St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa: Citizenship by Investment [5 Steps]

In 2023, wealthy individuals and retirees can obtain a second citizenship by investment at a discount by applying for the St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa. 

The golden visa program, which started in 1984, is now offering a discount of $25,000 on qualifying donations in exchange for a St. Kitts and Nevis passport. Now is the time to get one of the strongest passports in the Caribbean and diversify your assets and lifestyle. 

The St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa is unique and one of the few programs that offer citizenship by investment. After the process is complete and the investment is approved, applicants will have a second passport in their hands in just a matter of months. 

The minimum investment, which was originally $150,000 for an individual, is now just $125,000 from January 1, 2023, to June 30, 2023. After this deadline, the investment amounts will be raised to the original price. 

St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa is one of the most affordable citizenship by investment options available right now. With no minimum stay requirement and family inclusion, it’s an excellent opportunity to protect your wealth and lifestyle. 

In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of the St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa, eligibility requirements, investment options, and how to apply. 

What is a Golden Visa?

Before we dive into the details of the St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa, we should first understand exactly what these kinds of visas are. 

A golden visa allows applicants to receive residency and sometimes citizenship by making a qualified investment in the country. 

Oftentimes, these investments are donations to national funds, purchasing real estate, starting or developing a business, and more. Each country’s golden visa requirements differ greatly, so it’s important to find the one that fits both your lifestyle and financial goals. 

Benefits of the St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa

Along with getting direct citizenship, there are plenty of other benefits to obtaining the St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa. 

Strong Second Passport

When your St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa application is approved, you’ll be granted second citizenship and one of the strongest passports in the Caribbean. 

With visa-free access to 165 countries, including the USA, UK, and Schengen Area, the St. Kitts and Nevis passport is an excellent one to have in your back pocket. 

In other great news, St. Kitts and Nevis allows dual citizenship, so applicants may keep their original nationality unlike other golden visas, such as Singapore and Austria.

Wealth Protection

As a citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis through the golden visa program, your wealth will be protected from high tax rates. 

St. Kitts and Nevis is known for offering favorable tax rates to its citizens, residents, and corporations. 

For those who would like to set up a corporation in St. Kitts and Nevis, they will not pay tax on interest, dividends, or royalties. 

Income also is not taxed, and there are no capital gains or inheritance taxes. If employed in St. Kitts and Nevis, the social security contribution is just 6%. 

Family Inclusion

St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa applicants may apply with family members, allowing them to also receive residency and citizenship on the island. 

Eligible family members include spouses, unmarried dependents under the age of 30, and dependent parents over the age of 55.

The applicant’s family members will receive the same benefits as the applicant. 

Minimum Stay Requirement

Unlike other countries, St. Kitts and Nevis does not require golden visa holders and citizens to live on the island for a certain period of time throughout the year. 

Essentially, you can become a citizen through the St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa program and never set foot on the island! 

This allows you to freely live where move wherever you please. 

Fast Processing Time

The normal processing time is just 90 days for the St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa. However, there is an expedited processing time of 60 days currently available to all applicants applying in 2023. 

Normally, the expedited processing time would be an extra fee. 

The St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa is one of the quickest and most affordable citizenship by investment programs available today! 

Affordable Investment Options

Speaking of being one of the most affordable golden visas, the investment options start at just $125,000, plus due diligence and government fees. 

No Language or Citizenship Test Requirements

In order to be granted citizenship from another country, you must pass citizenship and language tests. 

With the St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa, applicants are not required to undergo any education or tests to obtain citizenship. They simply have to meet the eligibility requirements and make a qualifying investment. 

St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa Eligibility Requirements

Along with making a qualified investment for the St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa, applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements: 

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Clean criminal record
• Prove the legality of their income
• Be in good health
• Have substantial financial assets

There are also restrictions on certain nationalities. You must not be a citizen from the following countries: Russia, Belarus, Iran, Afghanistan, North Korea, or Cuba. 

