Every way into Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Nationals who are not covered by the visa-exemption list must obtain a visa to enter Saint Kitts and Nevis, available as an e-Visa carrying a fee of USD 100 and permitting a maximum stay of up to 30 days. The route is for tourism and short visits; the visa does not authorise work or study and does not lead to residence. Visa-required travellers must still satisfy general entry conditions (onward ticket, funds, accommodation). Most travellers are instead visa-exempt and use the eTA route.

Government fee

$100

Max stay

30 days

Validity

30 days

Since 26 May 2025, all air travellers to Saint Kitts and Nevis must hold an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) obtained online before departure, except citizens and residents of Saint Kitts and Nevis and nationals of OECS member states, who are exempt. The single-entry eTA costs USD 17, is valid for 90 days or until the passport expires (whichever is sooner), and is normally approved within 24 hours. It is used for tourism, family visits and short business trips; the actual permitted stay on arrival is set by the immigration officer and ranges from about 30 days up to 6 months depending on nationality. Cruise-ship passengers on day trips do not need an eTA.

Government fee

$17

Processing time

1 day

Max stay

90 days

Validity

90 days

Non-nationals enrolling at a recognised institution in Saint Kitts and Nevis (such as the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College or one of the offshore medical universities) need a student visa for long-term study, even though many nationalities can enter visa-free for up to three months. The visa is valid for one academic year (August to July) and is renewable annually. The fee is EC$400 / USD 150 (non-refundable, payable by bank draft or money order to the Accountant General), and applicants must show proof of funding of at least USD 10,000. Applications are processed by the National Security Secretariat after the student arrives in St. Kitts. Holders of an indefinite OECS stamp, residency stamps, residency by marriage, or a CARICOM Skills Certificate do not need a student visa.

• Study: Full enrolment at the admitting institution for one academic year, renewable.

Government fee

$150

Max stay

365 days

Validity

365 days

Under the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), nationals of CARICOM member states who hold a Certificate of Recognition of Caribbean Community Skills Qualification (Skills Certificate) in an approved category may live and work in Saint Kitts and Nevis without a work permit and are granted indefinite stay, subject to immigration verification. A CARICOM national can apply for the Skills Certificate in any member state; spouses and immediate dependent family members may accompany the holder. This route is separate from the OECS free-movement arrangement and applies to skilled CARICOM nationals outside the OECS as well.

• Work: Skills Certificate holders work without a work permit.
• Study: Lawful indefinite stay permits study.
• Residency: Indefinite stay; naturalisation follows ordinary 14-year residence rules.
• Family: Spouse and immediate dependent family members may accompany the holder.

Foreign nationals (other than OECS nationals and CARICOM Skills Certificate holders) need an employer-sponsored work permit to work in Saint Kitts and Nevis. The application is lodged by the employer with the Ministry of Labour and requires evidence that no suitably qualified local worker is available (for example newspaper advertisements) plus an employment contract. The full-year permit fee is EC$2,550 (EC$1,300 for a half year) with EC$50 for the work-permit ID on approval. Processing typically takes 4-8 weeks. Permits are tied to a specific employer and role and are renewable; long-term holders may in time pursue permanent residence or naturalisation.

• Work: Work for the sponsoring employer and role named in the permit.
• Residency: Continuous legal residence can lead to permanent residence/naturalisation (14 years for citizenship by residence).

Government fee

EC$2,550

Processing time

42 days

Max stay

365 days

Validity

365 days

The Approved Private Real Estate route grants citizenship for the purchase of designated private property: a minimum USD 325,000 for a condominium unit or share, or USD 600,000 for a single-family private dwelling home. The property may not be resold for at least seven years. As with the other CBI routes, the investment is on top of government, processing, passport and due-diligence fees, and applicants undergo enhanced due diligence and a mandatory interview (applicants aged 16+). Eligible dependents include the spouse, children up to 30 and parents/grandparents aged 55+. Processing is typically 4-6 months and citizenship is full and hereditary.

• Work: Citizenship grants unrestricted right to live and work.
• Study: Full study rights as a citizen.
• Residency: Confers full citizenship directly, transmissible to descendants.
• Family: Spouse, children up to 30 and parents/grandparents 55+ may be included.

Processing time

150 days

Min. investment

$325,000

The Approved Development real-estate route grants citizenship in exchange for a minimum USD 325,000 investment in a government-approved development project (such as a resort, hotel or branded residence). The property may not be resold for at least seven years. The investment is in addition to government fees, due-diligence fees (about USD 10,000 for the main applicant and USD 7,500 per dependent aged 16+), and per-person processing and passport fees, and applicants must pass enhanced due diligence and the mandatory interview (applicants aged 16+). Eligible dependents mirror the fund route (spouse, children to 30, parents/grandparents 55+). Processing is typically 4-6 months. Citizenship is full and hereditary.

• Work: Citizenship grants unrestricted right to live and work.
• Study: Full study rights as a citizen.
• Residency: Confers full citizenship directly, transmissible to descendants.
• Family: Spouse, children up to 30 and parents/grandparents 55+ may be included.

