▣  The unique nature of the Caribbean

 

With its towering mountains, long coastlines and enchanting rainforests, the Caribbean has the potential to be a great place to live, retire and adventure with its natural islands for a long time.

▣  The Caribbean climate is a favorite for retirees

 

The Caribbean islands have a desirable climate for people who escape the cold and long winters in cold regions and the heat and humidity of warm regions, as the climate is moderate throughout the year there with the possibility of exercising in the sun without relying on vitamin D capsules.

▣  The culture of the hospitable Caribbean people

 

Despite preserving their cultural traditions, the Caribbean people are open and love foreign cultures, and are characterized by simplicity and friendliness, in addition to the fact that these countries speak English and French, which makes it easy to communicate with nationalities that speak these languages ​​​​as a second or first language. On the other hand, this is an incentive to learn a new culture and language.

There are also many British and American international schools and universities in the Caribbean countries to study various fields, and you can enjoy the tranquility whether you choose to live in the cities or in the countryside.

▣ Average Cost of Living

 

Not only are the costs required to obtain one of the Caribbean investment citizenship programs reasonable compared to other second citizenship programs around the world, but the cost of living there is moderate when compared to Europe and America. And after owning a property within the conditions of obtaining investment citizenship program, you will only have the costs of water, gas, electricity, and simple health care.

▣ Ease of movement and access

 

Travel and transportation can be considered one of the most prominent advantages of investment citizenship programs. On the one hand, you can easily move to and from the Caribbean islands through their international airports, where you have the right to enter more than 150 countries without a visa, as we mentioned.

On the other hand, you will be able to reside in any other Caribbean country due to a joint agreement between the Caribbean countries on whether a person holds a Caribbean passport, he can then reside in any other Caribbean country.

How to obtain one of the investment citizenship programs

Retirees can invest in either real estate, stocks, job creation, or making contributions to countries that offer such programs and then wait an average of only 6 months to obtain citizenship.

Investment requirements range between $250,000 and $500,000, and costs vary depending on the choice of country and investment path. But your choice depends on your preferences, aspirations and the long-term aspirations of your family.

Contact the team of experts at Global Citizen Consultants and learn about each program in full detail, its benefits and obligations, then choose the program that best suits what you are looking for with the help of our free consultation. Contact us via the contact information mentioned in this link.

 

▣ The new Saint Kitts and Nevis passport is particularly beneficial for investors in the Saint Kitts Citizenship by Investment

▣ These updates reduce waiting at checkpoints through fast-track processing, allowing Saint Kitts citizens to enter over 150 countries without a visa. This move will also be essential to elevate the Saint Kitts and Nevis Passport by Investment Program compared to other second citizenship programs around the world.

▣ It will attract more high net worth individuals around the world through its advanced technological updates to ensure the long-term sustainability of the citizenship program there.

Other updates for the new Saint Kitts and Nevis passport

1. Development of a digital identity authentication system

 

Apart from the updates to the Saint Kitts and Nevis passport, Saint Kitts has also consulted with the National Technology Center in the capital Basseterre on a digital identity authentication system.

It was agreed to use Taiwan’s information technology and digital governance to implement this, and in this regard, the Saint Kitts government held a competition for the people of Saint Kitts to design a digital identity.

2. Lower investment costs for Saint Kitts and Nevis Passport

 

The latest updates to the Saint Kitts and Nevis Passport came in accordance with Act 43 of 2024, the most important of which is reducing the minimum investment to obtain a St Kitts and Nevis passport by investment, in addition to expanding the age range of dependents allowed to be added.

Unlike other Caribbean countries that have raised the costs of Caribbean citizenship, St Kitts has lowered its investment requirements, with its new body.

The real estate investment requirement for the St Kitts and Nevis passport has been reduced from $400,000 previously to $325,000 in an approved real estate development.

This also includes investment in residential units classified as approved private property, with the minimum for a single-family private home being reduced from $800,000 to $600,000.

As for the update regarding dependents, while you were previously allowed to add your parents or grandparents aged 65 or over, this number has now been reduced to include all dependents aged 55 or over.

Another update is that you will need to pay $7,500 for any additional new dependents aged 3 years or under, but they must have been born after you received your certificate of registration.

There is also a new update to Regulation 12, which previously stated that anyone who has declared bankruptcy will not be eligible for a St Kitts and Nevis passport.

You can now invest in a St Kitts and Nevis passport if you are facing bankruptcy proceedings within 10 years of applying.

