by Khareem Cabey 
Need a change of pace? St. Kitts and Nevis are peaceful islands in the Caribbean that can offer you the lifestyle and scenery you crave. If you’re looking to move to St. Kitts, you’re probably spinning several plates in the air at once. From packing your belongings, organizing a major international move, and choosing the best place to live on St. Kitts can be overwhelming. Here’s what you need to know about planning an overseas move to St. Kitts.
St. Kitts and Nevis is a sovereign state in the Caribbean and one of the smallest sovereign states in the Americas. St. Kitts offers residents and travelers access to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, along with dramatic volcanic peaks and an` array of water sports, hiking, and exploration. For those planning a move here, St. Kitts has one of the oldest Citizenship by Investment programs in the entire world. Out of the two islands, St. Kitts is more developed and offers a more extensive array of real estate investment opportunities for those looking to make an overseas move here. But if you get a craving for a more laid-back scene, Nevis is only a short ferry ride away.
Obtaining Residency in St. Kitts: General Information
People who wish to enter St. Kitts and Nevis will need a valid passport to enter the country. In some cases, they will also need a return ticket and proof of sufficient funds. Visitors can stay for up to 90 days, and it’s possible to get an extension from the St. Kitts government. Most people qualify for residency to St. Kitts via the Citizenship by Investment program. The real estate that someone purchasing in St. Kitts must have a value of at least $400,000 and be an approved project to qualify for the program.
St. Kitts and Nevis: Residency and Visa Programs
Residency and visa programs in St. Kitts and Nevis are different from most other countries. One application allows people to travel visa-free to more than 103 different countries. Also, if a traveler is coming from one of those countries, they can stay in St. Kitts and Nevis for up to 90 days, and only need a valid passport to be eligible for the program. This is very convenient for many globetrotters.
Instead of having many different and sometimes confusing visa options, St. Kitts and Nevis have tried to make things more convenient for foreigners to encourage investment in the country. If you fill out and submit the correct paperwork, you can get up to a year’s worth of residency to St. Kitts. But you have to apply directly to the program in your country of origin. To remain eligible, you will need to renew the application annually. Although this does not offer as many perks as the St. Kitts and Nevis investment program, it’s a good option for people who want to move to St. Kitts for educational or work purposes.
The process for residency in St. Kitts can take up to a year, sometimes longer. During the residency process, foreigners cannot permanently move to the island. In most cases, non-residents will be given a 30-day visitor visa that can be renewed for an additional 30-day increment, up to a max of six months in a calendar year. But it’s important for travelers to keep in mind that residency is not the same as citizenship. Getting citizenship in St. Kitts can take up to seven years.
With the Citizenship by Investment program, foreign investors can obtain dual citizenship. What you need to qualify is at least a $400,000 real estate investment or an investment of $250,000 into the Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation. These types of investments help to improve the economy in St. Kitts and Nevis. If you obtain citizenship via this route, you’ll get that visa-free travel to those 103 countries we mentioned earlier.
You’re also exempt from paying any inheritance taxes or capital gains taxes. Many expats to St. Kitts enjoy the freedom of not having to pay personal income tax, foreign income, gift, or other wealth taxes, too. But foreign investors do need to be aware of a particular requirement for investing in land in St. Kitts. They will need to obtain what’s called an Alien Land Holding License first if they will be investing in property located in some areas of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Shipping Your Belongings to St. Kitts
If you’re planning an overseas move to St. Kitts, you will need to ship your belongings in much the same way as you would if you were relocating to a new town in your home country. If you’re shipping large items like furniture or vehicles, this can be more complicated.
For shipping large goods, you’ll want to arrange transportation of your belongings to a major port. For most people who are moving to St. Kitts, they arrange for shipment to a port in Miami. Via freight forwarder, your items will be sent in a container ship to St. Kitts. Once they arrive, a local agent will need to clear the things through customs, and then arrange the delivery of your belongings to your new home.
What about import duties? Personal belongings and vehicles imported to St. Kitts will be charged an import duty of around 30% of their value. You can get an exemption from this import duty if you apply for First Arrival Privileges. If you’re granted First Arrival Privileges, you’ll get a waiver of the duty on used personal goods. But, there’s no guarantee you’ll get the exemption, so you’ll want to assume you’ll be paying the import duty when planning an overseas move to St. Kitts.
Moving to another country is never easy. But St. Kitts and Nevis are one of the few nations that offer people an investment program and a clear path to dual citizenship. Once you get citizenship to St. Kitts, you’ll be free to travel extensively to 103 nations that will not require visas, and you’ll enjoy generous tax benefits too.
