Obtaining citizenship by investment in Saint Kitts and Nevis, renewal of passports. Service offer

Saint Kitts and Nevis (also the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis) is a small state located on islands with the same name, which are part of the Lesser Antilles, in the Caribbean Sea. The country gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1983. It is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the UN, the Caribbean Community, and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States. The basis of the economy is tourism and agriculture.

• Official language – English;
• Capital – Basseterre;
• Population – 55 600;
• Area – 261 sq. km;
• Currency – East Caribbean dollar EC $ (US $1 = EC $2.70).

Established in 1984, the citizenship by investment program of Saint Kitts and Nevis is one of the oldest in the world. The legal basis of the program is the Citizenship Act, 1984. The currently effective Saint Christopher and Nevis Citizenship Regulations were introduced in 2011 in accordance with section 15 of the Citizenship Act, cap. 1.01.

• lifetime citizenship with the right to work, residence and learning;
• possibility to transmit citizenship to your children;
• dual citizenship is allowed;
• the oldest citizenship by investment program in the Caribbean;
• possibility to include family members in a citizenship application;
• fast application review procedure – 4 months;
• visa-free or simplified entry into over 155 countries, including Schengen countries, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Singapore, etc.;
• there is no requirement to visit or live in the country either before or after obtaining citizenship;
• there is no requirement to speak English, have certain education, professional qualifications or entrepreneurial experience.

• be over 18 years old;
• invest in the country’s economy by choosing one of the two investment options suggested by the program;
• meet the program requirements.

Application will be rejected in the following cases:

• if the applicant provided false information in the application;
• if the applicant has criminal records;
• if the applicant is under criminal investigation;
• if the applicant has been declared bankrupt;
• if the applicant is a potential threat to the state security of Saint Kitts and Nevis or any other country;
• if the applicant is involved in activity that can harm the reputation of Saint Kitts and Nevis;
• if the applicant has been refused citizenship of any state or the applicant has received visa refusals from countries that Saint Kitts and Nevis has a visa-free entry agreement with and after that refusal the visa has not been obtained.

The applicant can choose one of the following options:

1. Non-refundable contribution (donation)

• the main applicant and up to 3 family members (1 to 4 people in the application) – 250 000 US dollars;
• for each additional minor family member – 25 000 US dollars;
• for each additional major family member – 50 000 US dollars.

2. Investment in real estate – in development projects approved by the government – of at least 400 000 US dollars. The real estate must remain owned by the applicant for 7 years after obtaining citizenship.

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Government fee:

• the main applicant – 25 000 US dollars;
• spouse – 15 000 US dollars;
• for each minor family member – 10 000 US dollars;
• for each major family member – 15 000 US dollars.

3. Investment in real estate – in private housing

The real estate must remain owned by the applicant for 7 years after obtaining citizenship.

• condo – from 400 000 US dollars;
• house – from 800 000 US dollars.

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Government fee:

• the main applicant – 25 000 US dollars;
• spouse – 15 000 US dollars;
• for each minor family member – 10 000 US dollars;
• for each major family member – 15 000 US dollars.

4. Non-refundable contribution (donation) to social projects – 250 000 US dollars

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Government fee:

• the main applicant – 25 000 US dollars;
• spouse – 15 000 US dollars;
• for each minor family member – 10 000 US dollars;
• for each major family member – 15 000 US dollars.

• Due diligence fee and application review fee:
  • the main applicant – 10 000 US dollars;
  • dependent family member aged 16 years or older (each) – 7 500 US dollars.

• spouse;
• minor children;
• children aged 18 to 25 years who learn in person in secondary and higher education institutions and depend on the applicant;
• parents of the main applicant or their spouse over 65 years old who live with the main applicant and depend on them.

