Basseterre, St. Kitts, November 15, 2018 (SKNIS): Strengthening and rebranding the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme in St. Kitts and Nevis in 2016 – by making it the platinum standard – has led to a significant increase in applications to the country’s CBI programme, solidifying it as #1 worldwide.
 
Speaking on the CBI Programme during the prime minister’s monthly press conference on Wednesday, November 14, Les Khan, CEO of the Citizen by Investment Unit (CIU), said that the programme has gone through several significant changes, which have generated positive attention over the last couple of years.
 
“It is most important to recognize that the number of applications has increased tremendously from the last three or four years. In 2018, we have had more applications in total, than over the last four years,” said the CEO.
 
He added that both the Real Estate and Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF) investment options continue to improve.
 
Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris launched the Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF) investment option during a function at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Dubai on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. Under this new investment option, a single applicant will be required to make a contribution of US $150,000, inclusive of Government fees whereas the contribution for a family of up to four members will be US $195,000. For additional information, please see: https://www.ciu.gov.kn/investment-options/.

 
“We will continue to see success in our real estate market and in the Sustainable Growth Fund,” said Les Khan, noting that the CIU continues to see an “increase in volume going forward and we intend to see an increase in volume on the real estate side.”
 
The minimum real estate investment required by law is US$200,000 (resalable after 7 years) or US$400,000 (resalable after 5 years) for each main applicant. For additional information, please see: https://www.ciu.gov.kn/investment-options/.
 
St. Kitts & Nevis is ranked #1 in the Caribbean for its Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme in the 2018 Passport Index, released on January 18, by leading international CBI firm, Henley & Partners.