The CIU processes applications for citizenship by investment (donation or real estate) are generally in 90-120 days. A significant part of the timeline involves vetting the applicant’s background, source of funds, and personal history. Thorough due diligence ensures compliance with international standards.
File Submission
As per the program guidelines, the full investment must be made only after file is approved. To submit the file, the investor must pay
- Due diligence fee
- Application fee
- 50% of Agency fee
Once the Citizenship by Investment Unit grants approval in principle and the qualifying investment is fulfilled and confirmed, the applicant and eligible family members are required to make investment and appear for interview to receive their Certificates of Naturalisation.
Government Decision
Within 120-180 days of acknowledgement from the Unit of submission of a citizenship application, the CIU Unit will advise on the status of the application is:
- Approved-in-principle;
- Denied; or
- Delayed for cause and is still being processed.
This status will be communicated to authorized agent. In some cases, if the file in order, the authorities take a decision in 90 days. The whole process can be remotely done, no residency or personal visit to St. Kitts is required.
Timelines
- Applications submitted to CIU are processed in normal mode.
- Accelerated Application Process (60 days) has been suspended no longer available.
- Appear for interview with authorities (virtual or inperson)
| Stage | Timeframe (Typical) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application Submission to Approval | 4 – 6 months | Government review of file including due diligence |
| Extended Review Cases | Up to 8 months | Possible with documentation issues or complex cases |
| Passport Issuance After Approval | ~4 – 6 weeks | Separate from citizenship approval |
Delays
Engaging a lawyer to prepare and check your documents before submission is highly recommended.
- Missing or incomplete documents contribute to delays.
- Errors or omissions in application forms, missing supporting documents, or lack of necessary police clearances can cause delays.
- Complex family structures, or additional due diligence can contribute.
- Bank delays in receiving transfer of funds via correspondent banks or failing compliance checks may complicate things.
- Unavailability of Interviews due to backlog.
What to Prepare for
- Plan Ahead: Start the application process well before any deadlines or travel plans.
- Prepare Forms and document: Fill the forms and gather all supporting documents in order. Do not conceal or provide false information which are grounds for refusal. Disclose all information accurately.
- Get a Lawyer: The Lawyer directly liases with authorized agent who can help ensure documentation is accurate and complete, giving you peace of mind and stress free.