Citizenship
St Kitts & Nevis Citizenship
Lifetime citizenship through a US$250,000 contribution for a family of up to four, on the Public Benefit Option or the Sustainable Island State Contribution, or through approved real estate from US$325,000.
- From
- $250,000
- Timeline
- 4 months or more
- Residence
- Not required
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- Minimum
- From $250,0004 qualifying routes
- Timeline
- 4 months or more
- Outcome
- Direct citizenship
- Presence
- None
- Dual citizenship
- PermittedLifetime, permanent citizenship that fully allows dual citizenship.
- Family
- Spouse + children + parents
The opportunity
Why St Kitts & Nevis
Established in 1984, the St Kitts and Nevis programme is one of the longest-running citizenship-by-investment routes. The regulations offer four options: the Public Benefit Option, the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC), the Developer's Real Estate Investment Option and the Private Real Estate Sale Investment Option. Applications go through an Authorised Agent, never directly to the Citizenship Unit. The Basseterre High School Public Benefit Option supports reconstruction of classrooms, laboratories, workshops and community facilities.
On the Public Benefit Option, the US$250,000 contribution is paid after approval in principle and covers a family of up to four, including the government's post-approval application fee for that family (SRO No. 1 of 2026). Due diligence fees (US$10,000 for the main applicant and US$7,500 for each spouse or dependant aged 16 or over) and a US$250 processing fee per applicant are payable in addition. For a couple with two children under 16, the contribution, due diligence and processing fees come to US$268,500, before biometric enrolment and passport fees; see Costs below.
The SISC is a non-refundable US$250,000 contribution to the Federal Consolidated Fund for a family of up to four, paid within 90 days of approval in principle. It carries no post-approval application fee, so the same family also comes to US$268,500. The real estate options start at US$325,000, for a unit in an Approved Development or an approved condominium unit or share, and at US$600,000 for an approved single-family home. They add a US$25,000 post-approval application fee for a family of up to four, so the same family comes to US$368,500 on a US$325,000 property, before biometric enrolment and passport fees and the purchase costs, and the property must then be held for at least seven years.
Who it suits
May fit. May not.
St Kitts & Nevis suits applicants who want a second citizenship without relocating. The two lists show where it fits and where another program serves better.
May fit if you want
- Applicants who want to cover a spouse and up to two dependent children with one US$250,000 contribution, plus government fees.
- Families with unmarried, substantially supported children aged 18 to 29, or with parents aged 55 and over who live with and are fully supported by the main applicant, who want them included on the same application.
- Investors who want lifetime citizenship with no residence requirement at present and, on the Public Benefit Option or the SISC, no investment-holding period. The Citizenship Unit has announced a residence framework whose start date has not been set.
May not fit if you need
- Citizens of, and persons ordinarily resident in, Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Iraq, North Korea or Russia: they are excluded from the programme under the Citizenship by Investment (Exclusion) Order 2023 (SRO No. 27 of 2023).
- Applicants who want a contribution refunded, or the project behind it to generate a financial return: the regulations call the SISC non-refundable, and the official texts state no refund terms for the Public Benefit Option.
- Larger families who have not budgeted for per-dependant charges: on every route, each dependant beyond the four costs US$25,000 if under 18 and US$50,000 if 18 or older.
Qualifying routes
Available routes
Minimums differ materially by route, so there is no single universal figure. Amounts are indicative and confirmed with the authority before any engagement.
- Government contribution
$250,000
Basseterre High School PBO
Paid after approval in principle; covers a family of up to four, including the government's post-approval application fee. Due diligence, processing and biometric enrolment fees are additional; see Costs.
Lowest entry - Government contribution
$250,000
Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC)
A non-refundable contribution to the Federal Consolidated Fund, paid within 90 days of approval in principle. Covers a family of up to four, with no post-approval application fee; due diligence, processing and biometric enrolment fees are additional; see Costs.
