Saint Kitts and Nevis Passport

St Kitts and Nevis is a land in the eastern Caribbean Sea. It consists of 2 islands and is part of the Lesser Antilles group. The size of the state is 261 square kilometers. The country is included in the Commonwealth of Nations, the head of which is considered to be the British king. To find out what Saint Kitts and Nevis passport is, see below.

Overview

Nationality is accessible to expatriates who have ethnic or territorial affiliation to the state, are investors or naturalized persons. In order to obtain the status, the applicant must fulfil the legal requirements, collect a package of documents, pay state fees and apply to the local Ministry of Immigration and Secretariat to undergo the established procedures.

The norms for granting citizenship of the nation are regulated by the local Constitution (Chapter 8), as well as the adapted CBI programme to encourage overseas investment. The State’s migration policy is aimed primarily at wealthy foreigners who are able to financially support the island economy. The passport of nation permits its possessor to journey without a visa to 145 countries, to live in an economically developed federation, which is a member of the UN, CARICOM, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the World Trade Organization.

Registration of passport St Kitts and Nevis for investments for Russians and Belarusians in 2023 is suspended. The naturalization procedure in the state takes from 14 years.

Saint Kitts And Nevis Passport Ranking

St Kitts and Nevis passport ranks 27th in the index rating. Having the document, you can visit 155 nations sans a visa. A visa is required to come in 74 other nations.

Benefits Of Saint Kitts And Nevis Passport

The St Kitts and Nevis passport delivers the following favors:

• Visa-free journey throughout Europe and South America (except Paraguay);
• Residence in the federation with no time limit;
• Government protection on and off the islands;
• The possibility of immigrating with family members, including parents;
• Access to the local market, education, medicine, financial institutions;
• Social support, payment of benefits according to status, participation in tenders and grant programmes;
• The right to keep the first passport of the native country.

The document also allows opening and developing business in the territory of the Caribbean Community.

Visa-Free Countries With St Kitts And Nevis Passport

St Kitts passport stipulates the following conditions for visiting different nations:

Electronic authorization is required to attendance South Korea, Sri Lanka, Kenya, and Pakistan.

Taxation Laws And Business Incentives

Taxation Laws

1. Corporate Tax:
   The corporate tax rate is 33%.
2. Personal Income Tax:
   St. Kitts and Nevis do not impose personal income tax on residents or non-residents.
3. Value Added Tax (VAT):
   The standard VAT rate is 17%.
   A reduced rate of 10% applies to hotel accommodations and restaurant services.
   Certain goods and services may be zero-rated or exempt from VAT.
4. Withholding Tax:
   Dividends, interest, and royalties paid to non-residents are subject to withholding tax at a rate of 15%.
5. Property Tax:
   Property tax is based on the market value of the property, with rates generally ranging from 0.2% to 0.3%.
6. Import Duties:
   Import duties vary based on the type of goods but typically range from 5% to 25%.

Business Incentives

1. Investment Incentives:
   The government offers various incentives for businesses, including tax holidays, duty-free importation of machinery and equipment, and exemptions from other taxes for investments in sectors such as tourism, manufacturing, agriculture, and information technology.
2. Economic Citizenship Program:
   St. Kitts and Nevis has a Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP) that allows investors to obtain citizenship through a significant investment in real estate, a contribution to the Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF), or other approved investment options.
3. Export Incentives:
   Businesses engaged in export activities can benefit from duty-free imports of raw materials and equipment used in the manufacturing process.
4. Tourism Incentives:
   The Tourism Incentives Act provides tax holidays, duty exemptions, and other benefits for approved tourism projects.
5. Small Business Development:
   There are various programs aimed at supporting small businesses, including access to finance, training, and technical assistance.
6. Free Trade Zones:
   Designated free trade zones offer benefits such as tax exemptions, duty-free imports, and other incentives for businesses operating within these zones.

Regulatory Environment

1. Ease of Doing Business:
   St. Kitts and Nevis has implemented reforms to make it easier to start and operate a business, including streamlined procedures for business registration and obtaining permits.
2. Investment Promotion:
   The St. Kitts Investment Promotion Agency (SKIPA) and the Nevis Investment Promotion Agency (NIPA) are the main agencies responsible for promoting and facilitating investment in the country. They offer support services to investors, including assistance with permits and licenses.

Summary

St. Kitts and Nevis offer a highly favorable environment for business with no personal income tax, attractive corporate tax rates, and a range of business incentives. The Citizenship by Investment Program is a major draw for foreign investors, providing a pathway to citizenship through various investment options. The country provides significant tax holidays, duty exemptions, and other benefits to encourage investment in key sectors such as tourism, manufacturing, and agriculture. The regulatory environment is also supportive of business operations, with efforts made to streamline procedures and facilitate investment.

