The Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Program for St. Kitts and Nevis, established in 1984, is the first of its kind. It offers two main pathways to obtain citizenship: investing in the Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF) or buying property in a government-approved real estate project.
One of the key advantages of the St. Kitts and Nevis program is its user-friendly application process. Unlike many other citizenship programs, it does not require applicants to pass an English proficiency test or have prior knowledge about the islands. Moreover, the entire application process can be completed remotely, offering unparalleled convenience and making the journey to citizenship a stress-free experience.
For detailed information on eligibility, procedures, and required documents, we highly recommend visiting the website of the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU). This transparent approach ensures that potential applicants have access to all the necessary information, fostering a sense of security and trust in the program. Below, we provide some key facts and expert insights on this esteemed program.
Conditions for Acceptance
- The principal applicant must be at least 18 years old.
- The applicant must have a clean criminal record with no ongoing investigations or charges.
- A due diligence check must be successfully passed.
- Documents must be provided to verify the legal source of funds for the application.
- A medical certificate proving good health is required.
Eligible Dependents
- Spouse of the main applicant.
- Children under 30 who are financially dependent on the principal applicant.
- Parents aged 55 or older who are financially dependent on the main applicant.
Cost of Acquiring Citizenship in St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Kitts and Nevis offers two main pathways for obtaining citizenship by investment:
- Contribution to the Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF). A non-refundable investment of USD 150,000.
- Real estate investment. Investment in government-approved real estate with two pricing options:
- USD 200,000. Requires holding the property for 7 years.
- USD 400,000. Requires holding the property for 5 years.
Types of Investment Options Under the Program
- Investing in the SGF:
- Type of investment: Non-refundable fee.
- Minimum investment (main applicant): USD 150,000.
- Minimum Investment (spouse): Additional USD 25,000.
- Each additional dependent: USD 10,000.
- Security screening (Due Diligence) fee:
- Main investor: USD 7,500.
- Family members (16 and older): USD 4,000 per member.
- Application processing fee:
- Main investor: USD 250.
- Family members: USD 250 per member.
- Investing in real estate:
- Type of investment: Property can be resold after a specified period.
- Minimum investment (main applicant):
- USD 200,000 (7-year holding period).
- USD 400,000 (5-year holding period).
- Security screening (Due Diligence) fee:
- Main investor: USD 7,500.
- Family members (16 and older): USD 4,000 per member.
- Application processing fee:
- Main investor: USD 35,297.
- Family members:
- Spouse: USD 20,297.
- Other dependents: USD 10,297 per dependent, regardless of age.
The cost is subject to change, of course. You can use any trusted source of information to get updates on time.
Additional Costs
Service fees for a partner company that will handle your application (mind that you cannot apply on your own):
– Single applicant: Minimum USD 20,000.
– Family: Minimum USD 25,000.
Important considerations:
- Real estate investments must be in government-approved development projects.
- The USD 400,000 real estate investment allows for asset resale after 5 years.
- The SGF option covers a family of up to 5 people, including the main investor and up to 4 dependents. Additional dependents will incur extra fees.
- The minimum donation to the Sustainable Growth Fund for a family of four has been reduced to $100,000 as of the end of 2020, the same as for a single applicant. However, the family, including the applicant, spouse, and two children, will still pay state fees for data processing and security checks at the same rates as before the discount.
- Financially dependent parents and children aged 30 to 55, including those with disabilities or in higher education, can be included in the collective citizenship application.
Cost Calculation for St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship for a Family of Four
- Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF) option:
– Non-refundable contribution: USD 150,000
– Passport fee: USD 1,400 (total for 4 passports)
– Due Diligence fee: USD 15,500
– Total cost: USD 166,900
- Real estate investment option:
– Minimum real estate investment: Starting at USD 200,000
– Passport fee: USD 1,400 (total for 4 passports)
– Due Diligence fee: USD 15,500
– State fee: USD 75,000
– Total cost: USD 291,900
Additional Information on Including Dependents
Children born after the main applicants have acquired citizenship in St. Kitts and Nevis through investment can be added to the family application. Subject to a review by the Department of Homeland Security, these children can be included until they turn 16. The table below outlines the relevant government fees for adding dependents and additional services.
Relevant and Other Government Fees
- Adding a spouse post-approval: USD 35,000
- Adding a dependent post-approval: USD 10,000
- Adding a minor born before approval: USD 10,000
- Due Diligence Check for financial sponsor: USD 4,000
- Due Diligence Check for name change: USD 1,500
- Corrections to Registration Certificate Due to translation error: USD 500
- Re-issuance of lost or stolen Registration Certificate: USD 500
- Preparing Registration Certificate (per person): USD 50
- Passport processing for each child under 16: USD 500
- Processing fee: USD 250
- Charge for changing financial option: USD 10,000
The Accelerated Application Process (AAP) can shorten the process for expediting the addition of dependents or making changes to the application to 60 business days. For further details on this option, please get in touch with us.
Guide to Acquiring Citizenship of St. Kitts and Nevis: Navigating the Process Smoothly
- Please note that you will be required to undergo a fingerprinting process to confirm your identity. This process will be carried out by a third-party contractor. The collected information will be sent to the authorities of St. Kitts and Nevis for review and shared with international law enforcement agencies for additional verification.
- It is strongly recommended to exclude individuals from Iran, the Syrian Arab Republic, and Afghanistan as financial dependents due to program exclusions.
- After submitting the application along with all necessary documents, meeting the investment criteria, and completing all other formalities, you will be able to track the progress of your St. Kitts and Nevis economic citizenship application through the CAMS (Citizen Application Management System) electronic platform at every stage of the processing.
Feel free to use the second link in the text to talk to an expert at no fee.