For investors and high-net-worth individuals, a second passport can be an ultimate emergency backup plan, bringing them better value and benefits such as increased mobility, a favorable tax regime, and lucrative investments, as well as economic and political diversification. For investors striving to secure dual citizenship, St. Kitts and Nevis along with Dominica provide attractive programs, where applicants can obtain the passport in exchange for an affordable investment in just few months. Those who are confused which program to pick, this article highlights the main differences between the two passports.
How to Obtain St. Kitts and Nevis Passport?
The Citizenship-by-Investment Program of St. Kitts and Nevis allows foreign investors to acquire a passport and citizenship if they meet certain criteria. St Kitts and Nevis passport and citizenship are granted for life to qualified applicants within 3 months with no residency requirements. However, as of 2023 the process could take 6 months or more.
Applicants are required to submit an application through an Authorized Agent and successfully pass a thorough due diligence process. They are also required to make either a non-refundable contribution to the Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF) or purchase a real estate property in a government-approved project for a minimum of $200,000 in addition to paying applicable government fees. Application forms are only available with authorized agents.
How to Obtain Dominica Passport
The first step towards obtaining a Dominica passport is contacting an Authorized Agent of the Caribbean economic citizenship program, who only can present new citizenship applications to the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Unit (CBIU). Potential applicants are required to undergo a basic due diligence process to ensure they are a safe addition to the country and have no criminal history.
To qualify for citizenship and secure Dominica’s passport investors must contribute either to a non-refundable contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund or purchase real estate in a government-approved project for a minimum of $200,000, in addition to paying applicable government fees.
Dominica’s citizenship by investment program neither requires specific business experience, education, language, nor a mandatory interview. The citizenship is irrevocable and granted for life and provided within 4 to 5 months. Citizenship
Points to Consider When Applying for St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship
To apply for St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship, applicants must be at least 18 years old, they should be of good character without any criminal record. They should be financially stable, have a clean police record, able to demonstrate a source of legal income, and provide proof of medical fitness.
If applicants don’t meet these criteria or have been found guilty of fraud or other illegal activity, the result would be a refusal of the citizenship application. However, applicants will be given a reason for the refusal and can appeal the decision if they think it’s unfair. Applicants must keep few things in mind during the process, the most important of which is being patient because the application process can take up to six months to complete. They must make sure that they have all the required documentation before beginning the application and be prepared to provide detailed information about their finances, employment, and education. They should complete the application in full and truthfully, as any inaccuracies could delay the process.
Applicants should know that the decision on their application is ultimately up to the Citizenship Unit in St. Kitts & Nevis and their decision will rely heavily on the due diligence report it receives on the applicant.
Points to Consider When Applying for Dominica Citizenship
The Dominica Economic Citizenship Program accepts only outstanding character and reputed individuals to ensure that only credible persons are given citizenship. The Government of Dominica has a distinguished private investigative agency to perform a comprehensive due diligence procedure on all applicants older than 18 years of age. Only individuals with no criminal record and whose funds have been legally derived will be permitted to acquire citizenship in the country.
Applicants should have excellent health and must show that they do not suffer from any contagious diseases. They must either make a significant economic contribution to a government fund or purchase approved real estate on the island. In both cases, the applicant must officially commit to making the investment before applying to the investor program but does not actually have to pay in full until after approval in principle is issued.
Candidates applying under the government donation option must agree to pay the total amount specified by the program within few weeks of receiving an Approval in Principle letter from the CBIU. If an application is rejected or withdrawn, due diligence and application fees are nonrefundable, and the contribution amount will not be required. The applicant is required to pay the government fees if the application is successful, and in case of applying under the real estate option, applicant must also pay for the approved investment. Once the relevant fees are paid, naturalization certificates and passports are normally issued within 45 days.
St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship
The Citizenship-by-Investment Program of St. Kitts and Nevis was established in 1984, making it the oldest and one of the most reputable programs in the world. It allows foreign investors to acquire a St Kitts and Nevis passport and citizenship if they meet certain criteria and successfully pass a thorough due diligence process. St Kitts and Nevis passport and citizenship are irrevocable and granted for life to qualified applicants within 6 months with no residency requirements.
Dominica Citizenship by Investment
Dominica citizenship through the investment program is protected by law, therefore, obtaining second citizenship from Dominica remains a confidential process that does not require a person to renounce his existing citizenship. It allows foreign investors to acquire a Dominica passport and citizenship if they meet certain criteria and successfully pass a thorough due diligence process. Additionally, Dominica’s citizenship by investment program neither requires specific business experience, education, language, nor a mandatory interview. It can be provided within 4 to 5 months.