Lowest entry - Real estate
$325,000
Developer's Real Estate Investment Option
Paid to the developer for a unit in an Approved Development, per main applicant. A US$25,000 post-approval application fee for a family of up to four is payable in addition, with the due diligence, processing and biometric enrolment fees, stamp duty and other purchase costs. The unit cannot be resold for seven years from the ownership document.
- Real estate
$325,000
Private Real Estate Sale Investment Option
From US$325,000 for an approved condominium unit or share in a real estate development, or US$600,000 for an approved single-family home, paid to the owner. A US$25,000 post-approval application fee for a family of up to four is payable in addition, with the due diligence, processing and biometric enrolment fees, stamp duty and other purchase costs. The property cannot be resold for seven years from the ownership document or the certificate of registration, whichever is later.
What it costs
St Kitts and Nevis citizenship costs
What the program costs beyond the qualifying investment, item by item.
Qualifying investment
From $250,000
Basseterre High School PBO or Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC) · other routes from $325,000
- Holding period
- Real estate routes: a developer unit cannot be resold until seven years after the document that registers the main applicant as its owner, and approved private real estate until seven years after that document or the certificate of registration, whichever is later. A sale to another citizenship applicant needs a further approval: for a developer unit, Approved Private Real Estate status; for private real estate, the Federal Cabinet satisfied that substantial further investment was made in the property. The regulations set no holding period for the contribution routes.
What the investment covers
- Basseterre High School Public Benefit Option contribution
- Covers a main applicant alone, with a spouse and up to two dependants, or with up to three dependants. The government's US$25,000 post-approval application fee for that family is deducted from the US$250,000 (SRO No. 1 of 2026). Paid after approval in principle.
- Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC)
- Covers a main applicant alone, with a spouse and up to two dependants, or with up to three dependants; each further dependant adds US$25,000 if under 18 and US$50,000 if 18 or older (SRO No. 20 of 2024, regulation 21(2)). Non-refundable and paid within 90 days of approval in principle (regulation 21(6)). No post-approval application fee applies to this route, so the household figures are the same as on the Public Benefit Option.
- Developer's Real Estate Investment Option
- US$325,000 paid to the developer for a unit in an Approved Development (SRO No. 20 of 2024, regulation 20(12), as amended by SRO No. 43 of 2024), plus the US$25,000 post-approval application fee for a family of up to four (SRO No. 1 of 2026). For a couple with two children under 16, US$368,500 with the due diligence and processing fees, before biometric enrolment and passport fees, stamp duty and other purchase costs.
- Private Real Estate Sale Investment Option
- US$325,000 for an approved condominium unit or share in a real estate development, or US$600,000 for an approved single-family home (SRO No. 20 of 2024, regulation 22(10), as amended by SRO No. 43 of 2024), plus the US$25,000 post-approval application fee for a family of up to four (SRO No. 1 of 2026), stamp duty and other purchase costs.
Costs beyond the investment
- Additional dependant under 18 (beyond the four included)US$25,000 for each dependant under 18 beyond the family of four, on every route: a post-approval application fee on the Public Benefit Option and the real estate routes (SRO No. 1 of 2026), an additional contribution on the SISC (SRO No. 20 of 2024, regulation 21(2)).$25,000
- Additional dependant aged 18 or older (beyond the four included)US$50,000 for each dependant aged 18 or older beyond the family of four, on every route: a post-approval application fee on the Public Benefit Option and the real estate routes (SRO No. 1 of 2026), an additional contribution on the SISC (SRO No. 20 of 2024, regulation 21(2)).$50,000
- Due diligence fee: main applicantSRO No. 20 of 2024, regulation 24(4).$10,000
- Due diligence fee: spouseUS$7,500 for each spouse or dependant aged 16 or over (SRO No. 20 of 2024, regulation 24(4)).$7,500
- Due diligence fee: each dependant aged 18 or overUS$7,500 for each spouse or dependant aged 16 or over (SRO No. 20 of 2024, regulation 24(4)).$7,500
- Due diligence fee: each child aged 16 or 17US$7,500 for each child aged 16 or 17; no due diligence fee is listed for a younger child (SRO No. 20 of 2024, regulation 24(4)). A child who turns 16 before approval in principle also undergoes the due diligence check (regulation 24(1)).
