Promote:
Invest in Saint Kitts and Nevis
A short guide for companies expanding into Saint Kitts and Nevis: the economy at a glance, the rules and steps to set up, and who can help, each with its source.
1. Saint Kitts and Nevis at a glance
PopulationEstimate
46,922
The World Bank reports a population of 46,922 in 2025.
Source: World Bank, population of Saint Kitts and Nevis, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDPEstimate
US$1.18 billion
The World Bank reports GDP of US$1.18 billion in 2025, at current prices.
Source: World Bank, GDP of Saint Kitts and Nevis, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP per personEstimate
US$25,223
The World Bank reports GDP per person of US$25,223 in 2025, at current prices.
Source: World Bank, Saint Kitts and Nevis GDP per person, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Real GDP growthEstimate
2.7%
The World Bank reports real GDP growth of 2.7 percent in 2025.
Source: World Bank, Saint Kitts and Nevis real GDP growth, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
InflationEstimate
1.1%
The Department of Statistics reports average annual inflation of 1.13 percent in 2024, in a table dated December 4, 2024.
Source: Department of Statistics, consumer prices annual averages, 2013 to 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024
Foreign direct investment inflows
US$29.2 million
Foreign direct investment inflows were US$29.2 million in 2025, on the asset and liability basis UNCTADstat publishes.
Source: UNCTADstat, foreign direct investment inflows, Saint Kitts and Nevis, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
The currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar, issued by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank and pegged at 2.7 to the United States dollar.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of the OECS-WTO Members, March 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of March 29, 2023
2. Before you set up
The investment agency, any one-stop route, the sectors reserved for nationals and the zones, as the guide found them.
The St. Kitts Investment Promotion Agency promotes and facilitates investment in St. Kitts, and the Nevis Investment Promotion Agency serves Nevis.
Source: SKIPA, what the agency does (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
SKIPA says it provides one-stop-shop services to local and foreign investors, and the agency charges no fee for its services.
Source: SKIPA, frequently asked questions (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Reserved sectors: the country's services schedule at the World Trade Organization, as the WTO review describes it, reserves ownership of non-ethnic restaurants for nationals.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of the OECS-WTO Members, March 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of March 29, 2023
The Fiscal Incentives Act names two enclave business parks, the C.A. Paul Southwell Industrial Park and Bourke's Project at Sandy Point, as places for enclave enterprises.
Source: Fiscal Incentives Act, Cap. 20.14, revised 2020 (opens in a new tab) · as of December 31, 2020
3. Steps to set up
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Setting up in Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Incorporate the company by delivering the memorandum of association to the Registrar of Companies and paying the registration fee.Financial Services Regulatory CommissionOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Financial Services Regulatory Commission, company formation and registration (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Apply to the Ministry of Finance for a Business and Occupation License; SKIPA can help with the application.Ministry of FinanceOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: SKIPA, steps to establish a business (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Register with the Inland Revenue Department as a taxpayer, and ask about value added tax registration.Inland Revenue DepartmentOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: SKIPA, steps to establish a business (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Register with the Social Security Board as an employer.Saint Christopher and Nevis Social Security BoardOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: SKIPA, steps to establish a business (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 3 more set-up steps
- If foreigners will hold land, or hold shares or serve as directors of an ordinary company, apply for an Alien Landholding License.Governor-General, under the Aliens Land Holding Regulation ActOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: SKIPA, steps to establish a business (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Submit a project proposal to SKIPA, then apply for the incentives you need under the Fiscal Incentives Act.St. Kitts Investment Promotion AgencyOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: SKIPA, preparing a business proposal (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Ask SKIPA which authority handles work permits for your staff, and apply with that authority.St. Kitts Investment Promotion AgencyOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: SKIPA, steps to establish a business (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
4. Organizations that help investors
Start with SKIPA and Customs and Excise. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
Investment and business setup
- Get advice
National investment promotion agency
SKIPA
St. Kitts Investment Promotion Agency
Guides local and foreign investors through business setup, proposals and concession applications, and provides aftercare to established businesses.
Visit SKIPA (opens in a new tab)Source: SKIPA, what the agency does (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Get advice
Nevis investment promotion agency
NIPA
Nevis Investment Promotion Agency
Acts as the first contact for investors in Nevis, arranging meetings with officials and giving access to incentives and an online application platform.
Visit NIPA (opens in a new tab)Source: Nevis Investment Promotion Agency, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 4 more organizations
- Meet requirements
Company registry and financial regulator
FSRC
Financial Services Regulatory Commission
Hosts the Registrar of Companies, who registers companies, and regulates financial services businesses.
