Established in 1984, the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Program is the world’s longest-running and most respected initiative of its kind. It allows individuals and their families to acquire full citizenship in this peaceful Caribbean nation through a significant economic contribution. The program offers a direct route to a second passport without the need for prior residency.
As of 2025, the St. Kitts and Nevis CBI Program offers two primary investment pathways:
Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC):
Minimum Investment: USD 250,000 for a single applicant or a family of up to four members.
Purpose: A non-refundable donation to the country's development fund.
Real Estate Investment:
Minimum Investment: USD 325,000 in approved real estate projects.
Holding Period: Properties must be held for a minimum of seven years before they can be sold.
Note: The real estate option provides an opportunity for potential capital appreciation and rental income.
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
Age: At least 18 years old.
Criminal Record: Clean criminal background.
Health: Good health.
Financial Standing: Ability to demonstrate the legal source of investment funds.
Dependents: The main applicant can include a spouse, children under 30, and parents or grandparents aged 55 and over.
The application process is streamlined and efficient:
Approval-in-Principle: Typically granted within 60 days of submission.
Final Citizenship: Granted within 4 to 6 months from the date of application.
Successful applicants of the St. Kitts and Nevis CBI Program enjoy numerous advantages:
Visa-Free Travel: Access to over 150 countries and territories, including the EU Schengen Area, the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Russia.
Dual Citizenship: The program allows dual citizenship, enabling applicants to retain their original nationality.
Tax Benefits: St. Kitts and Nevis offers a favorable tax regime, with no personal income tax, wealth tax, inheritance tax, or capital gains tax.
Fast Processing: Citizenship can be obtained in as little as 4 to 6 months.
Hereditary Citizenship: Citizenship can be passed down to future generations.
No Residency Requirement: There is no mandatory residency requirement to maintain citizenship.
Consider a businessman from Europe who wanted to expand his global presence and travel freely for business and leisure. By participating in the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program through the real estate option, he acquired a second passport within six months. This allowed him to travel visa-free to over 150 countries, including the EU Schengen Area, the UK, and Singapore, facilitating smoother international business deals and investment opportunities. Additionally, his family—including his spouse and two children—was able to obtain citizenship simultaneously, providing them with the same global mobility and long-term security benefits.
No, there is no mandatory residency requirement. However, applicants are encouraged to visit St. Kitts and Nevis to familiarize themselves with the country.
Properties purchased under the real estate investment option must be held for a minimum of seven years before they can be sold.
No, St. Kitts and Nevis does not impose personal income tax, wealth tax, inheritance tax, or capital gains tax.
The entire process typically takes 4 to 6 months from application submission to the granting of citizenship.
Yes, St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship can be passed down to future generations by descent.
Yes, the program permits dual citizenship, allowing you to retain your original nationality.
The minimum investment starts at USD 250,000 for a single applicant or a family of up to four members.