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JamaicaNikolai Timofejev
15 years in FinTech and payments. Maps your business model to the right licence scope and leads the file all the way to the honest assessment, including banking and payment rails.
Investment license in St Kitts & Nevis: issued by the ECSRC.
An investment license in St Kitts & Nevis is a regional licence from the Eastern Caribbean Securities Regulatory Commission (ECSRC) in Basseterre, which licenses broker-dealers, investment advisers and their principals and representatives. The Federation's own Financial Services Regulatory Commission (FSRC) issues no securities licence. A broker-dealer needs a company of an Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) member territory and EC$1.0 million paid up, which fits a firm serving Eastern Caribbean investors. A brokerage or fund manager with clients worldwide licenses where those clients are and can hold that business through a Nevis company.
30 yrs
of experienceof experience
60+
in-house specialistsspecialists
400+
Licenses obtainedlicenses obtained
Updated · Reviewed by the Prifinance team
St Kitts & Nevis in brief
Investment license in St Kitts & Nevis: a regional ECSRC licence, not an FSRC one.
The licence is regional. The Federation's own regulator, the FSRC, publishes what it supervises: insurers, private pension plans, money services businesses, credit unions, the Development Bank and trust and corporate service providers, with eight international banks and eight insurance managers on its Nevis register. No securities dealer, investment adviser or fund manager appears on those lists. Securities business belongs to the ECSRC, the commission the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) governments set up by agreement in 2000, seated in Basseterre. The Federation's Securities Act, Cap. 21.16, requires its licence for dealing in securities (s. 47(1)) and for advice on securities (s. 53(1)). The Securities Act, 2021 (No. 20 of 2021) repeals Cap. 21.16 (s. 177) from the date appointed in the Gazette (s. 1) and extends the rule to securities business in or from within the Currency Union (s. 31(1)). In a notice of 20 August 2024 the ECSRC still cited Cap. 21.16, so we confirm which Act governs a new file before filing.
For a broker-dealer the ECSRC asks for a company established under the laws of an ECCU member territory, so a St Kitts or Nevis company qualifies, with paid-up capital of at least EC$1.0 million. At least two people it has licensed must work there: a principal and a representative, both through the ECSM Certification Examination. The premises must be acceptable to the ECSRC, which may examine them on site at the applicant's cost, and the firm needs indemnity insurance or a fidelity bond. Fees are EC$1,000 with the application, non-refundable, EC$3,000 on approval and EC$2,000 at each renewal on 1 April. An investment adviser needs EC$250,000 paid up. On 7 November 2026 the register listed 16 broker-dealers: seven are banks, and three give an address in Basseterre or Charlestown. The licence is built for that market. An international brokerage, or a fund manager raising money worldwide, licenses where its investors are and can hold the licensee through a Nevis company or LLC with charging-order protection. That Nevis company is a registration, not a licence.
The FSRC issues no securities licence. The ECSRC in Basseterre, regulator for all eight ECCU members, licenses broker-dealers and investment advisers.
Broker-dealer entry: an ECCU company, EC$1.0 million paid up, a licensed principal and representative, EC$1,000 to apply. For clients outside the region, license there and hold through Nevis.
What we actually build
The ECSRC licence, or a licence where your investors are.
The choice follows the investors. Eastern Caribbean investors point to Basseterre; investors in Europe, the Gulf or across the world point to a licence abroad, with a Nevis holding company above the licensee.
ECSRC licence for the region; a licence abroad, with Nevis above, for the rest.
01 - ECSRC LICENCE
The licence St Kitts & Nevis does have
A broker-dealer or investment adviser licence from the ECSRC, for securities business with Eastern Caribbean investors. A broker-dealer must be a company formed in an ECCU member territory, a St Kitts or Nevis company included, and must employ a principal and a representative licensed after the ECSM Certification Examination. An investment adviser can also be an individual resident in a member territory. Under the Securities Act, 2021 one licence covers business in or from within the Currency Union at the place of business it designates (s. 36(1)).
