St Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa: How to Become a Caribbean Citizen

Freedom of travel. The St Kitts and Nevis passport lets you enjoy visa-free trips across Schengen, Singapore, the UK and Hong Kong. Generally, St Kitts and Nevis citizens can enter 156 countries without visas.

Visas to the USA for 10 years. St Kitts and Nevis citizens can quickly obtain B‑1/B‑2 visas to the United States for 10 years. These visas allow them to visit the country for personal and business purposes.

Family inclusion. Beyond individual gains alone, family inclusion as part of one’s application brings additional value. Your spouse, child, or even parents can be included under certain conditions, which broadens the scope further.

No residency requirement. You are not required to live within the borders of St Kitts and Nevis or visit personally at any stage during the process.

Tax optimization. St Kitts and Nevis don’t impose taxes on wages, wealth, capital gains, dividends, interests and royalties. In the case of inheriting something, foreigners also are not required to pay taxes. It means individuals who obtain citizenship by investment can savor their global earnings without worrying about heavy taxation back home.

Inheritance of citizenship. Investor’s children under 18 can obtain St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment.

The primary applicant must be over 18 with a spotless criminal history. Good health and financial stability are also crucial factors.

The program is not limited to individuals alone. Family members, including spouses, children, and dependent parents over 65, can also be included in the application.

Obtaining the Golden Visa involves more than just completing forms; there is also a minimum investment requirement.

In addition to the initial investments, government fees depend on the chosen investment options. Under each option, the investor pays a Due Diligence fee of at least $10,000. Its costs vary based on the number of dependents included in your application.

You must also pay an application processing fee, a passport fee and a naturalization certificate. Other possible fees include translation services if your documents aren’t in English or fees from independent firms that help with legal advice.

Investors usually choose two primary options: a real estate purchase or a non-refundable contribution.

Non-refundable contribution. You must contribute a minimum amount of $250,000 to the Federal Consolidated Fund under the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC). Money goes to healthcare, education, culture, alternative energy or other areas of St Kitts and Nevis’s economy.

Under this option, there are no direct financial returns.

Real estate investment. If you prefer tangible assets, consider exploring approved real estate projects in this tropical nation. The available options include:

1. $400,000+ — in a share in a government-approved real estate project, including hotels and resorts or a condominium unit considered an Approved Private Home;

2. $800,000+ — in a single-family private dwelling designed as an Approved Private Home.

A property must be kept for at least 7 years. It can be rented out for an annual yield of 2—5% during this period.

An Example of a Property Available in St Kitts and Nevis

Magnificent townhouse with a swimming pool and private garden. The cost starts from $1,795,000

To participate in the St Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa program, you must gather a package of documents. It depends on each investor’s situation but, in general, includes:

• C1, C2 and C3 application forms — the lawyer usually completes them;

• a copy of a birth certificate;

• a copy of a current passport;

• a copy of a currency national ID;

• police clearance certificate from every country where the applicant has resided within the past 10 years;

• HIV test results — not older than 3 months;

• 6 photos — taken within the past 6 months;

• bank statements for 12 months;

• an affidavit of financial support for applicants between the ages of 18‑30;

• an evidence of residential address such as a recent utility bill;

• a bank reference letter from an internationally recognized bank — not older than 6 months;

• a professional reference letter;

• an employment letter;

• statement and evidence of source of funds;

• an employment letter;

• a certified copy of the business license or incorporation documents.

If applicable, the investor may also be required to present a marriage certificate, a divorce certificate, proof of name change, a university degree or a sales-purchase agreement.

All documents must be in English. If initially, they are not, they must be translated by an authorized translator.

St Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa program allows foreigners to acquire citizenship by investment.

There are three investment options: non-refundable contribution, real estate purchase and contribution to a public benefit unit. The minimum sum of both contributions is $250,000; for real estate investment, it is $400,000.

St Kitts and Nevis citizenship has many advantages such as freedom of travel, family inclusion, educational opportunities for children and tax optimization.

Acquiring a St Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa takes around 6 months.