Are you already considering obtaining a Saint Kitts and Nevis passport? Why not listen to one of Global Citizen Consultants’ certified experts in the Saint Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Programme, to guide you on your journey to citizenship.

Did you know that investment citizenship helps businessmen, wealthy people and their families gain benefits that give them a global opportunities?

Your knowledge of investment citizenship may be intertwined with other topics or may be missing or outdated information. In this article, I will show you all the points you need to know correctly and up to date.

First, a quick look at investment citizenship

Understanding the question is half the answer. As the name suggests, investment citizenship is a type of citizenship program you can get after investing in some countries with a strong passport.

The countries that offer investment citizenship programs started in the 1980s, from the Caribbean country of Saint Kitts and Nevis, followed by Dominica and the rest of the countries we are in today.

Since then, new countries have been added, others have been canceled, and many programs have been modified continuously. Today, the countries that offer investment citizenship programs are limited to two regions.

The Caribbean region and the European Union region, where the latter is considered a residence and then turns into citizenship, while the Caribbean region programs are programs for obtaining citizenship directly.

Investment methods to obtain a second citizenship are distributed between real estate investment, investment in stocks, and making non-refundable contributions to these countries for raising their economies.

Let us explain the general requirements for investment citizenship programs, and the benefits of obtaining them, and we will introduce you to some countries that offer this type of program.

General requirements for investment citizenship programs

Each country that offers investment citizenship has its own laws, but in general, most of them agree on the same requirements, but with minor changes.

For example, all countries agree that the main applicant must be at least 18 years old, and that he and his family are in good health, have no criminal record, and that the funds used in the investment are not of suspicious origin.

As for adding family members, you will be able to add your spouse and children up to the age of 30 and your parents, and citizenship will be passed on to future generations, and some of them accept adding grandparents and siblings as well.

The big difference worth mentioning is that Caribbean programs do not require any residency before and after obtaining citizenship, unlike European countries that require residency requirements in order to obtain and maintain citizenship, and residency requirements vary from one European country to another.

 

There are dozens of major advantages to obtaining investment citizenship, but we will only mention the most important ones and how their holder benefits from them:

✓ The most important advantage that can be mentioned is the strength of the passports of these countries, which allow you to enter about 150 countries without a visa, including Britain, Canada, China, the Emirates and all Schengen countries, with easy access to America and Australia.

✓ These countries also have one of the most suitable tax systems for business owners and the wealthy, as there are no taxes imposed on non-residents, foreign trade, wealth, inheritance, capital gains, etc.

✓ Business owners can open international bank accounts and companies based in these countries or third countries that they enter with the help of a second passport from these countries.

✓ As we mentioned, Caribbean countries do not require you to reside, know the language, have an academic degree or work experience, and these countries accept dual citizenship and your data is not shared with your country of origin.

✓ You can add your family and enjoy the magic of the Caribbean nature and benefit from the advanced health systems and international universities spread in these countries, and do not forget that the mentioned programs are processed quickly and within 9 months at most you get your citizenship.

Countries that offer investment citizenship

1. Investment citizenship from Grenada

 

Grenada offers Investment citizenship program in the Caribbean, and it is a beautiful island like the rest of the Caribbean countries, located between the Americas, with a desirable climate and hospitable people.

To obtain Grenada citizenship, you must either invest in real estate in the amount of $ 270,000, with the possibility of selling the property after 5 years, or make a financial contribution to the state of Grenada in the amount of $ 235,000.

Grenada citizenship has all the specifications of ideal citizenship as we mentioned in the section on the advantages of investment citizenship. As for the rest of the Caribbean programs, they are St. Kitts citizenship, Dominica citizenship, Antigua citizenship, and St. Lucia citizenship.

2. Investment Citizenship from Portugal

 

Portugal offers the famous Golden Visa program that leads to obtaining citizenship after 5 years of obtaining the Golden Visa program and after maintaining residency for one week per year and after knowing the Portuguese language.

After investing in several fields, the most important of which is investing in non-real estate funds in the amount of 500 thousand euros or opening a new company in the amount of 500 thousand euros, you will be able to obtain residency in Europe through the Portugal portal and then citizenship after 5 years of residency.

The Portuguese residency program gives you the right to travel, reside and work in all Schengen countries and benefit from all their educational and health benefits. As for the rest of the countries that offer Golden Visa programs, they are Spanish residency, Greek residency and Maltese residency.

