St Kitts and Nevis Passport Program: The Ultimate Guide

A St Kitts and Nevis passport is powerful, allowing visa free travel to more than 150 countries, including the European Union, the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Russia. It’s possible to obtain this passport through the country’s citizenship by investment program by investing a minimum of $250,000.

From advantages to procedures and requirements, this article tells you everything you need to know about obtaining a passport in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Key Facts about the St Kitts and Nevis Passport

The St Kitts and Nevis government issues passports to citizens. As a CARICOM (Caribbean Community) member state, citizens receive a Caribbean passport and enjoy visa-free travel to other CARICOM countries.

Saint Kitts and Nevis is a Member State of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) with ten other full Member States. St Kitts and Nevis passport holders have the automatic right to live and work in any other OECS member state.

Passport ranking

The Saint Kitts and Nevis Government issues the following passports:

• Standard passport: A blue passport issued to individuals with Saint Kitts and Nevis citizenship.
• Diplomatic passport: A red/burgundy passport issued to government officials and their families who travel abroad to represent the country in congresses, conferences, etc.
• Official passport: A green passport issued to individuals traveling abroad on official state business.
• Emergency Travel Document (ETD): An ETD (emergency certificate) is issued to Saint Kitts citizens who need to travel urgently but do not have their standard passport due to unforeseen circumstances such as loss, theft, damage, medical emergencies, or the death of a family member or close friend.
• Passport validity: A Saint Kitts passport is valid for ten years.

Passport validity

A Saint Kitts passport is valid for ten years.

Saint Kitts and Nevis Passport Benefits

How to get a St Kitts and Nevis Passport?

Per the Saint Christopher and Nevis Citizenship Act, you can acquire citizenship and a passport through:

Citizenship by birth/descent

You are granted citizenship if:

• You were born within the territory of Saint Kitts and Nevis (with a few exceptions)
• You were born abroad to at least one parent who is a St Kitts and Nevis national

Citizenship by naturalization

You must also have legally lived in St Kitts and Nevis for fourteen years and resided in the territory for the 12 months prior to submitting a citizenship application.

Citizenship by registration

Citizenship by registration applies to those with familial or historic affiliations with Saint Kitts and Nevis citizens. This includes the spouse of a national.

Citizenship by investment

St Kitts and Nevis grants a Caribbean passport to foreign investors through its economic citizenship scheme. Launched by the St Kitts and Nevis government in 1984, the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program (CBI) allows foreign investors and their families to obtain citizenship in exchange for a substantial contribution to the country’s development.

There are three investment options to obtain citizenship:

Contribution to the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC): The SISC (new Sustainable Growth Fund) is a state fund established to boost St Kitts’ economy. The main applicant must make a non-refundable contribution of $250,000 to acquire a St Kitts and Nevis passport and can include up to three qualifying dependents.

Pre-approved real estate purchase: Buying property is a recoverable investment that qualifies foreign nationals to become St Kitts and Nevis citizens. The minimum investment needed is $400,000 for a joint investment and $800 for a sole investment, and the property must be held for at least seven years time post obtaining citizenship.

Donation to the Public Benefit Option (PBO): Like the SISC, foreign investors can make a minimum contribution of $250,000 to the PBO and qualify for the citizenship by investment program.

In addition to the donation or purchase costs, St Kitts and Nevis’ government authority overseeing the country’s program, St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU), requires applicants to pay government fees, including a due diligence fee and passport fee.

St Kitts and Nevis passport requirements

The requirements to apply for a passport through the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program include:

• Being over 18 years old
• Having a clean police record
• Attending a mandatory virtual interview
• Providing detailed financial statements and a legitimate source of funding
• Making qualifying investment 

As the main applicant, you may include accompanying family members in your citizenship by investment application. A benefit of obtaining St Kitts citizenship is that once granted, it lasts a lifetime and can be passed on to future generations.

Steps to Obtaining Citizenship by Investment

The application process to obtain a St Kitts passport by investment is relatively simple. Below are the general steps to follow:

• Choose your investment route and gather all documents.
• Complete the application forms and submit them to the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU).
• As the main applicant, you must participate in a mandatory virtual interview conducted by an independent professional firm commissioned by the CIU. Dependents aged 16 and over may also be asked to attend virtual interviews.
• Your application will be processed, and you will receive a government approval letter within 120 days.
• Make your investment and send proof to the CIU.
• Become a St Kitts and Nevis citizen and receive your new passport. You will also need to collect your citizenship certificate (confers citizenship status) either in person in St Kitts or at an approved Embassy or Consulate specified by the CIU.

For more detailed information about the St Kitts economic citizenship process, including government fees, approved real estate projects, dual citizenship benefits, and more, visit our ultimate guide to St Kitts and Nevis’ Citizenship by Investment Program.

St Kitts and Nevis Passport Application Process

A passport of St Kitts and Nevis issued by the Passport Office in St Kitts and Nevis, which operates under the Ministry of National Security of the Government. St Kitts citizens can apply for a passport directly with the Passport Office or through an embassy or high commission overseas. Specific steps and passport fees may vary depending on the type of application, the individual, and where the application is received.

• Complete the official St Kitts and Nevis passport application form. The St Kitts passport process requires submitting biodata and getting a qualified recommender to endorse the application.
• Gather the required documents. This may include an expired passport, proof of citizenship, a letter of consent for minors, an NIS card or National Identification Card, or proof of marital status.
• Attach two passport-size photographs. These must be 45mm x 35 mm, no more than six months old, and the back must be signed by the endorser who can attest to the applicant’s likeness and identity.
• Pay passport application fees. The specific St Kitts and Nevis Lucia passport cost will vary depending on whether the application is for a regular or express passport or to replace a lost or damaged passport.
• Submit the completed application to the Passport Office, an embassy, or a high commission abroad. This can be done in person or via registered mail, and processing time will vary depending on how and where the application is submitted.

