All Possible Ways of Obtaining St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship

The St Kitts and Nevis passport is considered one of the best in the world due to favorable visa conditions for its holder. It allows visa-free entry into Schengen, the UK, Canada, and other countries without restrictions. The program itself is very reliable. Created in 1984 and still in operation. But has undergone several important improvements. Since 2016, investors can obtain citizenship through an accelerated procedure – the application is reviewed within two months.

The main advantage is that St Kitts and Nevis allows dual citizenship.  Hence, applicants don’t have to renounce their primary citizenship.

Citizenship by Investment Program

The process of obtaining a St Kitts passport is simple but still has some peculiarities. Caribbean citizenship by investment programs is available when investors:

• make non-refundable contributions to the state fund of $250,000 or more;
• invest in projects of social importance starting from $250,000;
• buy real estate worth $400,000 (such investments can be returned after 7 years).

Investors are not required to take tests on their knowledge of the country’s history or language. There are also no residency requirements. So, you do not need to live in St Kitts and Nevis either before or after you become a citizen. Feel free to include family members in the application: spouse, children, and parents. They can also obtain citizenship.

Non-Refundable Contribution of $250,000

In this case, investors contribute to the federal consolidated fund. The government of St Kitts and Nevis spends this money on education, health care, culture, tourism, and alternative energy. It is not possible to return the deposit or receive income from the investment.

Real Estate Investment Options

Applicants have three real estate investment options available in St Kitts and Nevis:

1. One option is to invest $400,000 in a hotel, condominium, or resort development.  However, the government must include the facility in the program.
2. You can invest $400,000 in a condominium that is eligible to be part of the Approved Private Home program.
3. It is also possible to invest $800,000 or more in a single-family detached home. Government approval is required as well.

Would you like to get St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment in real estate and then sell it? This is possible. But only 7 years after purchase. You can also consider the option of renting out the property and receiving an income of 2 to 5% per annum.

Investments in Social and Infrastructure Facilities

The Public Benefit Option now replaces the Alternative Investment Option, which was focused on investing in social and infrastructure facilities. The new option is also aimed at supporting socially significant economic projects. Investors can choose from a variety of approved properties.

Naturalization and Residency Requirements

Some foreigners can receive a second passport in St Kitts through the process of naturalization. The person must be of legal age, a resident of the federation for at least 14 years, not pose a threat to national security or public order, and be willing to take an oath to formalize the status.

Initially, the applicant receives local residence according to one of the grounds established by law (training, employment, business, commercial activities, etc.). Once you have met the residence requirement, you can submit an application to the Ministry of Immigration in order to obtain citizenship. Please visit immigrantinvest.com to find out about St Kitts and Nevis citizenship cost.

Other Routes to Citizenship

In addition to investment and naturalization, St Kitts and Nevis citizenship can be acquired by birth, descent, or marriage. If a child is born within the state’s territory, citizenship is obtained based on the principle of jus soli. Parents do not need a passport issued in the local region. But the father and mother should not be foreign diplomats, and their homeland should not conflict with the federation’s authority. Citizens born outside of the federation can also receive the status. In this case, at least one of the parents must have a local passport.

The St Kitts and Nevis passport is available to those who lived in the country during independence in 1983 or have ancestors up to the third generation born there. But ethnic or territorial affiliation must be documented. You can use, for example, a relative’s birth certificate.

Spouses of local citizens can also apply for a St Kitts and Nevis passport without residency requirement. Widowers of both sexes have a similar right, provided that their deceased husband (or wife) could legally claim federal citizenship. The document confirming the basis is a marriage certificate indicating the nationality of each spouse. There are no additional requirements for the applicant. If the marriage union is revealed to be fictitious, the foreigner’s request for citizenship is rejected, and the status already granted – cancelled.

Conclusion

Therefore, St Kitts and Nevis citizenship through investment, naturalization, or other routes is a unique opportunity to receive an attractive passport while retaining your original citizenship. Thanks to the fast application process and the absence of language and history tests, it becomes possible to obtain citizenship within two months after submitting the application.