3. Investment Citizenship from Saint Kitts

 

Saint Kitts citizenship tops the list of programs that offer investment citizenship, as it was launched from it and wants to maintain its position and fame by injecting new facilities for investors who are thinking of obtaining a Saint Kitts passport.

Among the new facilities are a reduction in the investment costs required for both methods of obtaining St. Kitts citizenship, namely real estate investment or making a contribution to the State of St. Kitts, in addition to expanding the list of family ages that can be added with the main applicant.

To obtain St. Kitts citizenship, you must invest $325,000 in real estate or make a $250,000 contribution to the Government of St. Kitts for a family of 4 and wait only 6 months, this is what the new President of St. Kitts Citizenship has promised.

Do you now know what investment citizenship means? If you still have questions about it or if you have decided to obtain one of the citizenship by investment programs, in both cases we invite you to contact Global Citizen Consultants, the certified expert in citizenship programs around the world.

St. Kitts citizenship provides the opportunity to access the Middle East via Saudi Arabia and thus establish businesses in the region and the Saudi.

For their part, the two countries of St. Kitts and Saudi Arabia confirmed the deepening of diplomatic relations between the two countries by opening an embassy and consulate for St. Kitts in Saudi Arabia soon.

The Caribbean nation of St. Kitts and Nevis’s relations with the Middle East and North Africa, especially Saudi Arabia, reflect St. Kitts’ intention to deepen its strategic relations and enhance its citizenship by investment program.

Opening embassy for St. Kitts citizenship holders in Saudi

The happy decision for the Saudi Arabia and St. Kitts citizenship holders came from New York on the sidelines of a meeting held at the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations in New York.

The opening of the St. Kitts Embassy and Consulate in the Kingdom was one of the key outcomes of the meeting held between the Prime Minister of St. Kitts, Dr. Terence Drew, and the Saudi Foreign Minister, King Faisal bin Farhan, on September 22, 2024.

On the occasion of this step, Dr. Drew said: “The establishment of a St. Kitts Embassy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will enhance cooperation between the two countries in several areas, including trade, tourism and development, and will provide direct support to St. Kitts citizenship holders in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in particular and the region in general.”

The Prime Minister of St. Kitts added: “Our move confirms our serious efforts to expand our global diplomatic presence and strengthen partnerships in the Middle East region, while emphasizing the strategic importance of this decision in strengthening international relations with partners around the world.”

Alongside the news of the embassy opening, the discussion included the outcomes of the Caribbean Summit held in October 2023, with a focus on future cooperation in the areas of sustainability and adaptation.

Despite the small size of Saint Kitts, the Kingdom’s interest in Saint Kitts and the rest of the Caribbean countries is due to the importance of these countries in the matter of voting on some decisions in favor of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in international forums, in addition to developing the popularity of the St. Kitts citizenship.

 

·  Saint Kitts’ relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

As of October 2023, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has allowed St. Kitts citizenship holders to enter the Kingdom with an electronic travel visa, through which they can travel to Saudi Arabia for the purpose of Umrah, visiting religious and tourist sites, visiting relatives, or for business purposes.

Also, the first summit between the two countries was held at the aforementioned CARICOM Summit, within the Caribbean-Gulf States Group in November 2023, and ways of partnership and cooperation were discussed in the fields of economy, investment, trade and tourism in particular. With a focus on strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries at all levels.

· St. Kitts’ Relations with Egypt

 

In September 2021, the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries was announced, and the treaty was signed by the Foreign Ministers of the two countries, representing the Egyptian side, Mr. Shamekh Shoukry and his counterpart Mr. Mark Brantley.

· St. Kitts’ Relations with Bahrain

 

As for the Kingdom of Bahrain, the establishment of diplomatic relations was announced in September 2018 by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain, Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of St. Kitts, His Excellency Mark Brantley.

· St. Kitts’ Relations with the United Arab Emirates

 

Earlier this year, specifically on June 6, 2024, Mr. Hazza Al Kaabi was appointed as the Permanent and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to St. Kitts.

· St. Kitts’ Relations with Kuwait

 

Kuwait’s relations with St. Kitts began early, specifically in November 2012, and the Statement of Relations was signed by Mr. Mansour Ayyad, Permanent Representative of the State of Kuwait to the United Nations, and his counterpart Mr. Delano Frank, who signed on behalf of St. Kitts.

