The Discreet Investor
Citizenship by investment
St Kitts & Nevis
The world's oldest citizenship-by-investment programme, running since 1984: a trusted second passport with returnable investment, 173 visa-free destinations, and the whole family on one application.
Why investors choose it
5 benefits of St Kitts & Nevis citizenship
Global mobility
Among the widest travel maps in the Caribbean: 173 destinations visa-free or visa-on-arrival, including the Schengen area, the UK, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Long-term US visas
Citizens qualify for a 10-year US B-1/B-2 visa — travel, business, family visits and medical care, one stamp for a decade.
Returnable investment
Choose real estate and the capital comes back: hold the property 7 years, then sell — earning rental yields of around 4% a year meanwhile.
Tax optimisation
No tax on worldwide or local income, capital gains or inheritance; tax residents also pay nothing on dividends, interest and royalties.
A second home
Visit anytime, stay as long as you like: warm climate, rainforest, white and black sand beaches — and a stable Commonwealth democracy behind it.
One investment, citizenship for all
Who can be on the application
The spouse, children and parents obtain citizenship together with the investor, under a single application — and the status is hereditary.
Investor
- Over 18
- No criminal record or prosecutions
- No serious illnesses
- Stable income of legal, provable origin
Spouse
- Opposite sex
- No criminal record
Children under 18
- Included without further conditions
Children 18–25
- In full-time education at a recognised institution
- Fully financially dependent on the investor
Parents
- Over 55
- Fully financially dependent on the investor
Investment options
Four ways to qualify
A non-refundable contribution, a returnable real-estate purchase, or one of two Approved Public Benefit projects — every option leads to the same lifelong citizenship.
Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC)
A transfer to the Federal Consolidated Fund, financing health, education, tourism, culture and green energy. The simplest route — no asset to manage, nothing to sell later.
| Contribution | $250,000 for a family of up to 4 · +$25,000 per extra dependant under 18 · +$50,000 per extra dependant 18+ |
| Due Diligence fee | $10,000 investor · +$7,500 per family member over 16 |
| Bank fee | $550 investor · +$350 spouse · +$150 (under 10) · +$200 (11–18) · +$300 (18+) |
| Application fee | $250 per applicant |
| Biometrics fee | $2,500 investor · +$2,000 per dependant over 16 · +$1,300 under 16 |
| Passport + certificate | $361 + $50 per applicant |
Real estate purchase
$325,000+ in a government-approved project share or an Approved Private Home condominium — or $600,000+ for a single-family private dwelling. Sell after 7 years and recover the capital; rent it out for 2–5% a year meanwhile.
| Purchase | $325,000+ (share / condo) or $600,000+ (private home) |
| State fee | $25,000 investor · +$15,000 spouse · +$10,000 per dependant under 18 · +$15,000 per dependant 18+ |
| Due Diligence fee | $10,000 investor · +$7,500 per family member over 16 |
| Processing fee | $2,500 (family up to 4) · $3,500 (5+ people) |
| Other fees | Bank, application, biometrics, passport and certificate — same schedule as Option 1 |
Prime Creative Arts Centre
A contribution supporting cultural and educational projects — arts, creative industries and community development. Fee schedule mirrors the SISC option; extra dependants beyond the fourth applicant add $25,000 (under 18) or $50,000 (18+).
National Housing Corporation
A contribution to the state body building new housing stock. Funds land directly in government accounts — the most transparent flow of the four — with a $2,500–3,500 processing fee on top of the SISC schedule.
Live cost calculator
What will it cost your family?
Set your family composition and watch all four options recalculate instantly — investment, state fees, Due Diligence and every government fee included.
| Option | Investment | State fee | Due Diligence | Other fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SISC fund contribution | |||||
| Real estate ($325k share/condo) | |||||
| Prime Creative Arts Centre | |||||
| National Housing Corporation |
Indicative estimate based on the current government fee schedule for 4 applicants. Taxes, insurance, conveyance and legal fees vary by case — request the exact, personalised calculation on a free call.
Get the exact quoteCaribbean programmes side by side
How St Kitts compares
The five Caribbean citizenship-by-investment programmes, one table. Click any column to read the full page.
| Terms | St Kitts & Nevis |
 Grenada |
 Antigua & Barbuda |
 Dominica |
 St Lucia |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum investment | $250,000+ | $235,000+ | $230,000+ | $200,000+ | $240,000+ |
| Obtaining period | 4+ months | 8+ months | 6+ months | 6+ months | 6+ months |
| Visit requirements | Biometrics + passport collection | No | 5 days within first 5 years | No | No |
| Investment return | 7 years (real estate) | 5 years (real estate) | 5 years (real estate) | 3–5 years (real estate) | 5 years (bonds) |
| Dual citizenship | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed |
| First passport validity | 5 years | 10 years | 5 years | 10 years | 5 years |
| Family eligibility | Spouse, children under 25, parents over 55 | Spouse, children under 30, parents, siblings over 18 | Spouse, children under 30, parents & grandparents over 55, siblings | Spouse, children under 30, parents & grandparents over 65 | Spouse, children under 30, parents over 55, siblings under 18 |
Procedure
Six steps to the passport
The stages are the same for every investment option. The full journey typically takes 6+ months; the Public Benefit route has been completed in as little as 4. The investment is made only after approval.
