The islands of St Kitts and Nevis are two islands which forms a federation. The two islands share government. St Kitts was one of the very first Caribbean countries to offer economic citizenship to foreigners. St Kitts and Nevis began its second citizenship in 1984. Over the years there have been many adjustments to the program and today there are two separate programs for second citizenship in the offshore tax haven of St Kitts and Nevis. The programs are the Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation (SIDF) and the Real Estate Citizenship-by-Investments.

The Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation began in 2006 when the sugar industry collapsed in the offshore jurisdiction. This industry employed a large number of persons in the population and the government had to find employment for workers from the industry. The contributions made to the foundation are used to open other avenues of employment for the people of St Kitts and Nevis.

Citizenship in St Kitts and Nevis made easy means that the process for applying for second citizenship in the two island nation is a very straight forward process. To qualify for the Citizenship-by-Investment program candidates must make a real estate investment in the country worth no less than US$400,000. The investment can be made in an ongoing project or, new property can be purchased. The government of St Kitts and Nevis has put aside a number of real estate projects for prospective citizens to invest in. The applier and dependents over age 18 wishing to gain second citizenship of St Kitts and Nevis must pay an application fee of US$50,000 each and an additional US$25,000 is paid for each other dependent (wife and children under 18).

Once all the fees have been paid and due diligence is carried out the applicants become citizens of the Federation of ST Kitts and Nevis. They can then apply for a St Kitts and Nevis passport. It must be noted that according to legislation properties purchased under the Citizenship —by- invest program cannot be resold until a period of five years have passed. The new owners of said property are not eligible to apply for St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship under the Citizenship —by- investment program.

St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship has been made easier with the SIDF. Applicants who favor this means of gaining ST Kitts and Nevis citizenship must make a non refundable donation to the foundation. There are four options with this program: Option A only one applicant qualifies and at a contribution of US$250,000. Option B; one applicant with up to three dependents at a contribution of US$300,000. Option C one applicant and five dependents will qualify for this option at a rate of US$350,000. Option D qualifies one applicant with six dependencies for citizenship. This option costs US$450,000. The contributions made to the SIDF already include government registration fees.

All person over the age of 16 under applications for economic citizenship of Saint Kitts and Nevis must have a thorough due diligence/background check. The cost of due diligence fees of US$7,500 for the main applier and US$4,000 for each other person over 16.

Agents’ fees are calculated on a case-by-case basis.

Citizenship in St Kitts and Nevis cannot be any easier. As long as citizenship is granted persons can apply for passports. St Kitts and Nevis citizens can obtain real estate in the twin island nation and can travel to many countries in the world visa free.