ciu.gov.kn Apply For Citizenship St. Kitts & Nevis : Investment Unit

Organization : Citizenship by Investment Unit
Type of Facility : Apply For Citizenship
Country: St. Kitts & Nevis

Website : http://ciu.gov.kn/?q=node/9
Download Forms : http://ciu.gov.kn/?q=node/34

Citizenship in St.Kitts & Nevis :

The Government of St. Kitts & Nevis has introduced extensive legislation to attract financial services business to the island. St.Kitts & Nevis offers good opportunities to investors.

Related : Ministry of Affairs Passport Reissuance Initiative St. Kitts & Nevis : www.statusin.org/8270.html

The workforce is well-educated, English-speaking and friendly. The Government grants tax breaks, guaranteed repatriation of profits and concessions on import duties. There are no income or capital gains taxes and no inheritance or gift taxes in St.Kitts & Nevis.

The Citizenship-By-Investment program has also been in operation since 1984: it allows foreign investors to acquire citizenship under certain conditions. This makes it the oldest existing citizenship-by-investment program. It is also the most reputable citizenship program in existence. One can invest in either designated real estate or contribute to the Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation (“SIDF”). The St. Kitts & Nevis passport is very well regarded, as only relatively few passports have been issued under this program. As a result, St. Kitts & Nevis passport holders enjoy a passport with an excellent reputation and very good visa-free travel, including to all of the EU, Canada, Hong Kong, Switzerland, and other countries. Accordingly, the St. Kitts & Nevis citizenship-by-investment program is the most attractive option if one is looking to acquire a second citizenship through investment without prior residence requirements.

The Citizenship Program of St. Christopher (St. Kitts) and Nevis was established in 1984 and requires applicants to make an economic contribution to the country. In exchange, they and their families are granted full citizenship. To qualify for citizenship, the applicant must make either an investment of at least US$ 400,000 in one of the approved real-estate developments in addition to paying government fees, other fees and taxes, or alternatively making a contribution to the Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation (SIDF) to the amount of US$ 250,000 (for a single applicant). However, this includes all government fees with the exception of due diligence fees.

Requirements and Procedures:
To qualify for citizenship under the real estate option, the government requires applicants to make an investment in designated, officially approved real estate with a value of at least US$ 400,000 plus the payment of government fees and other fees and taxes. As the application procedure under this option involves the purchase of real estate, this can lengthen the processing time depending on the chosen property. Real estate can be re-sold 5 years after the purchase and may not qualify the next buyer for citizenship. A list of approved real-estate developments is published under Approved Real Estate

Acquisition of citizenship under the SIDF option requires a contribution to the Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation.

Benefits :
When you acquire citizenship under the St. Kitts & Nevis citizenship program, you and your family enjoy full citizenship for life, which can be passed on to future generations by descent.

As citizens of St. Kitts & Nevis, you and your family are issued with passports which allow visa-free travel to more than 120 countries and territories worldwide, including all of the EU. Of course you have the right to take up residence in St. Kitts & Nevis as well as in most of the CARICOM member countries at any time and for any length of time.

How to Proceed:
Applications for Citizenship cannot be lodged directly at the Citizenship -by-Investment Unit, instead it can only be handled by registered Authorised Persons.

Documents Required:
Required Documents:
** Photograph and Signature Certificate (Form C2)
** Medical Certificate (Form C3) including original results of HIV test. Note that the HIV test results must not be older than 3 months.
** Original excerpt of full birth record or certified copy of full birth certificate ( i.e. a birth document that also includes your parent’s details, or a household register, family book etc.)
** Certified copy of your current Passport(s) showing name, photo, citizenship/nationality, date and place of issue, expiry date, passport number, and issuing country.
** Certified copy of your current National Identity Card(s)
** 6 original Passport sized photos of yourself taken within the past 6 months. N.B (one of the photos must be certified and attached to Form C2).
** Police Certificate “certificate of no criminal record” or “police clearance certificate” from country of citizenship and any country where you have lived for more than 1 year over the past 10 years.
** Certified copy of Military Records (if applicable)
** Certified copy of proof of name change (if applicable)

Other supporting documents required from the main applicant:
** At least 1 original bank reference letter issued by an internationally recognized bank, not older than 6 months.
** At least 1 original professional reference (e.g. from an attorney, notary public, charted accountant or other professional of similar standing) not older than 6 months.
** 1 original document of evidence of residential address (e.g. certified copy of a recent utility bill or bank statement showing full name and address, or written confirmation from a bank, attorney, chartered accountant or notary public).
** 1 Original excerpt of marriage record or certified copy of marriage certificate(s) if applicable (i.e if married persons apply together).
** Certified copy of divorce documents (if applicable).
** Statement of source of fund to be invested in St Kitts and Nevis.

Documents required for the Real Estate Option:
** Copy of duly executed real estate contract (Purchase and Sales Agreement) to be submitted with the application forms.
** Evidence of title transfer to be submitted after applicants receives approval in principle