- Application processing fee: main applicantUS$250 per applicant (SRO No. 20 of 2024, regulation 25).$250
- Application processing fee: spouseUS$250 per applicant (SRO No. 20 of 2024, regulation 25).$250
- Application processing fee: each dependant under 18US$250 per applicant (SRO No. 20 of 2024, regulation 25).$250
- Application processing fee: each dependant aged 18 or overUS$250 per applicant (SRO No. 20 of 2024, regulation 25).$250
- Biometric enrolment and passport feesBiometric enrolment is mandatory for every application submitted from 14 April 2026 and can be booked once approval in principle is granted. The Citizenship Unit publishes the enrolment fees, which it says also cover the passport; they are not included in the totals here. Citizenship is granted, and a certificate of registration issued; the Citizenship Unit says a passport can then be applied for.
Professional fees are quoted individually after eligibility review. Government fees change without notice; every figure is verified before engagement.
Qualifying investment
From $250,000
Basseterre High School PBO or Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC) · other routes from $325,000
- Holding period
- Real estate routes: a developer unit cannot be resold until seven years after the document that registers the main applicant as its owner, and approved private real estate until seven years after that document or the certificate of registration, whichever is later. A sale to another citizenship applicant needs a further approval: for a developer unit, Approved Private Real Estate status; for private real estate, the Federal Cabinet satisfied that substantial further investment was made in the property. The regulations set no holding period for the contribution routes.
- Basseterre High School Public Benefit Option contribution
- Covers a main applicant alone, with a spouse and up to two dependants, or with up to three dependants. The government's US$25,000 post-approval application fee for that family is deducted from the US$250,000 (SRO No. 1 of 2026). Paid after approval in principle.
- Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC)
- Covers a main applicant alone, with a spouse and up to two dependants, or with up to three dependants; each further dependant adds US$25,000 if under 18 and US$50,000 if 18 or older (SRO No. 20 of 2024, regulation 21(2)). Non-refundable and paid within 90 days of approval in principle (regulation 21(6)). No post-approval application fee applies to this route, so the household figures are the same as on the Public Benefit Option.
- Developer's Real Estate Investment Option
- US$325,000 paid to the developer for a unit in an Approved Development (SRO No. 20 of 2024, regulation 20(12), as amended by SRO No. 43 of 2024), plus the US$25,000 post-approval application fee for a family of up to four (SRO No. 1 of 2026). For a couple with two children under 16, US$368,500 with the due diligence and processing fees, before biometric enrolment and passport fees, stamp duty and other purchase costs.
- Private Real Estate Sale Investment Option
- US$325,000 for an approved condominium unit or share in a real estate development, or US$600,000 for an approved single-family home (SRO No. 20 of 2024, regulation 22(10), as amended by SRO No. 43 of 2024), plus the US$25,000 post-approval application fee for a family of up to four (SRO No. 1 of 2026), stamp duty and other purchase costs.
- Additional dependant under 18 (beyond the four included)US$25,000 for each dependant under 18 beyond the family of four, on every route: a post-approval application fee on the Public Benefit Option and the real estate routes (SRO No. 1 of 2026), an additional contribution on the SISC (SRO No. 20 of 2024, regulation 21(2)).$25,000
- Additional dependant aged 18 or older (beyond the four included)US$50,000 for each dependant aged 18 or older beyond the family of four, on every route: a post-approval application fee on the Public Benefit Option and the real estate routes (SRO No. 1 of 2026), an additional contribution on the SISC (SRO No. 20 of 2024, regulation 21(2)).$50,000
- Due diligence fee: main applicantSRO No. 20 of 2024, regulation 24(4).$10,000
- Due diligence fee: spouseUS$7,500 for each spouse or dependant aged 16 or over (SRO No. 20 of 2024, regulation 24(4)).$7,500
- Due diligence fee: each dependant aged 18 or overUS$7,500 for each spouse or dependant aged 16 or over (SRO No. 20 of 2024, regulation 24(4)).$7,500
- Due diligence fee: each child aged 16 or 17US$7,500 for each child aged 16 or 17; no due diligence fee is listed for a younger child (SRO No. 20 of 2024, regulation 24(4)). A child who turns 16 before approval in principle also undergoes the due diligence check (regulation 24(1)).
