Globalization and its effects have become omnipresent in today’s world, touching upon almost every aspect of daily lives – whether it is staying connected with people all over the world through social media or purchasing foreign brands from the comforts of home at the click of a mouse. Digitization and globalization have gone hand-in-hand in bringing the citizens of the world together. It is therefore no longer surprising that the need for international travel has permeated amongst every section of the society. While some desire to retire to a more peaceful locale, others seek out better professional and educational prospects. In that regard, a passport that enables individuals to optimize their travel aspirations becomes a highly valued possession, especially in the context of different countries’ strict immigration policies. Therefore, an increasing number of people are exploring ways of acquiring a passport that expands their access to different countries. Accordingly, the St. Kitts and Nevis passport ranking has gained significant traction in recent years.
Often, prominent political stakeholders and high-net-worth individuals are required to maintain parallel bases in more than one country. This necessitates them to seek out secondary citizenships, and an influential passport goes a long way in addressing such requirements. Further, many tend to retreat to quieter and more suitable destinations in pursuit of an upgraded and luxurious lifestyle. Passport index and global rankings play an essential role in facilitating global mobility. Visa waivers or favorable visa policies enhance access to different countries, and it is understandable that passports with higher rankings have an advantage over lower-ranking passports in terms of the entry permitted to different countries. In that light, given the impressive St. Kitts and Nevis passport ranking, numerous applicants are showing interest in acquiring the citizenship of the country.
Why Apply For The St. Kitts And Nevis Passport?
The St. Kitts and Nevis’ passport ranking has marked a significant rise on the global passport Index, and thus the benefits accrued are plentiful. Currently, it is ranked 20th worldwide. The passport of St. Kitts and Nevis has a score of 137 and facilitates visa-free travel to 102 countries all over the world. Moreover, with the passport of St. Kitts and Nevis, one may also access the option of on arrival visa in as many as 35 nations. The scope of unlimited travel to any of the EU nations, including Switzerland and Ireland, as well as Singapore and Hong Kong, substantially boosts the St. Kitts and Nevis passport strength for the applicants. Accordingly, the possession of a St. Kitts and Nevis passport can prove to be extremely profitable for an individual. The most appealing part of this plan is that a single application also makes the applicant’s family members eligible for the international travel benefits and may be passed on to the descendants.
Further, since the St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship permits dual citizenship, it goes without saying that the St. Kitts and Nevis passport does not require the applicants to forfeit their original passports or citizenships. The applicants and their family members can thus, enjoy the perks from both passports. However, it is important that applicants confirm the acceptance of dual citizenship with their native country.
Pitted against the massive range of benefits that the passport of St. Kitts and Nevis ushers, the required investment for the entire process comes across as very reasonable and worthwhile. The method of application and granting of citizenship is relatively smooth and prompt and merely entails fulfilling some basic steps.
Global Passport Index
The passport index is a widely popular interactive tool which provides accurate insights into the rankings of different passports in terms of their recognition, travel and career opportunities, mobility, and overall strength. Passport index portals usually collect data about the passport acceptability with respect to the immigration policies of different countries from reliable resources like IATA and government agencies and compare the passports of a particular nation with another. Further, following a specific methodology, they rank the passports according to the number of countries which allow visa-free or visa on arrival travel to the holders of a particular passport. Often, the portals refer to the United Nations Human Development Index report to gauge the global perception of the countries. The Henley and partners Passport Index and the Arton Capital and Ceoworld, are some of the most popular passport indexes.
Passport index portals are of the utmost importance when evaluating the possibility of applying for a secondary passport for either business, career or recreational purposes. They provide an opportunity to compare the regional trends alongside the progress reports of particular countries. The St. Kitts and Nevis passport ranking has recorded a steady rise in passport ranking indexes with its membership to several relevant international associations. Moreover, with the development of the islands’ citizenship program, various high network individuals from different corners of the world have grown attracted to it. This has enhanced its visibility on the global map and increased the St. Kitts and Nevis passport strength.
