St Kitts and Nevis vs Dominica Passport Guide 2024

A second passport can be a great asset for international investors and their families. It brings many benefits, such as increased global mobility, attractive tax regimes, and lucrative investments. If you are looking to acquire dual citizenship, the Caribbean countries offer attractive citizenship by investment (CBI) programs. In just a few months and in exchange for an affordable investment, you can acquire a Caribbean passport. But how do you choose among all these valuable citizenships? This St Kitts and Nevis vs Dominica citizenship guide highlights the main differences between these two Caribbean passports.

Benefits of St Kitts and Nevis and Dominica Passport

St Kitts and Nevis vs Dominica Passport: At a Glance

Qualifying investment for Dominica

EDF minimum donation:
$200,000 (single applicant) / $250,000 (family of four)
Real estate:
$200,000 minimum investment
Investment routes: Economic Diversification Fund, real estate

Qualifying investment for St Kitts and Nevis

SISC minimum donation:
$250,000 (single applicant) / $250,000 (family of four)
Real estate:
$400,000 minimum investment
Public Benefit Option (PBO):
$250,000 non-refundable contribution
Investment routes: Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC), real estate, Public Benefit Option

St Kitts and Nevis Passport by Investment

The St Kitts and Nevis passport ranks 53rd on the Global Passport Index and is undeniably one of the best Caribbean passports to have. Obtaining citizenship from this Caribbean nation offers you several benefits, such as visa free travel to over 150 countries worldwide, including the European Union, the United Kingdom, and many more. Holders of the St. Nevis passport also benefit from a very favorable tax regime as there is no income, inheritance, or gift tax.

The country’s Citizenship by Investment program is the longest-running of all Caribbean citizenship programs, having been launched in 1984. Without a doubt, this is a solid program and is highly sought-after. As the oldest CBI program, it is a benchmark for citizenship programs and has maintained its reliability and integrity by continually updating and improving its requirements and processes. For an investment starting at $250,000, investors and their families are able to obtain a passport in just four months. Fast, reliable, and relatively affordable, this immigration scheme has been a true success, greatly contributing to boosting the country’s economy.

Dominica Passport by Investment

The Dominica passport ranks 78th on the Global Passport Index, granting visa free access to over 140 countries worldwide, including the EU Schengen area, Russia, China, Singapore, and Hong Kong – and also provides citizens with great tax benefits as there is no wealth, gift, inheritance, or capital gains tax in Dominica. Due to the Dominican government’s immigration-friendly policy with many Dominica visa options to choose from, there’s already a favorable climate for immigrant investors in place. The citizenship by investment program allows investors and their families to obtain citizenship in three months, in exchange for an investment of at least $200,000.

If you are looking to maximize citizenship investment in terms of quality and price, then the Dominica passport by investment is an excellent choice. Dominica has been voted the best country for citizenship by investment by the CBI Index for the fourth time in a row. Why? It is the cheapest CBI scheme available, its application requirements are very flexible, and the program offers the opportunity for family inclusion.

Which one to pick?

Overall, passports from both Caribbean countries provide investors with excellent benefits such as a short application time, favorable tax regimes, flexible residence rules and application requirements, as well as the inclusion of family members in the application. There are more advantages in terms of ease of travel with St Kitts and Nevis vs Dominica passport; however, Dominica offers access to strategic visa free countries.

St Kitts and Nevis’ investment program was the most in-demand just a year ago, with citizens able to travel visa free to over 150 countries, including the UK. However, Dominica signed a visa waiver agreement with China, which helped to boost the popularity of its CBI program.

So, the final choice depends on what your priorities are. Are you looking for the most affordable program for a single applicant? Or are you looking for a second passport for the whole family, including siblings? Is it important to have visa free access to a specific country, like China?

Global mobility

If you are looking for international mobility, the St Kitts and Nevis passport ranks 53rd in the Passport Index compared to 78th for the Dominica passport. Foreign nationals with St Kitts and Nevis or Dominica passports can visit at least 140 destinations without a visa. The first passport has 153 visa free countries compared to 146 with the second one. Dominicans can enter China for up to 30 days visa free, which is rare. However, St Kitts and Nevis citizens can travel visa free to the UK and all EU countries, including Ireland.

Cost

There’s a substantial difference in the cost of St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment vs Dominica. If you are applying as a single person, Dominica’s CBI program is much more affordable. The starting investment is a $200,000 non-refundable contribution to the country’s Economic Diversification Fund (EDF), compared to $250,000 for Saint Kitts. Both programs have the same investment requirement of $250,000 for a family application with up to four people.

Processing times

Regarding the Caribbean passport processing times for a Dominica vs St Kitts passport, both citizenship by investment programs offer fast turnaround times to issue Caribbean passports, with little variation between the two programs.

The timeline for obtaining St Kitts and Nevis vs Dominica citizenship is within 12 months to grant a Caribbean passport. Through the Dominica economic citizenship program it’s six to nine months and for successful applicants of the St Kitts citizenship program, it’s 12 months to obtain Caribbean citizenship and a second passport.