- Application processing fee: main applicantUS$250 per applicant (SRO No. 20 of 2024, regulation 25).$250
- Application processing fee: spouseUS$250 per applicant (SRO No. 20 of 2024, regulation 25).$250
- Application processing fee: each dependant under 18US$250 per applicant (SRO No. 20 of 2024, regulation 25).$250
- Application processing fee: each dependant aged 18 or overUS$250 per applicant (SRO No. 20 of 2024, regulation 25).$250
- Biometric enrolment and passport feesBiometric enrolment is mandatory for every application submitted from 14 April 2026 and can be booked once approval in principle is granted. The Citizenship Unit publishes the enrolment fees, which it says also cover the passport; they are not included in the totals here. Citizenship is granted, and a certificate of registration issued; the Citizenship Unit says a passport can then be applied for.
Professional fees are quoted individually after eligibility review. Government fees change without notice; every figure is verified before engagement.
| Single applicant | Couple | Family of fourTwo children under 18 |
|---|---|---|
| $260,250 + fees | $268,000 + fees | $268,500 + fees |
Priced on the route with the lowest stated minimum: Basseterre High School PBO or Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC).
Not a quotation. Figures are indicative and subject to verification.
Requirements
St Kitts and Nevis citizenship requirements
Who can apply is set by four rules on the applicant, background and qualification; the checklist lists five documents. Restrictions apply to six nationalities. A spouse, minor children, adult dependent children and parents can join the same application.
Who can apply
Applicant
- Principal applicant must be at least 18 years old.
- Attend a virtual interview and submit biometric information.The main applicant must attend an interview; dependants aged 16 or over may also be required to (ciu.gov.kn).
Background
- Hold no criminal record; the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) performs strict background checks and due diligence.
Qualification
- Possess sufficient financial resources to make the required contribution or investment, and document its lawful source.
Documents checklist
Family inclusion
Spouse
IncludedMinor children
IncludedAge limitUnder 18
Adult dependent children
IncludedAge limit18 to 29 (any age with a qualifying disability)
Unmarried children aged 18 to 29 who are substantially supported by the main applicant or the spouse; children of any age with a qualifying mental or physical disability.
Parents
IncludedAge limit55 and over
Parents of the main applicant or the spouse, aged 55 and over, who live with and are fully supported by the main applicant.
Nationality restrictions. Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Russia
How it works
How to apply for St Kitts and Nevis citizenship
The application runs in four steps. Derived from official figures, the timeline is 4 months or more end to end; it is not a published total.
Application and eligibility verification
Through an Authorised Agent, submit the application with the supporting documents and the due diligence and processing fees.
Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU)
Due diligence and virtual interview
The Citizenship Unit assesses the file and conducts background checks.
Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU)
- Duration
- Approval in principle in 120 to 180 days, per the Citizenship Unit (1 October 2026).
Approval in principle and payment
Pay the contribution, or complete the property purchase, and the remaining fees, and provide biometric information.
Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU)
- Duration
- Within 90 days of approval in principle (SRO No. 20 of 2024, regulations 20(19), 21(6), 22(17) and 23(15)).
Certificate of registration
Once all conditions are met, citizenship is granted, and a certificate of registration issued. The Citizenship Unit says a passport can then be applied for.
Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU)
- Derived from official figures, end to end
- 4 months or more
Alternatives
Compared with alternatives
How St Kitts & Nevis compares with two citizenship-by-investment programs: Antigua & Barbuda from $230,000 and Argentina from $350,000.
