Citizenship
Citizenship by Investment
An established route to second citizenship, through an approved development. Four Seasons Resort Estates is on the Government’s list.
The programme
The longest-standing programme of its kind
St. Kitts and Nevis established its Citizenship by Investment programme in 1984, the first of its kind. It is administered by the Citizenship Unit, the statutory corporation set up under the Citizenship Unit Act 2024.
One of the programme’s routes is the purchase of real estate in a development the Government has approved. Four Seasons Resort Estates and The Villas at Pinney’s Beach both appear on that list.
Mobility and residency
Citizenship for life
Citizenship granted under the programme is for life and passes to future generations. Dual citizenship is allowed, so you keep your original nationality.
The Citizenship Unit describes the programme as opening doors to international business, education and lifestyle opportunities, and lists among its features a tax regime with no income, inheritance or wealth taxes. How any of this applies to you is a question for your own advisers.
Family
Family inclusion and professional advice
A main applicant must be at least 18. The programme allows these family members to be included as dependants:
- A spouse
- Children under 18
- Children aged 18 to 30 in full-time education and fully supported by the main applicant
- Children aged 18 or over who are physically or mentally challenged
- Parents of the main applicant or spouse, aged 55 or over, living with and fully supported by the main applicant
Citizenship, tax and legal questions belong with a government-authorised agent and your own qualified advisers. The Citizenship Unit publishes the list of authorised agents.
At Four Seasons
The real estate route at Four Seasons
The figures below are set by the Government. Which residences qualify, and at which level, is confirmed for each residence before any commitment.
The investment
- Minimum investment
- US$325,000 per main applicant, in an approved development
- Whole ownership
- From US$600,000
- Holding period
- Seven years before resale
- Processing
- 3 to 6 months, as estimated by the Citizenship Unit
- Purchase costs
- Insurance fund contributions and conveyance fees
Government and due diligence fees
- Main applicant
- US$25,000
- Spouse
- US$15,000
- Dependant under 18
- US$10,000
- Dependant aged 18 and over
- US$15,000
- Due diligence, main applicant
- US$10,000
- Due diligence, each dependant aged 16 and over
- US$7,500
The process
How a purchase proceeds
A conversation with the sales office
Shortlist residences and confirm which qualify.
Reservation
Reserve the residence with the developer.
Authorised agent
A government-authorised agent handles the citizenship application.
Completion
Title transfers on completion of the purchase.
How the application works
The Citizenship Unit states that applications cannot be submitted directly to it. An applicant chooses a government-authorised agent from its published list, and the agent prepares the forms and supporting documents.
The Unit then performs due diligence. A successful applicant receives an approval-in-principle letter, after which the investment is made and the citizenship certificate issued. The Unit generally estimates 3 to 6 months.
Interview and documents
Each main applicant attends an interview, which can be virtual, in person in St. Kitts and Nevis, or at another approved location. Dependants aged 16 or over may be asked to attend too.
The agent supplies the list of required documents and updates on progress.
Residency and tax
The Unit’s real estate page states that no residency requirement applies. Tax and legal questions are for your own advisers.
Where the investment is held
The Unit states a property must be held in an approved development for seven years before it can be resold under the program. After that, the Unit says the property may be kept as long as the owner likes and the citizenship remains.
Questions
Can I apply directly to the Citizenship Unit?
No. The Unit states that applications go through a government-authorised agent.
How long does the process take?
The Unit generally estimates 3 to 6 months.
Is residency required?
The Unit states that no residency requirement applies.
The fact sheet
Request the fact sheet
The residences, the resort and the ownership details, in one PDF.
Or request the fact sheet with the form.
Sales office, Four Seasons Resort Nevis