Opportunities for St. Kitts citizenship holders in Saudi

· St. Kitts Citizenship and the Economic Side

 

The strategic partnership between the Kingdom and countries offering post-investment citizenship programs, including St. Kitts citizenship, provides opportunities to develop trade and investment relations that benefit Saint Kitts citizens, investors and residents in the Kingdom in the fields of tourism, food industries, agriculture, energy and financial services, in addition to exchanging expertise, research and modern technologies.

· St. Kitts Citizenship and Entry into Saudi Arabia

 

In addition to the decision to open Saint Kitts diplomatic institutions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the entry of Saint Kitts passport holders into Saudi Arabia has been facilitated with an electronic visa or a visa upon arrival at one of the gates.

· St. Kitts Citizenship and Flights to Saudi Arabia

 

Following the decision to strengthen relations between the Kingdom and Saint Kitts, an air transport line was opened between the Kingdom and Saint Kitts on November 15, 2023, directly and for 12 hours, reaching not only Saint Kitts but also the countries of the two continents of the Americas.

Speak with our certified St. Kitts Citizenship Program representative from Global Citizen Consultants for Citizenship and Investment Programs, to understand all aspects of the St. Kitts Citizenship Program, its importance, requirements and what it offers to those looking to invest and access the Middle East region.

The Grenada Citizenship by Investment Program not only provides businessmen with a powerful passport, but also offers attractive tax programs.

While starting a business is stressful and exciting, hiring and company formation costs are not the only thing to worry about. Businesses around the world have their own tax systems, so the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Program can help you set up your business in the best possible way through business-friendly tax programs.

The Grenada Citizenship by Investment Program offers the opportunity to obtain its program after purchasing real estate in Grenada or donating to the Grenada Government Fund, and includes some additional fees depending on the number of family members that will be included with the main applicant in the application.

Taxation System in Grenada Citizenship by Investment

Tax optimization is a major consideration for businessmen, wealthy individuals and high net worth members around the world, so the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Program offers the opportunity to become a tax resident and enjoy significant tax deductions.

One of the most important features of the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Program is that it does not impose any taxes on foreign income, capital gains, inheritance, dividends, wealth, or gifts.

Since the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Program does not require investors to reside in the country after obtaining citizenship, this means that you can benefit from the Grenada passport and tax program without being restricted to living there and you can open your company and manage your tax strategy without setting foot in Grenada. However, many individuals choose to live there due to the low cost of living.

 

One of the reasons that Grenada citizenship is a popular choice among businessmen is that the island does not impose capital gains taxes, providing businessmen with a safe and stable environment in which to grow their businesses. It also offers a variety of job opportunities, especially in the fields of tourism, renewable energy, and agriculture.

In addition to capital taxes, Grenada does not impose any inheritance, wages, salaries, or property taxes. Local and international banks there also offer easy checking and savings account and online banking services.

Also, tax exemptions are provided for some companies and projects for up to 20 years, such as construction projects and the operation of resorts and hotels. The exemptions do not stop at tax exemptions, but extend to exemption from customs duties.

Anyone who wants to become a tax resident in a country with a good tax system like Grenada must reside in Grenada for at least 183 days a year to be counted as a tax resident.

The Grenada citizenship program provides the opportunity to open companies in Grenada easily and without the need to visit the island, and the transactions are characterized by confidentiality and nominal fees.

In addition to a comfortable tax system, Grenada citizenship provides the opportunity to reside and move between countries to experience new and exciting lifestyles, as working from the Internet from anywhere in the world has become widespread.

What are the effects of Grenada not imposing taxes?

While many countries may make their money through taxes, taxing their citizens and businesses to support government projects and plans, some countries, such as Grenada, exempt their citizens and businesses from taxes and instead rely on the following points:

◈ Getting revenue from state-owned enterprises.

◈ Taxing consumption and services.

◈ Obtaining revenue from foreign investment.

◈ Relying on large tourism sources.

◈ Getting money from non-tax revenue.

Challenges for Choosing the Right Tax Program

▣ Double Taxation: Common Reporting Standards and Foreign Corporate Tax Compliance Acts are agreements between countries to prevent tax evasion, which include the exchange of financial information about individuals. In this regard, Grenada does not impose any taxes on foreign trade and has signed several agreements with countries to avoid double taxation.

▣ Currency and Exchange Rate Risk: Risk management strategies are important for financial stability because they can affect the value of income, expenses and assets. It is worth noting that Grenada’s currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar, which is pegged to the US dollar and stable.