A broker-dealer or investment adviser licence from the ECSRC, for securities business with Eastern Caribbean investors. A broker-dealer must be a company formed in an ECCU member territory, a St Kitts or Nevis company included, and must employ a principal and a representative licensed after the ECSM Certification Examination. An investment adviser can also be an individual resident in a member territory. Under the Securities Act, 2021 one licence covers business in or from within the Currency Union at the place of business it designates (s. 36(1)).
- ✓Broker-dealer: EC$1.0 million paid-up
- ✓Investment adviser: EC$250,000 paid-up
- ✓Principal and representative, both licensed
- ✓Broker-dealer fees: EC$1,000, then EC$3,000
- ✓Renewal every 1 April: EC$2,000
- ✓Entry on the ECSRC's public register
02 - INVESTORS ELSEWHERE
A licence where the investors are, Nevis above it
For a brokerage or fund manager whose clients live outside the Eastern Caribbean, the licence goes where they are: the BVI or Cayman for funds, Cyprus or the Baltics for EU mandates, the DIFC for the Gulf, Saint Lucia for a small fund business. A Nevis LLC or business company holds the licensee, with charging-order protection, and is described as what it is: a registration.
Clients outside the region: licence where they are (BVI or Cayman for funds, CySEC or Baltic for the EU, DFSA for the Gulf), Nevis holding above it.
- ✓Funds - BVI, Cayman, Bahamas
- ✓EU mandates - CySEC / Baltic
- ✓Gulf - DFSA in the DIFC
- ✓Small fund business - St Lucia IMFA
- ✓Nevis LLC or BC above the licensee
- ✓No 'licence' claimed for the Nevis entity
ECSRC licensing requirements and register as at 7 November 2026. The FSRC's published lists of regulated entities, for St Kitts and for Nevis, show no securities dealer, investment adviser or fund manager.
Why read this page
Six things worth knowing before you buy.
✓
A regional licence exists
The ECSRC, seated in Basseterre, licenses broker-dealers and investment advisers for all eight ECCU markets. The FSRC issues no securities licence of its own.Regional, from the ECSRC.
✓
Nevis law is the real asset
Charging-order protection is genuine, tested and valuable. For holding, which is what it was built for.Protection, for holding.
✓
Layering is legitimate
Nevis above, licence below: a standard, defensible architecture when each layer is described accurately.Each layer, exact.
✓
Banks check the register
A compliance team looks up a claimed ECSRC licence on the ECSRC's public register. A missing entry ends the conversation.The ECSRC register.
✓
Citizenship is separate
The Federation's investment-migration programme is a personal matter and confers no financial-services authorisation.Entirely unrelated.
✓
Rescue is routine
Structures built on a mis-sold certificate can usually be rebuilt around a real licence. Bring the paperwork.Bring the paperwork.
How it compares
How the ECSRC route compares.
The ECSRC licence covers securities business in the Eastern Caribbean market, at EC$1.0 million paid up and EC$2,000 a year for a broker-dealer. The tables set it against the routes an international business uses.
