of the client from legal issues;
- extended corporate services — provision of a registered office, nominee directors and shareholders in Saint Kitts and Nevis, accounting support;
- opening corporate and personal accounts (the probability of refusal, if you request our assistance, will be very low, but not zero);
- Compliance and business support for the company — licence renewal, reporting, taxation, etc.
Services under the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Programme:
- selection of an investment option;
- Comprehensive support for the client’s participation in the programme for obtaining a second passport of Saint Kitts and Nevis (citizenship in 4-6 months);
- risk assessment, preparation of a package of documents;
- combined 2-in-1 solutions — registration of a St. Kitts and Nevis company + citizenship through the St. Kitts and Nevis CBI programme.
Conclusions
The St. Kitts and Nevis offshore jurisdiction is a good choice for starting a business with prospects or obtaining a second passport through the citizenship by investment programme. The jurisdiction has created favourable conditions for the practical implementation of projects aimed at protecting and diversifying assets. One of the key features for commercial activities is the very high level of confidentiality of business in Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Advantages of working with Imperial & Legal:
- a comprehensive approach to client requests;
- we only work with proven and certified partners;
- deep understanding of the specifics of working with HNWI / UHNWI clients;
- guaranteed confidentiality;
- client support at every stage;
- one-stop shop principle — all services are provided by Imperial & Legal.
If you have any questions, please contact our specialists in any way convenient for you.
