The Saint Lucia’s Citizenship by Investment Programme (“CIP Saint Lucia”) allows a person to acquire citizenship of Saint Lucia by making a qualifying investment into the island. The Regulations concerning the functions of Board and Unit are published in Citizenship by Investment Regulations No.14 of 2015. As defined in the law, “citizenship by investment” means the acquisition of citizenship in Saint Lucia by means of qualifying investment.
- CIP Unit – The Citizenship by Investment Unit (“the CIP Unit”) are the general administrators of CIP Saint Lucia and are responsible to receive and assess all applications for citizenship and licenses.
- CIP Board – The Citizenship by Investment Board (“CIP Board”) are the overseers of CIP Saint Lucia and the Unit.
CIP Saint Lucia
The Citizenship by Investment Program of St.Lucia is commonly referred as “CIP Saint Lucia”. CIP Saint Lucia is made up of CIP Board and CIP Unit. The Citizenship by Investment Programme (“CIP”) celebrated completing its 7th year running in December 2022
CIP Saint Lucia = Citizenship by Investment Board + Citizenship by Investment Unit
The CIP Unit
The main functions of the Unit are
- process all applications for the Citizenship by Investment Programme
- recommend suitably qualified applicants for citizenship to the Board;
- make recommendations to the Board on the development of the Citizenship by Investment Programme
- advise the Board on any matter within its knowledge or on which the Board may seek its advice, including advice in relation to the terms and conditions on which citizenship by investment may be granted undertake, sponsor or assist in research relating to citizenship by investment which may be subject to control or regulation under this Act;
- collect fees;
- implement and provide technical advice and guidance on citizenship by investment in Saint Lucia;
- utilize best practices in administering the Citizenship by Investment Programme;
- carry out any other function specified in this Act.
The CIP Unit (‘the Unit”) has achieved many successes, some of the milestones that we would highlight are as follows:
- E-Payment Platform: Launched the first, and currently only e-payment platform amongst the region CIPs. This provided yet another payment option to our many applicants.
- Integrated Online Application Portal: Having a fully integrated online application processing platform, which allowed the staff of the Unit to work remotely, proved to be a useful asset to the Unit at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Enhanced Brand and Website: The launch of the Unit’s enhanced brand and website. Our new brand-identity is designed to demonstrate our commitment to good governance.
- Banking Relationship: Securing correspondent relationship banks to undertake CIP business from derisking, while committing to transparency, good governance and our commitment to undertaking rigorous due diligence of every applicant.
CIP Board
The Board, with the approval of the Minister, shall appoint a Chief Executive Officer to be the head of the Unit. The Board consists of no more than five members to be appointed by Cabinet. The Board shall meet twice yearly with the head of the Unit to review the efficient running of the Unit; and from time to time as required to consider decisions of the Unit.
The functions of the Board are the following :
- co-ordinate the administration and operation of CIP Saint Lucia in an efficient manner
- monitor the process of an application by an applicant
- review reports of the Unit
- make recommendations to the Minister on the development of CIP Saint Lucia
- establish and determine the functions or duties of the Unit; and
- publish annual report on the applications, the names, addresses and nationalities of successful applicants and any qualifying dependants included in the applications and other details of the investment;
- issue guidelines within its jurisdiction under the Citizenship by Investment Act Cap. 1.20 Act (“the Act”);
Due Diligence
Due Diligence continues to be a core foundational principle of the operations of the Citizenship by Investment Programme. The Due Diligence (DD) Department of Unit ensures that the applicant is- ‘who he says he is’ – through vetting and the conduct of due diligence on every applicant above the age of 16 years. The Citizenship by Investment Unit has a robust multi-faceted approach to due diligence. Prior to receipt of a citizenship application, the partner agents vet the applicants through KYC (know your client) and other online database systems ensuring that the applicants are the right fit for the Saint Lucia programme. Additionally, during the verification and vetting of an application for citizenship, the Citizenship by Investment Unit works closely with local law enforcement, regional intelligence partners and third party international firms.
CEO of CIP Saint Lucia
The Citizenship by Investment Board (“the Board”) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Mc Claude Emmanuel to the position of Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the Citizenship by Investment Unit (“the CIP Unit”) effective 1st March 2022.
Mc Claude shall be responsible for the overall management of the affairs of the CIP Unit comprising of fifteen staff members and monitoring the Citizenship by Investment Programme to ensure that its independence and integrity is maintained and managed in accordance with international best practice.
The Chief Executive Officer shall –
- attend all meetings of the Board; provide the necessary leadership to the Unit;
- monitor the Citizenship by Investment Programme to ensure that its independence and integrity is maintained and managed in accordance with international best practice;
- be responsible for the overall management of the affairs of the Unit;
- keep the Minister fully informed of the business of the Unit;
- furnish the Minister with all requested information as required; and
- generally be responsible for the internal organisation and administration of the Unit and do all things necessary or convenient to be done for or in connection with the performance of his or her duties.
