The St. Kitts & Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program was established in 1984, making it the oldest program of its kind in the world. Investors, along with their dependents, can qualify for citizenship by making a significant economic contribution to the country.

Advantages of Saint Kitts and Nevis Citizenship

  • Visa-free travel. St. Kitts & Nevis citizens have visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 154 countries and territories, including the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, Russia, and many others.
  • Dual citizenship is recognized in Saint Kitts and Nevis. You do not need to renounce your previous citizenship.
  • Right of residence in Saint Kitts & Nevis or any other CARICOM country at any time and for any duration.
  • No global taxation if you reside outside Saint Kitts.
  • No global taxation even if you relocate and live in Saint Kitts and Nevis, as there are no direct taxes whatsoever.
  • Commonwealth benefits. As a citizen of the British Commonwealth of Nations, you receive certain preferential treatment in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries.
  • Tropical paradise with excellent climate.

Investment Options to Get Citizenship

  • Real Estate Investment. The minimum required investment is US $400,000 (resellable after 7 years) for each main applicant. The investor must also pay non-refundable government fees of US $25,000 for the principal applicant, US $15,000 for a spouse, and US $10,000 for each dependent child under 18. For a family of four, this totals US $60,000 in non-refundable fees. A key condition is that the property cannot be sold within the first seven years; otherwise, citizenship may be revoked.
  • Contribution Option. Requires a non-refundable donation of US $250,000 for a single applicant or a family of four.
  • Public Benefit Option (PBO) – US $250,000. Contributions under this option are directed to the National Housing Corporation (NHC), a statutory body established by Parliament, with a focus on increasing affordable housing. By choosing the PBO, applicants directly contribute to developing new homes and improving access to home ownership in St. Kitts & Nevis.

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Until December 31, 2025, the PBO fee structure mirrors the SISC’s fee structure. Government processing fees are waived for applications of up to four persons. A post-approval fee applies from the fifth applicant onward (US $25,000 for applicants aged 0–17 and US $50,000 for applicants aged 18+). The PBO is currently the most attractive option in St. Kitts & Nevis. More details here

Process

  • Applicants sign the PBO Purchase Agreement and reserve their Public Benefit Unit;
  • The application is prepared and submitted to the CIU;
  • Upon CIU approval, applicants pay US $250,000 and other government fees to the CIU and receive citizenship of St. Kitts & Nevis.

In addition to the above expenses, under both the real estate and contribution/donation options, the investor must pay a due diligence fee of US $10,000 for the principal applicant and US $7,500 for a spouse or any person over 16 years of age.

Citizenship by Investment in Other Countries

Currently, five Caribbean countries (St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, Dominica, Grenada, and Antigua & Barbuda) officially allow foreigners to obtain citizenship by investment within a relatively short time. In other regions: El Salvador (US $1,000,000 non-refundable contribution), Turkey (US $400,000 refundable property investment), Vanuatu (US $130,000–180,000 non-refundable contribution), and some African countries (Sierra Leone, São Tomé and Príncipe, Botswana).

There are also European countries (such as Austria, Bulgaria, Slovakia, etc.) that may grant citizenship “for special merits” or “special contribution” to the economy. However, in these cases, no fixed investment or donation amount is specified. Decisions are made case by case, and there is a risk of investing without ultimately receiving citizenship due to subjective factors. These are not “citizenship by investment” programs in the strict sense.

Summary of St. Kitts & Nevis Citizenship Law

For non-investors interested in the citizenship legislation of St. Kitts & Nevis, here is a brief summary. Citizenship laws are based on the Constitution of St. Kitts and Nevis. Categories are divided by the date of independence — September 19, 1983.

Citizenship by birth:

  • Child of unknown parents is granted citizenship.
  • Persons born before September 19, 1983: Birth within St. Kitts and Nevis does not automatically grant citizenship.
  • Persons born on or after September 19, 1983: A child born in St. Kitts and Nevis receives citizenship regardless of the parents’ nationality.

Citizenship by descent:

  • Persons born before September 19, 1983: Any British Dependent Territory Citizen (BDTC) or British Citizen residing in St. Kitts at that time was eligible for St. Kitts citizenship, as well as their children born abroad or adopted, and their foreign national spouses.
  • Persons born on or after September 19, 1983: A child born abroad acquires citizenship if at least one parent is a citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis.

Citizenship by naturalization: Information not provided.

Dual citizenship is recognized. Applicants are not required to renounce their previous citizenship.

Loss of citizenship:

  • Voluntary renunciation is permitted. A letter of renunciation must be sent to the Attorney General of St. Kitts. Contact the Embassy for proper procedures.
  • Involuntary loss of naturalized citizenship occurs if:
    • Citizenship was obtained by fraud, false representation, or concealment of facts;
    • The person commits treason against the government.

Professional Services

If you have any questions regarding the information above or wish to use our legal assistance in obtaining second citizenship in St. Kitts & Nevis, please contact us today.

When sending us an email, please indicate your citizenship, country of residence, and the age of each family member to be included in the application. This information is required to provide an accurate quote of the fees and expenses relevant to your case.