Saint Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit published a circular. The document dated November 6th, 2020 adds siblings into the dependent applicant category. This means that the main applicants can now add their siblings to their applications. This inclusion, however, does not occur unconditionally. Several criteria limit eligibility. These criteria are:
- The dependent must be the sibling of the main applicant. Siblings of other dependents cannot be included in the application
- The sibling included in the application must be younger than 30 years
- The sibling included in the application must not have children
- The sibling included in the application must financially depend on the main applicant
When Does the Change Take Effect?
The circular states that the change will take effect immediately. However, it will not affect the program retroactively. The applications submitted after the publishing date of the circular will be able to take advantage of the new policy. Previously submitted and approved files will not benefit from the update.
What are the Fees for Including the Dependent Sibling in the Application?
Saint Kitts and Nevis鈥� citizenship by investment program requires a fee to be paid for each dependent. The scheme has two different fees for its two investment routes. These are the real estate option and the Sustainable Growth Fund option. The fee for the inclusion of a sibling in the real estate option is set at $40,000. Inclusion to the Sustainable Growth Fund option, however, costs $20,000.
Inclusion of the Sibling in the Application
Saint Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit鈥檚 circular states that the due diligence process will examine the sibling鈥檚 application as it does others. The application thus must be approved through the same process. To include the sibling in the application, the authorities require proof of financial dependence. An affidavit submitted by the main applicant can be provided to the authorities to prove the sibling鈥檚 financial dependence.
Saint Kitts and Nevis is the Fourth Caribbean Country to Include Siblings
The change implemented by Saint Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit follows three other Caribbean countries. Previously, other citizenship by investment programs in the region added siblings in the application process. Grenada, Dominica, and Saint Lucia introduced this policy before. Saint Kitts and Nevis thus become the fourth Caribbean country to initiate this policy. With this change, Antigua and Barbuda become the only Caribbean country whose citizenship by investment program does not allow dependent siblings.
