WHICH SECOND PASSPORT - ST. KITTS & NEVIS OR DOMINICA?

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When it comes to deciding which dual citizenship program to select - St. Kitts & Nevis or Dominica – second citizenship seekers seem to find themselves in a quandary. Of-course, the final decision is determined by a number of factors, the least among which is not one’s finances.

St. Kitts & Nevis

Basically, the dual citizenship programme offered by the Government of St. Kitts & Nevis provides people who are desirous of obtaining a second passport with two options: invest in real estate in St. Kitts & Nevis (under the Real-Estate option) or make a cash donation to the Government (under the Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation (SIDF) option).

Real-Estate Option

Under the real estate option, the applicant has to make an initial outlay of at least US$400,000.00 on a Government approved real estate project. There is a five-year freeze before the investor may dispense of the property.  Additionally, there are fees and taxes to be paid before (legal fee, for example) and after finalization of the documents (annual land & property tax and property insurance).

Further, on approval in principle of an application, the following fees for application and registration regarding the application for citizenship apply:

• US$50,000.00 for the main applicant
• US$25,000.00 for the spouse of the main applicant
• US$25,000.00 for each child of main applicant under 18 years
• US$50,000.00 for each qualified dependant of the main applicant between 18 and 25 years other than his spouse

Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation (SIDF)

Under the SIDF option, the investor is required to make a contribution to a public charity program to help with the diversification strategy implemented since the collapse of the Sugar Industry.  Under this option, the amounts are inclusive of all Government fees payable for the main applicant and his or her dependants with the exception of the fees for due diligence background checks:

• US$250,000.00 for Single Applicant
• US$300,000.00 for Applicant with up to three dependants
• US$350,000.00 for Applicant with up to five dependants
• US$450,000.00 for Applicant with up to seven dependants
• US$50, 000.00 for additional contribution for each dependant above seven dependants/
• US$50,000.00 for additional contribution for each qualified dependants over 18 years

Due Diligence

Due diligence background check is mandatory for all applicants and each dependant over 16 years.  Under both options, due diligence and processing fees for the main applicant is US$7, 500.00 and US$4,000.00 for each dependant over 16 years.

                                                                                    (........to be continued)