How the St. Kitts and Nevis CIU Turns Policy into Performance

Calvin St. Juste
Saint Kitts & Nevis

In an op-ed for IMI, Saint Kitts CIU Chairman Calvin St Juste discusses the program’s transformation, refunding Russian applicants, and more.

The Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) of St. Kitts and Nevis has taken decisive steps to reinforce transparency and trust within the country’s Citizenship by Investment Programme.

At the core of these efforts is a clear and consistent mission: to ensure all applicants are treated fairly and that the highest standards are upheld across every facet of the programme.

Since becoming a statutory authority on 1 October 2024, the CIU St. Kitts and Nevis has operated with enhanced autonomy, accountability, and strategic clarity.

In just six months, the Unit has harnessed four decades of institutional knowledge to deliver transformative change — fulfilling its commitments with unprecedented speed and precision.

Reforms of this magnitude typically unfold over 18 to 24 months, yet despite global geopolitical headwinds, the CIU has accelerated implementation while maintaining a balanced, stakeholder-inclusive approach.

The transformation has not been without its complexities and unexpected twists.

Effecting meaningful change while preserving the gravitas built over 40 years requires measured patience, particularly in an industry where agility is often prized over integrity. Yet, the CIU worked tirelessly to modernise the process without compromising integrity, proving that resilience and reinvention can, in fact, coexist.

Innovation

In a decisive step towards modernization, the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) of St. Kitts and Nevis has been working towards digital transformation to enhance efficiency, transparency, and user experience.

Just one week ago, the CIU launched Saturn, a powerful new digital platform set to redefine how citizenship applications are processed.

Through Saturn, applicants, agents, and other authorised stakeholders can now access real-time application updates, ushering in a new era of transparency within the investment migration space.

This feature allows users to monitor progress at every stage, eliminating uncertainty and increasing confidence in the process.

Key features of the platform include:

• Live Application Monitoring: Instant access to real-time status updates for every stage of an application.
• Fully Digital Query Management: A complete shift from paper-based systems to a streamlined, intuitive digital interface, improving the speed and accuracy of query handling.
• Audit Trail Visibility: Enhanced tracking, reconciliation, and data analytics capabilities, enabling better oversight and accountability across the board.

Sanctioned Countries

In response to applications affected by the Government’s March 2022 suspension—and subsequent August 2022 ban—on submissions from Russia and Belarus, the CIU has been actively processing refund requests.

This includes cases where applications, although submitted prior to the suspension, were still under review at the time the ban took effect. The legal and regulatory complexities of the refunds has required detailed audits and thorough compliance checks.

Within the first six months of the CIU’s transition to the statutory body, the refund of claims have been assessed and authorized, ensuring that eligible applicants receive restitution in accordance with legal and regulatory obligations.

These efforts demonstrate a renewed focus on fairness, transparency, and the importance of restoring confidence in the programme.

In line with its commitment to fairness and regulatory compliance, the CIU will continue to initiate refunds to applicants who applied and paid the investment but were subsequently ineligible due to the Government’s restrictions.

The CIU is making decisive strides in addressing complex cases with fairness and transparency. The refund process for affected applicants is being advanced with careful legal and financial oversight, reflecting the Unit’s deep commitment to accountability and global best practices.

These efforts underscore that the CBI Programme of St. Kitts and Nevis is not only the first in the world, but also among the most responsible and responsive in the investment migration industry.

Several refunds have already been processed following thorough internal reviews and in alignment with international compliance protocols.

For remaining applicants affected by delays, the legal and financial framework required to complete the refund process is actively underway, with each case being addressed individually to ensure adherence to the highest regulatory and fiduciary standards.

Addressing Recent Speculation: Citizenship Revocations and Regulatory Enforcement

Recent speculation suggesting that the Government is arbitrarily revoking citizenships is both misleading and unfounded. The reality is that evidence revealed instances where citizenship was granted to individuals who did not meet the legally mandated minimum investment thresholds.

These irregularities—often facilitated through unauthorized practices by certain agents and developers—represent serious breaches of the programme’s framework.

The Ministry of National Security identified 158 individuals who had obtained citizenship by making investment payments below the legally required threshold.

These individuals were formally notified and granted a period to regularize their status. They were required to provide documented proof of having paid the full, lawful investment amount by 31 December 2024.

Acceptable forms of evidence included official bank statements, wire transfer receipts, or cleared cheques that demonstrated compliance with the minimum investment requirement set forth by the regulations.

Action taken to review and revoke citizenships granted through underpaid investments is both necessary and just. Upholding the integrity of the Programme means ensuring that every applicant has met the full investment threshold without exception.

These steps send a clear signal: The Citizenship by Investment Programme of St. Kitts and Nevis is committed to setting—not following—standards in the global wealth migration space.

The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, in collaboration with the CIU, has undertaken corrective action to preserve the integrity of the Citizenship by Investment Programme.

This includes a consultation period, followed by decisive action on citizenships that were obtained under false pretences or through incomplete investment commitments.

Such actions are not punitive but protective—aimed at maintaining the international reputation of the programme and ensuring that all participants comply with its legal requirements.

Safeguarding Investors Assets

As part of the commitment toward a broader reform agenda, the Office of the Chairman (OOTC) was also established and now plays a central role in enhancing the Citizenship by Investment Programme’s investor experience.

The OOTC is responsible for the review, approval, and regulatory oversight of all real estate and Public Benefit Option (PBO) projects under the programme.

This includes ensuring compliance with minimum investment thresholds, resale criteria, and the overall integrity of transactions.

The objective is to deliver value to both international investors and the citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis, as the OOTC enforces rigorous building compliance mechanisms, including the use of Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (certified surveyors) to protect investor assets and uphold development standards.

By aligning project approvals with best practices and accountability frameworks, the Office ensures that each investment contributes meaningfully to national development while maintaining strong investor protection.

Safeguarding a 40-Year Legacy

As the originator of the Citizenship by Investment concept, St. Kitts and Nevis has a four-decade-long legacy to uphold. The programme, launched in 1984, pioneered the modern era of investment migration. The country continues to lead the way with its commitment to the six principles agreed in 2023 and its active advocacy in working towards all five countries signing the MOU in 2024.

With that leadership comes responsibility—not only to economic citizens and the international community but to the standards that define the industry itself. Ongoing reforms and regulatory enforcement demonstrate a clear message: St. Kitts and Nevis is not only committed to meeting international best practices but also to setting them.

The CIU continues to evolve in alignment with global expectations, ensuring that the programme remains synonymous with credibility, due diligence, and principled administration.

The current direction of the CIU reflects a forward-looking approach to programme governance. Whether by resolving legacy issues with care and fairness, or by taking firm action against non-compliant actors, the overarching goal remains the same: To preserve the integrity of the world’s first—and foremost—citizenship by investment programme.

Through these reforms, St. Kitts and Nevis is ensuring that its programme not only remains secure and credible but continues to lead the way in shaping the future of wealth migration.