St. Kitts and Nevis vs St. Lucia passport: which citizenship program to pick?

Investors looking to acquire Caribbean citizenship as a second passport and perplexed about whether to pick St. Kitts and Nevis program or the St. Lucia program should take their decision based on their priorities. The selection depends on the investor’s goal and whether he wants to increase global mobility, make the best of tax-friendly policies, or diversify assets. However, both passports can provide investors with these advantages, and more.

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. Application forms are only available with authorized agents.

How to Obtain St. Lucia Passport? 

St. Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program allows foreign investors and their qualifying dependents to acquire a second passport and citizenship in exchange for an investment in the country’s economy. After meeting certain criteria and successfully passing a thorough due diligence process, applicants are required either to make a non-refundable contribution (donation) to the Saint Lucia National Economic Fund or purchase real estate in a government-approved project or purchase a government bond. Applicants are granted citizenship for life within 4 to 5 months with no residency requirements. 

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 a 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 have to 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 officer who reviews the case. There is always a chance that their application could be denied, and if this happens, they can always reapply later.

Points to Consider When Applying for St. Lucia Citizenship

To apply for a St Lucia second citizenship, applicants must be over 18 years old, and provide detailed information and evidence of the respective investment. They should have an outstanding character, excellent health, and hold no criminal record. 

Applicants must pass a detailed background check, and pay the required non-refundable processing, due diligence, and administrative fees upon application. Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program allows applicants, their spouse, children, and parents to apply for citizenship. 

The Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) in St. Lucia accepts application for citizenship, after providing the necessary documentation and completing the government forms which can only be obtained from government authorized Agents and Promoters. Any information provided must be accurate up-to-date. 

The processing time for a passport in St. Lucia may vary, but it typically takes several weeks to process an application. By understanding the eligibility, documentation, application process, processing time and renewal process, applicants can navigate the process smoothly and efficiently. 

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 2 to 3 months with no residency requirements. 

St. Lucia Citizenship 

St. Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program is considered one of the youngest programs in the Caribbean. It allows foreign investors and their qualifying dependents to acquire a second passport and citizenship in exchange for a $100,000 non-refundable contribution to the National Economic Fund or purchase of a $200,000 real estate in a government-approved project, or purchase of $300,000 government bond, along with payment of applicable government fees. After meeting certain criteria and successfully passing a thorough due diligence process, applicants are granted citizenship for life within 4 to 5 months with no residency requirements. The application process for this program is cost-effective, fast, and straightforward with a limited number of documents to be submitted, and applicants can include dependent children under 30 years, parents above 55 years, as well as siblings under the age of 18 years.

Benefits of St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Programs 

A St. Kitts and Nevis passport allows visa-free access to 157 destinations, including 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. 

St. Kitts and Nevis passport holders 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. As for young children, the compulsory 12-year school program in the country is free. St. Kitts and Nevis is known for its medical institutions, hosting the University of Medicine and Health Science. 

There are plenty of business opportunities in St. Kitts and Nevis, and it is famous for its foreign-friendly business policies. With its sunny and mesmerizing beaches and strong national infrastructure, the country has turned into one of the fastest-growing economies in the Caribbean. The country guarantees as well financial privacy by not making any information about offshore business owners and top managers public. 

Benefits of St. Lucia Citizenship by Investment Programs 

Saint Lucia citizenship has enormous benefits to offer, the first of which is the right to live, work, and study in a stable and secure country. It provides its holders global mobility and access to 147 destinations, including Europe’s Schengen area, UK, among others. Saint Lucia citizens enjoy various tax benefits, as there is no tax on capital, wealth, or inheritance tax. 

St. Lucia is strategically located to serve regional, international, and virtual markets, due to its proximity to the nearshore markets of North America, South America, and CARICOM member countries. It is only three hours flight from the USA and an 8-hour flight to Europe. It boasts two airports servicing regional and international airlines. St. Lucia provides an appealing investment climate with cutting-edge solutions. It continually ranks at the top in factors like ease of doing business, economic freedom, and transparency making it an irresistible and unique choice for investors.

Comparing Table with Main Points

St. Kitts and Nevis – St. Lucia Comparison: At a Glance

Both Caribbean countries offer powerful passports, tax-friendly policies, with no income tax on worldwide income or capital gains, among other tax breaks. They both welcome dual citizenship, and applicants and their families can obtain Caribbean citizenship in exchange for a qualifying investment. To apply for both citizenship programs, applicants must be over 18 and have no criminal record. 

However, selecting the best program depends on the applicant’s priority. If the applicant is applying for a second passport mainly for travel and global mobility, both passports are among the best in the world with very little differences between the two. A St. Lucia or a Sr. Kitts and Nevis passport will give its holder visa-free access to more than 145 countries including Schengen and the UK.  St Lucia may be the slightly better option for investors looking for asset diversification, as it offers more investment options. However, Real estate properties can be more affordable in St. Kitts and Nevis. 

Overall, St Lucia is also the most affordable between the two, with the minimum donation for a single person at $100,000 and a family of four at $150,000, compared to St Kitts respective minimum amounts of $125,000 and $170,000 (special offer from 1 Jan to 30 June 2023), where the price is likely to go higher after the Limited Time Offer ends.