St Kitts and Nevis Real Estate Citizenship by Investment

The St Kitts and Nevis real estate citizenship option allows foreign investors to make lucrative property investments in the country to obtain St Kitts and Nevis citizenship and one of the strongest Caribbean passports.

Real estate citizenship routes in St Kitts and Nevis include acquiring shares of approved real estate developer projects and the option to purchase privately owned properties. This guide highlights considerations for buying property to qualify for the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program:

• Overview of St Kitts and Nevis real estate citizenship
• St Kitts and Nevis real estate citizenship benefits
• Who qualifies for St Kitts citizenship by real estate investment
• St Kitts and Nevis real estate investment requirements
• Approved real estate projects
• St Kitts and Nevis citizenship process

St Kitts and Nevis Real Estate Citizenship Overview

The St Kitts and Nevis real estate investment option comprises two of the four investment routes to qualify for St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment. Foreign nationals can purchase real estate to gain a citizenship certificate and St Kitts passport within four to six months.

Foreign buyers can choose from the Approved Private Home Sales Option (PHO) or the Developer Real Estate Investment Option (REO) and do not need an Alien Landholding License (ALHL) to make a legal purchase. For a property purchase to qualify for the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program, it must be a government-approved private home, condominium unit, or government-approved real estate development listed by the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU).

Nine Benefits of Real Estate Citizenship in St Kitts and Nevis

• 

  Diverse real estate investments: St Kitts and Nevis is the only Caribbean country with a real estate option of buying a single-family private home to gain citizenship.
• Political and economic stability: The long-standing political and economic citizenship ensures real estate investments are secure.
• Favorable tax benefits: St Kitts and Nevis is one of two countries with no personal income tax that allows foreign nationals to invest in the Caribbean through real estate and obtain a second citizenship. Additionally, there is no wealth, capital gains, or inheritance tax.
• Dual citizenship: St Kitts and Nevis recognizes dual nationality, allowing successful real estate investors to maintain their original citizenship.
• Enhanced global mobility: Not only do successful applicants acquire a lucrative Caribbean real estate investment, but they obtain a powerful St Kitts and Nevis passport offering 154 St Kitts and Nevis visa free countries.
• Family inclusion: Investors can add family members to their citizenship application, including spouses, children, and parents.
• No foreign buyer license: The requirement to apply for an Alien Landholding License is waived when purchasing St Kitts and Nevis real estate through the citizenship by investment program.
• Fast citizenship timeline: When comparing Grenada vs St Kitts citizenship timelines, Grenada’s applicants have a timeline of nine months, whereas St Kitts and Nevis applicants receive approvals in principle within four to six months.
• Earn rental income: Foreign nationals can purchase property to obtain investment citizenship and earn rental income.
• Partially fund with digital assets: Real estate investors can use crypto assets for partial wealth verification or have a family member sponsor their application.

Who can participate in the St Kitts citizenship by real estate?

The St Kitts and Nevis real estate citizenship requirements require prospective applicants to:

• Be older than 18
• Have a clean criminal record
• Be of excellent character
• Be able to make a qualifying investment of $325,000 or $600,000, depending on the real estate route

Minimum Investment Requirements for St Kitts Real Estate

The minimum investment needed is:

• $325,000 in shares of a government-approved Caribbean real estate development
• $325,000 sole purchase of a single condominium unit
• $600,000 sole purchase of a single-family private home

Real estate investments made through the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship program, whether commercial or residential property, must be held for at least seven years after gaining citizenship to maintain citizenship status.

St Kitts and Nevis Approved Real Estate

Developer real estate projects

The following is a list of pre-approved real estate investment opportunities under the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program, with each location approved by board of governors overseeing the country’s citizenship program.

Properties for sale in approved projects

Frigate Bay: Spacious luxury two-bedroom, two-bathroom luxury condominiums offered by Silver Reef development are available from $420,000.

St Paul: The Belmont Farm Resort in Kittitian Hill offers eco-friendly, classical-style cottages with panoramic views from $450,000.

Frigate Bay: One-bedroom apartments with dual balconies are available at Calypso Bay Resort from $350,000.

New Castle: Villa Oasis in Oualie Bay on the island of Nevis provides renovated West-Indian style homes from $865,000.

Private home sales

St Kitts and Nevis sets itself apart by being the only Caribbean country with a Citizenship by Investment Act that allows private home or villa sales to qualify as approved real estate investment. Through this route, the required investment is a purchase of a property valued at least $600,000. Unlike owning shares in luxury hotel projects, private home sales allow investors to hold full property title, giving them more flexibility.