Benefits of St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Programs
A St. Kitts and Nevis passport allows visa-free access to 157 destinations, including the EU Schengen area, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Russia, as well as easy obtaining of a B-1/B-2 visa for the United States, which can be valid for 10 years. They can also get a 10-year tourist visa to Canada that grants multiple 180-day entries. Holders of St. Kitts and Nevis passport can also benefit from tax exemptions, as there is no tax applicable on income received outside of its borders.
St. Kitts and Nevis passport is issued for 10 years and can be renewed. A spouse, children under 25, and parents over 55 can receive citizenship with the investor without any residency requirements. Passport holders have access to quality education, and students can apply for fully funded scholarship programs in the country and in the UK and the US as well. The country is known for its medical institutions, hosting the University of Medicine and Health Science. The country guarantees as well financial privacy by not making any information about offshore business owners and top managers public.
Benefits of Second Citizenship in Dominica
Dominica’s passport provides holders with a lot of benefits. It allows visa-free travel to 145 countries, including Europe’s Schengen Area, the UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Russian Federation, and lately, China. Dominica passport holders can get a 10-year B-1/B-2 visa to the United States, which allows investors to stay in the country for up to 180 days a year to attend business meetings and conferences, travel and get medical treatment.
The paradise island with its white sandy shores, macroeconomic stability, world-class health care, high level of medical institutions, burgeoning education system, as well as numerous entertainment activities, offers rich and fertile land for families to live, work, and savor life. Dominica’s passport allows business owners to benefit from a favorable tax regime, as there is neither wealth, capital gains, estate, death, or inheritance tax on its inhabitants or residents, nor global income tax for non-residents. Investors can also avail the of registered and regulated offshore banks, which are more private and flexible than traditional banks.
Comparing Table with Main Points
| Program characteristics |
St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment |
Dominica Citizenship by investment |
| Application time | 4 – 6 months + | 4 – 5 months |
| Passport global ranking | 26th giving holders visa-free access to 157 destinations | 35th giving holders visa-free access to 145 destinations |
| Qualifying investment |
$125,000 (single applicant) $150,000 (main applicant and spouse) $170,000 (family with two dependents) 2.Real estate: $200,000 minimum investment $400,000 in a qualified private home 3. Public Goods Investment |
$100,000 (single applicant) $150,000 (main applicant and spouse) $175,000 (family of four) 2. Real Estate Investment: $200,000 minimum investment |
| Taxes | No income tax on worldwide income, wealth tax, gift tax, inheritance tax, or capital gains tax | No income tax on worldwide income, wealth tax, gift tax, inheritance tax, or capital gains tax |
| Residency rule | No residency requirements | No residency requirements |
| Family eligibility | Inclusion of spouse, dependent children under 25, siblings (under certain conditions) and parents and grandparents aged 55 or over | Applicants can include spouse, dependent children up to the age of 30, and parents and grandparent above 65 years |
| Application requirements | No interview, language or residency requirement necessary | No interview, language or residency requirement necessary |
St. Kitts and Nevis – Dominica Comparison: At a Glance
Passports for both Caribbean countries provide investors with tremendous advantages such as flexible residence rules and application requirements, short application process, inclusion of the family members, as well as global mobility and tax havens.
The investor’s decision depends on his priorities, goals, and personal circumstances, and whether he is looking for an affordable program for himself or for a second passport for the whole family including siblings.
If the applicant is applying for a second passport mainly for travel and global mobility, both passports are powerful providing visa-free access to more than 145 main international destinations including the Schengen area. Dominica has included lately China to its list of countries.
On the other hand, if an applicant seeks a rapid route for gaining a citizenship, St. Kitts and Nevis offers an Accelerated Application Process (APP), that guarantees a quick citizenship process, including receiving an Approval-In-Principle in sixty days or faster.
If the candidate is applying as a single person, Dominica is the more affordable option, because the starting investment is a $100,000 non-refundable contribution to the country’s Economic Diversification Fund, compared to $125,000 for Saint Kitts. But if the applicant includes his family member, the difference in cost narrows. The minimum donation for a family of four in St. Kitts is $175,000 and $195,000, respectively (in fact, St Kitts is more affordable with the limited offer from 1 Jan to 30 June 2023, at $170,000). Also, St Kitts is more inclusive regarding dependents: parents and grandparents can be included if they are over 55 years old, and siblings are eligible if under 30, unmarried and have no children. Dominica, on the other hand, announced in September 2022 that it will no longer accept the inclusion of siblings in applications, and parents and grandparents must be over 65.