St Kitts and Nevis Will Monitor Law-abidance of Investment Passport Holders

Brittany Collins

To reinforce the country’s reputation and the integrity of the CBI program, the Government of St Kitts and Nevis introduced a new Continuing International Due Diligence Unit. The CIDD Unit will monitor investors with St Kitts and Nevis passports after they are granted the country’s citizenship.

The Continuing International Due Diligence Unit is to start operating by July 31, 2024. According to Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew, the CIDD Unit will aim to protect and maintain the international reputation of the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program.

Headquartered in Europe, the Unit will conduct ongoing due diligence on St Kitts and Nevis citizens who obtained their passports by investment and reside in other countries.

Primary functions of the CIDD Unit include the following:

ensuring that St Kitts and Nevis investment passport holders comply with international regulations and laws of countries they visit and reside in;
identifying and notifying the Ministry of National Security about citizens involved in criminal investigations or activities;
coordinating with international law enforcement, anti‑money laundering, and anti‑terrorist financing agencies in cases where St Kitts and Nevis citizens are being investigated or involved in financial or other crimes internationally;
retrieving St Kitts and Nevis passports cancelled by the Ministry of National Security;
developing policies to mitigate and address risks associated with citizens who gained their St Kitts and Nevis passports by investment.

The St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program was established in 1984 and remains one of the world’s oldest and esteemed CBI programs. In 2023, the Government changed program requirements and raised investment thresholds to maintain the reputability of the program.

To qualify, investors must be over 18, have good health and a clean criminal record, and demonstrate the legitimacy of their funds.

Applicants choose one of three investment options:

Donation to the Federal Consolidated Fund — $250,000+.
Real estate purchase — $400,000+.
Investment in an Approved Public Benefit Project — $250,000+.

Real estate investments can be returned after 7 years. Other investment options are non‑refundable.

St Kitts and Nevis citizenship can be extended to the investor’s spouse, children, and parents. After acquiring a passport, the investor can enjoy increased global mobility and gains the right to conduct business in the Caribbean.