Reviewed by Jane Katkova, Founder & Licensed CICC ConsultantKey points
- Visa-free Schengen access for St Kitts and Nevis passport holders is intact today.
- The European Commission asked the five Caribbean governments to phase out programmes by 1 June 2028.
- The next European Commission report on the programmes is due in December 2026.
- Every passport holder must enrol biometrics by 31 July 2027.
Current Schengen status
A St Kitts and Nevis passport reaches around 150–167 destinations visa-free or on arrival, including the Schengen Area, the UK, Hong Kong and Singapore. It is the strongest passport of the five Caribbean citizenship by investment programmes.
The European Commission's 2028 request
In July 2026 the European Commission asked all five Caribbean governments to phase out citizenship by investment by 1 June 2028. The EU's Visa Suspension Mechanism now treats operating such a programme as grounds for suspending visa-free travel. The next Commission report is due in December 2026.
- Schengen visa-free access: in force today.
- After 1 June 2028: not guaranteed.
- Biometric enrolment: required of every passport holder by 31 July 2027.
How we advise applicants to weigh it
We ask every client to assess the passport on the benefits that do not depend on the EU decision, such as UK, Hong Kong and Singapore access and a lifetime citizenship, and to treat Schengen as a current benefit with a stated risk. The passport does not open the US or Canada: US visitor visas are still required, and Canada allows an eTA only with a Canadian visa held in the last ten years or a valid US non-immigrant visa, arriving by air. The full country list is in our guide to visa-free destinations for St Kitts and Nevis citizens, and fees and processing are on the St Kitts and Nevis programme overview. To discuss the 2028 risk before you file, book a consultation with us.
People also ask
How much does St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment cost in 2026?
St Kitts and Nevis citizenship costs from US$250,000 through the Sustainable Island State Contribution, for a single applicant or a family of up to four. With due diligence, administrative and passport fees, a single applicant pays about US$261,500 in government charges and a family of four with young children about US$270,500.
Do you have to live in Antigua and Barbuda to keep your citizenship?
No. Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment does not require you to live on the islands. You must spend 30 days in the country within the first five years of citizenship under the 2026 amendment, which replaced the old five-day rule. Applications approved before the rule took effect keep the five-day requirement.
Can you travel to the US or Canada on an Antigua and Barbuda passport?
Not visa-free. The US requires a visa, and since 1 January 2026 Proclamation 10998 suspends immigrant, B-1/B-2, F, M and J visas for Antiguan nationals. Canada grants an eTA only to Antiguan nationals who held a Canadian visa in the last ten years or hold a valid US visa, and only when arriving by air.
How long does Dominica citizenship by investment take to process?
Dominica citizenship by investment takes 9.3 months on average, within a range of 4 to 18 months, according to the IMI Processing Times Tool for Q4 2025. That is the widest range of the five Caribbean programmes, so plan for a year. The 60–90 day timelines some agents still quote do not reflect current processing.
Can you enter the UK without a visa on a Dominica passport?
No. The UK withdrew visa-free entry for Dominican nationals in July 2023 and has not restored it, so a UK visa is required. Schengen, Hong Kong and Singapore are unaffected, and the passport reaches around 140–145 destinations. If the UK is a regular destination, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis or Antigua and Barbuda suit better.