Citizenship
St Kitts & Nevis Citizenship
Lifetime citizenship through the Basseterre High School Public Benefit Option, with a contribution for a family of up to four.
- Minimum
- $250,000
- Timeline
- 120–180 days
- Residence
- Not required
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- Minimum
- $250,000
- Timeline
- 120–180 days
- Outcome
- Direct citizenship
- Presence
- None
- Visa-free access
- 157 destinations
- Dual citizenship
- PermittedLifetime, permanent citizenship that fully allows dual citizenship.
- Family
- Spouse + children + parents
The opportunity
Why St Kitts & Nevis
The Basseterre High School Public Benefit Option supports reconstruction of classrooms, laboratories, workshops and community facilities. Established in 1984, the programme is one of the longest-running citizenship-by-investment routes.
The source describes a USD 250,000 non-refundable contribution after approval, including government processing fees for a family of up to four. Additional due diligence and per-dependant fees apply for larger families — see Costs below.
Passport and mobility
157
visa-free or visa-on-arrival destinations
Who it suits
May fit. May not.
St Kitts & Nevis suits applicants who want a second citizenship without relocating. The two lists show where it fits and where another program serves better.
May fit if you want
- Applicants who want to cover a spouse and dependent children under 18 within one flat US$250,000 contribution.
- Families with financially supported children aged 18–29, or parents aged 55 and over, who want them included on the same application.
- Investors who want lifetime citizenship without any residency requirement or investment-holding period.
May not fit if you need
- Nationals of Afghanistan, Belarus, Cuba, Iran, North Korea or Russia — these nationalities are currently excluded from the programme under the Citizenship by Investment (Exclusion) Order 2023.
- Applicants who want their contribution refunded, or the underlying project to generate a financial return — the contribution is explicitly non-refundable.
- Larger families who have not budgeted for per-dependant fees — additional dependants under 18 cost US$25,000 each and those 18 or older cost US$50,000 each, on top of the base US$250,000.
Qualifying routes
Available routes
One route qualifies: Basseterre High School PBO. The minimum is $250,000.
- Government contribution
$250,000
Basseterre High School PBO
Non-refundable contribution after approval; covers government processing fees for up to four family members. Additional due diligence and per-dependant fees apply — see Costs.
What it costs
Cost structure
What the program costs beyond the qualifying investment, item by item.
Qualifying investment
$250,000
Basseterre High School PBO
What the investment covers
Covers the main applicant and family of up to four; non-refundable after approval (ciu.gov.kn, Public Benefit Option).
Costs beyond the investment
- Additional dependant under 18 (beyond the four included)USD 25,000 each. Per additional dependant beyond the family of four (ciu.gov.kn).
- Additional dependant aged 18 or older (beyond the four included)USD 50,000 each. Per additional dependant beyond the family of four (ciu.gov.kn).
- Due diligence fee — main applicantciu.gov.kn, Public Benefit Option fee schedule.$10,000
- Due diligence fee — each dependant aged 16 or overThe source's age threshold is 16, not 18; mapped here to the 18-plus dependant category as the closest fit. Confirm the exact figure for dependants aged 16–17 (ciu.gov.kn).$7,500
- Post-approval fee — spouseciu.gov.kn, Public Benefit Option fee schedule.$15,000
- Post-approval fee — qualified dependant under 18ciu.gov.kn, Public Benefit Option fee schedule.$10,000
- Post-approval fee — qualified dependant 18 or overciu.gov.kn, Public Benefit Option fee schedule.$15,000
Professional fees are quoted individually after eligibility review. Government fees change without notice; every figure is verified before engagement.
Qualifying investment
$250,000
Basseterre High School PBO
Covers the main applicant and family of up to four; non-refundable after approval (ciu.gov.kn, Public Benefit Option).
