St Kitts and Nevis vs Dominica Citizenship Guide 2023

A second passport can be a great asset for international investors and their families. It brings many benefits, such as increased global mobility, attractive tax regimes, and lucrative investments. If you are looking to acquire dual citizenship, the Caribbean countries offer attractive citizenship by investment (CBI) programs. In just a few months and in exchange for an affordable investment, you can acquire a Caribbean passport. But how do you choose among all these valuable citizenships? This St Kitts and Nevis vs Dominica citizenship guide highlights the main differences between these two Caribbean passports.

Benefits of St Kitts and Nevis and Dominica Passport

Dual citizenship allowed

Visa-free travel to over 140 countries

Affordable 2nd passport via CBI programs

The entire family is eligible

Benefit from attractive tax regimes

St Kitts and Nevis vs Dominica Passport: At a Glance

Qualifying investment for Dominica

EDF minimum donation:
$100,000 (single applicant) / $175,000 (family of four)
Real estate:
$200,000 minimum investment
Investment routes: Economic Diversification Fund, real estate

Qualifying investment for St Kitts and Nevis

SISC minimum donation:
$205,000 (single applicant) / $350,000 (family of four)
Real estate:
$400,000 minimum investment
Public Benefit Option (PBO):
$250,000 non-refundable contribution
Investment routes: Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC), real estate, Public Benefit Option

Program Characteristics	Dominica Citizenship by Investment	St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment
Application time	Three months	Four months
Passport Global ranking	78th. Visa-free access to EU Schengen States, Hong Kong, Singapore, Russia, and China, amongst others.	55th. Visa-free access to EU Schengen States, the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Russia, amongst others.
Taxes	No income tax on worldwide income, wealth tax, gift tax, inheritance tax or capital gains tax.	No income tax on worldwide income, wealth tax, gift tax, inheritance tax or capital gains tax.
Residence rule	No stay requirements.	No stay requirements.
Family eligibility	Inclusion of spouse, children, and parents and grandparents over 65.	Inclusion of spouse, children under 25, and parents over 65.
Application requirements	No residence requirements. Plus no managerial experience necessary.	No language or residency requirements necessary.

St Kitts and Nevis Passport by Investment

Ranking 53rd in terms of passport power, the St Kitts and Nevis passport is undeniably one of the best Caribbean passports to have. Its holders can travel visa-free to over 140 countries worldwide, including the European Union, the United Kingdom, and many more, and benefit from a very favorable tax regime as there is no income, inheritance, or gift tax.

The country’s Citizenship by Investment program is the longest-running of this kind in the world, having been launched in 1984. Without a doubt, this is a solid program and is highly sought-after. As the oldest CBI program, it is a benchmark for citizenship programs and has maintained its reliability and integrity by continually updating and improving its requirements and processes. For an investment starting at $250,000, investors and their families are able to obtain a passport in just four months. Fast, reliable, and relatively affordable, this immigration scheme has been a true success, greatly contributing to boosting the country’s economy.

Take a look at our St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Guide by local experts

CLICK HERE

Dominica Passport by Investment

Ranking 78th, the Dominica passport grants visa-free access to over 140 countries worldwide, including the EU Schengen area, Russia, China, Singapore, and Hong Kong – and also provides citizens with great tax benefits as there is no wealth, gift, inheritance, or capital gains tax in Dominica. Due to the Dominican government’s immigration-friendly policy with many Dominica visa options to choose from, there’s already a favorable climate for immigrant investors in place. The citizenship by investment program allows investors and their families to obtain citizenship in three months, in exchange for an investment of at least $100,000.

If you are looking to maximize citizenship investment in terms of quality and price, then the Dominica passport by investment is an excellent choice. Dominica has been voted the best country for citizenship by investment by the CBI Index for the fourth time in a row. Why? It is the cheapest CBI scheme available, its application requirements are very flexible, and the program offers the opportunity for family inclusion.

Take a look at our Dominica Citizenship by Investment Ultimate Guide by local experts

CLICK HERE

Which one to pick?

Overall, passports from both Caribbean countries provide investors with excellent benefits such as a short application time, favorable tax regimes, flexible residence rules and application requirements, as well as the inclusion of family members in the application.

