Launched in 1984, the St. Kitts and Nevis (SKN) Citizenship by Investment Program is the pioneer of CBI programs. It has served as the model for subsequent CBI initiatives worldwide, earning its reputation as the original blueprint for citizenship by investment. With a track record of 37 years, it’s recognized as the most transparent and well-established program of its kind.

St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment: eligibility and financial options

To acquire SKN citizenship, there are two main routes:

  1. Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF) Investment: A contribution to the SGF, which supports national development.
  2. Real Estate Investment: Purchasing property in a government-sanctioned project.

The St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship program is remarkably simple: applicants do not need to take an English test or have a specific knowledge of the islands. The entire application process can be conducted remotely, which offers the utmost convenience to applicants.

To be eligible for the program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Age: The main applicant must be at least 18 years old.
  • Legal Background: The applicant should have no criminal record and no ongoing criminal cases.
  • Due Diligence: A successful due diligence check is mandatory.
  • Financial Legitimacy: There must be documentation verifying the lawful source of the application funds.
  • Health Status: A medical certificate must confirm the applicant’s good health.

The main application may also include:

  • Spouse: The applicant’s spouse.
  • Dependent Children: Children under 30 years old who rely financially on the main applicant.
  • Dependent Parents: Parents 55 years or older who depend on the applicant in terms of money.

To acquire citizenship of St. Kitts and Nevis, you may choose from two financial options:

  1. Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF): A one-time, non-refundable contribution of USD 150,000 to the SGF.
  2. Real Estate Investment:
    1. Option 1: Invest USD 200,000 in government-approved real estate, which must be held for seven years.
    2. Option 2: Invest USD 400,000 in government-approved real estate, with a required holding period of 5 years.

Updates to SKN citizenship: new SGF donation structure for families

By the close of 2020, St. Kitts and Nevis made a significant change to their Sustainable Development Fund contribution structure. The donation required for a family of four was reduced to USD 150,000, equating it to the amount needed for a single applicant. However, the family will still incur the same state fees for processing and security checks as before the discount was introduced.

The program also allows for the inclusion of the main applicant or spouse’s parents and children who are financially dependent and aged between 30 and 55 in the collective citizenship application. This provision includes children with disabilities and those enrolled in higher education.

Take a look at the breakdown of costs for a family of four seeking citizenship of St. Kitts and Nevis.

  1. Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF) option:
    1. Non-refundable Contribution: USD 150,000
    2. Passport Fee: USD 1,400
    3. Security Check Payment: USD 15,500

Total SGF Cost: USD 166,900

  1. Real Estate Option:
    1. Property Acquisition: Starting at USD 200,000
    2. Passport Fee: USD 1,400
    3. Security Check Payment: USD 15,500
    4. State Fee: USD 75,000

Total Real Estate Cost: USD 277,900

NB: The cost estimate provided does not account for any additional charges for the services rendered by International Wealth and our partners or for other applicable state fees not included in the initial calculation.

Children born after the citizenship acquisition can be included in the existing collective investment application if they haven’t reached the age of 16. Their inclusion is subject to review by specialists from the Department of Homeland Security.

If you need to speed things up, you are welcome to benefit from the Accelerated Application Process (AAP) and fast-track all procedures involved to just 60 business days.

Successful SKN citizenship application: steps to follow

Is it possible to acquire citizenship of St. Kitts and Nevis avoiding common pitfalls? Sure, just follow these simple steps:

  1. Identity Verification: Applicants must undergo a fingerprinting procedure conducted by an independent contractor for identity verification. The collected data will be sent to the Caribbean authorities and shared with international law enforcement for further verification.
  2. Application Recommendations: The recommended strategy to prevent application delays is not to include citizens of Iran, the Syrian Arab Republic, and Afghanistan as financial dependents in collective applications, as they are not permitted to participate in the program.
  3. Contact and Information Submission: Interested parties should email International Wealth with these details: 
    1. the current country of residence and citizenship for all family applicants
    2. the number of applicants, along with their ages and dependency status
    3. the chosen investment method (donation or real estate purchase)
    4. the anticipated timeframe for citizenship acquisition.

Receive your St. Kitts and Nevis passport quickly with professional assistance

Getting citizenship by investment in St. Kitts and Nevis is not hard at all. You can choose to work with the International Wealth legal and consulting team, in which case things take just one day. After that, we’ll need approximately one week to get all your documents ready.

Your application and the due diligence checks will be carefully examined, which usually takes up to six months. If you’re in a hurry, choose the Accelerated Application Process (AAP) mentioned above.

Once everything is approved and you obtain your naturalization certificate, we’ll get your passport ready, which can take as little as one week. This efficient process is a guarantee that you know exactly what to expect and how long it will take to get your new citizenship.

Keep in mind that every application is different. It’s important to thoroughly analyze your situation in mind, like where you live now, how many people are in your family, and how quickly you want to get a second citizenship. We promise to give you a service that’s designed uniquely for you so you can enjoy all the beautiful things that come with a second passport from St. Kitts and Nevis. Take the chance to be a citizen of the world and live a better life!

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