▣ Other Payments: Taxes and business start-up costs are not only important for investors, rent, healthcare, transportation and social payments also play a role. The good news is that real estate investment to obtain Grenada citizenship covers the bulk of the cost, and the cost of living in Grenada is not high.

Grenada Citizenship by Investment Options

1. Donate to the National Transformation Fund: Minimum $235,000.

2. Real Estate Investment and Holding for 5 Years: Minimum $270,000.

To learn more about Grenada citizenship by investment and what other tax considerations and benefits you can get, speak to our authorized Grenada citizenship by investment agent. Also read the rest of our articles on second citizenship.

As part of Dominica’s efforts to strengthen its passport, Dominica Citizenship by Investment Unit has recently reduced the adding newborns costs.

Many people think about their family status as much as they think about themselves when applying for citizenship programs, and fortunately, the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Program provides the opportunity to add newborns to the program even after their parents have acquired citizenship.

The Dominica Citizenship by Investment Unit recently updated the pricing structure for adding newborns and children up to the age of 18 to the citizenship program, from $5,000 to just $2,000.

Dominica Citizenship by Investment and Adding Newborns

In addition to the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Program, each Caribbean country has its own rules when it comes to adding newborns to the citizenship program, either during the application process or after a period of time after the rest of their family has acquired citizenship, which falls under the Citizenship by Investment Act or the Citizenship by Descent Act.

The Dominica Citizenship by Investment Program allows newborns to be added to the citizenship program for a small fee of $2,000, where they will be subject to the Citizenship by Descent Program and must be done before the children reach the age of 18.

The process of adding newborns is relatively simple, all you need to do is contact your agent and they will do it for you. As for the documentation, it only requires basic documents such as birth certificates, ID cards and passports if available, as well as some other details depending on the nationality of the applicant.

Under the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Program, a child born in Dominica to foreign parents can obtain a Dominican passport, and citizenship can be granted to children born outside Dominica if at least one parent is a Dominican citizen.

 

1. Antigua and Barbuda

 

Antigua and Barbuda’s Citizenship by Investment Program offers the opportunity to add new children after and during the citizenship application, with children being added up to the age of 17. Antigua and Barbuda has also made the decision to consider children born abroad as citizens of Antigua and Barbuda if one parent is an Antiguan and Barbuda. The price depends on age, with $25,000 for children under 5 and $10,000 for children under 5.

2. Grenada

Within one year of the initial application period for Grenada’s Citizenship by Investment Program, newborn dependents are considered for citizenship under the Citizenship by Investment Program, but after that they will be considered for citizenship by descent. Although citizenship by descent costs less, the process takes longer and requires more effort. During the first 12 months, applicants will have to pay $25,000 for newborns, after which the cost of documents and procedures for citizenship by descent will be around $10,000.

3. St Kitts and Nevis

Following ongoing improvements to the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program, individuals are now able to add newborn dependents prior to citizenship certificates being granted, who will then need to apply by descent if at least one parent is a St Kitts and Nevis citizen. The cost is $10,000 for regular status and $15,000 for express applications.

4. Saint Lucia

Following the 2023 decision, St Lucia’s citizenship law now accepts newborns up to one year of age after citizenship, after which it will be within the law of descent which grants citizenship to children born in St Lucia or abroad if one of their parents is a St Lucian citizen, meaning that only one generation will receive citizenship. The cost of adding dependents during the first year will be $5,000.

Other Dominica Citizenship by Investment Updates for 2024

⊙ Temporary suspension of Yemeni nationals’ applications.

⊙ Visa between Dominica and Turkey.

⊙ Argentina visa-free and Vietnam visa on arrival.

⊙ Change in Dominica Citizenship by Investment Program Prices.

Other new costs for Dominica Citizenship by Investment 2024

1. Economic Diversification Fund (EDF) Donation Option

⊙ The main Applicant: $200,000

⊙ Main Applicant and up to 3 Dependents: $250,000

⊙ Each Additional Dependent under 18: $25,000

⊙ Each Dependent over 17: $40,000

2. Real Estate Investment Option

⊙ Real Estate Investment: $200,000

⊙ The main Applicant Contribution: $75,000

⊙ Main Applicant and up to 3 Dependents: $100,000

⊙ Each Additional Dependent under 18: $25,000

⊙ Each Dependent over 17: $40,000

Contact Global Citizen Consultants, the exclusive agent for Dominica Citizenship by Investment Programme, and learn about the general benefits of the programme and what you stand to gain if you apply for it, by speaking to one of our second citizenship expert.