St Kitts and Nevis’ investment program was the most in-demand just a year ago, with citizens able to travel visa-free to over 140 countries, including the UK. However, Dominica signed a visa waiver agreement with China, which helped to boost the popularity of its CBI program.

So, the final choice depends on what your priorities are. Are you looking for the most affordable program for a single applicant? Or are you looking for a second passport for the whole family, including siblings? Is it important to have visa-free access to a specific country, like China?

A checklist for investors

Global mobility

If you are looking for global mobility, the St Kitts and Nevis passport ranks 53rd in the Passport Index, allowing passport holders to enter 142 countries visa-free, such as the UK, or with a visa on arrival. Dominica ranks 78th, but although it has a lower ranking, Dominica passport holders have access to China without a visa.

Cost

If you are applying as a single person, Dominica’s CBI program is much more affordable. The starting investment is a $100,000 non-refundable contribution to the country’s Economic Diversification Fund (EDF), compared to $250,000 for Saint Kitts.

Second passports for family

If you want to include your family members, there is a difference between these CBI programs: The minimum donation for a family of four is $175,000 and $350,000, respectively. And if you choose to make a non-refundable contribution to a Public Benefit Project pre-approved by the government of the St Kitts, the total amount is $250,000. Also, St Kitts is now less inclusive regarding dependents: Parents can be included only if they are over 65, and siblings and grandparents are no longer eligible. Dominica announced in September 2022 that it would no longer accept the inclusion of siblings in applications, and parents and grandparents must be over 65.

Return on investment

If you prefer a route that allows you to see a return on your investment, then the real estate investment option is for you. The St Kitts citizenship program allows you to sell your investment after seven years, while the Dominica citizenship program allows you to sell it after five years.

Tax considerations

dominica vs st kitts and nevis citizenship by investment Tax is an important consideration, particularly for investors looking to diversify their asset portfolios. In St Kitts, citizens and residents are not required to pay personal income tax on locally or internationally sourced personal income. In Dominica, taxpayers are entitled to deductions on their personal income tax. In St Kitts, there is also no tax levied on the purchase of real estate, while in Dominica, you will pay a rate of 10.5 percent. Property owners in St Kitts pay between 0.4 and 0.96 percent tax, while in Dominica, they pay between zero and 1.25 percent. Social contributions sit at a rate of five percent in St Kitts and six percent in Dominica.

As you can see, the choice depends on personal circumstances. Both nations offer pathways to second citizenship through their respective citizenship by investment programs, each with its own set of advantages and considerations. St Kitts and Nevis boasts a longer history in the program and an attractive tourism industry, while Dominica stands out for its affordability and commitment to sustainability. By carefully considering your financial means, travel objectives, and personal preferences, you will discover the citizenship opportunity that best aligns with your goals, securing your future in the Caribbean and beyond. If you would like bespoke information and advice, don’t hesitate to contact us.

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 Caribbean citizenship?

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.

To see the full list of reasons why to work with Global Citizen Solutions for your Caribbean citizenship application, click here.

Don’t forget to check our other Caribbean comparison articles:

Frequently Asked Questions About St Kitts and Nevis vs Dominica Passport

How can I get the St Kitts and Nevis passport?

Thanks to the country’s Citizenship by Investment program, you and your family can obtain a St Kitts passport in just four months in exchange for a minimum investment of $250,000. All applications are processed by the Citizenship by Investment Unit and must pass stringent due diligence checks.

How can I get the Dominica passport?

You can obtain a Dominica passport by applying to the Dominica economic citizenship. In exchange for an investment of at least $100,000 (for a single person), you can get a Dominica passport in three months’ time. All applications are processed by the Citizenship by Investment Unit and applicants aged 16 and older must partake in mandatory virtual interviews.

Saint Kitts and Nevis vs Dominica passport: which one to choose?

Each passport has major benefits, offering different priorities. The passport of St Kitts and Nevis is great for investors seeking global mobility, while the Dominica passport is the cheapest passport by investment in the Caribbean.

More About Caribbean Passports

St Kitts and Nevis vs Dominica Passport Guide 2023