Author: John Mellor

Background

Changes have been made to the St Kitts & Nevis Citizenship by Investment Programme (CBI), for a limited time period of six months: 1 January 2023 – 30 June 2023.

Three benefits are available during this limited time offer period: 

• Contributions that need to be paid by applicants to the Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF) have been reduced.
• Government fees for a spouse and dependants respectively, are enhanced compared to fees post the start of July 2023.
• The time limit to process applications has been decreased from 90 days to 60 days.

Contribution to the Sustainable Growth Fund

Contribution costs to the Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF), for the limited offer time period are confirmed as:

• Main applicant: US$125,000
• Main applicant and a spouse: US$150,000
• Main applicant, spouse and two dependants: US$170,000
• Each additional dependant under 18: US$10,000
• Each additional dependant over 18: US$25,000

These costs are US$25,000 less for each of the categories of; main applicant, main applicant and spouse, and a family of four, compared to the contribution costs as from the start of July 2023.

Real Estate Investment Option

From January 2023 onwards, only Approved Developments are eligible for the Real Estate Investment Option under the new CBI regime.

The minimum investment amount remains US$200,000.

However, there are now clear guidelines as to what cannot be included as part of the investment costs, a number of fees are specifically excluded. Please contact Dixcart Nevis, for further details: advice.nevis@dixcart.com.

Private Homes Sale Investment Option

The Private Home Sale Investment Option is retained as a permanent investment option under the CBI Programme, where the minimum investment per application is US$400,000 in a private single-family dwelling house, designated as an Approved Private Home.

  An Approved Private Home is subject to the following restrictions:

• It cannot be resold within 7 years;
• It cannot be resold to any other CBI applicant; and
• It cannot be converted into apartments or condominiums.

Public Good Investment Option

As from January 2023, the Alternative Investment Option (AIO) has been replaced with, the newly introduced, Public Good Investment Option (PGIO). The minimum investment per application is US$175,000 in an Approved Public Good Project, payable to an Approved Public Good Investor. 

On designating an investor as an Approved Public Good Investor, the Government of St Kitts and Nevis will specify; the number of public good investment units of the Approved Public Good Project to be sold, the schedule of completion and distribution of the units, and the corresponding escrow drawdown process.

Government Fees for CBI Applications 

From January 2023 onwards, for non-accelerated CBI applications under the Real Estate Investment Option, Private Home Sale Investment Option and the PGIO, the government fees payable upon ‘approval-in-principle’ are as follows: 

• Main applicant: US$25,000 
• Spouse: US$15,000 
• Each dependant child or qualified dependant under 18: US$10,000 
• Each dependant aged 18 or above or qualified dependant: US$15,000 

The fee for the addition of a spouse will increase to: US$20,000, as from 1 July 2023.

For accelerated CBI applications, the enhanced government fees payable, upon ‘approval-in-principle,’ for the limited time period: 1 January 2023 – 30 June 2023 are:

• Main applicant: US$42,500
• Spouse: US$32,500
• Each dependant child or other qualified dependant under 18: US$22,500
• Each dependant aged 18 or above or qualified dependant: US$32,500

The fees for the addition of a spouse and/or other qualified dependant will increase to: US$37,500, as from 1 July 2023.

Additional Information

Please contact John Mellor at the Dixcart office in Nevis for additional information regarding the benefits of this limited time offer and how you can make an application under the St Kitts & Nevis CBI programme: advice.nevis@dixcart.com.

Further to our previous article “St Kitts & Nevis Economic Citizenship: How and Why?” we shall explore the process of applying for second citizenship in St Kitts & Nevis

As the world we live in changes, people are changing the way they think about citizenship, how they can use their citizenship in their everyday lives, as well as planning for the future, theirs and for their offspring.

The Application Process and What Help is Available

The citizenship application process can appear quite daunting, when you look at the forms requiring completion and the supporting documents needed to provide evidence of the applicant’s identity and their suitability to be a St Kitts & Nevis Citizen.

We at Dixcart Management Nevis Limited (DMNL), aim to make applying as simple as possible. We use our years of experience to ensure that the application pack to be presented to the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU), is the best it can be and provides everything they require.

The Four Stages of the Application Process

The application process, can be broken down into four stages and these are as follows:

Stage 1. Initial Engagement

As part of the process, DMNL will provide a personalised proposal including supporting costings, based upon the structure of the family/individual applying and whether they wish to apply via the donation route or through Real Estate.

Once the potential applicant has had the chance to review the proposal, we recommend an introductory video meeting, where we can get to know one another, answer any questions and they can decide if they wish to move forward with an application.

Stage 2. Completing the Application Paperwork

Once the engagement has been completed, the preparation and consultation phase starts. 

• We ask the client to review the required documents list provided.
  • Complete the required application forms (C1, C2, C3 and C4).
  • Collect the supporting documents.

• During this phase, we encourage the client to ask as many questions as are necessary, as we are here to help you.

We also offer the option for video calls, to work through the forms together and to clarify any points relating to the detail being requested.

• As the client completes the forms and obtains the required evidence documents, we request that scanned copies be sent to us, this allows us to start the review process, ensuring everything meets the Citizenship by Investment Unit’s (CIU) standards. We will provide feedback and guidance, if we feel anything can be improved or explained in a better manner.

• Once we and the applicant are both happy with the forms and supporting documents, the originals can then be couriered to our office and one further, final review will be carried out.  Once the final application pack is complete, we will upload the pack to the Government website and officially submit the application.

This completes Stage 2.

Stage 3. Accepting the Application

The CIU will carry out an initial review of all forms and documents.

• Any amendments or omissions will be communicated to us for correction and we will keep the applicant informed.

• Once CIU are happy with all the forms and documents provided, they will give confirmation that the application pack has been accepted and their formal review process will commence.

• The CIU will not accept enquiries about an application, until 3 months (Standard) or 45 days (Fast Track), have passed.  However, DMNL have a very good relationship with the CIU and will be able to talk through any possible issues and solutions with them during processing.

Stage 4. Application Approval

Post approval in principle

• Once the approval in principle has been granted, we will receive an official letter confirming that the application has been successful and detailing the donation required to be paid.

• Following the transfer of funds from the applicant to the CIU, we are able collect the Certificate(s) of Registration (COR) from the Government and supply scanned copies for review.

• Once the applicant confirms the detail on the COR is correct, we request completed passport applications. When received, we can obtain a local police clearance certificate and submit passports applications, which are normally processed in 5 days.

• Upon receipt of the St Kitts Nevis passport, we courier in two separate couriers, 1) your COR, 2) your passport.

When we receive confirmation of receipt, that completes the application process.

Additional Information

If you have found this article of interest and wish to explore the option of second citizenship, please contact the Dixcart office in Nevis: advice.nevis@dixcart.com We will be delighted to assist you.