The SKN Government implements strict due diligence process (6 layers) in full compliance with national legislation and international standards. Any CBI applicant who is aged sixteen years or over shall undergo multiple layers of due diligence background checks (a standard procedure) before any decision is made in relation to his or her application.
Six Layers
The Vetting of applicants for citizenship by investment programme is conducted, by—
- The Financial Intelligence Unit of the Government of Saint Christopher and Nevis;
- The Continuing International Due Diligence Unit of the Government of Saint Christopher and Nevis
- The Joint Regional Communications Centre, a sub-agency of CARICOM IMPACS; and
- At least one reputable international due diligence service provider firm; and may include the secure collection and processing of biometric and other data including fingerprints and passport verification
- Interviews conducted on applicants virtually or in person.
- CIDD Unit will continue monitor economic citizens with due diligence
Due Diligence Reports
The DD reports are provided to CIU based on on-field assessments of internationally reputed third party due diligence firms . Basic KYC and Initial background checks are done by authorized agents.
The CIDD Unit
The Continuing International Due Diligence (CIDD) Unit, established in underscoring its continued efforts towards strengthening the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme and further protecting the country’s reputation internationally. The new CIDD unit will be headed by former Commissioner of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force and current Ambassador for the Eastern Caribbean States to the Kingdom of Morocco, His Excellency Ian Queeley.
The CIDD Unit will be headquartered in Europe and will be responsible for conducting continuing due diligence on economic citizens worldwide. It will ensure that citizens holding passports issued by St. Kitts and Nevis and residing and working internationally, abide by the laws of the countries in which they reside and visit, and that they respect the international laws as well. [It will] alert the Ministry of National Security of St. Kitts and Nevis citizens who are being investigated for committing or have been arrested and/or charged with financial or other crimes internationally
The Continuing International Due Diligence (CIDD) Unit operational by July 31, 2024.
CBI Technical Committee
Citizenship by Investment Technical Committee charged with the responsibility of reviewing CBI applications submitted to the Unit. The Committee will ensure that all due diligence background checks are comprehensive and completed throughout the CBI application process. The Committee will also provide information sufficient to justify any recommendation to the Minister responsible for National Security to approve or deny CBI applications.
Ministers Responsibility
The Minister shall appoint a Citizenship by Investment Technical Committee charged with the responsibility of—
- Reviewing CBI applications submitted to the Unit
- Ensuring that all due diligence background checks are comprehensive and completed throughout the CBI application process;
- Conducting spot checks of CBI applications; and
- Providing information sufficient to justify any recommendation to the Minister to approve or deny CBI applications for Citizenship by Investment.
Blockchain Due Diligence Reports
The Citizenship Unit (CIU) of Saint Kitts and Nevis has announced in Oct 2025, successful integration of blockchain-verified certification into its due diligence reporting system. Developed in partnership with a European Union-based due diligence provider, this innovation marks a significant milestone in the global investment migration industry, setting a new benchmark for authentication, transparency, and tamper-proof verification.
- Immutable Authentication: Each report is issued with a unique blockchain certificate that cannot be altered or duplicated, providing permanent proof of authenticity.
- Real-Time Verification: Governments, Citizenship Units, and authorised agents can instantly verify report authenticity through a secure online portal using the certificate’s unique hash code.
- Enhanced Security: Multi-layered cryptographic protocols protect sensitive data while maintaining full verification capabilities.
- Global Standards Compliance: Fully compliant with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and aligned with international Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF) frameworks.
- Tamper-Proof Integrity: Any modification or forgery attempt is immediately detectable through blockchain validation.
The blockchain-based system issues a unique, immutable digital certificate for every due diligence report, providing governments and authorized entities with unparalleled confidence in the authenticity and integrity of applicant background checks. Each certificate is cryptographically secured and permanently recorded on a distributed ledger, ensuring that reports cannot be altered, forged, or misrepresented after issuance.