St Kitts and Nevis has the oldest CBI program in the world; it was launched in 1984 and now has streamlined processes. One of the main reasons why the program is sought after by investors worldwide is reliability.
St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment cost in 2026: options and expenses
For 6 years in a row, the Saint Kitts and Nevis CBI program has been named the best program in the world by the Professional Wealth Management journal. Why? Because it saves time and money.
The application for St Kitts and Nevis citizenship is processed within 4 months, and a single applicant is expected to pay $260,661.
Let’s discuss in detail what it takes to participate in the world’s best citizenship by investment program.
Fact checked by Elena RudaElena Ruda
Fact checked by Elena Ruda
Elena helped over 500 investors’ families to choose and obtain second citizenship or residency. She knows the pros and cons of each investment option and improves the industry expertise at the company.
Reviewed by Vladlena BaranovaVladlena Baranova
Reviewed by Vladlena Baranova
Vladlena leads preparation to Due Diligence and application for citizenship or residency by investment. She performs independent and in-depth analysis of investors’ situations and indicates possible risks. Vladlena helped to get second passports and residence permits to over 300 investors from all over the world.
Article content
- What to know about a St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program
- 3 investment options to acquire a St Kitts and Nevis passport
- Additional expenses on participating in a St Kitts and Nevis CBI program
- 5 benefits of St Kitts and Nevis nationality
- Other ways to get a passport in the Caribbean
- Key takeaways
- Frequently Asked Questions
Hide content
What to know about a St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program
Following the directives imposed by the European Commission in 2023, St Kitts and Nevis has increased the minimum investment amount from $125,000 to $250,000 and introduced mandatory interviews. If the country did not make any changes, the European Commission might have restricted visa-free travel for St Kitts and Nevis passports holders. The changes did not affect the popularity of the program.
Investors have three options to choose from:
- a non-refundable contribution of $250,000;
- an investment of $250,000 in the Approved Public Benefit Project;
- a purchase of real estate worth $400,000.
To qualify for the program, an investor should be over 18, in good health, and with no criminal record. They also should be able to prove the legality of their income.
Along with the main applicants, the following family members can be added to the application: a spouse, except for same-sex marriages; children under 18; children under 25; parents over 65, if financially dependent on the investor.
3 investment options to acquire a St Kitts and Nevis passport
1. Non-refundable contribution, also known as The Sustainable Island State Contribution. To qualify for the program, the investor makes a non-refundable contribution to the state-owned Federal Consolidated Fund. Since July 2023, the minimum investment amount is $250,000.
The feature of this option is that the minimum investment amount depends on the number of family members included in the application. If the investor applies with a spouse, the investment is increased by $50,000. A family of up to 4 people is expected to contribute $350,000.
The estimated investment amount for a non-refundable contribution
| Expenses | A single person | A married couple | Family of four with two children under 18 |
| Contribution | $250,000 | $300,000 | $350,000 |
| Due Diligence | $10,000 | $17,500 | $17,500+ |
| Additional fees | $661 | $1,322 | $1,983 |
| Total | $260,661 | $318,822 | $369,483+ |
2. Real estate purchase. St Kitts and Nevis has three options for real estate investors, which include:
- A share in a government-approved real estate project — $400,000;
- A condominium unit purchase, as part of the Approved Private Home — $400,000;
- A single family private dwelling, as part of the Approved Private Home — $800,000.
Unlike in the case of a non-refundable contribution, the options above imply a return on investment. The property can be sold in 7 years after obtaining a passport. The rental yield in St Kitts and Nevis is up to 5%; income can be generated as well.
| Expenses | A single person | A married couple | Family of four with two children under 18 |
| Contribution | $400,000 | $400,000 | $400,000 |
| State fee | $25,000 | $40,000 | $60,000 |
| Due Diligence | $10,000 | $17,500 | $17,500 |
| Additional fees | $661 | $1,322 | $1,983 |
| Total | $435,661 | $458,822 | $479,483 |
3. Public Good Investment Option. Recently introduced, this option has not become popular among investors yet. To qualify, investors contribute to a project approved by St Kitts and Nevis. The minimum investment does not depend on the family composition.
The Public Good investment is yet to gain popularity because it is best suitable for families: they can significantly cut their expenses in comparison with other options.
