Citizenship in St Kitts and Nevis

CITIZENSHIP IN SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS

In the course of colonial conquests and civil association in the 20th century, they became part of this community with a fully autonomous internal life. A striking example in this case is St. Kitts and Nevis, two islands united into a state.

Local residents of these tropical nooks and crannies enjoy the benefits afforded by association membership; this explains the considerable interest in the possibility of obtaining a residence permit and citizenship of St. Kitts and Nevis through investment.

The islands are known for their open policy towards those who wish to legalize in this jurisdiction. In 2015, 2016, the countdown of the fourth decade began from the moment of the adoption of the State Program for Simplified Registration of Residence Permit/Economic Citizenship, which opens many avenues for naturalization. At the same time, the big plus is that the country does not prevent dual citizenship: having St. Kitts and Nevis passports, you can simultaneously preserve previous legal relationships. The legal status provides a large number of advantages:

Entitlement to simplified/visa-free entry to more than 130 countries worldwide – including the UK and Canada (you can stay without a visa for up to six months at a time), continental Western Europe, USA (visa is issued for ten years) , Singapore, etc.;

You do not need to stay in the country for any period (the residence permit will not be revoked);

Confidentiality of transactions – the state does not disclose data about the persons who have referred to it;

The right to apply for naturalization status for the entire family at once, including elderly parents;

The possibility to live permanently or temporarily on an island with an excellent temperature and natural conditions, a developed service sector, friendly and hospitable local residents (crime is practically zero here);

The impartiality of the international community to the country's documents, the absence of unwanted associations and potential problems - the residence permit in this country allows you to become a real "citizen of the world";

Financial security of savings and funds: the law of the islands does not impose taxes on activities and property outside St. Kitts and Nevis, other benefits (exemption from the tax burden of inheritance, income, social security, etc.);

Cheapness of living and acquisition: the islands have very low prices for residential/commercial real estate, a list of basic products/services, etc.;

Dual citizenship is allowed – you do not need to renounce your first citizenship to obtain a second one in St. Kitts and Nevis;

Low costs for the procedure to obtain citizenship by investment in the jurisdiction, as well as fast passage of the procedure.

Methods of Naturalization

Resident status is often granted without the right to work, under a simplified scheme. Before obtaining a residence permit in St. Kitts and Nevis, you will need to acquire an object of real estate or land for its construction, a share in a hotel worth at least 200,000 USD. This procedure is accompanied by obtaining a purchase license: you must fill out questionnaires, provide data and identity documents, pay customs duties. Those who have been permanently in the islands for seven years can count on permanent resident status. Pensioners are allowed to use a simplified scheme. Expert consultants from "Smart Startup UK" are ready to clarify all these nuances to customers.

However, there is another, more complete way to naturalize the islands. We are talking about economic citizenship - it differs from traditional citizenship only in the impossibility of voting. The costs and actions required to obtain it are close to the procedures for a residence permit, but this status gives many more options: the children of the applicants will inherit it and automatically become citizens of the community of former British possessions; no need to wait 14 years (as in the standard procedure), no need to get a license to buy a home, etc. The business activity will be carried out in a favorable, non-aggressive offshore environment, and all members of the applicant's family will be granted status together with him (including parents).

Permanent status through economic mechanisms

For individuals wishing to apply for citizenship of St. Kitts and Nevis by investment, this option means significant material investment. Those who are ready to make gratuitous contributions to the state (in the Fund for Sustainable Growth) can follow this path of legalization in the amount of:

For a single applicant – 150,000 USD non-refundable contribution;

Per family: 4 people ‒ 195,000 USD (actually it is necessary to pay 150,000 USD, taking into account the current discount of 45,000 USD granted by the government since the time of the Covid19 pandemic);

for additional adult dependents and family members above the specified amount – USD 10,000.

This method allows you to naturalize as soon as possible, but you will not be able to return the investment. For those who prefer classic investment, a tourist program will be suitable - investing at least 400,000 USD in the construction of resorts and real estate approved by the Federation. It will be possible to return such funds after five years, while all rights and status will remain with the seller. The second investment option is 200,000 USD with a payback period of 7 years. You can return part of the funds by renting out the purchased object. The contribution does not have to be the only one: you can participate in the purchase of shares - this is quite common.

The candidate who applies for such a status must not have a criminal record, it is necessary to attract the guarantee of both lawyers and banking structures. You are also required to pay for the services of licensed ID verification agents and provide the following documentation:

Application form with six photos;

Medical certificate and document for HIV tests;

Copies and extracts from foreign passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate with notarization and translations;

Certificate of no criminal record with apostille;

Confirmation of financial and investment solvency (reference and statements from deposit accounts, translated and notarized);

For investors – letters to the minister (with a petition, about the sources of funds, about the reliability of the data) and the inspector for attracting authorized persons.

It is possible to apply online through authorized agents.

The latest innovation was the possibility of including siblings for citizenship, provided they are:

Not older than 30 years;

Financially independent;

They are not married and have no children.

The procedure for considering an application for obtaining a passport in St. Kitts and Nevis includes the following stages:

Collection of necessary information and documents. The duration of this stage depends on the speed of gathering and providing information and documents to the agent from the applicant and his family members.

Submission of the application and related documents.

Provide a response to approve/reject the application (within 3 months).

Implementation of the chosen investment option in case of approval of the application.

Issuance of a passport.

During the application process, you must provide, among others, the following information:

Name of the applicant;

Date and place of birth;

Marital status;

Citizenship by birth and at the time of application;

Passport data (for all passports);

ID;

Contact information;

Permanent address of residence;

Information about the type of profession;

Details of the most important companies and business partners with whom the applicant does business;

Details of the composition of the family, as well as personal data of the family members (mother, father, brothers, sisters, children);

Residential addresses for the last 10 years;

Education information;

Details of professional experience;

Military service information.

To register a passport in St. Kitts and Nevis, the applicant must also answer the following questions whether he/she:

Has been subject to criminal prosecution of any kind in any country, has been arrested;

Has ever been investigated;

He has directly or indirectly participated in the financing of terrorism;

Has ever been involved in activities related to drug trafficking;

Has ever been involved in bankruptcy or liquidation proceedings due to financial insolvency either personally or as a director of an insolvent company or a company that has been liquidated;

Has ever been deported from any country;

Has been refused a visa;

Has ever applied for citizenship in another jurisdiction where he was denied.

It is important that you provide complete and accurate information to all questions listed above. You are also required to confirm in writing that the invested funds were received legally.

Restrictions for persons from certain jurisdictions should also be noted. Citizens of Iran, Afghanistan, Cuba and North Korea are not eligible to apply.

Citizens from other jurisdictions are free to apply for a passport in St. Kitts and Nevis. Also, if you wish, you can speed up the process of receiving it by paying additional fees. Expedited processing may cost the applicant an additional $25,000, as well as an additional $20,000 for each dependent. With this application option, the duration of the procedure is usually 45 days.

Those considering how to obtain a residence permit in St. Kitts and Nevis should contact the consultancy "Smart Startup UK". Our specialists have considerable experience in the implementation of appropriate documentation, accurately represent the stages of the procedures and are skilled at going through them, and are aware of the nuances of interaction with official and registering bodies. We are fully prepared to consult our clients in detail, develop a strategic plan for naturalization with them and facilitate the formalization of invoicing, payment of fees and other actions.

Smart Startup UK lawyers are on hand to help collect and process documents for review.

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