Visa
St Kitts And Nevis Golden Visa: Complete Application Process
The Citizenship by Investment Program for St. Kitts is one of the world’s most popular Golden Visa programs. St. Kitts was one of the first countries to provide a Golden Visa in 1984, and the program has since been improved and developed to provide a variety of incentives.
To receive a St. Kitts Golden Visa, simply invest a considerable sum of money in one of the approved investment schemes. This scheme will provide you with St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship as well as a passport.
St.Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa Requirements
To qualify for a St.Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa, you must be at least 18 years old and meet the following investment requirements:
- Donate at least USD 150,000 to the Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF).
- Make a real estate investment of at least USD 200,000.
Contribution to SGF
The Sustainable Growth Fund is an investment opportunity that allows you to obtain citizenship in St. Kitts by contributing directly to a government-owned fund. This option was created in 2018 to replace the previously established Hurricane Relief Fund. The minimum amount necessary for single applicants is USD 150,000, although this offer is also valid for families of up to four until December 31st, 2021.
Real Estate Investment
Real estate options include government-approved properties such as hotel resorts and tourism destinations. If you wish to invest in real estate, the legal minimum is USD 200,000.
However, you can invest USD 400,000 and have your property resellable after 5 years, as opposed to the minimal amount, which only permits you to market after 7 years.
Application Process For a St.Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa
The application process for a St.Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa goes as follows:
- Find an authorized representative – You cannot apply for a Golden Visa for St. Kitts and Nevis in person as the main applicant. Instead, you must employ an authorized legal representative who can apply and receive all correspondence on your behalf; you can discover the permitted individuals here. Applications are submitted to the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU).
- Fill in the application forms – After you hire an authorized representative for your Golden Visa application, they will provide you with the required forms that you have to complete. Once you complete the forms, you have to hand them to your representative.
- Complete the due diligence requirements – The due diligence process is completed by an authorized agency hired by the CIU. The authorized agency will conduct a background check and verify your documents, your details, and everything related to your moral character.
- Choose/Submit your investment – Once the due diligence process is complete, you can invest in Saint Kitts and Nevis with one of the investment programs mentioned above.
St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa Processing Times
Golden Visa applications for St. Kitts are processed within 90 days. However, depending on your investment program, you can receive your visa within 60 days with accelerated processing.
Saint Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa Document Checklist
For the application, you need the following documents:
Application forms. When you begin your Golden Visa application for St. Kitts, you must fill out several forms, which include the following:
- Application for registration as a Citizen (Form C1).
- Photograph and signature certificate (Form C2).
- Medical Certificate (Form C3).
- Investment confirmation form (Form C4)- for the SGF option.
- Birth certificate. You must provide an original excerpt of your birth certificate/birth record or any other legal document containing your or your family’s details, i.e., a family book.
- National ID card. You must submit a certified copy of your current national ID card, but keep in mind that children under 16 are not required to submit this document.
- Current passport. A certified copy of your current passport containing all your personal and issuing details is required.
- Police certificate. You must provide a police certificate proving you have no criminal records. The certificate must be issued by your country of residence or any country where you lived for more than one year during the last 10 years.
- HIV tests. You must provide results from HIV tests no older than three months when you submit your application; applicants under 12 are not required to be tested. You can attach the test certificate with the medical form C3.
- Six photographs. The photographs must be taken within the last 6 months and should be 35 x 45mm in size- one of the photos must be attached to form C2.
- Other supporting documents. In addition to the primary documents required, you can also submit any other supporting documents. For example, you can provide a sales and purchase agreement, a reference letter, bank statements for 12 months, a bank reference letter (no older than 6 months), a copy of your military experience, employment letters, business license, etc.
Document Guidelines
Your authorized legal representative will provide you with application forms C1 through C3. These application forms must be originals, but other documents may be certified copies of the originals. All applications and papers must be in English. If the original documents are in another language, you must supply an authorized translated version.
Important: Any civil status documents you submit must be certified by an Apostille stamp (if applicable for your home country) or legalized.
St. Kitts Golden Visa Application Fees
Other than the amount for your investment, you are also required to pay other application fees for your St.Kitts Golden Visa:
Registration fees at the Citizenship by Investment Unit | USD 5,000 |
Due diligence and processing fees (for the main applicant) | USD 7,500 |
Due diligence and processing fees for additional applicants (over 16) | USD 4,000 |
Residency Requirements for Saint Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa
There is no residency requirement for Saint Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa. Once your application is approved, you will receive your new passport and become a citizen of St. Kitts.
St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Benefits
The following benefits of a St. Kitts and Nevis second citizenship are what makes the citizenship program so popular:
Passport benefits | Citizens of St. Kitts have visa-free access to over 160 countries in the world, including the Schengen Area. So, by receiving a passport from St. Kitts, you will also enjoy the benefits of freedom of movement. |
Low taxes | St. Kitts has no laws on overseas income tax. Additionally, its citizens are not required to pay taxes on gifts, dividends, capital gains, or inheritance. |
Commonwealth benefits | Because St. Kitts and Nevis is a part of the Commonwealth, its citizens enjoy several benefits, such as visa-free access to Commonwealth countries and the UK. |
Dual citizenship | Saint Kitts and Nevis has no laws against dual citizenship, which means you can keep your previous nationality along with the St. Kitts citizenship. |
No residence requirement | To get a St. Kitts and Nevis passport, you do not need to fulfill any residence requirement. |
Citizenship benefits | Your family members are entitled to citizenship by descent. |
Can I Bring My Family Members Under St. Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa Program?
Yes, you can include the following family members in the application process:
- Your spouse.
- Your children under 18.
- Your children over 18 who are mentally and physically dependent on you or your spouse.
- Your children under 30 who are dependent on you or your spouse.
- Your parents from the age of 55 who live with you and are dependent on you or your spouse.
Keep in mind that you must present proof of dependence for any youngsters who rely on you. Examples include medical records or verification of university attendance. Remember to pay the due diligence fees for any extra applicants if you apply for the program with family members.
Will I Receive a Refund If I Withdraw My Application?
You will receive a refund for all payments except for the government and due diligence fees.