The St Kitts and Nevis Public Benefit Option (PBO) allows investors to make a valuable contribution to the country by donating to an Approved Public Benefactor that advances national infrastructure and development projects. In return for their qualifying investment, eligible investors gain dual citizenship and a powerful passport that offers improved global mobility with 154 visa free countries.
What is the Public Benefit Option?
The Public Benefit Option (PBO) is an initiative for the Government of St Kitts and Nevis sustainably achieve its capital investment goals by encouraging national and regional economic integration and stimulating the nation’s economic growth.
Introduced in July 2023, the PBO is one of four investment options of the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment (CBI) program. Eligible investors can make a minimum contribution to the option to secure citizenship.
The investor’s financial contribution is used to fund an approved public benefit project. Notable PBO projects include the Robert L. Bradshaw (RLB) International Airport expansion and the Prime Creative Arts Center development.
Approved project sectors
- Strategic industry investment
- Real estate construction on state-owned land
- State-acquired real estate developments
- Initiatives that drive local economic growth, such as employment and skills development
How the PBO differs from other investment routes
Compared to other investment options like the Sustainable Island State Contribution, the PBO’s uniqueness lies in the direct contribution to an approved public benefit project. The PBO and the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC) both require a non-refundable contribution; however, the SISC option is a state fund contribution used for various economic goals, whereas the PBO is a direct contribution to an approved development project.
The PBO has a lower minimum investment requirement than real estate shares acquisition or the single-family private dwelling real estate investment option, but investors don’t gain a physical asset with the potential for capital appreciation alongside St Kitts and Nevis citizenship.
Eligibility Criteria for the Public Benefit Option
- Be 18 or over
- Have a clean criminal record
- Be of excellent character
- Not have been declared bankrupt within the last ten years
- Have the means to make the qualifying investment
Family members
- Spouse
- Children
- Under 18
- Between 18 and 25, in full-time education and financially dependent on the main applicant or spouse
- 18 or over and physically/mentally challenged
- Dependent parents and grandparents 55 or above
Public Benefit Option Minimum Contribution Requirements
The St Kitts and Nevis Public Benefit Program requires a single non-refundable contribution of $250,000. This allows a sole applicant or a main applicant and up and any number of family members to apply for the citizenship by investment program. The main applicant must pay a government application fee for each additional family member.
Fee | Main | Additional (Over 18 years old) | Additional (under 18 years old) |
Minimum Contribution | $250,000 | ||
Government Application Fee | No fee | $15,000 per dependent | $10,000 per dependent |
Due Diligence Fee | $10,000 | $7,500 per applicant 16 and over | |
Application Form | $250 per application | ||
Passport Fee | $360 per passport | ||
Post-approval application fees
After obtaining citizenship, the primary applicant of the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship program can apply for citizenship for future generations for the following government fees:
- Spouse: $15,000
- Qualified dependant under 18: $10,000
- Qualified dependant 18 or over: $15,000
How to Apply for St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship through the Public Benefit Option
1. Choose an Authorized Agent: Select an agent authorized by the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) to submit your citizenship application.
2. Prepare your application: Your Authorized Agent will assist with preparing your application form and the necessary documents.
4. Submit application: Your Agent will submit your citizenship application and required documents (CIU) along with the processing fees.
5. Citizenship interview: The due diligence process has a mandatory interview requirement, which is conducted by an independent professional firm commissioned by the Investment Unit.
6. Application approval: Provided your application is approved by the CIU and you’ve provided supporting documents (if requested), you will receive a confirmation letter with the status Approval in Principle.
7. Make the contribution: Make the qualifying investment, in this case, a non-refundable contribution to the Citizenship by Investment Unit, and pay the other fees required to complete the application process.
8. Take an Oath: After making the required minimum investment, you will receive full citizenship approval. You can take an Oath of Allegiance to St Kitts and Nevis to obtain a St Kitts and Nevis citizenship certificate. 7. Receive your passport: Your new St Kitts and Nevis passport will be issued to you.
9. Receive your passport: Your new St Kitts and Nevis passport will be issued to you.
Citizenship timeline
Applying for the St Kitts and Nevis CBI program through the Public Benefit Option route is relatively straightforward. The application process from submission to receipt of a St Kitts and Nevis passport takes four to six months.
Public Benefit Option Benefits
- Affordable investment: The Public Benefit Option (PBO) has the lowest St Kitts citizenship cost for a single applicant.
- Contribution post-approval: Investors are only required to transfer funds to an approved public benefactor after receiving approval in principle.
- Fast processing: The PBO is one of the fastest ways to obtain Caribbean citizenship by investment, with an average processing time of four to six months.
- Family inclusion: A main applicant can add their spouse, children, and dependent parents and grandparents to their St Kitts and Nevis dual citizenship application.
- Remote application: The St Kitts citizenship program does not have language or residency requirements, and the mandatory interview takes place remotely.
- Strong passport: Successful applicants receive a St Kitts and Nevis passport, which offers visa free travel to 154 countries, including the UK, EU Schengen countries, Russia, Taiwan, and Saudi Arabia.
- Dual citizenship allowed: The Government of St Kitts and Nevis allows dual citizenship, meaning investors can become St Kitts and Nevis citizens without renouncing other citizenships.
- Citizenship for future generations: Approved participants of the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program can pass citizenship on to future spouses or dependent children.
- Favorable taxes: St Kitts and Nevis operates an attractive tax regime, which does not impose personal income tax or wealth, or inheritance, or capital gains taxes.
Frequently Asked Questions about the St Kitts Public Benefit Option
Do I receive a tangible asset in return for my investment with the Public Benefit Option?
The Public Benefit Option does not offer investors a tangible asset like the St Kitts and Nevis real estate citizenship option does
Is the contribution to the PBO refundable?
The contribution required for the PBO is non-refundable. The different between the PBO and buying shares of an approved real estate project or an approved private home is applicants can sell their investment after seven years.
Who is eligible to apply for St Kitts citizenship?
Foreign investors who are at least 18, have a clean criminal history, have not been declared bankrupt within the last ten years, and have the means to make the qualifying investment can get St Kitts and Nevis citizenship through the PBO. Qualifying applicants also include investors’ spouses, dependent children, parents, and grandparents.
What type of projects does the PBO fund?
The PBO funds national development projects, such as infrastructure projects, healthcare improvements, education reforms, and other projects that provide a substantial benefit to local communities.