Replacing a lost or stolen passport

A passport application for a lost or stolen passport must be accompanied by a notarized letter or affidavit stating relevant information regarding the loss or theft of the passport. This can be a crime report obtained from the police.

Processing time

Application forms submitted to St Kitts’ immigration department or High Commission are typically processed in two to three weeks.

St Kitts Passport Cost

The St Kitts and Nevis passport price varies depending on the application and your route to citizenship. There is a passport fee and applicants must also consider the cost of obtaining a police clearance certificate, bank fees, and postage in the overall passport cost. When applying for a passport through the citizenship by investment program, applicants must pay $350 per passport.

A higher government fee applies for successful applicants of the citizens by investment program. Here are the costs to apply through the St Kitts and Nevis High Commission in the United Kingdom.

• Citizens under 16: £75
• Citizens over 16: £125
• Old age pensioner (over 62): £75
• CBI citizens: £200
• Lost or stolen passports: £200 (£250 for CBI citizens)
• Damaged passports: £200 (£250 for CBI citizens)

Any document requiring authentication by the High Commission is subject to a £50, and applicants must pay a FedEx fee of £75 for delivery.

Passport renewal

Your passport will be valid for five years for children under 16 and ten years for individuals older than 16, after which it must be renewed. St Kitts and Nevis Passport renewal applications must be submitted to the Passport Office or High Commission overseas. A passport renewal will cost £350 in the UK.

St Kitts Passport Power Ranking

As a powerful CBI passport, the government issues only relatively few passports, offering excellent worldwide mobility and ranking 53rd according to the Global Passport Index. In terms of enhanced mobility, this Caribbean passport allows visa free access to 153 countries, including all European countries, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Hong Kong. The St Kitts and Nevis government recently signed visa waiver agreements with Kazakhstan and India, expanding citizens’ visa free access.

On the Quality of Life Index, Saint Kitts and Nevis ranks high in terms of sustainable development, environmental performance, and happiness.

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 St Kitts and Nevis citizenship?

• Authorized International Marketing Agent. Global Citizen Solutions have official certification by the Government of St Kitts and Nevis to promote and market their Citizenship by Investment program. You can find a copy of our certificate by clicking the image on the right
• 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.

Frequently Asked Questions about St Kitts and Nevis Passports

What are the St Kitts passport's benefits?

Having a passport from St Kitts has various benefits. These include tax exemption advantages, permanent residency in St Kitts and Nevis, a secondary passport and dual citizenship, and visa-free travel to over 140 countries, including the European Union, the UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Russia.

What is the St Kitts and Nevis passport price?

To obtain a passport through St Kitts citizenship by investment, you need to make a minimum donation of $250,000 or purchase property worth at least $400,000 from one of various real estate developers. Additional fees apply, such as due diligence fees, a passport fee, and a government fee. The overall cost and additional costs will vary depending on whether you invest in a real estate project or private home, a fund donation, or an approved project contribution, as well as the number of dependents.

How powerful is the Saint Kitts and Nevis passport?

Sought after by global citizens, a Saint Kitts and Nevis passport is considered very powerful in terms of traveling. It allows visa free access to over 150 destinations, including EU Schengen countries, the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Russia.

Do I need to stay in St Kitts and Nevis?

You do not need to reside in or visit St Kitts and Nevis to obtain a St Kitts second passport by investment. Your mandatory interview can be conducted virtually, and your citizenship application is submitted online. Additionally, there are no language tests.

Is a St Kitts and Nevis passport worth it?

Not only does St Kitts and Nevis citizenship allow you to reside permanently in the Caribbean, but a St Kitts passport is an incredible tool for global mobility. Passport holders can travel to more than 150 countries visa free. Additional benefits include tax exemptions such as no income, inheritance, or wealth tax.

Furthermore, St Kitts issues lifetime citizenship, which can be passed down to future generations, allowing them to enjoy the same amazing benefits. St Kitts and Nevis’ recognition of dual citizenship means you will not have to give up your current citizenship once you are granted citizenship here.

The country operates one of the most secure citizenship programs, and to add to its security, the government implemented escrow legislation to protect citizenship investors purchasing property in real estate developer projects.

How to buy a country passport in St Kitts and Nevis?

You can’t buy a passport. However, you can apply for citizenship by investment and make a qualifying investment in the country’s economy. The citizenship by investment program, attracting foreigners from across the globe, allows applicants to acquire citizenship of Saint Kitts and Nevis in exchange for economic investment.

The minimum investment amount starts at $250,000 for the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC) or the Public Benefit option, and the real estate investment options start at $400,000. In addition to fulfilling the investment requirements, applicants must meet the program’s eligibility requirements, such as being older than 18, having a clean criminal record, and being of good character. A note on restricted countries: Nationals of Iran, Afghanistan, North Korea, and Cuba can’t apply.

Can I go to the USA with a Saint Kitts passport?

Citizens holding a St Kitts passports must apply for a US B-1/B-2 Visa to travel the United States.

Can I live in the UK with a St Kitts and Nevis passport?

A passport of St Kitts and Nevis allows a stay of up to six months in the United Kingdom; however, St Kitts citizens must apply for the relevant residence visa to live there.