This program
St Kitts & Nevis Citizenship
- From
- $250,000
- Timeline
- 4 months or more
- Family
- Spouse + children + parents
You are here
Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship
- From
- $230,000
- Timeline
- Variable
- Family
- Spouse + children + parents + dependents
Argentina Citizenship
- From
- $350,000
- Timeline
- Variable
- Family
- Spouse + children
Questions
Program FAQ
Short answers to six questions about St Kitts & Nevis Citizenship.
Yes. Citizenship is lifetime and permanent, and fully allows dual citizenship.
Zero personal income, estate, inheritance or capital gains tax, with no restriction on repatriating profits.
Not the Sustainable Island State Contribution: the regulations call it non-refundable. The Public Benefit Option's US$250,000 is paid only after the Citizenship Unit grants approval in principle; the official texts state no refund terms for it, so confirm them with the Citizenship Unit before you pay.
No, not through this programme. Citizens of, and persons ordinarily resident in, Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Iraq, North Korea and Russia are excluded from the programme under the Citizenship by Investment (Exclusion) Order 2023 (SRO No. 27 of 2023).
Not at present: the Citizenship Unit states that there are no mandatory residency requirements to maintain citizenship once granted. It has announced a “genuine link” requirement that includes structured physical presence and residency (Chairman's update, December 2025). The start of any residence requirement has not been set: it depends on a regional regulatory authority becoming operational and on the participating Member States agreeing and communicating the date (Citizenship Unit, 30 September 2026).
From US$250,000. The Public Benefit Option and the Sustainable Island State Contribution each cost US$250,000 for a family of up to four, the first including its post-approval fee; real estate starts at US$325,000, or US$600,000 for a single-family home, plus a US$25,000 post-approval fee for that family. Every route adds due diligence fees (US$10,000 for the main applicant, US$7,500 for each spouse or dependant aged 16 or over) and US$250 processing per applicant: for a couple with two children under 16, US$268,500 on either contribution and US$368,500 on a US$325,000 property, before biometric enrolment and passport fees and, on a property, stamp duty and other purchase costs. Each further dependant adds US$25,000 if under 18, US$50,000 if 18 or older.
Sources
Official sources
Checked against official sources on .
- SRO No. 1 of 2026: Saint Christopher and Nevis Citizenship by Substantial Investment (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
- SRO No. 20 of 2024: Saint Christopher and Nevis Citizenship by Substantial Investment Regulations, 2024 (opens in a new tab)
- SRO No. 43 of 2024: Saint Christopher and Nevis Citizenship by Substantial Investment (Amendment) Regulations, 2024 (opens in a new tab)
- SRO No. 27 of 2023: Saint Christopher and Nevis Citizenship By Investment (Exclusion) Order, 2023 (opens in a new tab)
- Citizenship by Investment Unit: Public Benefit Option (its list of post-approval fees predates SRO No. 1 of 2026) (opens in a new tab)
- Citizenship by Investment Unit: Sustainable Island State Contribution (opens in a new tab)
- Citizenship by Investment Unit: Developer's real estate investment (its list of post-approval fees predates SRO No. 1 of 2026) (opens in a new tab)
- Citizenship by Investment Unit: Private real estate investment (its list of post-approval fees predates SRO No. 1 of 2026) (opens in a new tab)
- Citizenship by Investment Unit: Application process (its processing estimate predates the Citizenship Unit's figures of 1 October 2026) (opens in a new tab)
- Citizenship by Investment Unit: Biometric enrolment (opens in a new tab)
- Citizenship by Investment Unit: news of 1 October 2026 on processing times (opens in a new tab)
- Citizenship by Investment Unit: Chairman's update, December 2025 (opens in a new tab)
- Citizenship by Investment Unit: news of 30 September 2026 on the residence framework (opens in a new tab)
Next step
Have your eligibility reviewed before you commit.
A specialist checks your profile against the current rules, confirms the right route and quotes the full cost picture. No documents are collected at this stage.
- Program: St Kitts & Nevis Citizenship, included automatically