St Kitts & Nevis vs licensed jurisdictions
| Feature |  St Kitts & Nevis | Licensed jurisdictions |
|---|---|---|
| Securities licence | ECSRC, regional | National regulator |
| Broker-dealer capital | EC$1.0 million paid-up | Set by each regulator |
| Who holds it | Regional banks and investment firms | International brokers and managers |
| Right use | Eastern Caribbean clients; Nevis holding | The international regulated business |
Securities licence
St Kitts & NevisECSRC, regional
Licensed jurisdictionsNational regulator
Broker-dealer capital
St Kitts & NevisEC$1.0 million paid-up
Licensed jurisdictionsSet by each regulator
Who holds it
St Kitts & NevisRegional banks and investment firms
Licensed jurisdictionsInternational brokers and managers
Right use
St Kitts & NevisEastern Caribbean clients; Nevis holding
Licensed jurisdictionsThe international regulated business
Country by country
| Country | License type | Taxation | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Kitts & Nevis | ECSRC broker-dealer (regional) | Corporate income tax | EC$1.0M paid-up, two licensed individuals |
 St Lucia | Fund manager - IMFA, Cap. 12.16 | Income tax for IBCs since 2019 | US$100,000 paid-up, agent |
 BVI | Approved Manager / Cat 3 | No income tax | US$400M AUM cap, US$1,000 |
 Cayman Islands | Securities manager - CIMA | No income tax | CI$5,000/yr, CI$100k resources |
St Kitts & NevisLicense typeECSRC broker-dealer (regional)
TaxationCorporate income tax
RequirementsEC$1.0M paid-up, two licensed individuals
St LuciaLicense typeFund manager - IMFA, Cap. 12.16
TaxationIncome tax for IBCs since 2019
RequirementsUS$100,000 paid-up, agent
BVILicense typeApproved Manager / Cat 3
TaxationNo income tax
RequirementsUS$400M AUM cap, US$1,000
Cayman IslandsLicense typeSecurities manager - CIMA
TaxationNo income tax
RequirementsCI$5,000/yr, CI$100k resources
The Caribbean and the Atlantic
Investment licences in neighbouring jurisdictions
All 113 investment licence jurisdictions →
Investment license cost: capital, official fees and timelines by country →
How to get an investment license: types, requirements and process →
Asset management and fund management license: regimes compared →
Broker-dealer and securities dealer license: regimes compared →
Before you buy anything
Ten questions to ask any provider.Ten questions for any provider.
If a provider offers a St Kitts or Nevis 'investment' or 'fund manager' licence, ask these in writing before paying anything. A genuine ECSRC licence answers questions 2 and 3 with a register entry.
01
Which statute creates this licence? Name the Act and section.
02
Is it an ECSRC licence or an FSRC one, and in which category?
03
Show me the ECSRC register entry: licence number and effective date.
04
Which clients may I serve under it: EU retail, the UK, the US?
05
How does it differ from a plain Nevis LLC or business company?
06
Which banks have opened accounts for holders of this document?
07
What capital, audit and reporting obligations attach to it?
08
Who supervises me after issuance, and what do they inspect?
09
What happens when an investor complains to their own regulator?
10
Will you put every answer above in writing, on your letterhead?
01
Which Act creates it?
02
ECSRC or FSRC?
03
Show the ECSRC entry.
04
Which clients may I serve?
05
How is it not just an LLC?
06
Which banks accepted it?
07
Capital and audit?
08
Who supervises after?
09
What if an investor complains?
10
Will you write this down?
We answer all ten for any jurisdiction we build in, in writing, before you engage us. So should anyone else.We answer all ten in writing. So should anyone.
Verify it yourself
Official sources
Regulator pages, legal texts and public registers the figures on this page are based on.
- LawSecurities Act, 2021 (No. 20 of 2021), published 30 December 2021 - Law Commission of St Kitts and Nevislawcommission.gov.kn
- LawSecurities Act, Cap. 21.16, revised edition as at 31 December 2009 - Law Commission of St Kitts and Nevislawcommission.gov.kn
- RegulatorECSRC - Requirements for Broker Dealer Licenceecsrc.com
- RegulatorECSRC - Requirements for Investment Advisor Licenceecsrc.com
- RegisterECSRC - Register of Licensees: Broker Dealerecsrc.com
- RegulatorFSRC St Kitts and Nevis - About: the non-bank sectors it regulates under the FSRC Act No. 22 of 2009fsrc.kn
- RegisterNevis FSRC - Regulated entities (Nevis branch): international banks, insurance managers, trust and corporate service providersnevisfsrc.com
- LawNevis Limited Liability Company Ordinance, Cap. 7.04 (N), revised edition as at 31 December 2020 - Nevis FSRCnevisfsrc.com
How it works
From first call to a structure that stands.
01
The full map
Investor geography first: Eastern Caribbean clients point to the ECSRC, clients elsewhere to a licence abroad. The Nevis layer's role is stated before anything is built.Roles stated.
02
The licence decision
The regulated jurisdiction chosen on coverage, not on price.Coverage first.