Second passports for family

If you want to include your family members, there is a difference between St Kitts and Dominica’s passport program: The minimum donation for a family of four is $250,000 for both citizenship programs. And if you choose to make a non-refundable contribution to a Public Benefit Project pre-approved by the government of the St Kitts, the total amount is $250,000. Also, St Kitts is now less inclusive regarding dependents: Parents can be included only if they are over 65, and siblings and grandparents are no longer eligible. Dominica announced in September 2022 that it would no longer accept the inclusion of siblings in applications, and parents and grandparents must be over 65.

Return on investment

There are similarities in St Kitts vs Dominica citizenship investment opportunities, with both offering the option to make non-refundable contributions or real estate investment. If you prefer a route that allows you to see a return on your investment, then the real estate investment option is for you. The St Kitts citizenship program allows you to sell your investment in a government-approved real estate development after seven years, while the Dominica citizenship program allows you to sell it after five years.

Tax considerations

Tax is an important consideration and the tax advantages of St Kitts and Nevis citizenship vs Dominica highlight some essential factors, particularly for investors looking to diversify their asset portfolios. Both countries utilize the Eastern Caribbean Dollar as their official currency.

In St Kitts, tax exemptions for citizens and residents include no requirement to pay tax on personal income locally or internationally sourced personal income.

In Dominica, taxpayers are entitled to deductions on their personal income tax. In St Kitts, there is also no tax levied on the purchase of real estate, while in Dominica, you will pay a rate of 10.5 percent. Property owners in St Kitts pay between 0.4 and 0.96 percent tax, while in Dominica, they pay between zero and 1.25 percent. For seniors considering St Kitts and Nevis and Dominica taxes, social contributions sit at a rate of five percent in St Kitts and six percent in Dominica.

As you can see, the choice depends on personal circumstances. Both nations offer pathways to second citizenship through their respective citizenship by investment programs, each with its own set of advantages and considerations. St Kitts and Nevis boasts a longer history in the program and an attractive tourism industry, while Dominica stands out for its affordability and commitment to sustainability. By carefully considering your financial means, travel objectives, and personal preferences, you will discover the citizenship opportunity that best aligns with your goals, securing your future in the Caribbean and beyond. If you would like bespoke information and advice, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Why use Global Citizen Solutions?

Global Citizen Solutions is a multidisciplinary firm offering bespoke residence and citizenship solutions in Europe and the Caribbean. In a world where the economy and politics are unpredictable, having a second citizenship opens up opportunities and creates flexibility for you and your family.

So, why work with Global Citizen Solutions to obtain Caribbean citizenship?

• Global approach by local experts: We are corporate members of the Investment Migration Council, with local expertise in all five Caribbean CBI programs.
• 100 percent approval rate: We have never had a case rejected and will offer you an initial, free-of-charge, due diligence assessment before signing any contract.
• Independent service and full transparency: We will present to you all the investment options available, and all expenses will be discussed in advance, with no hidden fees.
• An all-encompassing solution: A multidisciplinary team of immigration lawyers, investment specialists, and tax experts will take into consideration all your and your family's mobility, tax, and lifestyle needs.
• Confidential service and secure data management: All private data is stored within a GDPR-compliant database on a secure SSL-encrypted server.

Don’t forget to check our other Caribbean comparison articles:

• Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Comparison Guide
• St Lucia vs Dominica Citizenship 
• Grenada vs St Kitts Citizenship
• Grenada vs St Lucia Citizenship
• St Kitts vs St Lucia Citizenship
• Grenada vs Dominica Citizenship
• Antigua vs St Lucia Citizenship
• Antigua vs St Kitts Citizenship
• Antigua vs Grenada Citizenship
• Antigua vs Dominica Citizenship

Frequently Asked Questions About St Kitts and Nevis vs Dominica Passport

How can I get the St Kitts and Nevis passport?

Thanks to the country’s Citizenship by Investment program, you and your family can obtain a St Kitts passport in just four months in exchange for a minimum investment of $250,000. All applications are processed by the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit and must pass stringent due diligence checks. In addition to the minimum contribution or investment, applicants must pay government fees.

How can I get the Dominica passport?

You can obtain a Dominica passport by applying to the Dominica economic citizenship. In exchange for an investment of at least $200,000 for a single person or $250,000 for a family of four, you can get a Dominica passport in three months’ time. All applications are processed by the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Unit and applicants aged 16 and older must partake in mandatory virtual interviews. The required government fees are not included in the minimum investment amount.

Saint Kitts and Nevis vs Dominica passport: which one to choose?

Each passport has major benefits, offering different priorities. St Kitts and Nevis offers the best Caribbean citizenship for passport power, with foreign investors enhancing their global mobility, while the Dominica passport is the cheapest passport by investment in the Caribbean.

Which passport is better Dominica or St Kitts?

The St Kitts passport is the best Caribbean passport available through Caribbean citizenship programs, ranking 53rd on the Global Passport Index compared to the Dominica passport’s ranking of 78th.

What is the validity of St Kitts and Nevis & Dominica passports?

Both St Kitts and Nevis and Dominica passports are valid for ten years for adults and five years for children under 16 years old.

Are there any residency requirements for citizenship by investment in St Kitts and Nevis and Dominica?

Neither St Kitts and Nevis nor Dominica’s citizenship program require applicants to maintain residency to qualify. The only requirement is to attend an interview during the citizenship application process; however, this can be conducted virtually.