Basseterre, Saint Kitts, March 11, 2026 (PMO) – Progress in diplomatic engagement between Saint Kitts and Nevis and Canada has resulted in the partial restoration of visa-free access for citizens of the Federation, signaling renewed international confidence in the country’s governance and reform agenda.
The advancement forms part of a broader diplomatic and policy effort undertaken by the Government to strengthen the integrity of the Federation’s institutions, particularly the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme, and to safeguard the global reputation of the St. Kitts and Nevis passport.
Speaking during his recent Roundtable engagement with members of the media, Prime Minister Terrance Drew highlighted the progress achieved in restoring important travel privileges for citizens of the Federation.
“The other matter that we worked on when I got in was with respect to the visa free access to Canada. We had been told that there was no visa free access, but now we have partial visa free access.”
Prime Minister Drew emphasized that this progress reflects the deliberate work undertaken by the Government to improve governance and strengthen international confidence in the Federation.
“So we had advanced!”
Canada introduced visa requirements for citizens of Saint Kitts and Nevis in 2014. In recent years, however, diplomatic engagement and reforms to the Federation’s citizenship programme have helped to rebuild trust and reopen pathways for easier travel arrangements.
Accordingly, the Government has implemented significant reforms to enhance due diligence, transparency, and regulatory oversight within the Citizenship by Investment Programme, actions that have been widely viewed as essential to protecting the country’s global standing.
Prime Minister Drew noted that the restoration of travel privileges forms part of a wider effort to rebuild the international reputation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. And added that these developments demonstrate the Federation’s steady progress in restoring confidence among international partners and strengthening its diplomatic relationships around the world.
“So in short order, we have had the success of the lifting of the FinCEN advisory, and secondly, regaining visa free access, partially to Canada and establishing new relationships with countries to strengthen our visa free access possibilities. And so we have been advancing Saint Kitts and Nevis. Saint Kitts and Nevis reputation is back, and we continue to strengthen a country that must be respected and counted among respectable nations of the world.”
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