Discover global hiring strategies from leading recruitment platforms

Learn more

Speed up your global expansion! Expand smartly in 150+ countries with the #1 rated EOR globally.

Explore Multiplier EOR

Book a demo

loading-animtion.gif

Expand your global workforce in Saint Kitts and Nevis

Your guide to the employment landscape, working customs and local labor laws in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Capital

Basseterre

Currency

Eastern Caribbean Dollar

Languages

English and Saint Kitts Creole

GDP per Capita

$19,128

Employer Tax

10%

Payroll Frequency

Monthly

Talent overview

Saint Kitts and Nevis has been primarily dependent on agriculture and tourism; however, the country has recently developed its manufacturing and banking sectors. This is one of the Caribbean countries where foreigners can become nationals by investing in a local venture. Saint Kitts and Nevis is a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

Major economic hubs:

Basseterre, Fig Tree, Market Shop

Skills in demand:

Tour guides, Veterinarian

Top local universities in Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Kitts And Nevis Uni1

Windsor University School of Medicine

RANKING

Local: 1

World : 8626

Saint Kitts And Nevis Uni2

International University for Graduate Studies

RANKING

Local: 2

World : 11878

Top Local Job Boards:

SKN Vibes

Number of LinkedIn users:

18,740

Top Recruitment Agencies:

Million Makers, FirstPoint Recruitment Agency, Caribbean Jobs

Where to find talent

Top Local Job Boards:

Number of LinkedIn users:

Top Recruitment Agencies:

Salary Data

Some common jobs in Saint Kitts and Nevis with average monthly salary are:

No. Job Title Average Monthly Salary (in XCD) Average Monthly Salary (in USD)
1 Financial Manager 6,630 XCD 2,453.24 USD
2 General Manager 5,640 XCD 2,086.92 USD
3 Financial Analyst 4,260 XCD 1,576.29 USD
4 Business Analyst 4,140 XCD 1,531.89 USD
5 Project Manager 4,020 XCD 1,487.48 USD

Employ in Saint Kitts and Nevis

Employing in Saint Kitts and Nevis

The Protection of Employment Act, Protection of Wages Ordinance, Labour (Minimum Wage) Act and The Holiday with Pay Act, 1968 regulate the employment relationships in Saint Kitts and Nevis. The regulations mentioned below are important elements from these legislations. All employers and employees in the country must follow them to remain compliant.

Employee Contract

The laws in Saint Kitts and Nevis require all terms and conditions of employment to be submitted in writing to the employee within 14 days of their request.

Probation Period

The probation period in Saint Kitts and Nevis is a maximum of one month for household employment and three months for other types of employment.

Public and Provincial Holidays

Date Name Type
1 Jan New Year’s Day Public Holiday
2 Jan Carnival Day Public Holiday
3 Jan Carnival Day (Last Lap) Public Holiday
7 Apr Good Friday Public Holiday
10 Apr Easter Monday Public Holiday
1 May Labor Day / May Day Public Holiday
29 May Whit Monday Public Holiday
7 Aug Emancipation Day Public Holiday
8 Aug Culturama Day Public Holiday
16 Sep National Heroes Day Public Holiday
19 Sep Independence Day Public Holiday
25 Dec Christmas Day Public Holiday
26 Dec Boxing Day Public Holiday

Employee Leaves

Type of Leave Time Period Mandatory
Annual/Earned Leave 14 days Yes
Sick Leave 10 days Yes
Maternity Leave 13 weeks Yes

 

Leave Compliance

Payroll in Saint Kitts and Nevis

Tw Payroll Img1

Payroll cycle

The payroll cycle in Saint Kitts and Nevis is on a monthly basis.

Tw Payroll Img2

Minimum wage

Saint Kitts and Nevis has a minimum wage of EC$ 9 per hour.

Tw Payroll Img3

Overtime pay

The standard working hours in Saint Kitts and Nevis are 40 hours with 8 am–4 am or 9 am–5 pm shifts. Employees dedicating additional work hours are liable to overtime pay. The overtime pay is 200% of the hourly wage during weekends and public holidays and 150% of hourly wages on weekdays.

How taxes work

Employer Payroll Tax

Contribution type Rate
Social security (main scheme) 5%
Employment injury benefits 1%
Housing and Social Development 3%
Severance payments 1%

The contribution amount for the main social security scheme and employment injury is XCD 6,500 each month.

Employee Payroll Tax

Contribution type Income range Rate
Social security (main scheme) None 5%
Housing and Social Development Up to XCD 6,500 3%
XCD 6,500.01 – XCD 8,000 10%
More than XCD 8,000 12%

Employee Income Tax

There is no personal income tax in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

VAT

The standard VAT rate in Saint Kitts and Nevis is 10% within the tourism industry and 17% for other goods and services.

Bonus

13th Month Pay

There is no law that mandates 13th-month pay in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Employee Benefits

  • Paid leaves
  • Maternity leaves
  • Social security

Employee offboarding

The employment contract can be terminated legally in Saint Kitts and Nevis based on misconduct, unsatisfactory performance or mutual agreement. In cases of misconduct or unsatisfactory performance, the employer must give two written warnings to the employee before termination.

The notice period in Saint Kitts and Nevis is mandatory as per the following table:

Length of continuous service Notice period
3 months – 11 months 1 week
1 – 4 years 2 weeks
5 – 9 years 3 weeks
10 – 14 years 4 weeks
15 years 8 weeks
More than 15 years 2 months

Employees paid on a monthly basis with the employment of less than 15 years must serve 1 month of notice period.

The labour laws in Saint Kitts and Nevis mandate severance pay for permanent employees at the following rate:

Length of service Severance pay
Up to 5 years 2 weeks for each year of service
5 – 10 years 3 weeks
More than 10 years 4 weeks

Seasonal employees must be paid a week’s salary for each period of employment.

Tw Visa Img

Visa and
immigration

All non-nationals of Saint Kitts and Nevis must apply for a work permit before the commencement of their employment. The employer is responsible to apply for the work permit, while both employer and employees have to fill up and submit a form each.

The work permit application is accepted only for specialized positions for foreign-based candidates. The job position must be advertised in various media for 3 continuous weeks before submitting the application. A copy of the advertisement must be included in the application for the work permit

Expand into
150+ countries

Expand globally and hire talent in 150+ countries without having to set up an entity. Use Multiplier's Employer of Record to manage the complete employee experience while having the flexibility to enter new markets.

Expand into150+ countries