Processing time

150 days

Min. investment

$325,000

The Public Benefit Option grants citizenship in return for a non-refundable contribution of at least USD 250,000 channelled through an approved public-benefit project that funds national infrastructure and development (for example approved construction or community projects). The contribution covers a main applicant and qualifying family; the same dependent rules apply (spouse, children to 30, parents/grandparents 55+). Applicants pay due-diligence fees (about USD 10,000 main applicant, USD 7,500 per dependent 16+) plus government processing and passport fees and must pass enhanced due diligence and a mandatory interview (applicants aged 16+). Processing is typically 4-6 months; citizenship is full and hereditary.

• Work: Citizenship grants unrestricted right to live and work.
• Study: Full study rights as a citizen.
• Residency: Confers full citizenship directly, transmissible to descendants.
• Family: Spouse, children up to 30 and parents/grandparents 55+ may be included.

Processing time

150 days

Min. investment

$250,000

The Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC) is the main fund route of the Saint Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Programme, the world's oldest economic-citizenship scheme (established 1984). A non-refundable contribution of USD 250,000 covers a main applicant or a family of up to four; each additional dependent under 18 adds USD 25,000 and each additional dependent aged 18 or over adds USD 50,000. Eligible dependents include a spouse, children up to age 30 and parents/grandparents aged 55 or over. A mandatory interview applies to the main applicant and dependents aged 16 and over, alongside enhanced due diligence. The contribution is in addition to due-diligence fees (about USD 10,000 for the main applicant and USD 7,500 per dependent aged 16+) and a USD 250 per-person government processing fee. Citizenship is typically granted in about 4-6 months and passes to future generations by descent.

• Work: Citizenship grants the unrestricted right to live and work in the Federation.
• Study: Full study rights as a citizen.
• Residency: Confers full citizenship directly, transmissible to descendants.
• Family: Spouse, children up to 30 and parents/grandparents aged 55+ may be included.

Processing time

150 days

Min. investment

$250,000

Foreign nationals who wish to run a business in Saint Kitts and Nevis without seeking citizenship can incorporate a company (including a Nevis LLC or international business company) and establish operations, supported by the investment promotion agencies. There is no fixed minimum-capital passive investor visa; foreign owners and their non-OECS staff still require work permits to be employed locally, and the business must comply with company, tax and social-security registration. This active-business route is separate from the Citizenship by Investment Programme and is the practical path for entrepreneurs and self-employed investors who do not use the CBI.

• Work: Owner may work in the business once a work permit is granted; permit tied to the business.
• Residency after 14 years

A person married to a citizen of Saint Kitts and Nevis may register as a citizen by marriage. The marriage must generally be subsisting for at least three years, and applicants must demonstrate a genuine marriage and pass character, health and security checks, including police clearance from their country of citizenship and any country of residence in the past ten years. Processing typically takes around 12-18 months from submission to passport issuance. Minor children of a parent who obtains citizenship through marriage may acquire citizenship by registration. The route is administered by the Ministry responsible for citizenship.

• Work: Successful applicants become citizens with full work rights.
• Study: Full study rights as a citizen.
• Residency: Route leads directly to citizenship; no separate PR step.
• Family: Minor children may acquire citizenship by registration through the qualifying parent.

Processing time

450 days

Citizenship by descent is available to a person whose parent or grandparent was born in the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Applicants establish the qualifying ancestry through birth and parentage records and register their citizenship, which then entitles them to a Saint Kitts and Nevis passport. There is no investment or residence requirement; the route is based purely on documented lineage and is administered by the Ministry responsible for citizenship and the immigration authorities.

• Work: Confirmed citizens have full work rights.
• Study: Full study rights as a citizen.
• Residency: Confers citizenship directly; no residence step.
• Family: Each person qualifies on their own descent; minor children may register.

As a full member of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Economic Union under the Revised Treaty of Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis grants nationals of fellow OECS member states (Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) the right to enter, reside and work without a visa, eTA or work permit. Qualifying OECS nationals receive an indefinite OECS entry stamp on arrival. The arrangement is for OECS citizens only and is distinct from the wider CARICOM skills-certificate scheme.

• Work: OECS nationals may work without a work permit.
• Study: May study without a separate student visa.
• Residency: Indefinite stay; naturalisation follows ordinary residence rules (14 years legal residence).

Saint Kitts and Nevis grants permanent residence to foreign nationals through the Ministry of National Security / Immigration on the basis of long legal residence, marriage to a citizen, or significant property ownership. A common route for retirees and property owners is ownership of a home valued at least USD 350,000 held for at least seven years. Applicants must provide a valid passport, police clearance, medical certificate, proof of financial stability and references; fees are payable on application and on issuance. Permanent residence is a step toward citizenship by residence, which requires 14 years of legal residence in the Federation.

• Work: Permanent residents may live and work in the Federation.
• Study: May study without a student visa.
• Residency after 14 years
• Family: Minor children may be included; spouses of citizens use the marriage route.