Citizenship & Passport Programme St. Kitts & Nevis, West Indies

Background
St. Kitts/Nevis is a beautiful, English speaking, democratic, tax free, two island country, situated in the Leeward Islands of the Eastern Caribbean.

The country has a history of stability, and boasts an infrastructure that includes good roads, good communications, and an ample supply of water, and electricity.

Since 1984, in what has proven to be a successful incentive to attract investment, the Government has offered an Economic Citizenship and Passport Program.

While such attempts made in other countries have been the subject of criticism, because the St. Kitts/Nevis program was structured upon sound principles, it has endured, and is now one of the oldest, and most highly regarded in the world today.

Section 3 (5) of the Citizenship Act provides for persons to be registered as citizens providing the Cabinet is satisfied that such persons have made a substantial investment in the country. In order to qualify, for St. Kitts/Nevis citizenship, the applicant invests in a real estate development approved by the government, usually a condominium.

St. Kitts/Nevis is a desirable place in which to own real estate, and the real estate developments approved under the citizenship program are well established. Because of the high standards maintained, St. Kitts/Nevis economic citizenship is respected in the global community, and the holder of a St. Kitts/Nevis Passport can enjoy visa-free travel to over 70 countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Hong Kong, etc.

For the individual, or family, desirous of obtaining an alternate citizenship, the St. Kitts/Nevis 'Citizenship-by-Investment' Programme, is worth serious consideration.

Advantages of Citizenship

Citizenship for Life - for applicant and eligible family members.
Dual Citizenship - is permitted and there is no residence requirement.
Passports - 10 year validity for adults; 5 year validity for children under 16 years of age. All passport holders have the right to renew as "Citizens".
Visa-Free Travel - to approximately 80 countries including Switzerland, Canada, Schengen Visa countries of Europe, and most British Commonwealth member countries. Where a visa is required, they are relatively easy to obtain.
Tax Free Status - on Foreign Income, Capital Gains, Gift, Wealth and Inheritance Tax

Requirements and associated fees
There are two means of obtaining Economic Citizenship by Investment. The applicant may either;

  1. purchase property in the sum of U.S$350,000.00 or more in one of the prescribed developments or
  2. make a contribution to the Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation.

The latter is a new option introduced by Government, which is a one time Investment in a Foundation called the Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation. It is a fund established by the Federal Government and the funds deposited are deemed to be a contribution to the Foundation and are non-refundable. If an Applicant is interested in contributing to the Sugar Industry Diversification Fund, then the required investment is as follows:

  1. For a single applicant U.S$200,000
  2. For an Applicant with up to three family members, that is a spouse and two (2) children under the age of 18 years, U.S$250,000
  3. For an Applicant with up to five family members U.S$300,000, and
  4. For an Applicant with six or more family members U.S$400,000.

In order to apply for Citizenship by means of the Foundation, each applicant must complete Forms C1, C2, C3 and C4. If there are minor children in the family, a form must be completed for each child. The Forms are;

C1 - Application for Registration as a Citizen of St. Kitts & Nevis
C2 - Photograph and Signature Certificate
C3 - Medical Certificate
C4 - Investment Confirmation/Escrow Agreement

The first option mentioned is to purchase property to a value of U.S$350,000 in one of the villa or condominium developments which qualify under the program.

If an Applicant is interested in purchasing property then each applicant would be required to pay to government a registration fee for the Citizenship.

The Application forms must be completed in their entirety and must be accompanied by the supporting documents requested thereon. A due diligence search is carried out on each adult applicant who applies for citizenship in either scheme. The applicant is required to sign a consent form for the due diligence to be carried out. If the applicant is investing in real estate then each adult applicant (that is any applicant 16 years or older,) will have to pay the non-refundable sum of U.S$3750 for the due diligence search. If however the applicant is contributing to the Foundation then the fee is not applicable. If however, the Applicant invests in the foundation and his application is denied, then the monies deposited into the fund will be returned to the applicant less the due diligence fee of U.S$3750 per applicant.

The fees associated with obtaining Citizenship by Investment in the Sugar Industry Diversification Fund and obtaining St. Kitts-Nevis Passport, for one applicant are as follows;

  • Investment in the Sugar fund $200,000 (you do not have to pay a separate fee for due diligence nor registration of citizenship)
  • Legal Fee U.S$5000 (for an applicant and family of up to 3 persons i.e applicant, spouse and one child under 18 years. Family with over 3 persons, U.S$1500 per additional applicant)
  • Passport Application fee and local Police Certificate U.S$59.52
  • Legal Fee for each Passport Application is U.S$250.00

The fees associated with obtaining Citizenship by Investment in Real Estate (purchasing a villa or condominium property) and obtaining St. Kitts-Nevis Passport, for one applicant are as follows;

  • Purchase Price of the Property U.S$350,000.00 (minimum)
  • Fee for due diligence search U.S$3750 per applicant (16 years or older)
  • Registration of Citizenship Fee payable to Government U.S$35,047 for head of the household (and U.S$15,047 each for the spouse and each child under the age of 18 years. Children over 18 years pay U.S$35,047)
  • Agent Fee U.S$15,000 (for an applicant and family of up to 3 persons i.e applicant, spouse and one child under 18 years. Family with over 3 persons, U.S$1500 per additional applicant)
  • Passport Application fee and local Police Certificate U.S$59.52
  • Legal Fee on each Passport Application is U.S$250.00

Our firm undertakes to make every effort to ensure that all applications are processed in a timely manner. If for any reason, the Applicant is denied citizenship or no longer wishes to proceed with his/her application, then any funds deposited into escrow will be refunded to the Applicant less 50% of the legal fees and the non-refundable due diligence fee of U.S$3750.00 paid to the Government.