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St. Kitts and Nevis - Consular Information Sheet
March 29, 2000
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: St. Kitts and Nevis is a developing
Caribbean island nation. Tourist facilities are widely available.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A valid U.S. passport or certified
U.S. birth certificate and a picture identification that contains
both name and date of birth are required of U.S. citizens entering
St. Kitts and Nevis. Visitors should also have a valid return
ticket. St. Kitts and Nevis immigration recommends that visitors
put their full home address in the U.S. on their arrival cards
in order to facilitate the entry process. Stays of up to one month
are granted at immigration. Anyone requiring an extension must
apply to the Ministry of National Security. There is an airport
departure tax. For further information, travelers can contact
the Embassy of St. Kitts and Nevis, 3216 New Mexico Avenue, N.W.,
OECS Building, Washington, D.C. 20016, telephone (202) 686-2636,
the Permanent Mission to the UN in New York at (212) 535-1934,
or the Internet at http://www.stkittsnevis.org.
SAFETY/SECURITY: There may be demonstrations by small
but vociferous groups during election periods. While there is
no evidence that these demonstrations are anti-American, it is
a good security practice to avoid all demonstrations. Contact
the Consular Section for additional information.
CRIME INFORMATION: U.S. citizens have occasionally been
victims of armed robbery, assault, burglary, and other petty street
crime. Valuables left unattended on beaches are subject to theft.
The loss or theft of a U.S. passport overseas should be reported
to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate.
A lost or stolen U.S. birth certificate and/or driver’s license
generally cannot be replaced outside the U.S. U.S. citizens may
refer to the Department of State’s pamphlets, A
Safe Trip Abroad, and Tips for
Travelers to the Caribbean for ways to promote a more trouble-free
journey. The pamphlet is available by mail from the Superintendent
of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.
20402, via the Internet at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs,
or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov.
MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical care is limited. Serious medical
problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to
the U.S. can cost thousands of dollars or more. Doctors and hospitals
often expect immediate cash payment for health services.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: U.S. medical insurance is not always
valid outside the U.S. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do
not provide payment for medical services outside the U.S. Uninsured
travelers who require medical care overseas may face extreme difficulties.
Please check with your own insurance company to confirm whether
your policy applies. Please ascertain whether payment will be
made to the overseas hospital or doctor, or whether you will be
reimbursed later for expenses that you incur. Some insurance policies
also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition
of remains in the event of death. Useful information on medical
emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is
provided in the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs
brochure, Medical Information for
Americans Traveling Abroad, available via the Bureau of Consular
Affairs home page or autofax: (202) 647-3000.
OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION: Information on vaccinations
and other health precautions may be obtained from the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international
travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX
(1-888-232-3299), or via CDC’s Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov.
TRAFFIC SAFETY/ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country,
U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly
from those in the U.S. The information below concerning St. Kitts
and Nevis is provided for general reference only, and may not
be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Safety of Public Transportation: Good
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Good
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Poor
Traffic in St. Kitts and Nevis moves on the left-hand side of
the road. Main roads and most secondary roads are in reasonably
good condition. More detailed information on roads and traffic
safety can be obtained from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and
the Environment, Bay Road, Pelican Mall, P.O. Box 132, Basse Terre,
St. Kitts, telephone 1-869-647-8970.
For specific information concerning St. Kitts and Nevis driver’s
permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance
in St. Kitts and Nevis, contact the St. Kitts and Nevis National
Tourist Organization offices in New York via the Internet.
AVIATION OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) has assessed the government of St. Kitts and Nevis’ civil
aviation authority as Category 2 -- not in compliance with international
aviation safety standards for oversight of St. Kitts and Nevis’
air carrier operations. While consultations to correct the deficiencies
are ongoing, St. Kitts and Nevis’ air carriers are permitted to
conduct limited operations to the U.S. subject to heightened FAA
surveillance.
For further information, travelers may contact the Department
of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit
the FAA’s Internet website at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa/.
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) does not permit its personnel
to use air carriers from Category 2 countries for official business
except for flights originating from or terminating in the U.S.
For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers,
travelers may contact DOD at (618) 229-4801.
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS: St. Kitts and Nevis customs authorities
may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary import or
export of various items. It is advisable to contact the Embassy
of St. Kitts and Nevis in Washington, D.C. or the Permanent Mission
in New York for specific information on customs requirements.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S.
citizen is subject to that country’s laws and regulations, which
sometimes differ significantly from those in the U.S. and may
not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S.
law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in
the U.S. for similar offenses. Persons violating St. Kitts and
Nevis laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned.
Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs
in St. Kitts and Nevis are strict and convicted offenders can
expect jail sentences and heavy fines.
CONSULAR ACCESS: There is no U.S. Embassy or Consulate
in St. Kitts and Nevis. The U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados
is responsible for these islands. U.S. citizens are encouraged
to carry their U.S. citizenship evidence with them at all times,
so if questioned by local officials, proof of identity and U.S.
citizenship are readily available.
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS: St. Kitts and Nevis is a hurricane-prone
country. General information about natural disaster preparedness
is available via the Internet from the U.S. Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) at http://www.fema.gov.
CHILDREN’S ISSUES: For information on international adoption
of children and international parental child abduction, please
refer to our Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/children's_issues.html
or telephone (202) 736-7000.
REGISTRATION/EMBASSY AND CONSULATE LOCATIONS: U.S. citizens
living in or visiting St. Kitts and Nevis are encouraged to register
at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados
and obtain updated information on travel and security within St.
Kitts and Nevis. Consular Section hours are 9:00 am-12 noon and
2:00 pm-4:00 pm, Monday-Friday except local and U.S. holidays.
The U.S. Embassy is located in the American Life Insurance (ALICO)
building, Cheapside, Bridgetown, Barbados, telephone 1-246-431-0225,
fax 1-246-431-0179, e-mail address: ConsularBridge@state.gov or
Internet home page: http://usembassy.state.gov/posts/bb1/wwwhcons.html.
There is also a U.S. Consular Agent for the area in English Harbor,
Antigua, tel. 1-268-463-6521, fax 1-268-460-1569, e-mail address:
ryderj@candw.ag. Office hours are 9:00 am-4:00 pm, Monday-Friday
except local and U.S. holidays.
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