The Caribbean nation of St Kitts and Nevis claims it possesses the best due diligence of any citizenship-by-investment program (CIP) in the world.
Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris says he would be happy for anyone to come and scrutinize exactly how the program investigates applicants for citizenship.
St Kitts and Nevis CIP requirements
- Real estate
Investment of $400,000
Processing fee of $50,047 (main applicant), $25,047 (spouse and/or children)
- Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation
Investment of $250,000 (single applicant, increases with family members, see here)
Processing fee of $7,500 (main applicant), $4,000 (per dependent aged over 16)
The St Kitts CIP has courted controversy in recent years, with both the US and Canada raising fears over the calibre of its applicants.
In 2014 the US Treasury said the program was being used to facilitate financial crime. Later the same year Canada imposed a visa requirement on passport holders.
A government source said at the time: “While this visa imposition is not related to any specific or imminent threat, it should be seen as an important signal that protecting the safety and security of Canada and Canadians is a top priority for the government.”
Benefits of St Kitts and Nevis CIP
- Visa free travel to Schengen Area
- Visa free travel to Switzerland, UK and Ireland
- No minimum residence requirements
- Simple Procedure with minimal government formalities
- Option to include family members in the application form
- No income or wealth tax
- Option to reside in any of 15 Caribbean countries
- Lifetime citizenship
Since Dr Harris came to power in 2015, he has spearheaded an overhaul of the country’s CIP with the aim of improving its reputation in the international community.
The Prime Minister blames the previous administration for being ‘too footloose and fancy free with the processing of our citizenship’.
“We believe that we have now one of the strongest due diligence mechanisms,” the Prime Minister told a recent press conference.
“I will go so far to say that, because we have nothing to hide, we are prepared to open up for scrutiny to any well-meaning international partner, for them to see what we have done, the transformation and reforms that have been effected by this administration, and how they have made us stronger and better for it.”
St Kitts and Nevis facts
| Population | 46, 000 |
| Country Size | 261 km2 |
| GDP (billion current USD) | 1.22 |
| Earning per capita (current USD) | 20, 300 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% |
| Inflation Rate | 3% |
| Passport Meter | Click Here |
| Cost Of Living | Click Here |
Dr Harris has employed risk management experts from IPSA International to carry out 20 significant reforms over the last 14 months to show his government is committed to transparency and accountability.
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Further reading
- St Kitts and Nevis transforms citizenship by investment program
- St Kitts warned about overreliance on citizenship by investment
- 15,000 St. Kitts and Nevis passport holders affected by Canada’s visa-free travel revocation
- St. Kitts and Nevis bars Syrians from its investment immigration program
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