Asset Protection BLOG - Mark Nestmann: Nevis/St. Kitts Passport Holders Now Can Travel Visa-Free to 23 European Countries

In a world where visa restrictions are increasing, not decreasing, I never expected it to happen. But beginning later this month, citizens of the Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis will no longer need visas to travel to 23 European countries. With the addition of the Schengen area, St. Kitts & Nevis passport holders will be able to travel without a visa, or obtain a visa upon entry, to nearly 130 countries.

These countries, all members of the "Schengen Area," are Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. All a St. Kitts/Nevis citizen needs to do to enter these countries for up to three months is to hold a valid St. Kitts/Nevis passport. (It's already possible for a St. Kitts/Nevis passport-holder to visit Ireland, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom visa-free.)

This development greatly increases the value of a St. Kitts/Nevis passport. And while I'm expecting a significant increase in the price in coming months, you can still purchase "economic citizenship" in St. Kitts/Nevis for a fee beginning at US$200,000, plus a minimum of US$15,000 in legal fees.

There are two ways to obtain economic citizenship from the Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis. The most practical strategy is to make a direct contribution. Total costs including all fees for a single applicant under this option come to about US$215,000, or US$265,000 for an applicant with up to three dependents. Alternatively, you can purchase qualifying property worth a minimum of US$350,000. However, fees and taxes under this option are much higher than if you make a direct contribution.

The Nestmann Group, Ltd. can assist individuals seeking economic citizenship in the Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis. We also can assist with applications for economic citizenship in the Commonwealth of Dominica, a lower-cost alternative to St. Kitts & Nevis. Please contact us for more information at info@nestmann.com.