Before you travel
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
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This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of St Kitts and Nevis’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in St Kitts and Nevis set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the St Kitts and Nevis High Commission in the UK.
Passport validity requirements
To enter St Kitts and Nevis, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive.
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
Visa requirements
You can visit St Kitts and Nevis without a visa for up to 6 months.
If you want to stay longer, you must apply and pay for an extension through the St Kitts and Nevis Immigration Department. Email: stkittsimmigrationdept@gmail.com.
It is illegal to overstay your visa or to work without a work permit.
Before you travel, complete the immigration form online to speed up your arrival in St Kitts and Nevis. You can also complete the form when you arrive using your personal device with a data connection or the free public wifi.
Arriving by sea
You must contact the St Kitts and Nevis Port Authority at least 24 hours before arriving by sea. You must:
Airport tax
Arrival and departure tax is usually included in the ticket price of most commercial flights.
If you’re leaving from Robert L Bradshaw International Airport on a flight operated by LIAT, you must pay the departure tax cash or card at the Airport Finance Office.
Vaccine requirements
To enter St Kitts and Nevis, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.
For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s St Kitts and Nevis guide.
Customs rules
There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of St Kitts and Nevis. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
Terrorism
There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
Terrorism in St Kitts and Nevis
Although there is no recent history of terrorism in St Kitts and Nevis, attacks cannot be ruled out.
Crime
There have been incidents of serious crime including murder, armed robbery and sexual assault.
Take precautions to protect your personal safety:
- make sure your accommodation is secure – this also applies if you’re staying on a yacht
- take care when walking alone off main roads
- take particular care around large gatherings, including street and beach parties, especially after dark or during the festival season
- avoid isolated areas, including beaches, after dark
- only use licensed taxis
- do not carry large amounts of cash or jewellery
- leave valuables and travel documents in your hotel safe or a safety deposit box
- keep car doors locked when driving and do not stop if pedestrians try to flag down your vehicle
Protecting your belongings
Do not carry large amounts of cash or wear expensive-looking jewellery or watches. Where possible leave valuables and travel documents in a safe deposit box or hotel safe.
Laws and cultural differences
Camouflage clothing
It is illegal for anyone, including children, to dress in camouflage clothing. You could get a 250 Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC dollar) fine and 3 months in prison.
Illegal drugs and prison sentences
There are severe penalties for all drug offences, particularly drug trafficking. If convicted at Magistrates Court, you could get a fine of up to 400,000 EC dollars or 3 times the street value, whichever is higher, and up to 10 years in prison. If the case goes to the High Court, sentences are a minimum of 15 years, up to life imprisonment.
Marijuana (cannabis) for personal use has been decriminalised, but you must have a licence to use it. There are fines for smoking of marijuana in some public places or without a licence.
LGBT+ travellers
Attitudes towards the LGBT+ community are mostly conservative in the Caribbean. Showing affection in public (for example, holding hands or kissing) is uncommon for opposite or same-sex couples and may receive unwanted and negative attention.
Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
Outdoor activities and adventure tourism
Swimming safety
Take care when swimming. Currents can be deceptively strong and not all beaches have lifeguards and warning flags. Monitor all beaches carefully and follow warnings.
See water safety on holiday from the Royal Life Saving Society.
Transport risks
Road travel
If you are planning to drive in St Kitts and Nevis, see information on driving abroad.
You must have a St Kitts and Nevis driving licence. You can buy a temporary licence from the Inland Revenue Department, valid for either 3 months (62.50 EC dollars) or one year (125 EC dollars). If you’re hiring a vehicle, the hire company will usually help with this process. You will need to show your UK driving licence and passport.
Hire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as a year of driving experience or a higher minimum age for driving. The minimum age to hire a vehicle is 21 years, but most car hire companies require you to be 25 or older.
If you have an accident, phone the police on 911 and do not move your vehicle.
Drink-driving is illegal in St Kitts and Nevis. If you are tested and found to have more than 80mg of alcohol in 100mg of blood the penalties are a fine of:
- 2,000 EC dollars and 12 months’ imprisonment for a first offence
- 4,000 EC dollars and 2 years’ imprisonment for subsequent offences
Driving standards and road conditions
In St Kitts and Nevis:
- there are potholes and unmarked speed bumps on minor roads
- roads can be narrow with blind corners in rural areas
- some roads are unlit at night
- pedestrians often walk on the roads
- drivers do not always use their indicators
- road signs and hazards may not be easy to see
Taxis
Only use licensed taxis. Licensed taxi operators carry or display identification, and you can identify the taxis by the yellow licence plate with ‘T’ or ‘TA’ in the number. Unlicensed taxis often do not have insurance to carry passengers.
Taxis are not metered. There are standard taxi fares for most destinations. Agree the fare with the driver before you set off. You can often pay in US dollars as well as EC dollars.
Extreme weather and natural disasters
Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
Hurricanes
The hurricane season runs from June to November.
Monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organization and the US National Hurricane Center, and follow the advice of local authorities, including any evacuation orders. See Extreme weather and natural disasters for more information.
Wildfires
During especially hot and dry periods, a single spark or flame can start a wildfire. Report any fires to the emergency services immediately. If you start a wildfire (or attempt to start one), you can get up to 10 years in prison.
Earthquakes
Earthquakes are a risk in St Kitts and Nevis. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake. If there is an earthquake, follow advice from the local authorities.
Volcanoes
Mount Liamuiga is a potentially active volcano and is likely to erupt in the future. The University of West Indies (UWI) Seismic Research Centre monitors volcanic activity on St Kitts and Nevis.
Before you travel check that:
- your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
- you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation
This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
Emergency medical number
Call 911 and ask for an ambulance.
Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
Vaccine recommendations and health risks
At least 8 weeks before your trip:
See what health risks you’ll face in St Kitts and Nevis.
Medication
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
Healthcare in St Kitts and Nevis
The main government hospital in St Kitts is the Joseph N France General Hospital in Brumaire. For Nevis the main government hospital is Alexandra Hospital in Charlestown. Both hospitals can provide many forms of treatment. However, serious cases may require emergency evacuation.
Medical treatment in St Kitts and Nevis is expensive. If you choose to be treated at a private medical facility, check first if they accept medical travel insurance.
Make sure you have adequate medical travel insurance and or accessible funds to cover the cost of medical treatment and repatriation.
FCDO has a list of medical providers in St Kitts and Nevis.
There is also guidance on healthcare if you’re living in St Kitts and Nevis.
Travel and mental health
Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
Emergency services in St Kitts and Nevis
Ambulance: 911
Fire: 333
Police: 911
Coastguard: 465 8484 or 466 9280
Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
Refunds and changes to travel
For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.
Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:
- where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
- how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim
Support from FCDO
FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:
Help abroad
See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.
Help in the UK
You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.
Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
Find out about call charges
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