October marks a major milestone for the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) of St. Kitts and Nevis: the conclusion of its first year as a statutory body. To commemorate this achievement, activities will be held across the Federation, including a team celebration, community events, and the launch of a new Micro CBI Grant, which will provide sustainable finance for up to 25 small businesses. This grant represents the CIU’s commitment to ensuring that the success of the Citizenship by Investment Programme has a direct impact on the lives and livelihoods of citizens.
Building on transformation
The CIU’s transformation into a statutory body in October 2024 marked the beginning of a new era for the Programme. A new Board of Governors was elected, and the leadership team was redefined with seasoned global experts, bringing a stronger foundation of governance and oversight.
This transformation has been matched by structural reforms and strategic investments designed to create a unit that embodies integrity, transparency, and trust. Among the most significant policy changes were adjustments to minimum investment levels across Approved Developments, Private Real Estate, and single-family homes, ensuring that the Programme continues to remain competitive and aligned with international market conditions.
Another key reform was the introduction of enhanced anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) protocols. Partnering with a leading EU-based firm, the CIU reinforced its due diligence framework, ensuring that the Programme remains one of the most secure and well-regulated in the world.
Driving innovation
Over the past year, the CIU has delivered some of the most ambitious innovations in its history. The introduction of the Office of the Chairman has provided a centre of excellence within the Unit, focused on economic growth, strategic leadership, and customer service.
A new communications division was also established, ensuring accurate and timely information for stakeholders worldwide. The creation of a centralised hub for escalation management has further streamlined operations, while a series of cutting-edge digital tools have modernised application processing.
Chief among these innovations was the launch of Saturn, a digital platform that has redefined efficiency in processing applications. The integration of biometrics into the application process has also reinforced both security and modernisation, aligning St. Kitts and Nevis with global best practice.
A record of excellence
The results of these reforms and innovations have been both immediate and measurable. Within its first 100 days, the CIU recorded a 169% increase in applications, underscoring renewed global confidence in the Programme.
The Federation’s reputation has also been reinforced through international recognition. In 2025, St. Kitts and Nevis was once again ranked the world’s #1 Citizenship by Investment Programme in the CBI Index, for the 5th consecutive year. It was further recognised among the Top 5 CBI Programmes by Global Finance & Banking Review, received a positive assessment from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and earned two awards at the 2025 Citizenship Investment Summit: the Time-to-Citizenship Efficiency Award and the Heritage Excellence Award.
The CIU also demonstrated its global leadership through the Investment Gateway Summit 2025, which brought together 186 attendees including economic citizens, agents, and investors for meaningful dialogue on the future of investment migration.
Excellence in service
Service delivery has been at the heart of the CIU’s reforms. Over the past year, the Unit resolved thousands of legacy files, strengthening its reputation for efficiency and accountability. Processing times have been reduced to just 120 to 180 days for approval in principle, setting a new standard for responsiveness.
Engagement with stakeholders has also expanded. The CIU hosted the first-ever development session with Authorised Agents, held quarterly in-person meetings, and participated in 37 international events across five continents — resulting in over 2,855 individual engagements.
Enhanced oversight of investment projects has further aligned policy with execution, ensuring flawless delivery across sectors.