St Kitts and Nevis, two tiny gems separated by a narrow band of blue Caribbean Sea, offer some of the most exclusive hideaways in the world. One of the earliest of the Caribbean islands to be populated, Nevis was known for decades as the Queen of the Caribbees, a sugar-rich jewel in the crown of the British Empire.
Together, they are the smallest nation both by land mass and population in the whole of the Americas, an exclusive retreat in the New World that has enchanted poets, painters and princesses over the centuries. Brice Marden, perhaps America's most famous abstract artist, owns a dramatically restored plantation hotel on Nevis, and it is where Princess Diana found peace in the immediate aftermath of her divorce. Alexander Hamilton, one of America's Founding Fathers, was born on Nevis, and it is the island where the Romantic poets Coleridge and Wordsworth dreamed of settling.
Today, St Kitts is the more boisterous of the two islands, with Christophe Marina providing safe harbour for super yachts, and a strip dripping in the glitz and glamour of luxury stores and nightclubs.
Just a few minutes away by speedboat across The Narrows lies Nevis, the single peak of its volcano gently shrouded in the cloud that gave the island her name. Here, the sunsets, mango season and white-sand beaches dictate the rhythms of life.
In recent news, the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) recorded an 18.82 percent increase in revenue for 2022 compared to 2021, an indicator that Nevis’ economy is on the rebound post-Covid-19.
Citizenship by Investment (CBI). As the oldest CBI program in the world, it is regarded as the Platinum Standard, a level the country has maintained by constantly adapting to a changing world. It is one of the world's most accessible and successful CBI programs.
The revenue generated by the program accounts for a large portion on the country’s GDP. Considering this, changes have been made to the program in 2023 to make it as appealing as possible for investors looking for intriguing new options.
The Citizenship by Investment program can be broken down into three categories, the Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF), the Real Estate Option (REO), and the Public Benefit Option (PBO).
Why would anyone want to become the citizen of a stunning island nation? In addition to the obvious benefits of the laid-back lifestyle – the program also entitle members to:
The SGF was establish in March 2018. It is a fund that is controlled by the government of St. Kitts and Nevis and provides the revenue needed;
The fees ($USD) associated with this option are as follows,
From January 1, 2023 until June 30, 2023, the Limited Time Offer (LTO)
• $125,000 for main applicant
• $150,000 for main applicant and spouse
• $170,000 for main applicant and up to three dependents
• $10,000 for each additional dependent under 18 years of age
• $25,000 for each additional dependent 18 years or older
Applications submitted under the LTO will qualify for the Accelerated Application Process, with a shortened processing time from 90 days to 60 days, at no additional cost.
The standard due diligence fees for applications submitted under the LTO are;
After June 30, 2023 the fees associated with this option are;
• $150,000 for main applicant
• $175,000 for main applicant and spouse
• $195,000 for main applicant and up to three dependents
• $10,000 for each additional dependent under 18 years of age
• $25,000 for each additional dependent 18 years or older
The Accelerated Application Processing fee after June 30, 2023 are;
The due diligence fees after June 30, 2023 for the Accelerated Application Process are;
The REO has two investment categories. The first are properties within an approved development and the second are private homes. The properties in both categories may be a condominium or a home. The minimum investment level is $400,000 and the property can be sold after 5 years of the issuance of the formal document conferring legal ownership of the property to the main applicant.
However, purchasing a share of a company that own a condominium or a home only apply to properties within an approved development. The minimum investment level is $200,000 and the share can be sold after 7 years of the issuance of the formal document conferring legal ownership of the share to the main applicant.
Once approval in principle is granted, the following government fee are applicable;
The standard due diligence fee are;
The Accelerated Application Processing fees are;
The due diligence fees for the Accelerated Application Process are;
St. Kitts and Nevis has an enticing range of real estate options, from the clean, crisp lines of stylized new-builds to the quaint, colourful charm of classic Caribbean gingerbread retreats, to the unique draw of former plantations and enchanting sugar mills.
The Public Benefit Option allows an investor to determine the specific project he or she wishes to contribute to. The requirement for an approved project under this option are;
Under the PBO, a minimum donation of US$175,000 is required to be made per each CBI application to an Approved Public Benefactor. This option replaced the Alternative Investment Option.
The standard due diligence fees for applications submitted under the PBO are;
The Accelerated Application Processing fees are;
The due diligence fees for the Accelerated Application Process are;
The above is for information only and does not form part of a contract or guarantee. All applications must be processed by an approved agent in St Kitts or Nevis and we are able to provide a list of those firms able to provide this service. The list of approved projects in the Citizenship by Investment program offers many different types of properties including villas, condominiums, luxury Resort communities, beach front apartments and land for construction.
Contact us for further details:
Office: +1 869 469 1120
Wayne Tyson: +1 869 662 1120