St. Kitts and Nevis runs a citizenship-by-investment program established in 1984. You obtain citizenship and a passport by making a qualifying contribution or buying approved real estate. The program is managed by the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) under the Citizenship Unit Act 2024.
Read this first. In June 2026 the European Commission formally asked the Eastern Caribbean countries that operate investor-citizenship programs to phase them out by 1 June 2028. Under the EU’s revised visa-suspension mechanism, running such a program is itself a ground for suspending visa-free travel to the Schengen area. The governments say their programs will continue, but the outlook is uncertain and the benefit most investors want, visa-free travel, is what is at stake.
The investment options
| Option | Minimum (US$) | What the CIU states |
|---|---|---|
| Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC) | 250,000 | For a main applicant or a family of up to four; supports national development priorities such as renewable energy, healthcare and education |
| Developer’s real estate | 325,000 | A unit in an Approved Development |
| Private real estate | 600,000 | Purchase of an exclusive private property |
| Public Benefit Option | 250,000 | Contribution to Approved Public Benefit Projects that foster economic growth and job creation |
Holding periods for the real estate options are set in the program’s rules and are not shown on the options page; we confirm them for the specific property before you commit.
Dependants and government fees (SISC)
- Additional dependants: US$25,000 each if under 18 and US$50,000 each if 18 or over.
- Due diligence: US$10,000 for the main applicant and US$7,500 for each dependant aged 16 or over.
- Application and other fees are set in the CIU’s fee schedule; we give you a complete written estimate before you start.
How the process works
- The main applicant must attend an interview (virtual, in person in St. Kitts and Nevis, or at another location the Board approves); dependants aged 16 or over may also be required to attend.
- The CIU says it will advise within 120–180 days of acknowledging a submitted application whether it is approved in principle, denied, or delayed for cause.
- The CIU lists no mandatory travel or residency requirement among the program’s benefits.
What to weigh before investing
- Visa-free access to the EU. This is the main reason many investors consider a Caribbean passport, and it is exactly what the European Commission has put in question.
- Your home country’s rules. Whether you may hold a second nationality depends on your country, not on St. Kitts and Nevis.
- Costs beyond the headline. Fees and contributions for dependants change the total considerably; ask for the full schedule for your family.
How GoldPassports helps
We compare the St. Kitts and Nevis options with the other Caribbean programs and the European residence programs for your situation, explain the regulatory risk plainly, and, as an authorised agent, handle the application for you.
Frequently asked questions
How much does St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship cost?
The CIU lists a Sustainable Island State Contribution of US$250,000 for a main applicant or a family of up to four. Real estate options start at US$325,000 (approved development) and US$600,000 (private property). Due diligence and other government fees are additional.
What does it cost to add more family members?
Under the SISC, each additional dependant under 18 costs US$25,000 and each aged 18 or over US$50,000. Due diligence is US$7,500 for each dependant aged 16 or over.
Do I have to live in St. Kitts and Nevis?
The CIU lists no mandatory travel or residency requirements among the program's benefits.
How long does it take?
The CIU says it will advise within 120–180 days of acknowledging a submission whether the application is approved in principle, denied or delayed for cause.
Is there an interview?
Yes. The main applicant must attend an interview, which can be virtual or in person; dependants aged 16 or over may also be required to attend.
Is the program at risk?
In June 2026 the European Commission formally asked the Eastern Caribbean countries running investor-citizenship programs to phase them out by 1 June 2028, and the EU's revised visa-suspension mechanism treats such programs as a ground for suspending visa-free travel. The governments say their programs continue.
Related updates
- Are the Caribbean citizenship-by-investment programs closing? What the EU has asked for 17 Oct 2026
- Which golden visas and citizenship-by-investment programs are still open in 2026? 17 Oct 2026
Official sources
Figures on this page come from the sources below and were last verified on 16 October 2026. Rules change; always confirm the current position before investing.
- St. Kitts and Nevis CIU: Sustainable Island State Contribution
- St. Kitts and Nevis CIU: Citizenship by Investment options
- St. Kitts and Nevis CIU: Frequently asked questions
- Government of Antigua and Barbuda: response to the European Commission communication on CBI (6 July 2026)
- European Commission: Eighth report under the Visa Suspension Mechanism (COM(2025) 792)
