St. Kitts and
Nevis is a dual-island Caribbean destination offering pristine beaches and
tropical landscapes. Its culture is diverse, with African, British, Carib, and
French influences. It is an attractive location for owning a second home in the
Caribbean, enjoying good air links to Europe and North America.
Benefits of the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by
Investment Program
When you acquire
citizenship under St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship program, you and your
family enjoy full citizenship for life, which can be passed on to future generations
by descent.
St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment
requirements
St. Kitts
and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program require 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.
To qualify for citizenship, the main applicant must be over 18 years of age, meet the application requirements, and select one of the following options:
1. Sustainable Growth Fund
Under a limited-time offer (LTO) available for a period of six months from 1 January 2023 to 30
June 2023, the following non-refundable contributions apply:
Applications
submitted under the LTO will qualify for the Accelerated Application Process,
with a shortened processing time from 90 days to 60 days, at no additional
cost.
From 1 July
2023, the non-refundable contribution requirement will revert to USD 150,000
for a single applicant, USD 175,000 for a main applicant and a spouse, USD
195,000 for a main applicant, a spouse, and two dependants, USD 10,000 for each
additional dependent under 18 years old, and USD 25,000 for each additional
dependent over 18 years old.
2. Public Good Investment Option
A non-refundable contribution of USD 175,000.
3. Real estate acquisition
The purchase of real estate with a minimum value of USD 200,000 from an approved real estate development, or a minimum of USD 400,000 for an approved private home. The real estate purchased under both options can be resold after seven years.
Background and legal considerations
The citizenship
program of St. Kitts was established in 1984 and requires applicants to make an
economic contribution to the country. In exchange, they and their families are
granted full citizenship.
The legal basis regarding citizenship by investment is contained in Part II, § 3 (5) of the Citizenship Act, 1984, and Saint Christopher and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Regulations, 2011. These provisions allow the government to operate a program under which citizenship is granted to persons who qualify under criteria set by cabinet decisions.
Procedures and time frame of the St. Kitts and Nevis
Citizenship by Investment Program
The St. Kitts
and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) is responsible for the
processing of all applications. There is also an accelerated application
process available with a 45- to 60-day processing time frame. The CIU examines
the application thoroughly and may request that the applicant attend an interview,
although this is rarely necessary. The CIU undertakes strict due diligence
checks and will decline an application if the applicant makes a false statement
or omits any relevant information. The applicant must personally complete the
prescribed government forms, which are only available from an authorized
service provider. The documentary requirements of the program are reasonable
and the procedures straightforward. Most applicants will normally visit the
islands before deciding on the purchase of real estate, but it is not a
prerequisite for the application process, which usually takes between three to
four months from submission of the application to the CIU for approval. Under
the real estate option, the time frame may vary depending on the development,
so it is important to choose a real estate project that complements the
citizenship application efficiently.
Upon
approval-in-principle of the application, the funds for the real estate, SGF
contribution, government fees, and other fees will be released to the various
parties. Thereafter, the prime minister will sign the certificate of
registration, which confers citizenship status. Once the certificate of
registration is issued, the applicant is entitled to apply for a passport.
Fees and costs
Piptan International Inc. charges different fees depending on the case and the number of
persons included in an application and depending on whether the real estate or
SGF option is chosen. The full agreed fee (less any retainer paid initially) is
paid into an escrow account in advance and is released when the application is
submitted to the government.
Dual citizenship
There are no
restrictions on dual citizenship in St. Kitts and Nevis.
Piptan International Inc. in St. Kitts and Nevis
Through its
office in St. Kitts, Piptan International Inc. has been helping foreign
nationals acquire citizenship through the citizenship by investment program for
nearly 20 years. The firm has unrivalled expertise and experience in relation
to this program, having been mandated by the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis
to reform the program in 2006–2007 and to design the new contribution option at
that time. The changes introduced by the government in 2007, with the
professional assistance of Piptan International Inc., including the creation of
a dedicated citizenship by investment unit, the streamlining of processes,
redesign of application forms and procedures, and the international promotion
of the program, have made the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment
Program one of the most successful programs in the world.
Piptan International Inc. is dedicated to assisting individuals and families in becoming Global Citizens by investing in second residency and citizenship options worldwide.