Saint Kitts and Nevis requires all visitors to hold a passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended departure date. Citizens of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and European Union member states do not require a visa for stays up to 90 days. Citizens of CARICOM member states may enter without visas. The official visa policy details appear at https://www.gov.kn. All arriving passengers must complete an immigration form and provide proof of onward or return travel. The government introduced an electronic immigration form system in recent years, though paper forms remain available at Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport on Saint Kitts and Vance W. Amory International Airport on Nevis.
The federation operates a citizenship by investment program established in 1984, making it one of the oldest economic citizenship programs in the world. The program requires either a minimum contribution to the Sustainable Growth Fund or a qualifying real estate investment. Processing typically requires three to six months. This program has generated controversy regarding due diligence standards, with the United States and Canada imposing enhanced screening on passport holders from this route after 2014.
The Eastern Caribbean dollar serves as the official currency, pegged to the United States dollar at a fixed rate of 2.70 Eastern Caribbean dollars to 1 United States dollar since 1976. Both currencies circulate widely, with most businesses accepting US dollars and providing change in Eastern Caribbean dollars at the standard rate. Banks include the Royal Bank of Canada, Bank of Nevis, First Caribbean International Bank, and St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank. ATMs dispense Eastern Caribbean dollars and appear in Basseterre, Charlestown, and Frigate Bay. Credit cards see wide acceptance in hotels and larger restaurants, though smaller establishments and market vendors operate on cash only.
Tipping practices follow North American patterns, with 10 to 15 percent expected in restaurants unless a service charge appears on the bill. Many hotels and restaurants add a 10 percent service charge automatically. Taxi drivers expect tips of approximately 10 percent. Hotel housekeeping staff typically receive 2 to 3 US dollars per day.
Joseph N. France General Hospital in Basseterre serves as the primary medical facility for Saint Kitts, with 54 beds and basic surgical capabilities. Alexandra Hospital in Charlestown provides services for Nevis with 24 beds. Both facilities handle routine medical care and stabilization but lack equipment for complex procedures. Medical evacuations to Puerto Rico, Barbados, or Miami become necessary for serious injuries, cardiac events, or conditions requiring specialized surgery. The air ambulance services operating in the region charge 15,000 to 40,000 US dollars for evacuation flights depending on destination.
Pharmacies in Basseterre and Charlestown stock common medications, though specialized prescriptions may require ordering from Trinidad or Puerto Rico. Dengue fever transmission occurs throughout the year, with peaks during the rainy season from July through November. The islands reported Zika virus cases in 2016 and 2017. No malaria exists. Tap water in the main towns comes from desalination plants and meets World Health Organization standards. Visitors with chronic conditions should carry adequate medication supplies, as restocking specific formulations may prove impossible.
Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport receives international flights from the United States through Miami, New York, Charlotte, and Atlanta, with American Airlines, Delta, and JetBlue providing service. Seasonal direct flights from London Gatwick operate via British Airways. Regional carriers including LIAT, Winair, and Seaborne Airlines connect the federation to Antigua, Sint Maarten, Puerto Rico, and other Caribbean islands. Vance W. Amory International Airport on Nevis handles smaller aircraft and regional connections.
The government ferry service operates multiple daily crossings between Basseterre and Charlestown, traversing The Narrows in 45 minutes. The schedule varies seasonally but typically includes four to five departures daily in each direction. The fare stands at 10 US dollars one-way for adults. Private water taxis offer more flexible scheduling at approximately 25 US dollars per person with a minimum of four passengers.
Taxis operate without meters, following government-approved fixed rates published annually. The rate from Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport to Basseterre hotels runs approximately 14 to 18 Eastern Caribbean dollars. A taxi from the airport to the Southeast Peninsula beaches costs 50 to 70 Eastern Caribbean dollars. Rates double between 22:00 and 06:00. Rental cars require a temporary local driving permit costing 62.50 Eastern Caribbean dollars, obtained at the airport, police stations, or through rental agencies upon presentation of a valid license. The federation drives on the left side of the road. The primary road network totals approximately 383 kilometers, with the main coastal road on Saint Kitts circumnavigating most of the island except for the Southeast Peninsula, where unpaved sections begin beyond the developed resort areas.