The Saint Kitts and Nevis passport is issued to citizens of Saint Kitts and Nevis for international travel. Prior to 1983, Saint Kitts and Nevis, together with Anguilla, was an associated state of the United Kingdom. The passport is a Caricom passport as Saint Kitts and Nevis is a member of the Caribbean Community. citizens of Saint Kitts and Nevis had visa-free or visa on arrival access (including eTAs) to 154 countries and territories.
Citizenship by investment program
In 1984, Saint Kitts and Nevis introduced an immigrant investor program, and , the country is the most popular place to acquire citizenship through investment, which includes the right to a passport. The minimum cost for a single applicant to acquire citizenship is US$250,000, with additional costs being levied for each eligible family member the applicant wishes to include.St. Kitts And Nevis Government Press Release. (2023, July 27). St Kitts and Nevis announces further monumental changes to its Citizenship by Investment Programme. St. Kitts And Nevis Government. Retrieved July 28, 2023, from https://ciu.gov.kn/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/SKN-Press-Release-SKN-CBI-July_2023_Final.pdf.https://web.archive.org/web/20230728095706/https://ciu.gov.kn/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/SKN-Press-Release-SKN-CBI-July_2023_Final.pdfSt. Kitts and Nevis Government. (2023, July 27). Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC). Ciu.Gov.Kn. Retrieved July 28, 2023, from https://ciu.gov.kn/investment-options/sustainable-island-state-contribution-sisc/.https://web.archive.org/web/20230728101553/https://ciu.gov.kn/investment-options/sustainable-island-state-contribution-sisc/ Applicants must complete a background and due diligence check process, as well as various other legal requirements. Once successfully vetted and granted citizenship, they can apply for a passport. There is no requirement to live in the country, although an interview is required as well as an eventual visit to the country (or embassy). Additionally, there is no tax on citizens' individual income (including capital gains).
In May 2014, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued a warning that St. Kitts and Nevis had granted passports to foreign individuals who had abused the Citizenship-by-Investment program sponsored "for the purpose of engaging in illicit financial activity." In November 2014, Canada announced it was requiring St. Kitts and Nevis citizens to obtain a visa from 22 November 2014, due to concerns about “identity management practices within its Citizenship by Investment program.” Following the announcement, the government of St. Kitts and Nevis initiated a recall on all biometric passports issued between January 2012 and July 2014, and replaced them with new passports which showed the holder's place of birth as well as any previous name changes. Canada subsequently reinstated visa-free (eTA) travel by air for any St. Kitts and Nevis citizens who have either held a Canadian visa within 10 years prior to their arrival, or who currently hold a valid United States non-immigrant visa. The US government formally rescinded its FinCEN notice in February, 2026. Original: http://www.fincen.gov/statutes_regs/guidance/html/FIN-2014-A004.html Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20260311163833/https://www.fincen.gov/resources/advisories/fincen-advisory-fin-2014-a004
The St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship-by-Investment program is one of the longest-standing programs of its kind in the world. The country opened its doors to foreign investors in 1984. Since then, they have continued to offer their citizenship to those that are qualified and who have donated a significant amount of capital into the economy. St. Kitts and Nevis also offers a fast-track service to clients, including the issuance of passports which previously had been subject to lengthy delays.
Visa requirements
As of 23 August 2024, citizens of Saint Kitts and Nevis had visa-free or visa on arrival access (including eTAs) to 157 countries and territories, ranking the Saint Kitts and Nevis passport 23rd.
See also CARICOM passport Anguillan passport Visa requirements for Saint Kitts and Nevis citizens
References
External links
Citizenship by Investment from the Office of the Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis