St Kitts & Nevis: World’s #1 Ranked Tax Haven
St Kitts and Nevis is a twin island tropical paradise located on the northern end of the Lesser Antilles in the Eastern Caribbean. Established in 1984, the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program is the world’s longest standing citizenship program. There are two methods of acquiring citizenship as established by the St Kitts and Nevis government:
- Sustainable Growth Fund allows applicants to qualify by making a non-refundable minimum contribution of $125,000*.
- Investment in government approved real estate for a minimum amount of $200,000 (7 year holding period) or $400,000 (5 year holding period).
Under the program guidelines, qualified dependents of the main applicant may include parents and grandparents age 55 and above, dependent unmarried, childless siblings who are 30 years of age and below and also dependent children age 30 years and below. Additionally, siblings must be financially dependent on the main applicant and must be the brother or sister of the main applicant.
*Special pricing under SGF for limited time only available January 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023, after which normal pricing will apply.
St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Benefits
- As a citizen of the British Commonwealth you may receive assistance at British Embassies and consulates, plus preferential treatment inside the UK.
- Eligibility for long term US visa access. If approved, US immigration will usually issue a one year visa to start, then the next renewal will be for a 3-5 year term and then 5-10 years.
- St Kitts and Nevis is a politically neutral country with a noninvasive foreign policy.
- The application process is completely confidential with no requirement to notify your country of origin.
- No tax on international revenues, no personal income tax, plus no wealth or inheritance tax.
- No requirement to report offshore assets e.g. FBAR.
- There are no minimum residency requirements to obtain or retain citizenship.
- No personal interview is required as part of the application process.
- Dual Citizenship is permitted.
- Enjoy over 157+ visa-free travel destinations including all the Commonwealth Nations, Russia, Brazil, Cuba, EU, United Kingdom and Hong Kong.
- The right to live and work in any of the CARICOM countries.
- Right to indefinite stay within the independent countries of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
- Citizenship is hereditary and may be passed to dependents without the need to reside in the country.
St Kitts and Nevis Real Estate Program
Purchasing real estate to qualify for the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program is very beneficial to the local economy. Investors may sell the property after a minimum holding period while retaining citizenship in perpetuity.
- Since April 1, 2018 any two applicants working in unison can qualify by investing a minimum of $200,000 each in any government approved luxury resort development with a minimum 7 year holding period.
- For solo applicants, the minimum investment amount is $400,000 and the holding period is reduced to 5 years.
- A share resale permits a new investor to purchase an ownership share from a existing owner who has satisfied the holding period. If so, the new investor will qualify with the minimum $200,000 investment amount, no need to find a second applicant. Contact me for details.
| Real Estate Program Fees | Real Estate Costs |
| Investment | $200,000 reduced price option $400,000 Stand Alone Application |
| Due Diligence | $7,500 main applicant $4,000 spouse $4,000 dependent >16 years old |
| Government Fees | $35,000 main applicant $20,000 spouse $40,000 siblings $10,000 each dependent (spouse and siblings excluded) |
| 5% Share Registration Fee* | $10,000 (share sale only) |
| Legal Fees | $5,000 |
| Digital Application Fees | $250 |
| Bank Due Diligence Fees | $200 |
| Certificate of Registration | $50 per person |
| Passport Fees | $550 per person |
| Courier Fees | $150 |
| Accelerated Application (optional)** | $20,000 main applicant $10,000 dependent >16 years $500 dependent 16 years and below |
*5% of investment amount is payable to St Kitts Inland Revenue Division for share registration.
**The accelerated application fees are optional. If elected for, the process guarantees successful applicants will receive their citizenship and passport in 60 days or less.
***Dependent children over 18 years of age and less than 30 years of age must be unmarried and also enrolled full time at an institution of higher learning. Additionally, they are fully financed by the main applicant.
Professional fees are required on all real estate applications and will vary in relation to the number of dependents and the complexity of the application.
Sustainable Growth Fund
Alternatively, investors may qualify for St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment by making a minimum nonrefundable contribution of $150,000 into the Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF). Originally called the Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation, the SGF provides a 60% cost reduction and allows the investor to choose where their economic contribution is directed. The six options available for distribution of the funds are education, climate change, infrastructure, medical, tourism and cultural.
| SGF Program Costs | SGF Donation Amount |
| Investment** | $125,000 single applicant $25,000 spouse $20,000 sibling $10,000 each additional dependent <18 $25,000 each additional dependent >18 |
| Due Diligence | $7,500 main applicant $4,000 spouse $4,000 dependent >16 years old |
| Legal Fees | $5,000 |
| Digital Application Fees | $250 |
| Bank Due Diligence Fees | $200 |
| Certificate of Registration | $50 per person |
| Passport Fees | $550 per person |
| Courier Fees | $150 |
| Accelerated Application (optional)* | $20,000 main applicant $10,000 dependent >16 years $500 dependent 16 years and below |
*The accelerated application fees are optional. If elected for, the process guarantees successful applicants will receive their citizenship and passport in 60 days or less.
**Special pricing under SGF for limited time only available January 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023, after which normal pricing will apply.
***Dependent children over 18 years of age and less than 30 years of age must be unmarried and also enrolled full time at an institution of higher learning. Additionally, they are fully financed by the main applicant.
Professional fees are required on all SGF applications and will vary in relation to the number of dependents and the complexity of the application.
St Kitts and Nevis Application Process
- The investor signs the client agreement with iGlobal and submits the professional retainer fee.
- Due diligence fees, legal fees, application fees plus accelerated application fees (if applicable) are also collected and submitted at this time.
- (Real Estate Only) The investor completes the reservation form and enters into a purchase and sale agreement for the property. The 10% down payment is collected in addition to the 5% share registration fee.
- All of the application forms are completed and the supporting documents are collected.
- After thorough review by our legal team, the forms are submitted to the St Kitts and Nevis CIU along with all of the required supporting documents.
- The due diligence period takes effect which is usually completed within 3-4 months (accelerated service available).
- Upon successful completion, the application approval in principle is received from the St Kitts and Nevis CIU.
- After the approval letter is received the investor must transfer the required investment funds in full into the designated government account or the developer’s account for real estate transactions.
- The office of the prime minister issues the certificate of naturalization.
- Passport application fees are collected from the applicant and the passport application is submitted to the department of immigration.
- After processing is completed (2-3 weeks), the passport(s) and certificate of naturalization is forwarded to the investor via reputable delivery service.