If you meet the above requirements and are able to make a qualifying investment, then you may proceed with your St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa application! 

St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa Investment Options

There are currently four investment options St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa applicants may choose to make to obtain citizenship. 

Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF)

The Sustainable Growth Fund investment is a donation to St. Kitts and Nevis to improve and benefit the country. 

From January 1 to June 30, 2023, there is a $25,000 discount on SGF donations. The required amounts (without the discount) are as follows: 

• Individual Applicants: $150,000
• Married Couple: $175,000
• Families of Four: $195,000
• Additional Family Members Under 18: $10,000
• Additional Family Members Over 18: $25,000

There will also be due diligence fees as follows:

• Main Applicant: $7,500
• Family Members Over 16: $4,000 

This donation is non-refundable and essentially the price to pay to obtain a second citizenship. 

Real Estate

The second qualifying investment for the St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa is purchasing real estate.

The real estate investment must be at least $200,000. The main applicant must acquire a government-approved project such as a condo, villa, or hotel shares. 

The real estate may be sold after seven years of investment and ownership. 

There are additional due diligence fees as follows:

• Main Applicant: $7,500
• Family Members Over 16: $4,000 

Upon approval-in-principle of the proposed real estate investment, there are additional government fees applicants and family members must pay. The structure is as follows:

• Main Applicant: $25,000
• Spouse of the Main Applicant: $15,000
• Qualified Dependents Under 18: $10,000
• Qualified Dependents Over 18: $15,000

This payment will be made during the post-application process. 

Private Home Sale

St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa applicants have the opportunity to purchase a private home to qualify for citizenship by investment. 

The purchase price of the home must be at least $400,000. It’s important to note that the value of the land is not included in this purchase price. 

The home must be sold and kept as one unit. Therefore, it cannot be converted into multiple condos or apartments. 

Applicants may sell the home after five years of ownership. 

There are additional due diligence fees as follows:

• Main Applicant: $7,500
• Family Members Over 16: $4,000 

Upon approval-in-principle of the proposed real estate investment, there are additional government fees applicants, and family members must pay. The structure is as follows:

• Main Applicant: $25,000
• Spouse of the Main Applicant: $15,000
• Qualified Dependents Under 18: $10,000
• Qualified Dependents Over 18: $15,000

This payment is made after the initial approval of the application.

Public Benefit Option

St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa applicants may choose to invest $175,000 to an Approved Public Benefit Project to improve the livelihood of the country’s residents. 

By investing in one of the approved projects, you’ll improve the number of available job positions on the island and advance the current technology available. 

There are additional due diligence fees as follows:

• Main Applicant: $7,500
• Family Members Over 16: $4,000  

How to Apply for the St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa

The St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa is one of the easiest golden visas to acquire today. With the minimum investment, requirement to work with an authorized agent, and quick processing time, applicants will have a new passport in just a matter of months. 

It’s important to note that applicants may not apply for the St. Kitts and Nevis golden visa on their own. They must hire a registered agent or approved lawyer to handle and submit their applications. 

Step 1: Find a Registered Agent

The first step in applying for the St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa is to find an authorized agent who can assist you. 

They will inform you about all of the required documents, answer any questions, and guide you to making the right investment for your goals. 

Step 2: Choose Your Investment

AFter finding a registered agent, it’s time to consider which investment option you’ll choose to apply for the St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa. 

Depending on your financial goals, one option may be better for you than the other. 

If you’re looking to make a profit from your investment, then the real estate option may be a better choice. Your registered agent can assist in finding approved real estate to purchase for the golden visa program. 

If you’re simply looking to acquire a second passport with no strings attached for an affordable price, then the Sustainable Growth Fund or Public Benefit Option could be better choices. 

Step 3: Gather Documents & Submit Application

Once you have proposed your qualifying investment for the St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa, you’ll gather the necessary documents and submit your application. 