From each applicant (the main applicant and each family member):

• Prescribed applications and forms, including the following:
  • С1 – Application for Registration as a Citizen,
  • С2 – Photograph and Signature Certificate,
  • С3 – Medical Certificate;
• Certified copy of birth certificate;
• Certified copy of name change certificate;
• Certified copy of ID card – from all applicants over 16 years old;
• Certified copy of valid passport(s);
• HIV test certificate – from all applicants over 12 years old; the certificate is valid for 3 months;
• No-criminal-record certificate from the country of citizenship and all other countries where the applicant has lived for over 1 year during the last 10 years – from all applicants over 16 years old;
• 6 passport-sized photographs (one of them must be certified on the photograph and signature certificate).

From the main applicant:

• С4 – application for charitable contribution to the Sugar Industry Diversification Fund (if the applicant has chosen the contribution option);
• Real estate purchase agreement (if the applicant has chosen real estate investment);
• At least one professional reference letter (for example, from a lawyer, notary, certified accountant, etc.) issued for the last 6 months;
• Bank statements for the 12 months preceding the date of application;
• At least one bank reference letter issued for the last 6 months;
• Certified copy of military ID card or document proving exemption from military service (if applicable);
• Document proving the permanent residence address (for example, certified copy of a recent utility bill, or bank statement containing the full name and address, or written confirmation from a bank, lawyer, certified accountant or notary);
• Employment confirmation letter containing the employment start date, position and salary;
• Certified copy of license to conduct business or founding documents;
• Certified copy of marriage certificate (if applicable, i.e. if the spouse is included in the application);
• Certified copy of divorce certificate (if applicable);
• Documents proving the source of funds invested within the program;
• Declaration of the fact that family members aged 18 to 25 years (who are included in the application) are financially supported by the main applicant;
• Certified copies of higher education diplomas (if applicable);
• Limited power of attorney (for the authorized person).

The list is not exhaustive.

Review of an application, from the filing to the notification of the result, takes 4 months.

The application and supporting documents shall be submitted to the Citizenship by Investment Unit by an authorized person (individual or legal entity having a license to provide corporate or trust services issued by the Financial Services Regulatory Commission and accredited by the Citizenship by Investment Unit). The applicant may not apply by themselves.

Review of the application takes 120 days. The applicant and family members aged 16 years or older will need to give an interview by means of a video conference.

The Citizenship by Investment Unit notifies the authorized person of the result of application review: whether the application has been approved, referred for further review or rejected.

In the case of a positive decision, the applicant must invest and pay government fees depending on the investment option.

After the investor has met the above conditions, a certificate of naturalization is issued. Then, documents are submitted to obtain a passport. Visiting Saint Kitts and Nevis is not required to obtain a passport.

[1] The service fees are effective as of October 2024.

[2] Excluding VAT.

When obtaining citizenship by investment in Saint Kitts and Nevis, passports are issued for a period of 10 years. Upon expiration of that period, passports need to be renewed for the next 10 years to continue to take advantage of citizenship of this country.

Each applicant (the main applicant and each family member) must provide:

In connection with the previously issued passport:

• Prescribed application;
• Expiring original passport(s);
• Original Certificate of Naturalization;

General documents:

• Notarized copy of birth certificate with a translation into English and apostille;

• Notarized copy of foreign passport with a translation into English and apostille;
• 4 photographs (3.5 by 4.5; color).

The collected documents, forms and photographs are sent to Saint Kitts and Nevis. A no-criminal-record certificate (Saint Kitts and Nevis Police Certificate) is also obtained. Then, the application and set of supporting documents are submitted to the Citizenship by Investment Unit by an authorized person (individual or legal entity having a license to provide corporate or trust services issued by the Financial Services Regulatory Commission and accredited by the Citizenship by Investment Unit).

Review of an application, from the filing to the notification of the result, takes about 1 month.

The Citizenship by Investment Unit notifies the authorized person of the result of application review: whether the application has been approved or rejected.

In the case of a positive decision, new passports are issued. Visiting Saint Kitts and Nevis is not required to obtain a passport; new original passports can be sent by a courier.

[3] The service fees are effective as of October 2024.

[4] Excluding VAT.