Citizenship By Investment Program (aka)
St. Kitts & Nevis Economic Citizenship Programme
Updated: 2014.
All about applying for Economic Citizenship and a second Passport in St Kitts and Nevis, HERE
Background and Legal Considerations
Foreign individuals can obtain citizenship under sub-section (5) of Section 3 of the Saint Christopher and Nevis Citizenship Act, 1984 (No.1 of 1984), of the Federation of St. Christopher (St. Kitts) and Nevis (“Federation”) which stipulates that a person is entitled, upon making application to the Minister in the prescribed manner and upon payment of any fee that may be prescribed, to be registered as a citizen of the Federation without any rights of voting save under and in accordance with the provisions of any law governing the qualification of voters, if Cabinet is satisfied that such person has invested substantially in the Federation.
Dual Citizenship
Citizens of St. Kitts & Nevis are allowed to hold dual citizenship.
Benefits
When you acquire citizenship under the St. Kitts & Nevis citizenship program, you and your family enjoy full citizenship. As citizens of St. Kitts & Nevis, you and your family are issued with passports which allow visa-free travel to more than 60 countries worldwide.
Of course you have the right to take up residence in St. Kitts & Nevis at any time and for any length of time. You are not liable for taxation, even if you decide to reside in St. Kitts & Nevis, as there are no direct taxes whatsoever.
As a Commonwealth citizen, you receive certain preferential treatment in the United Kingdom. For example, your children may enter the United Kingdom to study without first having to apply for student visas. After studying, they may work in the United Kingdom for two years without needing a work permit.
Requirements and Procedures
Minimum Investment and fees
1. Fees
(1) Authorised persons must first register with the Citizenship by Investment Unit and pay a fee of five thousand United States Dollars (USD 5,000.00) before they are allowed to file applications with the Unit. Fees are payable prior to January 31st of each year commencing in 2012.
(2) Commencing on the 1st day of January 2012, the following fees shall be payable to the Unit on application for Citizenship by Investment:
(a) Seven thousand five hundred United States Dollars (USD $7,500.00) for due diligence and processing fees for the main applicant;
(b) Four thousand United States Dollars (USD $4000.00) for each dependent of the main applicant who is over the age of eighteen years;
(c) on approval in principle of an application through a real estate investment
(i) Fifty thousand United States Dollars (USD $50,000.00) for main applicant;
(ii) Twenty-five thousand United States Dollars (USD $25,000.00) for spouse of main applicant;
(iii) Twenty-five thousand United States Dollars (USD $25,000.00) for each child of the main applicant under eighteen years of age;
(iv) Fifty thousand United States Dollars (USD $50,000.00) for each qualified dependent of the main applicant above the age of eighteen years, other than his or her spouse.
2. The minimum real estate investment required, is US$400,000.00 for each main applicant.
Two or more applicants may apply for citizenship by investment, together by purchasing one piece of real estate provided that each main applicant contributes the minimum investment of US$400,000.00 towards the investment.
Please note that you will be responsible for any legal costs or attorney fees in addition to the fees stated above.
The appropriate registration and background check fees must be paid to Government at the time of making the application. Funds to pay for the required investment must be paid to an Escrow Agent by the applicant. These funds will be held in an Escrow Account with a bank in St. Kitts. These funds will only be released by the Escrow Agent to pay for the required investment if the application is accepted by Government.
If the application is not accepted, the registration fees paid to Government and the funds for the payment of the required investment will be returned to the unsuccessful applicant. Please note that fees paid to Government for background checks are not refunded.
Forms & Document Requirements
Every citizenship application must be made on the prescribed form which must be submitted together with various documents relating to the applicant’s identity, civil status, criminal record, financial resources, and health. All documents must be in English or translated into English, and all photocopies of any document submitted must be notarised and properly certified.
The following forms and documents are required from each applicant, including children:
• Photograph and Signature Certificate (Form C2).
• Medical Certificate (Form C3) including original results of an HIV test (an HIV test is required for all persons applying for citizenship, including children). The HIV test results must be not older than 3 months.
• Certified copy of your current passport(s) showing name, photo, citizenship/nationality, date and place of issue, expiry date, passport number and issuing country.
• Certified copy of your current national identity card(s).
• Six original passport-size photos of yourself taken within the past 6 months.
• Original excerpt of full birth record or certified copy of full birth certificate (i.e. a birth document that also includes your parent’s details, or a household register, family book etc.).
• Original police certificate(s) from country of citizenship (unless you can provide satisfactory evidence that you have never lived there) and from any country where you have lived more than 1 year over the past 10 years. Police certificates must be less than six months old at the time you lodge your application.
The following forms and documents are required only once from the main applicant:
• Investment Confirmation / Escrow Agreement (Form C4-S or C4-R) and confirmation of funds having been wired to an escrow account. Also, in the case of Form C4-R, a copy of the executed real-estate contract.
• One original bank reference letter issued by an internationally recognized bank, not older than 6 months.
• One original professional reference (e.g. from an attorney, notary public, chartered accountant or other professional of similar standing), not older than 6 months.
The following documents are required only if applicable, i.e. if married persons apply together:
• Original excerpt of marriage record or certified copy of marriage certificate(s) (if applicable).
• Certified copy of divorce document(s) (if applicable).
See St Kitts and Nevis properties with Economic Citizenship status
Disclaimer.
The above is given for general information purposes only since Government may change minimum investment requirements and fees at any time.
As we, and our agents, are only able to act as advisors in the proper procedures with regards to application and such, please be advised that our acceptance to provide the services mentioned above does not constitute nor imply any warranty or undertaking by us that citizenship will be granted to the relevant applicant or applicants.