Preliminary check 1 day
Our compliance side screens you against the same international databases the CBI Unit uses — confidentially, on a passport copy alone — and flags any risk before a cent is spent.
Document preparation 1+ months
Passports, birth and marriage certificates, bank statements, references. Our lawyers assemble the file and complete every state form — you only sign.
Due Diligence 3–4 months
The file goes to the CBI Unit; every family member over 16 is vetted, and a mandatory interview (in person or secure video) is part of the process.
Investment 2+ weeks
On Approval in Principle — and only then — you fulfil the investment: fund contribution, public benefit project, or the property purchase.
Biometrics 1 day
A 15–30 minute appointment at an approved centre (Basseterre, Abu Dhabi, four cities in China, with more opening): facial photos for all, fingerprints for over-16s. Renewed every 5 years.
Passport up to 2 weeks
The Certificate of Registration is collected in person in St Kitts and Nevis or at an approved embassy or consulate — and the passport is issued on it.
The returnable route
Real estate: the option investors pick twice as often
Why property
- Government-approved only — every eligible project is vetted by the state
- Branded stock — including Hyatt-branded hotel and resort projects
- ~4% rental yield a year while you hold, capital back at the 7-year exit
How we run it
- Shortlist to your budget and holding goals
- Checks before you pay — price, yield and resale terms verified by lawyers
- Fully remote transaction, paperwork managed on the ground
FAQ
About St Kitts & Nevis citizenship
Can the investment be returned? +
Only on the real-estate route: hold the government-approved property for 7 years, then sell — collecting 2–5% annual rental income in the meantime. Fund and public-benefit contributions are non-refundable by design.
Is dual citizenship allowed? +
Yes — St Kitts and Nevis places no restriction on holding other passports, and the citizenship is hereditary: children born after you naturalise can register as citizens regardless of birthplace.
Do I have to visit the islands? +
Twice, briefly: biometrics at an approved centre (not necessarily on the islands — Abu Dhabi and several Chinese cities qualify), and the Certificate of Registration collected in person in St Kitts and Nevis or at an approved embassy. No residency, language tests or exams — ever.
Can anyone guarantee approval? +
No — and anyone offering a 100% guarantee is a red flag, not an agent. What honest professionals do instead: a rigorous preliminary Due Diligence check that catches issues before the state does, keeping rejection risk near 1%. That's our first step, every time.
Which nationalities are restricted? +
Under the 2023 Exclusion Order, citizens of Afghanistan, Belarus, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Russia are ineligible. Narrow exceptions exist for applicants with long-term residence outside — and no economic ties to — the restricted state, but approvals are rare.
Can I fund the investment with crypto profits? +
Yes — provided the assets are converted to fiat first and the full transaction chain is documented. The CIU accepts crypto-derived wealth but applies enhanced AML scrutiny, so expect extra questions and somewhat longer processing. We prepare the source-of-funds file accordingly.
What about the new biometric passports? +
All citizens must complete biometric enrollment and replace their passport with a biometric one by July 31, 2027 — miss it and the old passport stops working for travel (citizenship itself is unaffected). Note also: since January 8, 2025, St Kitts passport holders need a UK ETA (£16 online, valid 2 years) before travelling to Britain.
What happens to my money if the application is refused? +
Your capital is protected by the sequence itself: the investment is made only after approval. Up-front items — Due Diligence and legal fees — are non-refundable, which is exactly why the preliminary check comes first.
Other second citizenship options
Alternatives to St Kitts & Nevis
Grenada
- Schengen, UK & China visa-free
- US E-2 business visa eligible
- No tax on foreign income
Antigua & Barbuda
- Schengen & UK visa-free
- No income, inheritance or CGT
- Best value for large families
Dominica
- Lowest Caribbean entry price
- 140+ visa-free destinations
- RE exit from just 3 years
Vanuatu
- Fastest programme in the world
- Partial recovery after 5 years
- 20-year corporate tax holiday
Schedule a free consultation
Let's match you with the right expert
Four quick questions, one minute of your time. A specialist replies within one business day with a personalised calculation and plan.
What's your main goal?
Pick the closest fit
Visa-free travel
Schengen, UK and 170+ destinations
Plan B / safety net
A second status for the family
Tax optimisation
Zero tax on income and gains
Children's future
Hereditary citizenship, education access
Preferred investment route?
Select all that apply
Fund contribution
Simplest — from $250,000
Real estate
Returnable — from $325,000
Public benefit project
From $250,000, fastest track
Advise me
I'd like expert guidance
Who's applying with you?
Select all that apply
Just me
Single applicant
Spouse
Married couple
Children
Under 18 or dependent to 25
Parents
Over 55, dependent
Where should we send your calculation?
A specialist replies within one business day
The oldest programme. Still the benchmark.
St Kitts and Nevis citizenship from $250,000 in 4+ months: 173 visa-free destinations, a 10-year US visa path, zero tax on income and gains, and a returnable real-estate route — for the whole family, for life, for the generations after. Free consultation, reply within one business day.
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