03
Nevis formation
The holding vehicle formed with agent and records while the licence file is prepared in parallel.Agent and records.
04
Authorisation
The application run to grant. For the ECSRC, Form 1, the documents and the EC$1,000 fee go to its Secretary in Basseterre, with the principal's and representative's applications alongside.Run to grant.
05
Group live
Licensed entity operating, Nevis holding above it, banking open because the register supports it.Register supports it.
Quick facts
Securities regulatorECSRC, Basseterre
StatuteSecurities Act Cap. 21.16; Act No. 20 of 2021
LicencesBroker-dealer · investment adviser
Broker-dealer capitalEC$1.0 million paid-up
Adviser capitalEC$250,000 paid-up
ECSRC feesEC$1,000 · EC$3,000 · EC$2,000 a year
Broker-dealers on the register16 on 7 November 2026
Nevis LLC / BCHolding layer, not a licence
The registers are the test. A genuine ECSRC licence has an entry on the ECSRC register with a licence number and an effective date. If a claimed licence appears on no register, no argument about interpretation changes what a bank will see.
On the ground in St Kitts & Nevis
Run from our Basseterre office.
Prifinance - St Kitts & Nevis
Basseterre · St Kitts
Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis
01
Clear-eyed assessment
What the Federation can and cannot do for your structure. Before any invoice exists.Before the invoice.
02
Nevis holding build
LLC or business company formed as a genuine ownership and protection layer, documented as exactly that.Real work, described.
03
The right licence
An ECSRC file from Basseterre when your clients are in the Eastern Caribbean, authorisation where your investors live when they are not. The regulated part in a regulated place.ECSRC or abroad.
04
Rescue and migration
Mis-sold certificates read, explained and replaced with a structure that survives diligence.Rebuilt to survive.
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London
United Kingdom
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Portugal
Rua da Alegria 31, 1F
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Perpa Ticaret Merkezi, A Blok
Good to know
Costs and taxation in St Kitts & Nevis.
Two cost lines: ECSRC fees if the licensed business sits in the Federation, registry and agent fees for a Nevis holding company.
Formation and annual fees
Incorporation, registered agent and annual filings. The real cost of a Nevis vehicle.Modest and predictable.
ECSRC licence fees
A broker-dealer pays EC$1,000 with the application, EC$3,000 on approval and EC$2,000 at each 1 April renewal. On-site examinations are billed to the applicant on top.EC$1,000 · EC$3,000 · EC$2,000.
Charging-order protection
Nevis law limits a judgment creditor's remedy against an LLC interest. The reason the vehicle is worth holding.The real feature.
No local personal income tax
The Federation levies no personal income tax locally. Relevant to owners, not to the licensed entity.Locally, for owners.
Planning follows the licence
Where the licensed business sits decides how its profits are taxed. The Nevis holding layer and the owners are planned around it.Taxed where it sits.
Thin treaty map
Cross-border flows are routed through networked jurisdictions, deliberately, at design.Route deliberately.
Cost summary
Entity costsFormation + annual fees
ECSRC feesEC$1,000 · EC$3,000 · EC$2,000 a year
Personal income taxNone locally
Planning levelGroup + owner
TreatiesThin - route deliberately
*ECSRC broker-dealer fees as at 7 November 2026. Owner-level outcomes are modelled per structure.
Turnkey professional support
Experienced lawyers and international consultants.
We provide end-to-end support, from company registration and the application file to regulatory interaction and compliance oversight - with an individualized approach to each client.
Oleksii Kindratenko
Builds the application itself: Nevis company, AML/KYC policy pack, capital structure and tax registrations. His document sets are the reason reviews finish in months, not years.
Eugeniu Bevziuc
First point of contact for international founders. Runs the whole setup remotely, across time zones and languages - from the first call to a structure that stands.
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St Kitts & Nevis · ECSRC and Nevis
Build the structure that actually works.
We file with the ECSRC when your investors are in the Eastern Caribbean, license elsewhere when they are not, and use Nevis for holding - with the difference explained before you spend anything.