Visit FSRC (opens in a new tab)Source: Financial Services Regulatory Commission, company formation and registration (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Meet requirements
Social security fund administrator
Social Security Board
Saint Christopher and Nevis Social Security Board
Registers employers, employees and self-employed persons for the compulsory social security fund.
Visit Social Security Board (opens in a new tab)Source: Social Security Board, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Get advice
Small business support center
SBDC St. Kitts
Small Business Development Center St. Kitts
Helps small business owners with registering, licensing, start-up proposals and access to incentives, and trains start-ups.
Law revision and publishing body
Law Commission
St. Kitts and Nevis Law Commission
Publishes the revised and annual laws of Saint Kitts and Nevis, including the company, customs and incentive laws.
Visit Law Commission (opens in a new tab)Source: Law Commission, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
Customs and excise authority
Customs and Excise
St. Kitts and Nevis Customs and Excise Department
Receives export declarations and controls goods leaving the country under the Customs Act.
Visit Customs and Excise (opens in a new tab)Source: Customs Act, Cap. 20.04, revised 2020 (opens in a new tab) · as of December 31, 2020
- Meet requirements
Tax administration authority
Inland Revenue
Inland Revenue Department
Registers businesses for tax and licenses, and administers value added tax and corporate income tax.
Visit Inland Revenue (opens in a new tab)Source: Inland Revenue Department, guiding your business (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 1 more organization
Air and sea ports authority
Ports Authority
St. Christopher Air & Sea Ports Authority
Runs the airport and the seaport, which are the gateway for goods leaving the country.
Visit Ports Authority (opens in a new tab)Source: Air and Sea Ports Authority, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
Chamber of commerce
SKNCIC
St. Kitts & Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce
Represents more than 100 member companies in services, manufacturing, import and export, and lobbies for the private sector.
Visit SKNCIC (opens in a new tab)Source: Chamber of Industry and Commerce, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
5. Worth knowing
Public debt and arrears
The IMF says the 2025 fiscal deficit was 11.7 percent of GDP and public debt 58.4 percent, and it urges rolling back COVID-era tax concessions.
What to do: Check the Inland Revenue Department for current rates and concessions before you price a long contract.
Sources: IMF, Article IV Executive Board press release, May 2026 (opens in a new tab); IMF, staff concluding statement, March 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of May 7, 2026
Logistics and border performance
The WTO review of 2023 says single windows for imports are not yet in place and export licenses are needed for vegetables and some seafood.
What to do: Confirm your export documents and any license with Customs before you ship.
Sources: WTO, Trade Policy Review of the OECS-WTO Members, March 2023 (opens in a new tab); Customs Act, Cap. 20.04, revised 2020 (opens in a new tab) · as of March 29, 2023
Fiscal incentives law
Section 17 of the Fiscal Incentives Act ended income tax relief on export sales after December 31, 2022, and the WTO review says export-linked incentives were removed in 2019.
What to do: Confirm with the Inland Revenue Department which incentives still apply before you rely on them.
Sources: WTO, Trade Policy Review of the OECS-WTO Members, March 2023 (opens in a new tab); Fiscal Incentives Act, Cap. 20.14, revised 2020 (opens in a new tab) · as of December 31, 2020
Electricity
The IMF staff recommend phasing out electricity and water subsidies through tariff reforms, and say geothermal and solar projects are advancing.
What to do: Confirm current electricity tariffs with the utility before you cost a project.
Sources: IMF, staff concluding statement, March 2026 (opens in a new tab); IMF, Article IV Executive Board press release, May 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of March 2, 2026
Show 2 more
Reserved sectors
The WTO review notes the services schedule reserves non-ethnic restaurants for nationals, and an alien needs a license to hold land.
What to do: Ask SKIPA which licenses and sector rules apply before you commit capital.
Sources: WTO, Trade Policy Review of the OECS-WTO Members, March 2023 (opens in a new tab); Aliens Land Holding Regulation Act, Cap. 10.01, revised 2020 (opens in a new tab) · as of March 29, 2023
Special sustainability zones
A 2025 Act allows special sustainability zones by development agreement and Gazette order; as of July 23, 2026 no decision had been made on the Destiny application.
What to do: Check the Official Gazette for any designated zone before you build a project around one.
Sources: Special Sustainability Zones Authorisation Act, Act 21 of 2025 (opens in a new tab); SKNIS, federal statement on Destiny project, July 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of July 23, 2026
6. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare Saint Kitts and Nevis with other countriesSet Saint Kitts and Nevis beside other countries on investment momentum, fundamentals and trade access, before site, tax and legal work.
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- Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.
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Promote:Saint Kitts and Nevis is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of October 30, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.