The estimated investment amount for a public good project
| Expenses | A single person | A married couple | Family of four with two children under 16 |
| Contribution | $250,000 | $250,000 | $250,000 |
| State fee | $25,000 | $40,000 | $60,000 |
| Due Diligence | $10,000 | $17,500 | $17,500 |
| Additional fees | $661 | $1,322 | $1,983 |
| Total | $285,661 | $308,822 | $329,483 |
Additional expenses on participating in a St Kitts and Nevis CBI program
Notarising and translating the required documents cost up to $1,000 per application. The investor might also have to pay bank transfer charges when paying state and due diligence fees. These may add up to $500 to the total amount.
Although investors receive a naturalisation certificate and a passport in an Embassy, they might have to travel to St Kitts and Nevis later. To do so, they usually buy an insurance policy with a minimum coverage of $30,000. Private insurance plans start at $50 a month.
Application forms cost about $250, and the fee for issuing a single passport is $350. All applicants for a St Kitts and Nevis passport over 16 undergo a strict Due Due Diligence check paying $10,000 for the main applicant and $7,500 for each family member over 16.
The payment for obtaining a St Kitts and Nevis passport is scheduled in the following way: first, the investor pays for documents legalisation, then Due Diligence, and lastly, all the fees. The second stage includes paying a state fee for real estate, transferring the investment if applicable, passport and naturalisation certificate issuance fees, and bank charges.
5 benefits of St Kitts and Nevis nationality
1. Wider opportunities for life and work. With a St Kitts and Nevis passport, the investor can reside and work in the country. Additionally, they can enter the country at any time with no restrictions, which might be helpful in case of unforeseen events.
2. No need to renounce the first passport. If the investor obtained St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment, they are not required to give up their first nationality. St Kitts and Nevis allows multiple citizenship, as long as the country of origin also does.
3. Opportunity to optimise taxes. Foreigners in St Kitts and Nevis do not pay taxes on local and global income or wealth and inheritance tax. Tax residents of the country only pay social contributions at a rate of 5% of their salary, stamp duty at a rate of 6—10%, and unincorporated income tax at a rate of 4%.
To compare, Dominica has progressive tax rates for personal income, from 15 to 35%. However, Dominica’s citizens pay no dividends, royalties, or interest taxes.
4. Increased global mobility. Holders of a St Kitts and Nevis passport significantly expand their travel opportunities.
5. Majestic nature. St Kitts and Nevis received the 2023 Travel Weekly Magellan Gold Accolade as a top ‘Caribbean Eco-Friendly Sustainable Destination.’ The award marks that the country is committed to sustainable practices in the tourism industry.
St Kitts and Nevis’s nature is primarily wild and unspoiled, allowing you to rest there with no hassle associated with big cities. Investors and their families can enjoy picturesque beaches and clear water. Those who value active outdoor activities might find St Kitts and Nevis’s rainforests a great destination to explore.
Why the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship program and the country's tax system are attractive for investors
Obtaining a St Kitts and Nevis passport by investment: a step-by-step procedure
Regardless of the chosen investment option, the investor undergoes the unified procedure of acquiring a passport, which takes at least 6 months.
1—2 days
Preliminary Due Diligence
Immigrant Invest conducts an independent check of the investor’s personal and financial history to reduce the denial risk to 1%. The check is confidential, only the passport is needed.
2 to 4 weeks
Preparation of the required documents
Immigrant Invest’s lawyers prepare the list of personal and financial documents required to participate in the citizenship program. Passports, birth and marriage certificates, and bank statements are usually on the list.
Lawyers will assist in filling out all the state forms and certifying copies of documents. After the investor signs the papers, they are submitted for consideration.
4 months
The Due Diligence check
The investor pays the Due Diligence fee, and the official investigation begins.
All family members over 16 included in the application must undergo the Due Diligence check. Part of the Due Diligence is a mandatory interview that the main applicant and dependants over 16 have to attend online or in person.
3 months
Making an investment
The CBI unit of St Kitts and Nevis notifies Immigrant Invest about the decision. If approved, the investor fulfils the investment condition within 90 days. They contribute to the state fund or an Approved Public Benefit Project or buy real estate.
4 weeks
Receiving a passport
A Certificate of Registration is issued once the investment condition is fulfilled. The Certificate of Registration is to be collected in person in St Kitts and Nevis or at an approved Embassy or Consulate.
A passport is then issued based on the certificate.
Other ways to get a passport in the Caribbean
Although the St Kitts and Nevis CBI program is the oldest and one of the most reputable in the world, other Caribbean countries also have citizenship by investment programs. Every country provides several investment options to choose from, including those that imply return.
