St Kitts and Nevis Sustainable Growth Fund

St Kitts and Nevis has the oldest Citizenship by Investment Program in the world, having been established in 1984. One route under the scheme was the St Kitts and Nevis Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF). The fund was established to promote economic development and social upliftment. A minimum investment of $150,000 was required, enabling investors to gain citizenship in St Kitts and Nevis.

The Sustainable Growth Fund option is no longer an investment route under the St Kitts’ CBI Program and has been replaced by the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC).

What was the SGF?

The establishment of the St Kitts and Nevis Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF) marked the replacement of the Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation (SIDF), which had been operational since September 2006. This new fund bolstered the nation’s prosperity by enhancing local healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

While many neighboring Caribbean countries grappled with the effects of climate change and the transition to sustainable practices and alternative energy sources, St Kitts and Nevis maintained a leading position due to the funding allocated through the Sustainable Growth Fund.

The fund not only allocated resources for vital aspects of the nation’s health but also attracted additional businesses and financial investments through granting citizenship, as well as further investments made by new citizens.

What is the new SGF?

In 2023, the St Kitts Citizenship by Investment Unit announced significant changes to its Citizenship by Investment Program. This included changes to the investment options and costs. As per the announcement, the Sustainable Growth Fund is no longer a CBI investment route.

The replacement is a new investment option the government calls the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC). The minimum contribution amount for this route is $250,000 for a single applicant. It is $300,000, to include a spouse and $350,000 for a family of up to four members. All contributions are payable to the Federal Consolidated Fund.

The government uses funds from the SISC to develop the dual-island nation based on seven key pillars:

1. Increasing the production of local food
2. Moving to Green Energy
3. Diversifying the economy
4. Attracting and supporting sustainable industries
5. Developing the Creative Economy
6. Recovering from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic
7. Extending social protection and safety nets to protect vulnerable individuals and communities

The SISC route does not include government fees but does include other fees, such as processing fees. Impacting areas such as food security, green energy, economic resilience, arts funding, enhanced student support services, and pandemic recovery, the SISC allows investors to target their priorities and create a positive impact. This option is a secure and accountable means for investors looking to empower meaningful change in the nation and obtain second citizenship by investment.

The Sustainable Growth Fund: Uses

By contributing to the Sustainable Growth Fund, you are supporting the growth and development of St Kitts and Nevis. The government will use money from the fund to improve education, infrastructure, and medical facilities on the islands.

Additionally, the fund helped to develop and implement sustainable practices and alternative energy in St Kitts and Nevis. This is a way to combat the effects of climate change. Finally, the fantastic benefits of contributing to the fund bring new businesses, citizens, and foreign investment into the country.

The SGF for St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship: Benefits

There are a number of advantages that you can benefit from when choosing to contribute to the St Kitts Sustainable Growth Fund:

• You only make your contribution to the SGF after receiving your approval-in-principle letter from the St Kitts government.
• Streamlined and efficient process
• Discreet channel for investment, ensuring your privacy
• No language, test, or residency requirements
• Inclusion of family members
• Low tax regime with no income, inheritance, or gift tax
• Second citizenship in a country committed to compliance international standards set by the US Treasury, FATF, and other international governing bodies

St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship through the SGF Option: Application Process

1: Success team discussion: Obtain a proposal from our team at Global Citizen Solutions detailing all costs and fees associated with your SGF contribution and citizenship application.

2: Start onboarding: As an authorized international CIP agent, Global Citizen Solutions will help you prepare your application form and collect all the necessary supporting documents.

3: Application review: Global Citizen Solutions will review your application to ensure everything is in order to officially submit your application.

4: Application submission: Submit your application to the St Kitts Citizenship by Investment Unit and pay the necessary processing fees. You must participate in a mandatory online interview as part of the due diligence process conducted by the Citizenship by Investment Unit.

5: Decision confirmation: Once your application has been approved by the government of St Kitts and Nevis, you will receive a confirmation letter with the status approval-in-principle. 

6: Financial contribution: Make your financial contribution to the Sustainable Growth Fund.

7: Receive your passports at home: You will receive your new passports after the government grants St Kitts and Nevis citizenship.

Mutually Beneficial Citizenship Program

Investing in the Sustainable Growth Fund had a lasting impact on all of St Kitts and Nevis’ citizens and enhanced your future. The SGF represented the ongoing advancement of the country to realize its potential as a prospering island nation with an accelerating economy.

Education

The government used the fund to enhance the quality of education on the island by providing citizens with the knowledge and skills that enable them to forge successful careers. Through the country’s Education Sector Plan, the government has invested money from the fund in improving access to education and the quality of education.

Healthcare

The Sustainable Growth Fund contributed to finance healthcare initiatives in this beautiful island nation, including the renovation of the Sylvia Garnett Primary Health Care Facility. Moving forward, the government intends to introduce a universal healthcare system.

Climate resilience

While the country benefits from warm temperatures year-round, it is also prone to experiencing hurricanes. As such, funds from the Sustainable Growth Fund boosted the nation’s resilience to these storms through initiatives like the Hurricane Relief Fund.

Additionally, the nation has committed to moving towards renewable energy and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by introducing new initiatives and developing smart technology used to address the effects of climate change.

Infrastructure

As a developing nation, St Kitts and Nevis used the SGF to implement structural improvements to pipelines, drainage systems, and roads. Such initiatives have helped to develop the nation’s infrastructure, which also helps to attract further foreign investment in the country.

Tourism

Tourism makes up the nation’s main source of income and employs a significant portion of St Kitts and Nevis’ workforce. As such, the SGF was used to further promote tourism by enabling the construction of new resorts, attracting international brands, and promoting ecotourism activities that help to minimize the impact of the tourism industry on the environment.

St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship

As mentioned above, the Sustainable Island State Contribution has replaced the Sustainable Growth Fund under the country’s citizenship by investment program. In addition to the Sustainable Island State Contribution, international investors can choose to make a real estate investment or contribute to the Public Benefit Option to obtain citizenship. If you choose the St Kitts real estate route, a minimum investment of $400,000 (share of property or condominium unit) OR $800,000 (single-family private house) is required. Under the PBO route, a minimum investment of $250,000 is required.

In addition to the minimum qualifying investment, foreign investors will need to pay fees such as due diligence fees, government fees, application fees, and passport fees. The overall cost of obtaining citizenship will depend on your chosen investment route and the number of dependents included in your application.

With a St Kitts and Nevis passport, you can benefit from a low tax regime, including no tax on foreign-earned income, inheritance tax, or gift tax. Additionally, you will benefit from enhanced mobility with visa on arrival and visa free access to 153 countries.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Sustainable Growth Fund in St Kitts and Nevis