Starting a Business · Saint Kitts and Nevis
Starting a business in Saint Kitts and Nevis: foreigner's guide (2026)
Saint Kitts and Nevis shaded by its starting a business status
Saint Kitts and Nevis imposes no foreign-ownership restrictions on company formation: foreigners may hold up to 100% of any locally registered entity and receive treatment equal to domestic investors. The Companies Act 1996 governs domestic companies on St. Kitts while the Nevis Business Corporation Ordinance covers Nevis IBCs and LLCs. There is no minimum share capital requirement, and incorporation is typically completed within 1–5 business days, making this one of the more accessible jurisdictions in the Caribbean for foreign entrepreneurs.
Key points
No statutory restrictions on foreign control or ownership; foreign investors may hold 100% of any company and receive the same legal treatment as citizens under local law.
Domestic St. Kitts companies are formed under the Companies Act 1996 (Chapter 21.03) and registered with the FSRC. Nevis entities are governed by the Nevis Business Corporation Ordinance or the Nevis LLC Ordinance, filed through the Nevis Island Administration registry.
The World Bank Doing Business 2020 profile recorded 7 procedures and approximately 18.5 days for a standard domestic company, covering name reservation with the FSRC, filing the Memorandum/Articles with the Registrar of Companies, obtaining a Tax Identification Number from the Inland Revenue Department, and registration with the Social Security Board. Nevis IBC formation can be completed electronically in as little as 48 hours.
No minimum share capital is required under the Companies Act 1996. At least one share must be issued at incorporation; authorized capital is simply stated in the incorporation documents.
All companies — domestic and offshore — must appoint a local registered agent and maintain a registered office address in St. Kitts & Nevis. The registered agent serves as the official point of contact with the FSRC and Registrar of Companies.
Foreign investors face no restrictions on company formation itself, but must obtain an Alien Landholding Licence — costing 10% of land value plus attorney fees — to purchase real property in the federation. Designated special development zones such as Frigate Bay are exempt from this tax.
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Last verified 5/25/2026 · Orientation, not legal advice - verify against the primary sources linked above. Explore the full world map →