Established in 1984, the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Programme is the oldest of its kind in the world. The programme offers citizenship to high net worth individuals and their families in a peaceful and prosperous part of the Caribbean.
Basic Eligibility
The Citizenship by Investment Regulations requires any person ineligible who:
- Has not from a blacklisted country listed by SKN.
- Has been denied citizenship of any country;
- Has been denied a visa to any country to which citizens of St Kitts and Nevis have visa-free travel, and has not subsequently obtained a visa to the country that issued the denial;
- Has a criminal record;
- Is the subject of a criminal investigation;
- Has been declared bankrupt; or
- Is involved in any activity likely to cause disrepute to St Kitts and Nevis,
will not be eligible to apply pursuant to the Regulations for Citizenship by Investment in St Kitts and Nevis.
Due Diligence Checks
SKN Government implements strict due diligence process (6 layers) in full compliance with national legislation and international standards. A CBI applicant who is aged sixteen years or over shall undergo due diligence background checks before any decision is made in relation to his or her application
for background checks to be conducted, by—
- The Financial Intelligence Unit of the Government of Saint Christopher and Nevis;
- The Continuing International Due Diligence Unit of the Government of Saint Christopher and Nevis
- The Joint Regional Communications Centre, a sub-agency of CARICOM IMPACS; and
- At least one reputable international due diligence service provider firm; and may include the secure collection and processing of biometric and other data including fingerprints and passport verification
- Interviews conducted on applicants virtually or in person.
- CIDD Unit will continue monitor economic citizens with due diligence
CIDD Unit
The Continuing International Due Diligence (CIDD) Unit, established in underscoring its continued efforts towards strengthening the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme and further protecting the country’s reputation internationally. The new CIDD unit will be headed by former Commissioner of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force and current Ambassador for the Eastern Caribbean States to the Kingdom of Morocco, His Excellency Ian Queeley.
The CIDD Unit will be headquartered in Europe and will be responsible for conducting continuing due diligence on economic citizens worldwide. It will ensure that citizens holding passports issued by St. Kitts and Nevis and residing and working internationally, abide by the laws of the countries in which they reside and visit, and that they respect the international laws as well. [It will] alert the Ministry of National Security of St. Kitts and Nevis citizens who are being investigated for committing or have been arrested and/or charged with financial or other crimes internationally
The Continuing International Due Diligence (CIDD) Unit will be operational by July 31, 2024.
CBI Technical Committee
Citizenship by Investment Technical Committee charged with the responsibility of reviewing CBI applications submitted to the Unit. The Committee will ensure that all due diligence background checks are comprehensive and completed throughout the CBI application process. The Committee will also provide information sufficient to justify any recommendation to the Minister responsible for National Security to approve or deny CBI applications.
The Minister shall appoint a Citizenship by Investment Technical Committee charged with the responsibility of—
- Reviewing CBI applications submitted to the Unit
- Ensuring that all due diligence background checks are comprehensive and completed throughout the CBI application process;
- Conducting spot checks of CBI applications; and
- Providing information sufficient to justify any recommendation to the Minister to approve or deny CBI applications for Citizenship by Investment.
