One of the Most Established and Trusted Citizenship Programmes
ST KITTS AND NEVIS: CITIZENSHIP-BY-INVESTMENT
St Kitts and Nevis offers one of the most established citizenship-by-investment programmes giving direct economic citizenship and global travel access in exchange for an economic contribution.
There is no residence period and the investor applies directly for citizenship and the passport. The St Kitts citizenship-by-investment programme is very attractive as there is no requirement for any minimum physical stay or visits throughout the programme.
The aim of the citizenship-by-investment (CBI) programme is to generate foreign investment through capital and real estate investments and in exchange offer investors citizenship and a passport.
A St Kitts citizenship offers investors visa free travel to a wide range of countries, including the UK, Hong Kong as well as the Schengen zone countries.
Applicants and their families are granted full citizenship in exchange for either making an economic contribution to the country or investing in an approved real estate project, as set out by the Government.
The St Kitts & Nevis CBI programme is one of the oldest of its kind and has seen significant numbers of investors and families become part of the nation since its inception in 1984.
Please contact us to speak to a private client advisor: info@lio-global.com
BENEFITS
Visa-free travel to 155 countries including the UK and Schengen Countries.
Citizenship and passport in 6 – 8 months.
No residence period.
Beautiful properties in 5 star resorts to choose from.
Freedom to sell property after 5 years or 7 years (shareholding option).
St Kitts and Nevis is a tax friendly jurisdiction.
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
English
INTERESTING INFORMATION
Drive on the left
MEMBERSHIP
CARICOM (Caribbean Community), Commonwealth country(since 1983), Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States’, WTO, UN, African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, Association of Caribbean States, Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, Organization of American States
CAPITAL
Basseterre
CURRENCY
Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$) – linked To USD
POPULATION
59 191 (2013 est.)
TOTAL AREA
261 km²
LEGISLATURE
National Assembly
CALLING CODE
+1 869
INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS
The St Kitts and Nevis citizenship programme requires the investor to make an economic contribution to the country as well as meet certain other requirements.
Investors (and their families) who wish to apply for citizenship by investment must meet one of the following two investment requirements:
Purchase of real estate with a minimum value:
- Real Estate Investment of an Approved Development of USD 400 000 (resealable after 7 years)
- Approved Private Home Sale for a Single Family private dwelling of USD 800 000
Donation to the SDF - Sustainable Growth Fund
- Non-Refundable Minimum Contribution of USD 250 000 to the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC)
- Public Benefit Option of a minimum non-refundable investment of USD 250 000 payable to the Federal Consolidated Fund
REQUIREMENTS FOR CITIZENSHIP
In order to renew the Golden Residence Permit, the following requirements must be adhered to:
Year 1: Initial permit – Visit for 7 days during the first year
Year 3: First Renewal – Visit for 14 days during the subsequent 2 years
Year 5: Second Renewal – Visit for 14 days during the subsequent 2 years
Requirements include physical stay of an average of 7 days per year as well as a language test. The initial permit is valid for 1 year after which it can be renewed for another 2 years, and again in year 3 for another 2 years. In order to renew the residency applicants must adhere to the minimum stay requirements. At the end of year 5 the applicant can apply for permanent residency and in year 6 each family member can apply for citizenship provided the requirements are met.
CITIZENSHIP
St Kitts and Nevis allows dual citizenship. The legal framework of the economic citizenship programme allows for the investor and his/her family to obtain citizenship provided they follow the specified requirements. There is no residence period, the investor acquires citizenship and his/her passport directly. The application process takes 6 – 8 months.
TRAVEL AND BENEFITS
A St Kitts passport allows the holder to travel to around 155 and spend a maximum of 90 out of every 180 days in any of the Schengen zone countries.
Some of the popular countries that the passport allows the holder visa-free travel to include: UK, Schengen zone and many of the Commonwealth countries.
FAMILY REGROUPING
St Kitts and Nevis allows dependent children under the age of 25 to be included in the application, provided they are unmarried.
Dependent parents over the age of 65 can also be included.
TAX
The Caribbean is a tax friendly jurisdiction and there is no inheritance or capital gains tax. Persons who are present for more than 183 days a year will be viewed as residents of St Kitts and Nevis and will therefore be subject to tax.
We highly encourage clients to meet with a professional tax consultant.
FEES
In addition, the Government charges the following fees:
Government Fees – only applicable to real estate option
USD 35 000 – Government Fee – main applicant
USD 20 000 – Government Fee – spouse
USD 10 000 – Government Fee – dependent children
Due Diligence Fees
USD 7500 – main applicant
USD 4000 – spouse and dependents over 16
USD 4000 – financial sponsor (if applicable)
Passport Fees
USD 350 per person
In addition, professional fees will also be due. This will depend on the size of family and number of applicants.
Please contact us for a personalised proposal: info@lio-global.com
PROCESS AND TIMELINES
The St Kitts and Nevis citizenship-by-investment programme adheres to very strict regulations and guidelines. The Citizenship-by-Investment Unit (CIU) is the government authority responsible for the administration of the citizenship programme as well as processing all applications.
Before the submission of an application to the Government of St Kitts and Nevis, strict and comprehensive due diligence will be done and a medical certificate is also required to confirm that the family is in good health and not suffering from any serious or contagious illnesses. The CIU will examine the applications closely and may sometimes request an interview with the applicant, although this occurs rarely.
Once all steps and requirements have been achieved and the application is approved, the applicants can collect their passports.
PORTUGAL - COUNTRY INFORMATION
The Federation of Saint Christopher (or St Kitts as it is commonly referred to) & Nevis is located in the Leeward Islands and is a federal two island country in the West Indies. The islands are located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea and form the smallest sovereign state in the Americas.
St Kitts and Nevis were amongst the first islands to be settled by the Europeans and St Kitts was home to both French and English colonies in the Caribbean. St Kitts and Nevis achieved independence in 1983.
RESOURCES
Government of St Kitts and Nevis: https://www.gov.kn/
St Kitts Tourism Official: https://www.stkittstourism.kn/
Nevis Tourism Official: https://nevisisland.com/
CONTACT US TO MEET WITH A PRIVATE CLIENT ADVISOR: info@lio-global.com or complete the form: Here
