St. Kitts & Nevis

"Country Above Self"

overview

Welcome to St. Kitts & Nevis

St. Kitts and Nevis, a small Caribbean nation, is known for its tropical climate, beautiful beaches, and a growing tourism industry. The economy is supported by tourism, agriculture, and financial services, with its Citizenship by Investment program attracting global investors.

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St. Kitts & Nevis Essentials

National Anthem

O Land of Beauty!

Independence Day

September 19, 1983

Haiko

Twin islands embrace / Sugar cane fields sway in breeze / Green vervet monkeys

Interesting Tradition

Celebrates Sugar Mas a month-long carnival celebrating the sugar cane harvest

Weirdest Local Superstition

Walking backwards brings bad luck

Strangest Law Still on the Books

Illegal to appear in public in swimwear (except at beach)

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Come for the history, stay for the future

Come for the shores, stay for the security: St. Kitts & Nevis offers Caribbean serenity with global mobility advantages. Life balances between morning beach walks and international business connections, while weekends explore volcanic peaks or sailing adventures. The original citizenship by investment program has established these islands as a premier destination for global citizens.

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Come

Discover where tranquility isn't just a luxury, but a foundation for success. Here, island heritage meets global opportunity.

overview

Welcome to St. Kitts & Nevis

Known for its sugar plantations and scenic railways where history and beauty ride together

St. Kitts & Nevis isn't just a country—it's a dual-island paradise of perfect proportions. Here, time moves with the gentle trade winds, and even a simple beach walk becomes a lesson in Caribbean history. This is a land where sugar cane past meets sustainable future.

From the imposing Brimstone Hill Fortress to the serene beaches of Nevis Peak's shadow, St. Kitts & Nevis offers tranquility for every island seeker. Whether you're drawn to the colonial architecture of Basseterre, the beach bars of Frigate Bay, or the plantation inns of Nevis, you'll find a nation that perfectly balances heritage with barefoot luxury.

Statistics

Savor the Flavor

Eat

goat water (spicy goat stew) - conch fritters (seafood fritters)

Drink

CSR (cane spirit rum) - soursop juice (tropical fruit drink)

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Thirsty?

Beer

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

14

Wine

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

5

Coffee

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

0.00

Tea

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

0.01

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Cultural Tips and Etiquette

#1
Cricket match attendance shows community involvement
#2
Market shopping has morning-only protocols
#3
Carnival costume respect includes specific rules
#4
Goat water soup sharing has social significance
#5
Vervet monkey right-of-way must be respected

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St. Kitts & Nevis Essentials

Representative Novel

Annie John by Jamaica Kincaid (Novel set in Antigua, representative of St. Kitts & Nevis and other small Caribbean nations)

National Animal

Vervet Monkey

National Pasttime

Cricket

National Souvenir

Batik fabric

National Dish

Stewed saltfish

Famous Festival

St. Kitts Music Festival

Famous Dance

Big Drum

Famous Music

Calypso

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Did You Know?

St. Kitts and Nevis is home to the Caribbean's only scenic railway.

This historic railway was originally built to transport sugarcane and now offers breathtaking views of the islands' natural beauty.

The island of Nevis is the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton.

Hamilton, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, was born in Charlestown, Nevis in 1755.

St. Kitts and Nevis is a top destination for eco-tourism.

The islands are renowned for their unspoiled landscapes, including lush rainforests and pristine beaches, perfect for nature enthusiasts.

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St. Kitts & Nevis’s Key Historical Events

1,493

April 2014

Discovery by Christopher Columbus

1624

July 2014

British colonization begins

1967

February 2015

Independence from Britain

1983

March 2015

Becomes a sovereign nation

2005

October 2016

Full sovereignty attained

MOBILITY

Access St. Kitts & Nevis Residency Rights on the GlobalPassport™ Platform 

NO. OF Mobility Assets

1

MOBILITY

Citizenship Pathways and
Residency Requirements

Citizenship by Birth
Yes
Citizenship by DESCENT
Yes
Citizenship by MARRIAGE
0 years
DUAL Citizenship
Yes
RESIDENCY BY Naturalization
5
PASSPORT VALIDITY
10 years, 5 years for children

MOBILITY

Passport Power

Visa Free Countries

138

Performance Class

Global Contender

Passport Grade

B

Rank

72

Score

130.2

This visa grants access to:

• 33% of the world's population 

• 69% of UNESCO sites 

• 38% of global GDP 

• 44% of the world's land area 

MOBILITY

Visa-free access to:

MOBILITY

Number of American Emigrants to St. Kitts & Nevis by Year 

Year
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
St. Kitts & Nevis
19,316
22,377
25,521
28,792
33,678
35,809
38,779

MOBILITY

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Select up to 3 Mobility Assets
Mobility Asset
Approval Time (est.)
Appointment Availability
Term (i.e. duration)
Minimum Investment
Physical Presence Requirement
Cost of Living
English Usage
Quality of Life
Healthcare Ranking
Passport Power
Visa-free Country Access
Number of American Expats
More Details

Rankings

St. Kitts & Nevis's Global Rankings 

St. Kitts & Nevis shows moderate rule of law (#39). While limited data is available in global indices our analysis covers its performance across available metrics.

