The best Citizenship by Investment Programme in the world
St Kitts and Nevis has taken the coveted top spot of the CBI Index! This year, the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Programme beat the 11 other nations with active CBI programmes: Antigua and Barbuda, Austria, Cambodia, Dominica, Egypt, Grenada, Jordan, Malta, Saint Lucia, Türkiye and Vanuatu.
What is Citizenship by Investment?
Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programmes offer applicants the opportunity to obtain citizenship in a country in exchange for an investment into that country’s economy. There are a few countries that offer these programmes the world over, each with its own set of application criteria and investment requirements. Each countries’ CBI programme offers a unique set of benefits.
Which countries offer CBI programmes?
Today, more than twenty countries have had CBI programmes. Active CBI programmes include, the ‘Caribbean Five’ (Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Saint Lucia), as well as Austria, Cambodia, Egypt, Jordan, Malta, Turkey, and Vanuatu.
More about the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Programme
The beautiful twin-island Federation of St Kitts and Nevis lies in the Caribbean Sea. It is home to pristine beaches and mountain tops that almost reach the sky. The nation is made up of two Caribbean islands – rich in West African culture.
The St Kitts and Nevis CBI Programme is one of the main pillars of the economic development of the twin-island Federation. It has generated substantial benefit to the people of the nation over the years.
As pioneers of the CBI industry, St Kitts and Nevis remains a top destination for individuals seeking alternative citizenship from a trusted and reputable country. The islands launched its CBI Programme in 1984 and it has since been consistently ranked as the world’s best programme by the CBI Index.
A Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) made up of efficient and focused experts ensure that the CBI Programme increases processing efficiency as well as accuracy. Simultaneously, strict due diligence processes ensure that only investors of the highest calibre are accepted.
Benefits of St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment
Successful applicants to the St Kitts and Nevis CBI Programme have access to a huge range of benefits including:
- A fair tax regime, with no worldwide income, inheritance or gift tax for tax residents.
- Citizenship for life, with the right to live and work in the country.
- The ability to pass on citizenship to future generations.
CBI Options under the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Programme
The St Kitts and Nevis Programme offers four CBI options:
- making a Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC) to the Federal Consolidated Fund;
- making a real estate investment in an Approved Development;
- purchasing an Approved Private Home;
- making a contribution to an Approved Public Benefit Project
Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC)
Make a sustainable contribution to the country through the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC). Subsequently, the SISC is used to support the economic and social development of St Kitts and Nevis, whilst providing discerning investors the benefit of citizenship. The legally prescribed minimum contribution for a single applicant is US$250,000 and is payable to the Federal Consolidated Fund.
Developer’s Real Estate Investment Options
A trusted and strategic diversification strategy for your portfolio. Discerning investors may apply for citizenship through the purchasing of a designated real estate unit of an Approved Development.
The minimum real estate investment in an Approved Development is US$400,000 (resaleable after seven years) for each main applicant.
Private Home Sales
Applicants may qualify for citizenship through an investment in an Approved Private Home. All homes having an appraised value of at least US$400,000.
Applicants may qualify for citizenship through a purchase of an Approved Private Home. The minimum investment designated as an Approved Private Home is US$400,000 for a condominium or US$800,000 for a single-family private dwelling home.
Public Benefit Option
The Public Benefit Option provides the Government with the means of achieving its capital investment goals without having to endure the drawbacks associated with the use of its existing limited resources or from taking on additional debt.
Under the Public Benefit Option, each main applicant is required to make a minimum investment of US$250,000 in an Approved Public Benefit Project. This is to be paid to the relevant Approved Public Benefactor.
5 step application process
For successful applicants, the St Kitts and Nevis CBI application process is made up of five main steps:
- Choose your Authorised Agent.
- Complete your application.
- Background checks.
- Make your contribution or investment.
- Get citizenship.
CBI Index
The CBI Index is a means of classifying the performance and appeal of various CBI programmes across a diverse range of indicators and measures.
The Caribbean nations of St Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia and Antigua and Barbuda took the top five spots in the 2023 CBI Index. This indicates once again that the Caribbean has the most attractive CBI programmes in the world.
Despite global industry-wide challenges, St Kitts and Nevis took first place at 86 per cent and scored top marks in almost all pillars, cementing itself once again as a leader in the industry. St Kitts and Nevis got full marks for Mandatory Travel or Residence, Ease of Processing, Due Diligence and Certainty of Product. There is a maximum of ten points scored across each of the nine pillars.