Benefits of obtaining Grenada citizenship by real estate investment are twofold, whether as a second citizenship or as an investment in real estate.

The southern Caribbean Island is witnessing a growing development of villas and residential resorts, making it an ideal environment for obtaining citizenship by real estate investment in particular, due to the low costs of real estate and labor, and there is an expected increase in tourism by 5% annually over the next ten years, all of which means greater opportunities for international investors.

Obtaining Grenada citizenship by real estate investment is an exceptional option for retirees, nature lovers and those looking for a second home, as Grenada is one of the most beautiful coastal islands on Earth and is known as the Spice Island.

About Grenada Citizenship by Real Estate Investment

Applicants and their family members can obtain Grenada citizenship by real estate investment with prior approval from the Government of Grenada for $350,000 and keep the property for 5 years after which they are entitled to resell it and get the money, they spent to obtain Grenada citizenship by real estate investment back.

Although Grenada offers many attractive real estate options, including land for getting a powerful Grenada passport, but not all homes and land for sale can be used for citizenship, as they must be approved for Grenada citizenship.

St. George, St. David and St. Andrew are some of the best locations for real estate investment, especially the popular capital, St. George, thanks to its stunning scenery, rich culture and diverse recreational options such as hiking, swimming and diving, in addition to the presence of a port for international cruise ships.

 

1. Find the property you like.

2. Make an offer to purchase the property and prepare the sales and purchase contracts.

3. Pay the deposit, prepare all relevant documents and complete the final payment.

4. Apply for citizenship and obtain Grenada citizenship and passport.

Note: All steps can be done through an authorized agent, and the last step is essential.

Grenada citizenship by real estate investment options

✓ Residential properties ranging from villas and apartments to beachfront homes.

✓ Commercial properties ranging from shopping malls to office buildings.

✓ Industrial properties ranging from warehouses and manufacturing facilities to distribution centers.

✓ Resorts and hotels ranging from luxury resorts to boutique hotels.

✓ Agricultural land in Grenada’s fertile lands guaranteed by government incentives.

Grenada Citizenship by Real Estate Investment Requirements

Real Estate Investment Costs

 

✓ Applicant and 3 family members: $350,000

✓ Applicant and 3 family members: $270,000 + $50,000 non-refundable contribution

Additional family members involved in the application:

 

✓ Spouse: $20,000

✓ Parents and grandparents under 55: $50,000

✓ Parents and grandparents over 55: $25,000

✓ Siblings over 18: $70,000

✓ Any additional dependent up to age 30: $25,000.

If you are planning to obtain Grenada citizenship by real estate investment and need professional guidance, do not hesitate to contact the Global Citizen Consultants, the official agent for obtaining a second citizenship from the Caribbean nation of Grenada.

In order to maintain the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Program as the world’s most popular citizenship program, the Head of it has been replaced.

On Monday, September 16, 2024, the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Unit sent out a press release from the capital Basseterre, announcing the appointment of a new Head of the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Program, Mr. Calvin St. Juste.

The announcement stated that the handover of the position will begin on October 1, 2024, and that he will begin his tenure with several trips to Asia and the Middle East, which coincides with the departure of the previous Head of the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Program, Mr. Michael Martin.

After his visit to Dubai immediately after assuming office and meeting with the agents and concerned authorities, Mr. Calvin spoke about the relations between the UAE and St. Kitts and he focused on the importance of accelerating the processing of pending files and the ones that have special cases and promised to return the processing of files to their normal status, meaning that any application for the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Program will make you wait only 6 months to obtain it.

St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Program Leader Appointing

The new Head of the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Program has over 25 years of experience in finance, banking, investment, technology and medicine, most notably as CEO of Morgan Stanley, the world’s most prestigious investment banking firm.

During his inauguration, the new President of the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Programme hosted a special event with a wide range of stakeholders, including agents, philanthropists and real estate developers. During the event, Mr. Juste said his journey is based on six principles: transparency, communication, good governance, transformation, global leadership and sustainability.
In his remarks, Mr. Juste said, “It is a great honor to lead the Citizenship by Investment Programme to the next level, building on our position as the first and best citizenship unit in the world. Adherence to all six principles is essential to achieving excellence in all our endeavors, with a focus on professionalism and exceptional client service. He concluded by saying that they look forward to working with key stakeholders and strategic agents to realize this vision.”
Mr. Juste’s unique approach and leadership was endorsed by the Prime Minister of St. Kitts, Terence Drew, who addressed the audience at the event and provided valuable insights into the history of the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Programme.
Finally, Mr. Juste thanked the former Chair of the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Programme, for all his service and contributions during his tenure, who stepped down after Mr. Juste took over.

