Program update · St Kitts and Nevis
St Kitts and Nevis to wind down its citizenship by investment programme: what it means for applicants and citizens
On 13 November 2026 the Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis announced that the programme will be wound down on a timeline still being negotiated with the European Union. What changes now, and what does not.
In this article
On Friday 13 November 2026, the Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Terrance Drew, announced in a national address that the country will wind down its Citizenship by Investment Programme, launched in 1984. He said the programme will close “responsibly on a timeline now being negotiated with the European Union”.
This is what we know today, and what it means for families.
What has been decided
- The programme will close, but not immediately. No final date for applications has been set. The timeline is being negotiated with the European Union, which proposed a transitional period in a letter of June 2026 with the aim of preserving its citizens’ current access to the Schengen area.
- Until then, the programme keeps operating under its existing requirements and oversight.
- Applications will not be fast-tracked or offered on different terms before the closing date, the Prime Minister said.
If you already hold St Kitts and Nevis citizenship
Nothing changes for you. The Prime Minister was explicit that people who lawfully hold the country’s citizenship are not affected. Your citizenship and your passport remain valid.
If your application is in progress
Applications continue to be processed under the current rules. Your Orience advisor will contact you personally to review your file and its timeline. If you have not heard from us, write to your advisor.
If you were considering St Kitts and Nevis
The programme is still open today, but its future now depends on a closing date that has not been fixed. Before you decide, it is worth weighing that uncertainty and looking at the alternatives that solve the same need:
| What you need | Alternatives to consider |
|---|---|
| A residence in the Americas that can lead to citizenship | Panama’s Qualified Investor permanent residence |
| A base in Europe for your family | Residence programmes in Italy, Greece, Portugal, Spain or Latvia |
| A second citizenship from a stable country | Argentina’s citizenship by investment, not yet open to applications (pre-registration available) |
Each one works differently, in timing, cost and requirements. Your advisor can compare them with you for your family’s situation.
What about the other Caribbean programmes?
Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada and Saint Lucia continue to accept applications under their current rules. The European Union has been in discussion with the Eastern Caribbean governments about their programmes. We follow every announcement and will update this page and the programme pages as soon as there is an official decision.
Talk to our team
Our Caribbean team, led by Ranny Muasher, can review your case and your options.
Sources: national address of the Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, 13 November 2026, as reported by The St Kitts & Nevis Observer and WINN FM (14 November 2026).
More insights on St Kitts and Nevis →
Reviewed by the Orience legal team. This article is general information, not legal or financial advice.