Get a consultation →Free legal opinion
What do you actually need?
Our legal team will analyze your case at no cost and provide a written legal opinion: which jurisdiction, licence scope, or route fits your business.
Written assessment within 2-5 business days
Request a free conclusion →FAQ
St Kitts & Nevis: quick answers.
Is there an investment license in St Kitts and Nevis?+
Yes, a regional one. The ECSRC, seated in Basseterre, licenses broker-dealers, investment advisers and their principals and representatives under the Federation's Securities Act, Cap. 21.16, which the Securities Act, 2021 (No. 20 of 2021) replaces from the date appointed in the Gazette. The FSRC issues no securities licence: its lists cover insurance, pensions, money services, credit unions, trust and corporate services and, in Nevis, international banks.
Providers advertise Nevis fund licenses - how do I check one?+
Ask who issued it and find it on a register. An ECSRC licence appears on the ECSRC's public register with a number and an effective date; on 7 November 2026 that register listed four management companies of collective investment schemes, one of them in Charlestown. Nevis has its own funds statute, the Nevis International Mutual Funds Ordinance, 2004, which provides for licensing fund managers and administrators (s. 23), yet the Nevis FSRC's published register shows none. If the provider cannot show a register entry or the section the licence was granted under, you were sold a company formation with licence wording.
So what is Nevis actually good for?+
Holding. Nevis LLC and company law offers charging-order protection that makes it one of the strongest ownership layers available above a licensed operating business - a genuine, tested, valuable feature used for its real purpose.
What is charging-order protection?+
Under Nevis law a judgment creditor's remedy against a member's LLC interest is limited to a charging order rather than seizure or forced liquidation, which is why the vehicle is chosen for ownership rather than operations.
Can I use Nevis in a licensed group?+
Yes, and it is common: the licensed manager operates where investors are, the Nevis vehicle holds the ownership. Each layer does one job and is described accurately to banks and regulators.
Does citizenship by investment help?+
No - the Federation's investment-migration programme is a personal immigration matter and confers no financial-services authorisation whatsoever. The two are unrelated.
I already bought a 'Nevis investment license'. What now?+
Bring the documents. We will check them against the ECSRC and FSRC registers, tell you what you actually own, and rebuild the structure around a licence that exists - much of our Federation work begins this way.
Who is the ECSRC license for?+
A firm doing securities business with Eastern Caribbean investors: a company of an ECCU member territory with a licensed principal and representative, and EC$1.0 million paid up if it is a broker-dealer. It is the wrong tool for an international brokerage or a fund manager raising money worldwide, because the clients' own countries decide who may serve them. Those businesses license where the investors are: the BVI or Cayman for funds, CySEC or a Baltic regulator for EU mandates, the DFSA for the Gulf, Saint Lucia for a small fund business.
Is the Federation a bad jurisdiction?+
No. It hosts the regional securities regulator, the FSRC publishes what it licenses, and Nevis company law is excellent. The problem is a 'licence' sold in its name that no regulator issued.
Is there a forex license in St Kitts and Nevis?+
Not a national one: the FSRC does not license forex brokerage. Dealing in securities, derivatives included, needs the ECSRC broker-dealer licence; the Securities Act, 2021 counts a derivative as a security and leaves currency out (s. 2). Whether a given CFD or rolling FX product falls under it is settled with the ECSRC product by product. The St Kitts & Nevis forex page covers the group build.
License here?+
Yes - regional, ECSRC.
Fund license offers?+
Ask for the register entry.
Nevis good for?+
Holding and protection.
Charging order?+
Creditor remedy limited.
Use in a group?+
Yes - layered properly.
Citizenship?+
No authorisation at all.
Already bought?+
Bring it; we check and rebuild.
ECSRC for whom?+
Eastern Caribbean clients.
Bad jurisdiction?+
No - bad product.
Forex license?+
ECSRC, product by product.
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Prifinance is an independent law and advisory firm. We are not a regulator and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of FSRC or any other public authority. Authorisations are granted by, and obtained directly from, the competent authorities.