 

In addition to Chairman Juste, the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Unit Oversight Board is comprised of a group of experts with expertise in finance, business and governance who will provide their expertise to the Citizenship Programme through monthly meetings. The Oversight Board is comprised of:

✓ Economist and Finance Expert, Dr. Louisa Lawrence.

✓ Risk Management and Anti-Money Laundering Expert, Mr. Damiel James

✓ Marketing and Finance Expert, Ms. Keshia McLean

✓ Project Management, Planning and Development Expert, Mr. Carlton Pogson

✓ Finance and Banking Expert, Ms. Marsha Harris

Mr. Juste stated that he is honored to work with such a talented and experienced team, and said that as a team they will provide their expertise to the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship on the one hand, and to investors applying to the Citizenship Programme on the other.

Commitments of St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship New Authority

Mr. Juste promised to address three critical issues in the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Programme above all else. The first was the issue of communication between the Citizenship Programme and stakeholders.

The second was the process of establishing an efficient but timely and non-delayed screening process for applicants. He added that he was aware of the delays and long-standing applications and stated that he would make this a top priority. He also stated that he would establish two separate teams to expedite the incoming processes for St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship applications.

This promise was clear during his first visit to the UAE after assuming office, as he confirmed this decision to return the processing of files for a period not exceeding 6 months.

On the third issue, Mr. Juste indicated that he would transform the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Programme into a statutory body rather than a government entity as of October 2024, and pledged to visit Asia and the Middle East shortly after commencing his duties.

Also, Mr. Juste stated that he would strengthen the Central Communications Unit by establishing a dedicated Communications Department. Plus, He said that he is considering holding quarterly meetings with stakeholders to hear their voices in order to improve the Citizenship Programme.
The new St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Authority’s mandate extends beyond updating the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Program, as it has been tasked with appointing an external agency to review the program on an annual basis to ensure the integrity of the program, as well as procedures related to the executive unit, overseeing financial operations, and investigating complaints related to the citizenship program.

If you are interested in obtaining a powerful St. Kitts passport, please contact our authorized Citizenship by Investment office and we will explain all the details of the program and what it can offer you.

Borders will no longer be open to access the UK as before, and a new system will be imposed on all countries that access the UK with visa-free.

The UK Home Office recently announced changes to access the UK, to include 165 countries from which travellers must follow the new system.

Previously, the Conservative government launched the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, specifically in November 2023, and began applying it to Gulf countries first, after which it will include countries outside the European Union and then countries in the European Union in two steps.

Access the UK with the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

From January 8, a new system will be imposed on those wishing to access the UK, which was previously limited to Gulf countries. Travellers will need to obtain an electronic travel authorisation before entering the UK, which will be implemented in two steps. First, this decision will include 165 countries except Europeans, starting from the beginning of 2025, and then Europeans themselves, starting from March 2025.

In this regard, British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said about access the UK: “From April 2, the system will be expanded to include all European nationals. Electronic travel permits linked to a digital passport will ensure stricter procedures before people start their journey to access the UK. She added that this step will prevent abuse of the immigration system and support travelers who will stay for up to 6 months at a time.”

This non-physical visa is called ETA, which stands for Electronic Travel Authorization, and will be imposed on all nationalities except British and Irish nationals wishing to access the UK for the purposes of visiting, transiting, engaging in certain creative work activities and visiting acquaintances, but this permit will not be accepted for work purposes.

The application is submitted via the British ETA application or the government website and the permit is delivered within 3 days, and will cost £10 and will be valid for two years with the possibility of staying for up to 6 months. As for those who wish to stay for more than 6 months or are considering working, they must apply for a British visa.

 

The cost of access the UK with the ETA system will be (£10), equivalent to about 12 euros, and the permit will be valid for two years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. Travelers will be able to stay in Britain for a maximum of 6 months, as a single visit during this period or multiple trips.

Data and steps required to access the UK

From the data that is filled out electronically, you need a valid passport, a personal photo, an active bank card and a working email. The steps are to enter personal data and attach the required documents, then pay the system fees through the two portals mentioned above.

