How to Get Saint Kitts and Nevis Citizenship

Person is married to a citizen or to a former citizen who renounced their citizenship or to a person who but for reunciation would have become a citizen at independence or to a Commonwealth citizen who has been resident for 14 years. The marriage on which the application is based cannot have been entered into for the primary prupose of acquiring citizenship or be subject to divorce or annulment proceedings, and the married couple must continue to live together 'as man and wife'. Other conditions: oath of allegiance, person must be of good character and must not be a danger to public defence, safety or order, have been sentenced to death or a prison sentence of at least 12 months, have engaged in activities that a prejudicial to the safey and maintenance of public order in St Kitts and Nevis, have been declared bankrupt or have insufficient means to maintain themselves.

Person is the child of a citizen (registration required).

Birth in country

Person is born in St Kitts. Unless born to a foreign diplomat and neither parent is a citizen, or one of the parents is an enemy alien and child is born in a place then under occupation by the enemy.

Birth in country (acquisition after birth)

Person previously a citizen of SKN, via Article 90, but had renounced it.

Birth in country (acquisition after birth)

Person born in territory, but did not meet criteria for citizenship under Constitution Art. 90(a)

Transfer to a child

Person is the minor child of a citizen. Does not apply to the children of persons who acquired citizenship by investment. Other condition: oath of allegiance, person must be of good character and must not be a danger to public defence, safety or order, have been sentenced to death or a prison sentence of at least 12 months, have engaged in activities that a prejudicial to the safey and maintenance of public order in St Kitts and Nevis or have been declared bankrupt.

Child coacquisition

Person is the child of a person who acquires citizenship by investment or of their spouse. The child must be a minor (under age 18), or be aged between 18 and 25 and in full-time education and supported by the main applicant, or be physically or mentally challenged. Other conditions: if aged 16 or over, the person must not have a criminal record, be subject to a criminal investigation, be a national security risk, have been declared bankrupt, be involved in activity likely to bring disrepute to St Kitts and Nevis, have been denied citizenship of any country or have been denied a visa in a country with which St Kitts and Nevis has visa-free travel. Person also cannot be a citizen or resident of Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Iraq, North Korea or Russia.

Person is minor who is adopted by a citizen.

Transfer to other relatives

Person is the grandchild of a person who, prior to Sep 19, 1983, was a British citizen or a British Dependent Territory citizen and who would have become a Kittitian via Article 90a-b upon Independence except that s/he died or renounced citizenship.

Transfer from deceased citizen

Person is born to someone who but for his or her death or renunciation would have become a citizen. Parent must have been born in St. Kitts and Nevis and was a British citizen or a British Dependent Territories citizen or the parent must have been working for the Kittitian government overseas.

Transfer from deceased citizen

Person is married to someone who renounced his or her citizenship, or who, but for his or her death would become a citizen, or, although marriage terminated, they were married for three years prior to Independence.

Spousal coacquisition

Person is the spouse of a person who acquires citizenship by investment. The person must be of the opposite sex to the main applicant. Other conditions: person must not have a criminal record, be subject to a criminal investigation, be a national security risk, have been declared bankrupt, be involved in activity likely to bring disrepute to St Kitts and Nevis, have been denied citizenship of any country or have been denied a visa in a country with which St Kitts and Nevis has visa-free travel. Person also cannot be a citizen or resident of Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Iraq, North Korea or Russia.

Person is a former citizen who renounced citizenship. Other conditions: no danger to public defence, safety or order, no sentence to death or a prison sentence of at least 12 months, good character, not declared bankrupt, and sufficient means for self-support.

Person is a Commonwealth citizen, of full capacity and age, and has been ordinarily resident in St Kitts, or in government service, or had partly such residence and partly such service for 14 years immediately prior to the application. Other conditions: no danger to public defence, safety or order, no sentence to death or a prison sentence of at least 12 months, good character, not declared bankrupt, sufficient means for self-support, and oath of loyalty.

Foundlings

Person is a newborn infant found in St Kitts of unknown parentage.

Otherwise stateless (born in country)

Person is a minor or adult who was born in St Kitts and has always been stateless. Other conditions: no danger to public defence, safety or order, no sentence to death or a prison sentence of at least 12 months, good character, not declared bankrupt, sufficient means for self-support, oath of loyalty.

Person is of full age and capacity, a citizen of a First Schedule country and has been partly or fully in public service for the 14 years prior to his or her application. Minister may refuse citizenship registration on grounds of public safety, order and defence, lack of good character, public charge likelihood and other grounds found in Article 11 of the Citizenship Act.

Person must be at least 18 years of age, undergo a due diligence background check, and have made a substantial investment in St Kitts and Nevis. Other conditions: the person must not have a criminal record, be subject to a criminal investigation, be a national security risk, have been declared bankrupt, be involved in activity likely to bring disrepute to St Kitts and Nevis, have been denied citizenship of any country or have been denied a visa in a country with which St Kitts and Nevis has visa-free travel. Person also cannot be a citizen or resident of Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Iraq, North Korea or Russia.