Joe Rice
The St Kitts CIU (Citizenship by Investment Unit) is the official government authority overseeing the country’s citizenship by investment (CBI) Program. This guide explains the CIU’s role in citizenship applications, including due diligence, investment approval, and citizenship granting.
What is the St Kitts and Nevis Official Unit?
The St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) is responsible for processing all applications submitted by Authorized Agents to the citizenship program. The CIU thoroughly assesses each application, conducts strict due diligence checks, and determines approval.
After the CIU informs applicants of preliminary approval, they inform the applicant’s Authorized Agent that they can make the selected investment, either a substantial contribution to the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC), real estate purchase, or donation to the Public Benefit Option (PBO)
The Unit informs the necessary beneficiary of the investment, as well as issues a government approval letter to take an Oath of Allegiance and obtain a St Kitts and Nevis passport.
Besides CBI applications, the CIU reviews and approves St Kitts and Nevis CIP license applications submitted to become Authorized Marketing Agents. Property developers applying to have their projects certified as approved real estate investments under the citizenship by investment program also require approval from the St Kitts CIU.
Why the St Kitts CIU Exists
The St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program has been operating since 1984, and a large part of its success is attributed to compliance and integrity of the program. The St Kitts CIU exists to centralize application vetting, due diligence, and approval, simplifying oversight and ensuring alignment with international security standards.
The CIU channels investor money received into the SISC to the Ministry of Finance for critical sustainability projects. Funds donated to the Public Benefit Option (PBO) are direct by the CIU toward approved public benefit projects supporting national development.
The rules for St Kitts real estate citizenship are also enforced by the CIU, which include monitoring compliance with the program’s seven-year minimum hold requirement for real estate investments.
St Kitts and Nevis CIU Policies and Compliance
- Approved Agents: The investment application process must be initiated by an St Kitts citizenship by investment lawyer or agent licensed by the CIU.
- Due diligence: The CIU carries out background checks on all applicants, with an independent professional firm commissioned by the CIU as part of the due diligence process.
- Investment monitoring: Besides the St Kitts citizenship cost when buying real estate, one of the criteria real estate investment option is that the property must be held for at least seven years, which falls under the scope of the CIU’s oversight.
- Program transparency: The CIU tracks applicant contributions and how donated funds are allocated to maintain transparency, public confidence, and credibility with international governance institutions.
- Public Benefit Option (PBO): Only vetted public benefit projects receive PBO donations, which the CIU audits and supervises to ensure their impact and the ethical use of funds.
- Rejections and revocation: The CIU has the right to reject applications that don’t fulfill the program’s criteria, as well as revoke citizenship acquired through fraud, misrepresentation, or non-compliance with program terms.
Citizenship by Investment Program
The St Kitts and Nevis CIU has approved four investments to qualify for St Kitts and Nevis dual citizenship.
- Contribution to the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC)
- Approved real estate investment
- Approved single-family private home purchase
- Donation to the Public Benefit Option (PBO)
Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC): Investors can make a minimum non-refundable contribution of $250,000 to the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC).
Real estate investment: Applicants to the St Kitts and Nevis real estate option can make a minimum investment of $325,000 in pre-approved shares of real estate developer projects or purchase a condominium unit.
Single-family private dwelling: The single-family private home option allows investors to purchase private real estate for at least $600,000.
Public Benefit Option (PBO): The St Kitts Public Benefit Option allows investors to make a non-refundable economic contribution of $250,000 to a project pre-approved by the government.
Authorized St Kitts CBIU Agents
To maintain efficiency, the St Kitts CIU only accepts applications from agents and law firms they’ve licensed to submit applications. Citizenship by investment applications cannot be submitted directly by foreign investors to the CIU.
St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit Application Process
- Choose your investment route and contact an Authorized Agent.
- Complete the citizenship application forms and gather the required documents.
- Your agent submit your application and supporting documentation to the CIU
- The CIU approves the application for investment.
- Make the required contribution or real estate investment.
- Become a citizen and obtain a St Kitts and Nevis passport.
Process for future dependents
Whether you need to go through the St Kitts CIU to apply for citizenship for a future spouse or child depends on when and how long you’ve been married and your child’s age. If you got married after obtaining citizenship or you’ve been married for under three years, your spouse’s citizenship application must be submitted to the CIU. A dependent child under three also requires their application to be processed by the CIU. The average processing time for both dependents is three months.
In other cases, a citizenship application can be submitted to the National Security Secretariat for a reduced fee; however, the average processing time is up to two years for a spouse and up to 18 months for a child.
More on St Kitts and Nevis
St Kitts and Nevis is one of the five Caribbean countries that operate a citizenship by investment Program. This twin island nation is a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and is known for its fabulous beaches and tropical waters.
The country recognizes dual citizenship, and St Kitts and Nevis passport holders benefit from alternative citizenship and visa free travel to 154 countries, including the Schengen Area, the UK, Hong Kong, Russia, Taiwan, and Saudi Arabia.
Citizens enjoy tax benefits, including no income tax, capital gains inheritance, or wealth taxes. The country’s program grants investors lifetime citizenship, which can be passed on to future generations.
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.
We're a certified agent for St Kitts and Nevis CBI program
Frequently Asked Questions About the St Kitts and Nevis Official Unit
What is the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) in St Kitts and Nevis?
The St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) is a government authority established to oversee the country’s citizenship program. It was reformed Citizenship by Investment Unit Bill, 2024. The CIU processes all applications, conducts due diligence checks, and determines whether applicants qualify for citizenship.
How long does it take to become a citizen of St Kitts and Nevis?
The processing time for a St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment application is four to six months.
I am not married but have a fiancé. Can they be included?
The St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Unit only allows an official spouse to be added to a citizenship application. Successful applicants can apply for citizenship for a future spouse by paying a government fee.
Do I have to have an interview for citizenship?
All applicants over 16 to the St Kitts CBI program must attend an interview with an independent firm contracted by the St Kitts CIU.
What are the investment options for St Kitts and Nevis citizenship?
The St Kitts and Nevis citizenship program offers four investment options to acquire citizenship: A non-refundable contribution to the government fund, a purchase of real estate shares or condominiums, a purchase of a private home, and a contribution to an approved Public Benefit Project.
Does the CIU allow foreigners to buy property in St Kitts?
The Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) of St Kitts and Nevis allows foreigners to purchase real estate as a qualifying investment for the country’s citizenship program. Available options include investing in shares of an approved real estate project, purchasing a condominium unit, or buying a single-family private home.