Passport indexes also enable applicants to assess which passports have more influence regionally. For instance, the St. Kitts and Nevis passport index has a visa-free score of 137, according the applicants with access to most of Europe and Singapore and Hong Kong. However, it leaves out major parts of North America. Passport indexes empower applicants to make an informed choice while applying for the passport of a particular country. It also provides information about how to further strengthen passport power by recommending complementary secondary citizenships of countries that suit the goals as well as match best with the profile of the candidate. With the help of the passport indexes, applicants may greatly enhance their global mobility without the hassle of immigration formalities or additional expenditures towards visas and other related travel permits.
- Arton Capital’s Passport Index
Arton Capital’s Passport Index 2019 collects data from authentic sources, conducts field analyses, and bases their critical findings according to different categories vis-a-vis speed of processing the application, costs involved and simplicity of the application, as well as the quality of life and the prospect of global mobility once citizenship has been granted. According to the Arton Passport Index, the St. Kitts and Nevis passport index is currently held at world rank 20, way above otherwise dominant world powers like China. Further, when it comes to countries offering citizenship by Investment, it records the fourth highest score with visa-free travel to 102 countries and on-arrival visa to 35 countries.
- Henley Passport Index
The Henley Passport Index Report 2019 highlights the global trends in terms of passport strengths and follows a specific methodology to derive the rankings. This comprehensive report not only provides an insight into the relative position of one nation versus the other but also displays regional trends and the factors that trigger such patterns. The index is made in accordance with the data supplied by the International Air Transport Authority or IATA and engages in rigorous research and monitoring in order to maintain the accuracy of the information. The Henley Passport Index has been a unique publication and has time and again been used by international organizations and governments across the world for their respective reference.
The Henley Passport Index establishes the St. Kitts and Nevis passport strength as one of the highest in the world with visa-free access to the entirety of Europe, South America and large chunks of Africa and Asia. The openness of the different countries to the St. Kitts and Nevis passport holders, a favorable perception of islands for economic partnerships, its myriad tourist attractions, and strategic political standing in the contemporary times has resulted in an impressive St. Kitts and Nevis passport ranking.
Reasons Behind A High St. Kitts And Nevis Passport Index
The St. Kitts and Nevis passport strength does not merely stem from the travel perks; the citizenship of St. Kitts and Nevis offer a holistic package conferring upon applicants a chance to indulge in a luxurious second home. St. Kitts and Nevis are gorgeous Caribbean Islands, situated merely a 1,269 miles away from the Miami coast. It is blessed with a pleasant climate all year long and an unforgettable canvas of natural beauty. The ceremonial head of the State continues to be the Queen of England. It is, however, a democracy and has a reliable political climate. The island is lined with sprawling sand covered beaches and coral reefs lining the coasts. The tranquil blue waters meet the clear skies and the full range of water sports, making it possible to go kayaking, snorkeling, zipping, paragliding or simply swimming or sunbathing! These activities make the beaches of St. Kitts and Nevis a delightful experience. At the heart of the island stands a dormant volcano covered in lush tropical forests – the tremendous Mount Liamuiga.
The islands are also home to a rich heritage, not least because St. Kitts and Nevis were among the most significant powers to resist being invaded by the West Indies. St. Kitts and Nevis has many sugar plantations, and many of them have withstood the days of colonialism. The islands have a vibrant, cheerful culture, full of scintillating rhythms, representative of the life in the Caribbean. The carnivalesque vibe of the island is blended with the beats of Salsa, Jazz, and Calypso. It is true indeed that there is never a dull moment to be found while on the St. Kitts and Nevis islands!
In the contemporary political map, St. Kitts and Nevis figures as an essential political stakeholder, by virtue of its membership to various strategic international organizations. The United Nations, the British Commonwealth, CARICOM – St. Kitts and Nevis happens to be a member of all of these, to name a few. It is therefore not surprising that in terms of global passport index, St. Kitts and Nevis has been accorded a high rank. Further, it’s umbilical ties with Great Britain grants it the default benefits of any other EU member nation. Consequently, the citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis can travel without visas to any of the EU member countries. On the economic front, St. Kitts and Nevis has one of the most prosperous economies among all citizenship by investment Caribbean economies. Due to its proximity to the U.S. as well as Europe, the trade prospects are reasonably profitable.