Exceptional performance
Standard performance
Needs Improvement
Rankings are based on 2023-2024 Global Indices and Assessments from recognized international organizations. Updated quarterly to reflect the most recent available data
Cost of Living
2024
Quality of Life
2024
Safety
2024
Happiness
2024
Tax Burden
2024
English Proficiency
2023
39
Rule of Law
2024
Moderate
Healthcare System
2024
Pleasant Climate
2024

Healthcare

Healthcare Overview

Key Health Indicators

Median Age

35.3

years

Life Expectancy

77.1

years

Obesity Rate

32.40%

Tobacco Use

23.00%

Sources

Health care Indicators

Health Expenditure

6.16%

of GDP

Hospital Beds

4.3

per 1000 people

Doctors

3

per 1000 people

Out-of-pocket

38.85%

of total expenditure

Sources

Healthcare

Did you Know?

Public Healthcare System

St. Kitts & Nevis offers a public healthcare system providing basic medical services to residents, funded through taxation.

Private Healthcare Options

Private healthcare is available in St. Kitts & Nevis for those seeking quicker access to treatments and more specialized care.

Healthcare for Expats

Expatriates in St. Kitts & Nevis can access the public healthcare system, though private insurance is often recommended for additional coverage.

Medical Tourism

St. Kitts & Nevis is a growing destination for medical tourism, offering affordable treatments, particularly in areas like dental care.

Pharmaceutical Access

Pharmaceuticals are widely available in St. Kitts & Nevis, with many medications accessible over the counter at local pharmacies.

Healthcare

United Healthcare Coverage Service Index (2000 - 2021)

Healthcare

Healthcare Cost Calculator

cost of living

Cost of Living Overview

St. Kitts & Nevis, a small Caribbean nation, has a moderate to high cost of living. As a popular tourist destination, prices in tourist areas are significantly higher than in residential zones. Housing costs can be high, especially for beachfront properties. Food prices are moderate to high, with imported goods being particularly expensive. Utilities, especially electricity, can be costly. Transportation costs are moderate, with car ownership being relatively expensive due to import duties.

Cost of Gasoline

$1.54

per liter

Cost of Meal

$22.20

(Inexpensive Restaurant)

Monthly Rent

$700.00

(1 bedroom, City Center)

Monthly Utilities

$100.00

(85m² Apartment)

Domestic Beer

$2.22

(0.5 liter draught)

VAT Rate

17%

cost of living

Cost of Living plus Rent Map

cost of living

Cost of Living Calculator

cost of living

Rent Calculator

Taxation

Taxation Overview

Before considering a move to St. Kitts & Nevis, it's important to know about its tax-friendly environment.+St. Kitts & Nevis has no personal income tax. Corporate tax applies to businesses, but there's no capital gains tax or inheritance tax. Social security contributions are required for employed persons. Property tax is applicable. There's no VAT, but a 17% Consumption Tax applies to most goods and services.+St. Kitts & Nevis does not have a double taxation treaty with the United States, but as there is no income tax, double taxation is generally not a concern.

Tax Residency Requirement

183 days

Worldwide Income Taxation

No

Higher Rates for Foreign Assets

No

US Double Taxation Treaty

No

Personal Income

Progressive tax rate based on income levels

0%

Personal Capital Gains

Flat rate on investment gains

0%

Inheritance

Based on inherited amount and relationship

0%

Corporate Income

Standard corporate tax rate applied to business profits

33%

Corporate Capital Gains

Tax rate applied to capital gains from corporate investments

0%

Dividends

Withholding tax rate applied to dividend distributions

15%

Interest

Withholding rate interest payment to non-residens

15%

Royalties

Withholding tax rate for royalty payments

15%

Work Assignment

Foreign individuals are considered tax residents after residing in St. Kitts & Nevis for 183 days or more in a calendar year

Overall Ranking

Global position in PWC’c Ease of Paying Taxes ranking

125

Ease of Paying Taxes Score

Overall score based on multiple factors

64.4

Total Tax and Cotribution Rate

TTCR percentage including all mandatory contributtions

49.7
%

Time to Comply

Annual hours required to comply with tax regulations

203
HOURS

Number of Payments

Total number of tax payments required annually

39

Post-filing Index

Score measuring the ease of processes after filing taxes

75.7
%

taxation

Tax Burden Map

taxation

Income Tax Calculator

No personal Income Tax

No personal Income Tax

CLIMATE

Climate Type

Sunny year-round Caribbean climate; wet season from May to December

Average Temperature

27.47 °C

Humidity

78

%

Average Annual Precipitation

1,427

mm

Rainless Days per Year

284

Best Time to Travel

December-April

Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions About Gaining Residency or Citizenship in St. Kitts and Nevis

Find answers to common questions about GlobalPassport™ and our tools guiding you towards residency or citizenship in St. Kitts and Nevis.

What Mobility Assets are available to me in St. Kitts and Nevis?

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What languages do they speak in St. Kitts and Nevis?

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Can my family members apply for residency or citizenship in St. Kitts and Nevis with me?

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How will the GlobalPassport™ help me move to St. Kitts and Nevis?

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Can I keep my own citizenship?

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