Dominica’s passport can be obtained by investment of $100,000. The country has one of the most affordable investment options in the Caribbean. To obtain Dominica citizenship, investors contribute to a government fund or participate in a real estate project.
St Lucia’s CBI program has been successfully operating since 2015. Despite being relatively new, the program is popular among investors for its affordability. The minimum investment amount is $100,000. The investor makes a non-refundable contribution to a state fund, buys government bonds or participates in a real estate project.
The Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program is 2 years younger than that of St Lucia. The investor obtains citizenship by making a non-refundable contribution to a state fund, buying real estate or starting a company — all for $100,000. Families of 6 or more benefit from a special investment option: a contribution to the University of the West Indies Fund.
Grenada has one of the most popular citizenship programs. The participants choose one of the two options: contribution to a government fund or investing in a real estate project. The former starts at $150,000, the latter at $220,000.
Investors often consider the Vanuatu passport as a quicker alternative to Caribbean citizenship by investment programs. It can be obtained in three months, making it the fastest way to get a second passport by investment. The minimum cost of participating in the program is $130,000.
A comparison of the Caribbean and Vanuatu CBI programs by the non-refundable contribution amount
| Country | Minimum investment amount | Fees for family members included | Total for a family of four |
| St Kitts and Nevis | $250,000 | $50,000 for a spouse $50,000 for each child but for the 2nd $75,000 for every dependant over 18 starting with the 5th family member | $350,000+ |
| Grenada | $150,000 | $50,000 for a spouse or up to three dependants | $200,000 |
| Vanuatu | $130,000 | $20,000 for a spouse $15,000 per each additional dependants | $190,000 |
| Antigua and Barbuda | $100,000 | $25,000 per dependent, starting with the fifth applicant | $100,000 |
| St Lucia | $100,000 | $40,000 for a spouse $50,000 for up to three dependants | $190,000 |
| Dominica | $100,000 | $50,000 for a spouse $75,000 for up to three dependants | $225,000 |
Key takeaways
- St Kitts and Nevis has the oldest CBI program in the world. It was launched in 1984 and is now the best citizenship by investment program in the Caribbean, according to reputable sources such as Professional Wealth Management.
- To qualify for a St Kitts citizenship by investment program, a single applicant has to invest at least $260,661, including the minimum investment amount and state fees.
- A family of four can expect to pay at least $329,483 when applying for St Kitts and Nevis citizenship.
- Additional expenses include notarisation and translation of the required documents, bank transfer charges, an insurance policy, and fees for issuing naturalisation certificates and passports.
- Although the St Kitts and Nevis CBI program is one of the most reputable in the world, other Caribbean countries also have citizenship by investment programs. For example, one of the most affordable options is Dominica, with a minimum investment of $100,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you buy a St Kitts passport?
No, you cannot. To obtain a passport of St Kitts and Nevis by investment, foreigners undergo a strict Due Diligence in two stages and choose one of the investment options.
St Kitts and Nevis does not issue passports for investment. The applicants must obtain a naturalisation certificate first to be eligible to receive a passport later on.
How much does it cost to become a CBI in St Kitts and Nevis?
There are several investment options to apply for a St Kitts and Nevis passport:
- A non-refundable contribution to the Federal Consolidated Fund of $250,000.
- The purchase of a share in a government-approved real estate project for $400,000.
- The purchase of a condominium designated as an Approved Private Home for $400,000.
- The purchase of a private dwelling house designated as an Approved Private Home for $800,000.
- The Public Good Investment Option with an investment of $250,000.
The actual costs depend on the family composition. For example, the minimum amount of investment and government fees under the first option is $260,661 for one person and $329,483 for a family of four.
How to get St Kitts citizenship by investment?
Applying for and obtaining a passport by investment is a multi-step procedure that takes at least 6 months.
The steps include collecting and legalising documents, passing the Due Diligence check, filling in forms, transferring the investment, and receiving naturalisation certificates.
What are the benefits of St Kitts citizenship?
St Kitts and Nevis nationals enjoy several benefits, the most significant are:
- Wider opportunities for life and work.
- No need to renounce the first passport.
- Possibility to optimise taxes.
- Increased global mobility.
- Majestic nature.
What is the cost of passport renewal for St Kitts and Nevis?
The cost of a remote passport renewal procedure is $361. It takes up to 4 weeks to replace an expired passport with a valid one. The personal presence of the investor in St Kitts and Nevis is not required either during the initial issuance of a passport or during its renewal.
Read More
St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment cost in 2026: options and expenses
Share: