St Kitts
Citizenship by
Investment

How much does it cost to become a citizen of St Kitts and Nevis?

There are currently two main investment routes in Saint Kitts to choose from:

1. Citizenship by Donation – A non-refundable contribution to the government’s fund from $250,000 for single applicants or a family of up to four*.
2. Citizenship by Real Estate Investment – $325,000 into a government-approved project, plus fees.

Additional government, professional and due diligence fees apply in all cases, for a personalised quotation, please contact us.

How do I get citizenship through investment in St Kitts?

La Vida’s experts will advise you on which programme will be best suited to your needs. Once you have decided on St Kitts you can apply through La Vida and we will manage the full application for you from A to Z.

Do I have to live in St Kitts to become a citizen?

No. The Saint Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment programme has no minimum stay requirement. St Kitts Citizens have the right to reside in the country for as long or little as they like.

How long does it take to get St Kitts Citizenship through investment?

La Vida has extensive experience submitting CBI Applications to St Kitts and other Caribbean countries. It allows us to quote our own actual figures based on a sizeable number of submissions for each program. Figures you see elsewhere on the web could be borrowed, generically quoted or amended to suit the message. We also caution against agents claiming quicker times. Everyone submits to the same processing unit and there is no favouritism. An agent influences the timeline based on their efficiency in processing prior to submission and ensuring the application is complete and accurate. And then further, in dealing efficiently and knowledgeably with any questions that come back from the CBI unit.

The latest timeline (taken as last two-year moving average) from submission to approval of citizenship for St Kitts is 5.8 months. The fastest approval time we have experienced during that period was 4.7 months. Please bear in mind, as with all CBI programmes, once approved there is a further period of bank clearing, making the investment and issue of the citizenship certificate before the application and receipt of a passport. The average additional time for this for St Kitts was a further 5.2 months.

Prior to submission, it typically takes applicants an average of 2-6 weeks to gather all the necessary documents to compile their file before submission. La Vida’s team will assist with all aspects of the process. Our market leading client portal offers complete security for documentation and efficient and transparent processing, enabling clients to update their documents at their own pace and track their progress. We feel this leads to the most stress free and efficient process in ensuring a complete and accurate file for submission.

One further point for St Kitts is the backlog of CBI applications. This is already built into the figures above. But as we approach the end of 2024 the backlog is past its peak. We hope and expect processing times will come down rapidly from here.

Do I have to pay tax in Saint Kitts and Nevis?

You are not required to pay any income tax on your worldwide income in Saint Kitts or capital gains tax. You are only required to pay tax on any income derived in Saint Kitts.

How long is my Saint Kitts passport valid for?

Once you have been granted citizenship in Saint Kitts, this is for life. However, your St Kitts passport has a validity period of ten years. All applicants will be required to renew their passports every ten years. The renewal fees are currently around $1,150 per person.

Am I required to travel to process my St Kitts Citizenship application?

There is no requirement to visit St Kitts to process your Citizenship by Investment application however you will be required to give an interview virtually and on completion collect your naturalisation certificates at a St Kitts embassy or approved overseas location.

Can I apply for the Saint Kitts Citizenship by Investment programme if I have a health condition?

All applicants are required to undergo and provide evidence of a full medical check, certified by a registered doctor as part of the application process for St Kitts. This includes supplying a HIV test and full blood count and completing the official medical form. Even if the medical report states the applicant has an existing health condition, it is still possible to apply in most cases. Please contact us for specific circumstances and we can clarify based on your personal situation.

Can unmarried or same sex couples apply for Saint Kitts Citizenship Programme?

Applicants must be legally married if wanting to apply together under one family application. Unfortunately, same-sex marriage is not yet legally recognised in Saint Kitts or the other Caribbean nations offering CBI programmes. In this circumstance, the best solution is for the two individuals to apply as single applicants separately.

Alternatively, if you wish to apply with your partner, then you could consider one of the European Golden Visa programmes where same-sex marriage and unmarried couples are eligible to apply together.

Will I qualify for the St Kitts Citizenship by Investment programme?

Other than making the required investment applicants will need to pass the St Kitts’ government Due Diligence and Anti Money Laundering requirements. The DD and AML tests are extensive and fees are payable on application. However before committing La Vida can provide an initial and free assessment on your likelihood of success for the St Kitts CBI program through our own due diligence pre-screening. In addition to our own tests this uses the two most prominent commercially available products available to scan for potential issues and adverse media. Please contact our advisors if you would like your free assessment before proceeding.