The Caribbean's original programme, run by the CIU since 1984.
St Kitts & Nevis operates the longest-running citizenship by investment programme in the world, established in 1984 and administered by the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU). It remains one of the most carefully regulated Caribbean options, with a mandatory interview and, since April 2026, biometric enrolment for every new applicant.
Investment options
- Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC): from US$250,000 for a single applicant or a family of up to four; US$25,000 for each additional dependant under 18 and US$50,000 for each additional dependant aged 18 or over.
- Approved developer real estate: from US$325,000 in an approved development.
- Private real estate: from US$600,000 for a single-family private dwelling.
- Public Benefit Option: US$250,000 contribution to an approved public-benefit project.
Due diligence fees are US$10,000 for the main applicant and US$7,500 for each dependant aged 16 or over. Government processing and passport fees apply in addition.
Who can apply
The main applicant must be at least 18, of good character, in good health, with a clean criminal record and a lawful source of funds. Dependants may include a spouse, children and, subject to the current rules, dependent parents. Every application passes multi-layer due diligence and the main applicant attends a mandatory interview.
Read how we assess and prepare an application before anything is submitted.
Process and timeline
Applications are submitted through an authorised agent, reviewed by the CIU and its independent due-diligence providers, and then approved in principle before the investment is completed. The CIU states that processing generally takes three to six months. Biometric enrolment is booked after approval in principle and is a required step before the passport is issued (US$2,500 for the first adult, US$2,000 for the second adult, US$1,300 per child under 16).
Points to know before you commit
- No residency or language requirement before or after citizenship.
- Citizenship can be passed to future generations.
- Visa-free access changes over time; we check current arrangements for your travel plans at consultation rather than quoting a fixed number.
- Applications must be made at the published minimums — the Caribbean Memorandum of Agreement makes discounting below the US$200,000 regional floor unlawful.
Figures verified on 14 September 2026 against the Citizenship by Investment Unit of St Kitts & Nevis (ciu.gov.kn). Programme rules change; we confirm the current position before any application.
