São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment

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When our client, an Iraqi national residing in Qatar, approached us, she had one clear goal: to secure a Caribbean passport for visa-free access to over 150 countries. However, her journey was anything but straightforward.

The Challenge

Our client held both Iraqi and Yemeni passports - her Yemeni passport listed a date of birth different from her birth certificate, and her Iraqi passport had already expired. Since most of her official documents in Qatar used the details on her Yemeni passport, the conflicting dates created a major obstacle for her Saint Kitts and Nevis citizenship application.

Without a valid passport reflecting accurate information, moving forward seemed nearly impossible.

Our Solution

When faced with this complex situation, our team crafted a solution that was efficient and tailored to the client’s unique circumstances. We considered two options:

• Renewing her expired Iraqi passport to match her birth certificate.
• Updating her Yemeni passport to include the correct date of birth for use in her Saint Kitts and Nevis citizenship application.

Since traveling to Yemen wasn’t an option, our team at Savory & Partners’ New Cairo office collaborated with the Yemeni embassy in Egypt. We carefully navigated the bureaucratic process to ensure her Yemeni passport was amended with the correct information. This required meticulous preparation of documents, clear communication with embassy officials, and relentless follow-ups.

Our persistence and expertise paid off—the Yemeni passport was successfully updated.

But this was only the first step. With the corrected passport in hand, our team in Qatar ensured every supporting document was updated to reflect the new details. We handled the entire application process, from preparing the required documentation to conducting due diligence and submitting the final application for the Saint Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program.

Our client selected the erstwhile Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF) option, making a non-refundable contribution of $150,000. This investment at the time aligned with her goal of obtaining citizenship while supporting the sustainable development of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Since 2023, the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC) option has replaced the SGF and has a minimum contribution of $250,000. However, when the changes came into effect, the legislation of the citizenship program excluded Iraqis from applying, this turned out to be a miraculous turn of events for our client.

The Result

The client is now a proud Saint Kitts and Nevis passport holder! This prestigious citizenship unlocks visa-free access to over 150 countries, opening doors to new opportunities. Beyond her personal benefits, she can now extend this valuable citizenship to her family—children, siblings, and parents—securing a brighter future for her loved ones.

Why Choose Saint Kitts and Nevis Citizenship?

A Saint Kitts and Nevis citizenship offers unparalleled global mobility and a host of benefits, including:

• Dual citizenship, allowing her to retain her original nationality.
• No residency requirement, enabling her to remain in Qatar while enjoying her newfound freedom.

Minimum Investment Requirements:

To qualify for citizenship, applicants must make one of the following investments:

Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC):

• $250,000 for the main applicant and up to three dependents.
• $50,000 for each additional dependent over 18.
• $25,000 for each additional dependent under 18.

Real Estate Acquisition:

• Minimum investment of $325,000 in government-approved real estate projects.
• Real estate can be resold after seven years under certain conditions.

By choosing the SGF option, our client not only secured her citizenship but also contributed to the sustainable development of Saint Kitts and Nevis.