Your first 90 days in St Kitts and Nevis: the arrival checklist
The visa got you in — this is what turns you into a functioning resident: the registration clock, the ID number everything else depends on, and the money, healthcare, and license steps in the order they actually unlock. Each step links the official source so you can verify the current rule.
Checked against official sources · September 2026 · how we verify
The catch that burns new arrivals
A CBI passport is a travel document, not a tax plan: your home country's rules on citizenship or residence-based taxation do not change because you acquired a second nationality, and US citizens in particular remain fully taxable. Get that advised before, not after, the investment.
The checklist, in the order it unlocks
Apply to the Immigration Department for an extension of stay or residence permit, or complete the citizenship-by-investment file with the CIU
Before the entry stamp expires — visitors are commonly admitted for up to 90 days, extendable on application
The world's oldest citizenship-by-investment programme runs here and dominates the country's immigration reputation, but it is a separate track from ordinary residence — and CBI citizenship does not require you to live in the federation at all.
Get your TIN (taxpayer identification number) from the Inland Revenue Department
St Kitts and Nevis levies no personal income tax, so the TIN is used for property, business and social-security identification rather than an annual return.
Registered with the Inland Revenue Department; Social Security registration is separate and applies once you take up local employment.
Open a bank account
St Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank, Republic Bank and the Bank of Nevis serve residents. Because of the CBI programme, source-of-funds scrutiny on new accounts is unusually intense — expect to document the origin of every significant deposit, and expect correspondent-bank delays on international wires.
Enrol in healthcare
JNF General Hospital on St Kitts and Alexandra Hospital on Nevis provide public care at modest fees; capability is limited and referrals go to Puerto Rico, Trinidad or Miami. International insurance with a real evacuation limit is the practical requirement, not an add-on.
Sort your driver's license
A local temporary driving permit is issued on presentation of a valid foreign licence and a fee — this is the normal route for arrivals and visitors. Residents convert to a full local licence. Driving is on the left.
Deadlines and requirements vary by nationality, visa type, and region, and they change — this is information current as of 2026, not legal or immigration advice. Verify each step with the official source before you rely on it.
Moving to St Kitts and Nevis?
Add your email for new St Kitts and Nevis guides and a heads-up when the arrival rules or figures change. We never file anything ourselves.
Information only, not legal advice — we never file anything with any government. Requirements change; verify with the official source or a licensed immigration advisor before you apply.
First 90 days in St Kitts and Nevis: FAQ
What do I have to do first after arriving in St Kitts and Nevis?
Apply to the Immigration Department for an extension of stay or residence permit, or complete the citizenship-by-investment file with the CIU — Before the entry stamp expires — visitors are commonly admitted for up to 90 days, extendable on application. The world's oldest citizenship-by-investment programme runs here and dominates the country's immigration reputation, but it is a separate track from ordinary residence — and CBI citizenship does not require you to live in the federation at all. Verify the current rule with the official source before you rely on it.
What is the TIN and do I need one?
TIN (taxpayer identification number) from the Inland Revenue Department is St Kitts and Nevis's personal tax/ID number. St Kitts and Nevis levies no personal income tax, so the TIN is used for property, business and social-security identification rather than an annual return. Registered with the Inland Revenue Department; Social Security registration is separate and applies once you take up local employment.
Can I drive in St Kitts and Nevis on a US license?
A local temporary driving permit is issued on presentation of a valid foreign licence and a fee — this is the normal route for arrivals and visitors. Residents convert to a full local licence. Driving is on the left. Rules differ by nationality and change — check the official source before the window closes.
How do I get healthcare after moving to St Kitts and Nevis?
JNF General Hospital on St Kitts and Alexandra Hospital on Nevis provide public care at modest fees; capability is limited and referrals go to Puerto Rico, Trinidad or Miami. International insurance with a real evacuation limit is the practical requirement, not an add-on. See our healthcare-systems guide for how St Kitts and Nevis's system treats foreign residents.