- Due diligence fee — main applicantciu.gov.kn, Public Benefit Option fee schedule.$10,000
- Due diligence fee — each dependant aged 16 or overThe source's age threshold is 16, not 18; mapped here to the 18-plus dependant category as the closest fit. Confirm the exact figure for dependants aged 16–17 (ciu.gov.kn).$7,500
- Post-approval fee — spouseciu.gov.kn, Public Benefit Option fee schedule.$15,000
- Post-approval fee — qualified dependant under 18ciu.gov.kn, Public Benefit Option fee schedule.$10,000
- Post-approval fee — qualified dependant 18 or overciu.gov.kn, Public Benefit Option fee schedule.$15,000
- Additional dependant under 18 (beyond the four included)USD 25,000 each. Per additional dependant beyond the family of four (ciu.gov.kn).
- Additional dependant aged 18 or older (beyond the four included)USD 50,000 each. Per additional dependant beyond the family of four (ciu.gov.kn).
Professional fees are quoted individually after eligibility review. Government fees change without notice; every figure is verified before engagement.
| Single applicant | Couple | Family of fourTwo children under 18 |
|---|---|---|
| $260,000 | $275,000 | $295,000 + fees |
Not a quotation. Figures are indicative and subject to verification.
Requirements
Eligibility and documents
Who can apply is set by four rules on the applicant, background and qualification; the checklist lists five documents. Restrictions apply to six nationalities. A spouse, minor children, adult dependent children and parents can join the same application.
Who can apply
Applicant
- Principal applicant must be at least 18 years old.
- Attend a virtual interview and submit biometric information.The main applicant must attend an interview; dependants aged 16 or over may also be required to (ciu.gov.kn).
Background
- Hold no criminal record; the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) performs strict background checks and due diligence.
Qualification
- Possess sufficient financial resources to make the required contribution, and document its lawful source.
Documents checklist
Family inclusion
Spouse
IncludedMinor children
IncludedAge limitUnder 18
Adult dependent children
IncludedAge limit18–29 (any age with a qualifying disability)
Financially supported children aged 18 to 29; children of any age with a qualifying mental or physical disability.
Parents
IncludedAge limit55 and over
Financially supported parents aged 55 and over.
Nationality restrictions. Afghanistan, Belarus, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia
How it works
Application process
The application runs in four steps. The source estimates 120–180 days end to end.
Application and eligibility verification
Prepare the application, supporting evidence and initial deposit.
Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU)
Due diligence and virtual interview
The Citizenship Unit assesses the file and conducts background checks.
Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU)
Approval and contribution
Complete the contribution following approval and provide biometric information.
Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU)
Citizenship issuance
Receive the citizenship documents after all conditions are met.
Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU)
- Source estimate, end to end
- 120–180 days
Alternatives
Compared with alternatives
How St Kitts & Nevis compares with two citizenship-by-investment programs that have a lower entry point: Antigua & Barbuda from $230,000 and Vanuatu from $130,000.
This program
St Kitts & Nevis Citizenship
- From
- $250,000
- Timeline
- 120–180 days
- Family
- Spouse + children + parents
You are here
Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship
- From
- $230,000
- Timeline
- Variable
- Family
- Spouse + children + parents + dependents
Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment
- From
- $130,000
- Timeline
- 1 to 2 months
- Family
- Spouse + children + parents
Questions
Program FAQ
Short answers to four questions about St Kitts & Nevis Citizenship.
Yes. Citizenship is lifetime and permanent, and fully allows dual citizenship.
Zero personal income, estate, inheritance or capital gains tax, with no restriction on repatriating profits.
No. The US$250,000 contribution is non-refundable once made, after the application is approved.
Yes. Nationals of Afghanistan, Belarus, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Russia are currently excluded from the programme under the Citizenship by Investment (Exclusion) Order 2023.
Next step
Have your eligibility reviewed before you commit.
A specialist checks your profile against the current rules, confirms the right route and quotes the full cost picture. No documents are collected at this stage.
- Program: St Kitts & Nevis Citizenship — included automatically
- No approval guarantee — decisions rest with the authorities