The result will reach you within 3 days on the same registered mail and the permit will be linked to the registered passport and the result will be accepted or rejected, the system will handle the applications itself, and if there are applications from people who have been rejected or have committed a crime in the past, they will be passed for manual review by human officers to allow or reject the permit.

What are the rest of the updates regarding entering the UK?

Earlier this year, Britain cancelled the electronic visa system for Jordanian citizens and now they must obtain a visa at the actual embassies. Cooper issued this measure due to misuse by some Jordanian citizens when entering the United Kingdom and confirmed that cooperation and relations with Jordan will remain good after this measure.

Just as Britain imposes the ETA system on Europeans, the Europeans will also impose the electronic ETAS system starting in the summer of 2025, which will be valid for 3 years with unlimited entry to the European Union and other countries such as Norway and Switzerland.

As for the rest of the amendments that will come into effect in October 2024, they are the cancellation of the Diplomatic Visa Program (DVWs) and its replacement with the (DVA) program. Recently, a special VIP visa was launched for delegations accompanying heads of state and ministers.

It is worth noting that countries such as America, Canada, Australia and some Caribbean countries can travel to Britain without a visa. If you wish to obtain a second citizenship from one of the Caribbean countries in order to access the UK and the rest of the world, please contact us as an accredited company for obtaining citizenship by investment, and all the details will be explained by one of our expert consultants.

The St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Program continues its efforts to enhance its passport, with new visa-free countries, the latest being Lebanon.

The St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Program is available to individuals, with anyone who invests in real estate in St Kitts and Nevis or makes a financial contribution to the country becoming eligible for St Kitts and Nevis citizenship.

In addition to Lebanon, the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Program grants visa-free entry to the United Kingdom, Canada and all Schengen countries, as well as a lot of benefits for Lebanese businessmen and family members.

St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship from Beautiful St Kitts

The country of St Kitts, which offers the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Program, is one of the most beautiful and popular islands visited by celebrities and the wealthy, located off the southern coast of the United States and extending into South America.

With around 30 million visitors visiting the Caribbean annually, this is the biggest testament to the weight and attractiveness of this region for families, as it contains many beautiful beaches and places of entertainment and adventure such as surfing, diving and hiking in the forests.

The humid and warm Caribbean climate, colorful coral reefs, white sandy beaches and ethnic and linguistic diversity are other advantages of these islands.

St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship benefit for the businessmen

Lebanese businessmen benefit from the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship in organizing their tax side because St. Kitts does not impose any tax on property, capital gains and assets.

It is also possible to add family members from 4 generations (newborn, son, father and grandfather) in addition to the spouses, as they will be granted St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship with the main applicant through some financial additions.

In addition, the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship helps people to put their savings away from politically and economically unstable places. plus, the real estate and tourism in the Caribbean gives investors the opportunity to benefit from the diversified investment in this region.

 

After 2019 and the political & economic deterioration that Lebanon is experiencing and the collapse of Lebanese foreign relations, this made it difficult to obtain visas to the Gulf countries, and the escape of the poor to a third-party country became the only option that saves them from the situation the country is going through, while for the rich, investing $ 250,000 to obtain a second passport is an excellent deal considering the benefits it provides.

One of the biggest differences between the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship and the citizenship of Lebanon is the strength of the St. Kitts passport compared to the Lebanese passport, as the former ranks 25th in the world with visa-free access to over 145 countries, while the latter ranks 103rd in the world.

Enter Lebanon without a visa with a Saint Kitts passport

On July 24, 2024, the countries of Saint Kitts and Lebanon strengthened their diplomatic relations by signing a treaty between the two parties, Dr. Maurice Williams, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Saint Kitts and Nevis to the United Nations, and His Excellency Hadi Hachem, Chargé d’Affaires of the Permanent Mission of Lebanon to the United Nations in New York.

The most important provisions of the agreement were the promotion of tourism, visa exemption between the two countries, mutual trade, and the appointment of honorary consuls.

In addition to Lebanon, St. Kitts and Nevis has recently strengthened its diplomatic relations with Pakistan and Kazakhstan by lifting the visa requirement between them.

Also, the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Unit recently established the International Continuous Due Diligence Unit on June 14, 2024, with the aim of enhancing the security of St. Kitts and Nevis and the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Program.

Are you interested in obtaining St Kitts and Nevis passport, or are you interested in other citizenship by investment programs? Contact one of our expert consultants in the field of second citizenship programs.