Further, the islands have booming labor-intensive manufacturing units as well, thus making it a trustworthy destination for offshore investors. The expansion of tourism and the real estate industries have also boosted the economic growth of St. Kitts and Nevis. So, while visiting the islands can be an enjoyable experience, acquiring secondary citizenship of the islands shall guarantee a blissful life and a robust, well-reputed passport with enormous benefits.
Benefits of the St. Kitts & Nevis Citizenship by Investment
There are numerous St. Kitts & Nevis citizenship benefits :
- Visa-free travel to 102 destinations and visa on arrival for 35 other countries
- No permanent residency required.
- No specific language requirements.
- Chance to work and reside in St. Kitts and Nevis.
- Favorable taxation: no tax levied on wealth, gift, foreign income, or capital gains.
- Accelerated and prompt application process.
- Dual citizenship is permitted, subject to the policies of the country of origin of the applicant.
- A single application also applies to family members, including the spouse, financially dependent children and parents over the age of 55 years.
How To Apply For The St. Kitts And Nevis Passport
The St. Kitts and Nevis passport application process is very efficient and straightforward. The citizenship may be acquired after citizenship planning within a short span of 3 to 6 months in exchange for an investment of a minimum $150,000. Moreover, with the Accelerated Application Process, the entire process may be completed in just under two months. While the procedure is quite smooth and hassle-free, the authorities ensure that only credible applicants are granted citizenship, and for this reason, stringent background checks are conducted on the applicant. However, no interviews as such are mandatory.
The St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship requirements may be divided into two heads: financial and non-financial. The non-financial requirements primarily entail being of at least 18 years of age and having a clean criminal record, both of which are to be verified by official documents. The financial needs are slightly more elaborate, and they involve contributions to the development of the country, a purchase of a real estate property, as well as some other Government recommended investments.
- A non-refundable donation has to be made to the Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF) amounting to $150,000 for a single applicant
- A non-refundable contribution to the Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation (SIDF) of a minimum value of $250,000 for an individual applicant
- An investment in a real estate property worth at least $200,000 from an approved real estate development firm. This property must not be resold for seven years.
- A purchase of a real estate asset with a minimum value of $400,000 from an approved real estate development. This too cannot be resold for five years.
It is expedient to make an informed call on the necessary Investment in order to optimize the benefits reaped on the investments. It becomes crucial to understand the end goals and nature of the investments made, so that along with the apparent benefits of citizenship and the St. Kitts and Nevis passport index, individuals can also enjoy, in the years to follow, the returns on investments made.
The applicant has to make a non-refundable donation to either the SIDF or SGF. The former, SIDF, is a non-profit foundation set up in order to support the former sugar workers exclusively, to research the development of industries to replace the sugar industry, funding the development of these alternative industries, and providing further support to secure the sustainability of the national economy. The latter, SGF, is a fund established to support economic growth and strengthen the infrastructure of all sectors of the economy.
As enlisted above, the applicant may opt for any of the categories mentioned below, to the extent of a predefined minimum value amount under either the SIDF or the SGF heads.
Other factors to keep in mind:
- The principal applicant is required to make a contribution of $250,000 under the purview of the SIDF
- An applicant, including three dependents, is needed to make a contribution of $300,000 within the SIDF Option
- A donation of $25,000 is expected for each additional family member or dependent, regardless of age
- The principal applicant is required to make a contribution of $150,000 with an additional donation of $25,000 for a spouse and $10,000 for every other dependent
In today’s fast transforming socio-political scenario, global connectivity is perhaps one of the most relevant driving forces. The world has transcended geographical barriers and accessibility to almost every corner of the world has improved dramatically. Simultaneously, the demand for international travel for business or recreational purposes has risen. Almost everyone faces the need for cross-border travel since financial, diplomatic, academic, and lifestyle opportunities have become largely cosmopolitan in nature. However, the stringent administrative regulations on transnational travel continue to be an obstacle to global mobility. As a result, the prospect of visa-free travel is becoming extraordinarily appealing, and in that light, a passport with a robust global index has emerged as a highly coveted and valued possession.
As every market growingly attains an international character, international travel has become desirable for both creating and conserving wealth. Moreover, given that certain countries offer better career and educational opportunities than the others, there has been a trend of shifting bases across the borders to avail these opportunities.
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