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Where is St. Kitts and other Frequently Asked Questions

Planning Tips

WHAT TRAVEL DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED TO ENTER THE COUNTRY?

All persons with the exception of citizens of the OECS (Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States) traveling to St. Kitts are required to present a valid passport in order to enter St. Kitts-Nevis. Where applicable, documentation of a legal name change (for example, a marriage certificate) must also be presented.  Additionally, proof of sufficient funds and a return or onward passage might be required.

Persons travelling should reconfirm travel document requirements with their carrier prior to trip commencement. Also, kindly click here for information regarding the entry/re-entry requirements, as advanced by the United States Department of State. If you would like to apply for a United States passport now, or if you need to renew yours, you may click here.  To apply for a United Kingdom passport or renew your existing passport, click here.

If you are traveling to St. Kitts, it is required that you complete the online Immigration and Customs ED Form before arrival. Upon completion, you will receive a receipt with a QR code that you must present upon arrival in St. Kitts. Your QR code can be printed out or scanned directly from your phone.

 

IF I ARRIVE IN ST. KITTS, DO I NEED IMMIGRATION TO TRAVEL TO NEVIS?

No, St. Kitts and Nevis is one Federation, if you enter on one island you can transfer to the other island without restriction and travel documents.

DO I NEED A VISA TO TRAVEL TO ST. KITTS?

Visa requirements are based on your citizenship.  Persons visiting on a cruise or for less than 24 hours do not require a visa.  For up-to-date information on destinations that require a visa to enter St. Kitts and Nevis, please visit

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AT THE AIRPORT?

All persons travelling must comply with air travel regulations of their destination country. Travellers should familiarize themselves with restrictions and regulations ahead of arriving at the airport, as requirements are strictly enforced. Any container of liquids, gels, or aerosols packed in carry-on or hand luggage must not exceed 3.4fl oz. All such items must also fit into a single, quart-sized clear bag, and that bag must close. If necessary, ziplock bags are available for purchase at the airport.

CAN I DRIVE TO NEVIS?

The Sea Bridge is a car ferry which allows you to take your car to Nevis. Ferry departs from Major’s Bay on the South-East Peninsula. Some car rental companies will offer you a car in Nevis if you rent in St. Kitts and vice versa.

CAN I BRING MY ANIMAL TO ST. KITTS?

If you plan to bring your pet, you must apply to the Chief Veterinary Officer for an import permit. Your pet must also have a microchip and up-to-date rabies vaccination.  An application is required for pets and service animals. Individual St. Kitts resorts and hotels may have different guidelines. 

For more information, e-mail: [email protected].

How To Get Here

WHICH AIRLINES FLY HERE?

Non-stop flights are available from the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States, as well as numerous regional commuter flights from within the Caribbean. St. Kitts also provides facilities for cargo jets, private jets and various other types of aircraft.

Visit our section for more details.

Money Matters

WHAT ARE THE ACCEPTED FORMS OF CURRENCY?

The Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD) is the local currency. U.S. bills are accepted by most stores and businesses, and change is given in E.C. currency. U.S. coins are not accepted. Pound Sterling, Euro and Canadian notes can be converted in one of the local banks.

WHAT IS THE CURRENT* EXCHANGE RATE?

U.S.$1.00 = E.C.$ 2.70

*Exchange rates can fluctuate. Please visit XE.COM for rates for all other currencies.

Language

WHAT IS THE PRIMARY LANGUAGE ON ST. KITTS?

English

Communications

WHAT ARE THE MAJOR TELEPHONE PROVIDERS?

Flow and Digicel are the major telephone service providers in St. Kitts and Nevis. Direct Dialing, Leased Circuits, Internet, Class Services, Voice Mail, Caller ID and other features are currently offered. ISDN and DSL services are also available. The area and country code for St. Kitts is 1-869.

Emergencies

WHOM DO I CALL IN CASE OF A MEDICAL EMERGENCY?

Call 911 to contact the police or if you need an ambulance. You can also call 869/465-2801 for an ambulance. The main hospital is JNF General Hospital; call 869/465-2551.

Health and Medical

SHOULD I BE WORRIED ABOUT THE ZIKA VIRUS?

Not at all! According to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), transmission of the virus has stalled, or otherwise reached undetectable levels, for over 12 months. This finding prompted the World Health Organization to remove Caribbean nations — including St. Kitts — from its Zika virus country classification scheme. If you'd like more information on the subject, check out this CARPHA study from August 2018.

ARE THERE ANY HEALTH ISSUES I SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT?

There are no particular health concerns associated with St. Kitts. Special vaccines are usually not required. Modern ambulatory services are available and there are specialists in most fields of medicine. Emergency 911 services are available.

IS SMOKING MARIJUANA ILLEGAL?

Marijuana is illegal on St. Kitts and Nevis. Persons found with this drug is punishable by law which could include incarceration.  No allowances are given for claims of use for medical reasons. 

St. Kitts Fast Facts

WHERE IS ST. KITTS LOCATED?

St. Kitts is located in the Eastern Caribbean at 17.20° N, 62.45° W, roughly 1,200 miles from Miami, 1,600 miles from New York, 4000 miles from London, 350 miles (or 55 minutes by plane) from Puerto Rico, and 155 miles (or 30 minutes by plane) from the U.S. Virgin Islands.

 

 

WHAT IS THE TIME ZONE FOR ST. KITTS?

Atlantic Standard Time is throughout the year which is 4 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (-4 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is not observed.

HOW LARGE IS ST. KITTS?

The island is 69 square miles with a population of approximately 40,000.  Basseterre is the capital.

Getting Married

CAN I GET MARRIED ON ST. KITTS?

Yes. No residency is required. Couples are only required to obtain a marriage license in St. Kitts and have the following documents:

  • -     A valid passport or photo ID.
  • -     Original or certified copy of Birth Certificate.
  • -     If divorced, a decree absolute (an original or certified copy showing the court's stamp or seal) must be presented.
  • -     If widowed, a copy of the death certificate of the deceased spouse must be presented.
  • -     If documents are not in English, they must be accompanied by a notarized translation.
WHAT ARE THE FEES FOR GETTING MARRIED IN ST. KITTS?

The license fee for getting married on St. Kitts is $200.00 (XCD). The Justice of the Peace may also assess a fee. Your ceremony can be held in the grounds of one of the St. Kitts hotels, in a church of almost any denomination, amongst historic ruins, in a rustic gazebo in a picturesque garden and, of course, on the beach.

  • -     6 am - 6 pm for ceremonies presided over by a religious person
  • -     8 am - 6 pm if performed by a Magistrate

 

Visitors are welcomed to exchange or renew their vows in St. Kitts. Please visit our for more details.

ARE WE REQUIRED TO ATTEND COUNSELING SESSIONS BEFORE MARRIAGE?

If a Catholic priest is to perform the ceremony, couple must receive marriage counseling sessions from their parish priest and submit the required Catholic documents. A letter must come from the couple's resident priest verifying that they are unmarried and that they have received the necessary instructions. All Catholic weddings take place in the church.

If an Anglican or other minister of religion is to perform the ceremony, letter must be brought from the couple's resident minister verifying that they are known and unmarried.

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