Estimated Cost of St Kitts and Nevis Real Estate Citizenship

Here is an example of the estimated cost of real estate citizenship in St Kitts and Nevis when investing in shares of a commercial property for a single applicant and a family of four, including government fees. The family example includes a primary applicant, spouse, and two children aged 7 and 17.

The estimated St Kitts citizenship cost doesn’t include additional purchase costs such as legal and bank transfer fees and property registration.

Property Taxes in St Kitts

Property buyers are required to pay fees to maintain property ownership. Property taxes and management fees for an investment in shares of real estate developments like luxury hotels and boutique resorts are typically retained from sales revenue. Owners of single condominium units and private homes must pay an annual property tax of 0.2 to 0.75 percent.

Citizenship by Investment Process

The following outlines the steps you will follow as a CBI applicant:

• Contact Global Citizen Solutions: Contact our specialized team or a St Kitts citizenship by investment lawyer for a consultation regarding your CBI application.
• Initial due diligence checks: Global Citizen Solutions will perform initial due diligence checks at no additional cost to ensure a successful application.
• Client agreement and retainer payment: The client agreement contains details regarding the entire process to help put your mind at ease.
• Document gathering and form completion: Gather necessary documentation and complete all forms Global Citizen Solutions provides.
• Submit your application: Your dedicated Investment Migration Specialist will submit your application on your behalf*.
• Due diligence checks commissioned by the CIU: The Citizenship by Investment Technical Committee and Citizenship by Investment Unit will process your application and carry out all due diligence checks.
• Mandatory interview: All main applicants must attend mandatory interviews (virtual or in person). The CIU may ask dependents aged 16 years and older to attend an interview. Interviews will be conducted by an independent professional firm commissioned by the CIU.
• Receive ‘approval in principle’ from the CIU: Successful applicants will receive an approval letter from the CIU within 120 days stating their application is ‘approved in principle’.
• Make your investment: Once you have received your government approval letter, you must make your qualifying investment, pay the government administration fees, and send proof to the CIU.
• Become a St Kitts and Nevis Citizen: You and your family members will be granted citizenship of St Kitts and Nevis and receive your passports at an address of your choice.
• Collect Certificate of Registration: The CIU will issue your Certificate of Registration, which must be collected in person either in St Kitts and Nevis or at an approved Consulate or Embassy specified by the CIU.
• Full citizenship received: You are now a fully registered citizen of St Kitts and Nevis.

*By law, the CIU doesn’t accept applications directly from applicants but only from Authorized Agents with a St Kitts CIP License granted by the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit.

St Kitts Real Estate Investment Compared with Other Options

The St Kitts and Nevis real estate investment citizenship route is the only long-term asset investment that qualifies for citizenship.

Unlike non-refundable donations to the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC) or Public Benefit Option (PBO), buying property in Saint Kitts and Nevis to get citizenship comes with the potential to earn rental income.

Though real estate provides the advantage of asset retention and resale after seven years, the minimum investment required and other upfront costs and requirements are much higher, with added fees and a longer citizenship process.

Alternative Investments for St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship

Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC): The primary alternative investment option to obtain St Kitts and Nevis dual citizenship by investment is a $250,000 non-refundable contribution to the SISC, formally the Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF), which qualifies up to four persons.

Public Benefit Option (PBO): The St Kitts and Nevis Public Benefit Option allows investors to make a minimum contribution of $250,000 to an approved public benefit project, such as projects boosting local employment opportunities, to qualify for second citizenship in St Kitts and Nevis.

Why use Global Citizen Solutions?

Global Citizen Solutions is a multidisciplinary firm offering bespoke residence and citizenship solutions in Europe and the Caribbean. In a world where the economy and politics are unpredictable, having a second citizenship opens up opportunities and creates flexibility for you and your family.

So, why work with Global Citizen Solutions to obtain St Kitts and Nevis citizenship?

• Authorized International Marketing Agent. Global Citizen Solutions have official certification by the Government of St Kitts and Nevis to promote and market their Citizenship by Investment program. You can find a copy of our certificate by clicking the image on the right
• Global approach by local experts. We are corporate members of the Investment Migration Council, with local expertise in all five Caribbean CBI programs.
• 100 percent approval rate. We have never had a case rejected and will offer you an initial, free-of-charge, due diligence assessment before signing any contract.
• Independent service and full transparency. We will present to you all the investment options available, and all expenses will be discussed in advance, with no hidden fees.
• An all-encompassing solution. A multidisciplinary team of immigration lawyers, investment specialists, and tax experts will take into consideration all your and your family’s mobility, tax, and lifestyle needs.
• Confidential service and secure data management. All private data is stored within a GDPR-compliant database on a secure SSL-encrypted server.