St Kitts And Nevis Citizenship

Country nationality is possible for an infant who begotten in the area of the state. The presence of a local passport of the parents is not a prerequisite, the main thing is that the father or mother does not belong to foreign diplomats, and their native country is not in a state of war with the sovereignty of the federation.

It is possible for children of federal citizens born abroad to obtain the status (minimum one of the parents must have a local passport).

Nationality of country is provided to children found in the territory of the islands whose nationality could not be established, as well as to persons born on board a ship or aircraft belonging to the federation. Minors adopted by local nationals are also eligible for this status. Country nationality by birth is granted to applicants automatically, without additional demands.

Applicants for passport are those who, at the time of autonomy (19 September 1983), were citizens of Great Britain or the British Dependencies, resided in that state or had relatives up to the third generation (grandparents inclusive) who were born on local soil. Reinstatement of status is also possible for former islanders who have previously renounced it of their own volition. Ethnic or territorial affiliation to St. Kitts and Nevis must be documented by the applicant, such as the birth certificate of the relative concerned.

Nationality is available to foreigners who have been legally resident in the territory of the Federation for at least 14 years at the time of application. The applicant must be of legal age, not pose a threat to national security or public order, and agree to take an oath to obtain the status. The applicant is initially granted local residency on one of the statutory grounds (employment, training, commercial activity, business, etc.). Once the residency requirement is met, the applicant applies to the Ministry of Immigration for citizenship.

The naturalization process in St. Kitts and Nevis takes foreigners from 15 years, taking into account the waiting time for processing of applications at each stage of immigration.

Spouses of local citizens may apply for a St. Kitts and Nevis passport without having to meet the residency requirement. The same right is available to widowers of both sexes, provided that their deceased husband (or wife) could legally claim federal citizenship. The document confirming the basis is a marriage certificate indicating the nationality of each spouse. There are no additional requirements for the applicant. If the marriage union is found to be fictitious, the foreigner’s request for citizenship is rejected and the already granted status is cancelled.

An applicant for a federation passport may contribute financially to the following areas:

• Sustainable development of island states – from $250,000.
• Purchase of immovable property – from $400,000 with the right to resell the property after 7 years;
• Creation of a socially useful project – from  $250,000.

Citizenship of Saint Kitts and Nevis for investment is granted to the applicant without observing the residency requirement and additional requirements, such as swearing an oath. It takes 4 to 6 months from the time of application to the issuance of a passport to the applicant. The foreigner has the right to include family members – spouse, children under 30 years of age, parents and legal dependents – in the programme. In case of family immigration, the amount of investment increases with the additional payment for each applicant (from 7500 to 50 000 USD). The applicant’s relatives are also eligible to apply for local passports. The investor must be over 18 years of age at the time of the request.

How To Apply

In order to reside in St. Kitts and Nevis for more than 90 days (with an entry permit or visa-free regime), a foreigner must obtain residency status. The applicant applies for a residence permit at the diplomatic mission of the Federation in the territory of the country of residence. The applicant must prove the basis for his/her stay in the country through documentation, e.g. a labor contract.

Naturalization for foreigners in Saint Kitts and Nevis is possible after prior residence in the territory of the Federation for 14 years or more.

The applicant prepares a package of documents, fills in the application form (an example can be found on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs), and visits the territorial representation office to submit the request.

In advance, the applicant has to pay the state duty, as well as translate and apostatize certificates issued abroad.

If the foreigner’s application for citizenship is approved, he/she is invited to obtain a naturalization certificate. The applicant must swear an oath of allegiance to the State within 12 months from the date of issuance of the certificate of citizenship. With the certificate, the alien may apply to the St. Kitts and Nevis Ministry of Home Affairs for a local passport.

St Kitts And Nevis Passport Requirements

An applicant for Nevis passport must be in good standing, which is confirmed by a certificate of no criminal record in the countries of permanent residence. The applicant is obliged to swear an oath of allegiance to the state (except for investors), to comply with the constitutional laws and norms of the federation. Additional requirements for an immigrant depend on the basis for citizenship, for example:

• Birth in the territory of St Kitts and Nevis (“right of soil”);
• Registered marital relationship with a local citizen/s (through marriage);
• Investment in the local economy or property of $250,000 or more (investment);
• Compliance with the state’s residency requirement (naturalization).

The limited number of migration programmes does not suit many foreigners. Potential investors often refuse this option of second citizenship due to the high threshold of financial investment and limited possibilities of the requested status.

St Kitts And Nevis Passport Renewal

The document is valid for 120 months. After the expiry of this period, the passport is prolonged. A new document is issued within a month. To replace a passport, it is not necessary to visit the state. The state fee for replacement is $361. You will need a certificate of naturalisation, a birth certificate, a statement confirming the absence of a criminal record, and a photo.

St. Kitts and Nevis is a promising country for company registration, purchase of real estate. Nationality of the country is optimal, if there is a goal to minimize taxes paid, to get the possibility of visa-free entry to more than 150 countries.