Some of the documents you and your family members may need to submit include:

• Original birth certificate
• Certified copies of government-issued ID
• Copy of passport
• Certified proof of name change (if applicable)
• HIV test results no older than three months (required for applicants over 12 years old)
• Certified criminal background check from the last ten years
• Six photographs (3×5 inches) taken within the last six months
• Bank statements from the last 12 months
• One original professional reference
• Employment contracts or proof of business ownership
• Original bank reference letter no later than six months old
• Original excerpt from marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Statement of evidence for funds to invest in St. Kitts and Nevis
• Affidavit of financial support for dependents between 18-30 years old

You will also need to provide the credentials of your lawyer, medical examiner, and translator, if applicable. 

Upon submitting your application and documents, you must also pay the due diligence fees. They are as follows:

• Main Applicant: $7,500
• Family Members: $4,000

Step 4: Make Your Investment

It can take 60 to 90 days, depending on if you purchased the accelerated processing service, to receive an approval in principle. 

Once you have received your approval in principle, you may proceed with making your proposed investment. 

At this time, you must also satisfy any outstanding government processing fees. These are mostly associated with real estate investments. 

After making the investment, you must submit documentation to the committee proving the investment has been made. This will put you on the path for final approval of your St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa application. 

Step 5: Receive Your Passport

It can take up to six months to receive your St. Kitts and Nevis passport after the application is approved. 

You will receive a passport valid for ten years. For those family members under 12 years old, the passport will be valid for five years. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Applying for a golden visa can be overwhelming as there are a lot of regulations surrounding them. Even with a detailed article like this, you may still have some questions. 

Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions about the St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa. 

Does the St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa grant citizenship?

Yes, you will obtain citizenship directly by satisfying the application and investment requirements for the St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa. 

Are there nationality restrictions for who can apply for the St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa?

Yes, there are nationality restrictions. If you are a citizen of Russia, Belarus, Iran, Afghanistan, North Korea, or Cuba,  you may not apply for the St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa. 

How strong is the St. Kitts and Nevis passport?

The St. Kitts and Nevis passport allows visa-free access to over 160 countries, including the US, UK, and Schengen Area countries. 

Can I apply with my family members?

Yes, applicants may include family members in their St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa application. 

They may include spouses, unmarried dependents under the age of 30, and dependent parents over the age of 55. 

Will I owe taxes in St. Kitts and Nevis?

The tax system and rates are very favorable in St. Kitts and Nevis. If you decide to live there full time, you may owe taxes. It’s a good idea to speak with a professional accountant or lawyer to determine your tax situation. 

Do I have to live in St. Kitts and Nevis as a citizen?

No, there is no minimum stay requirement for St. Kitts and Nevis passport holders. 

How long is my St. Kitts and Nevis passport valid for?

When you receive your St. Kitts and Nevis passport upon approval of your golden visa application, it will be valid for ten years. 

For family members under the age of 12, their passports are valid for five years.

Does St. Kitts and Nevis allow dual citizenship? 

Yes, St. Kitts and Nevis allow dual citizenship. So, golden visa applicants may keep their original nationality while obtaining a second passport from St. Kitts and Nevis.

What fees do I have to pay when applying for the St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa?

There are a few different fees applicants and family members must pay when applying for the St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa. 

There is the due diligence fees, which are as follows:

• Main Applicant: $7,500
• Family Members: $4,000

Post-approval application fees for real estate investments, which are as follows:

• Main Applicant: $25,000
• Spouse of the Main Applicant: $15,000
• Qualified Dependents Under 18: $10,000
• Qualified Dependents Over 18: $15,000

These fees may increase if you decide to pay for the accelerated processing service. 

You must also consider the fee of your authorized agent too. 

How long does it take to get the St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa?

The average processing time after submitting your application is 60 to 90 days. However, the entire process from start to finish can take around four months. 

Do I have to use a lawyer to apply for the St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa?

Yes, you must submit your application through an authorized agent for the St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa.