Citizenship and Immigration Canada Removes St. Kitts and Nevis Passports From Safe List

St. Kitts and Nevis is a small two island country located in the southern Caribbean. A few months ago it attracted a lot of attention when Canada had announced that passports issued for this country are now black listed. This means that anyone trying to visit or immigrate to Canada with only a St. Kitts and Nevis passport will not be allowed in. This change in status was because their buy a passport program was also issuing diplomatic credentials to questionable individuals. Immigration lawyers in Canada have answered common questions in response to this status change.

Why was it removed from Canada’s safe list?

Citizenship and Immigration Canada had concerns about many illicit actors purchasing passports and diplomatic credentials from the country. The program also does not require the purchaser to be in the country to receive a passport and the passports did not display the birth place of the holder.

Can you still buy passports in St. Kitts and Nevis?

Yes, the Citizenship by Investment Program is still running. Through this program it is possible to get a passport in two ways. One is to make a non-refundable $250,000 donation to the country; the second option requires a minimum of $400,000 in real estate investment in the country. If you are planning on immigrating to Canada, lawyers advise that you avoid purchasing a passport from St. Kitts and Nevis or have all the necessary visas in place before you travel.

Can St. Kitts and Nevis passport holders still enter Canada?

Yes. If you or a family member are genuine visitors from the country and are planning to travel with a St. Kitts and Nevis passport it is mandatory to have an accompanying visa. Immigration lawyers in Canada warn that those without the proper visas will not be allowed to enter the country.

Can a St. Kitts and Nevis passport be used for other countries?

Yes, a number of countries still accept the St Kitts and Nevis passport without a visa. The majority of them are in Europe or the Caribbean.

Although there are still issues surrounding the passport program in St. Kitts and Nevis, if you are a genuine visitor from the country and possess the necessary visas you can enter Canada to start a new life. Canadian immigration lawyers are available to answer all your questions and help you prepare for this important life transition.