St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr The Honourable Timothy Harris has today announced a significant yet time-limited reduction. It lowers the contribution required to secure the country’s best-in-class economic citizenship. The announcement came amid global economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. The country is also seeking creative ways to stabilise the economy. It aims to consolidate growth enjoyed over the last five years before COVID-19.
From today 3rd July 2020, until 31 December 2020, families of up to four people will be able to secure citizenship. That applies to the safe, beautiful and prosperous twin-island Federation. The rate is substantially discounted.
Today also marks 46 days since St Kitts and Nevis health authorities declared the country completely free of COVID-19. Just 15 people were confirmed to have contracted mild forms of the disease. All of them were isolated and recovered. There were zero cases requiring hospitalisation. There were zero fatalities. St Kitts and Nevis has received international recognition for its superb management of COVID-19.
A single applicant seeking economic citizenship with a donation to the Sustainable Growth Fund normally contributes at least USD 150,000. A family of up to four normally contributes at least USD 195,000. Now the Government has temporarily reduced the family minimum contribution by USD 45,000. The new rate is a competitive USD 150,000. However, the minimum for a single applicant remains USD 150,000. That recognises St Kitts and Nevis’ continuing market-leading position.
Prime Minister Dr The Honourable Timothy Harris said St Kitts and Nevis is the safest, most beautiful and prosperous country in the Caribbean to offer economic citizenship. He said the country remains so during these difficult times. He also noted the country’s record of zero hospitalisations and zero fatalities from COVID-19. That underlines the character and enduring appeal of the country.
This limited time offer will provide resources to help fight COVID-19 successfully. It will also enhance safety nets for those who have lost their jobs or income as a consequence.
St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Investment Unit Chief Executive Les Khan said individuals and families rightly want flexible, confident global travel. St Kitts and Nevis has offered this peace of mind longer than any other citizenship programme. With visa-free access to 156 countries, it is recognised as a market leader in independent, global rankings.
Khan said the country is delighted to offer full economic citizenship at an even more competitive rate for families. This is for a limited period while the world grapples with COVID-19 pressures. There is also a new paper-free application process. Once travel restrictions are lifted, the St Kitts and Nevis passport will continue to enable strong visa-free travel. It outperforms any other Caribbean programme. It also outperforms the vast majority of passports in the world.
St Kitts and Nevis’ Citizenship by Investment Programme is the oldest and most respected in the world. It is the recognised market leader in the Caribbean. It entitles citizens to travel visa-free to 156 countries. There are no St Kitts and Nevis residency requirements. The St Kitts and Nevis passport is ranked as the top one of all Caribbean countries with citizenship by investment programmes. That was most recently confirmed in April 2020 in the Henley & Partners 2020 Q2 Passport Index.
The country’s Programme is also known for highly efficient processing of applications. At the same time, it insists on best international-standard due diligence checks and vetting.
Donations to the Sustainable Growth Fund by citizenship applicants are a welcome and significant contribution. They support development of the country in which citizenship is being secured. They provide support and investment in:
Alternatively, those seeking citizenship through property can invest USD 200,000 (re-saleable after seven years). They can also invest USD 400,000 (re-saleable after five years) in an approved real estate project. There is no discount for the property investment option at this time.
