St.Lucia is an eastern caribbean nation located on the south east coast of North America. The country recently enacted provisions in citizenship law starting from 2016, granting immediate citizenship to foreign investors who invest in fund, bonds, real estate, business investment in the country.

Saint Lucia launched brand new citizenship by investment (CBI) program  in the Caribbean in 2015. The  Citizenship-by-Investment Act No 14 of 2015 laid foundations for acquisition of citizenship in Saint Lucia by means of qualifying investment. It is the only CIP in the Caribbean that offers citizenship against buying non-interest bearing Government bonds. Further, it is also cheapest CBI scheme for individuals and single persons.

Why Saint Lucia?

• Beautiful country with mountains and beaches
• Stable economic and political climate
• Major caribbean tourist destination with 1.2m visitor arrivals
•  Access to modern facilities, services and infrastructure,
• Prime hotels and prime real estate market
• Powerful Caribbean passport for travel.
• Ease of doing business with offshore company incorporations
• Tax haven – No inheritance, estate, or gift taxes in Saint Lucia

New Price Hike

The Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Unit (“The Unit”) in a memo sent to agents and stakeholders, wishes to inform of changes to the minimum legislative prices of qualifying investment options effective July 1, 2024. These adjustments are in keeping with the Memorandum of Agreement signed between the five OECS territories operating Citizenship by Investment Programmes which calls for a minimum investment threshold of US two hundred thousand dollars (USD 200,000.00). As a signatory to the agreement, Saint Lucia implemented the changes effective July 1, 2024

Benefits

• Newly launched citizenship by investment program in the Caribbean.
• Visa travel to visit over 140+ countries including UK, EU Schengen states.
• Fast processing within 3-4 months.
• Lifetime citizenship for family and children.
• Profitable real estate investment.
• No physical residence requirements.
• Government bond option.

Citizenship Legislation

• Citizenship by Investment Act No 14 of 2015
• Citizenship by Investment Saint Lucia Regulations S.I. 89 of 2015
• Citizenship by Investment Amendment Saint Lucia Regulations S.I. No. 3 of 2016
• Citizenship by Investment Amendment Regulation S.I., 2017, No. 1
• Citizenship by Investment (Amendment) Act No. 12 of 2019
• Citizenship by Investment (Amendment) Regulations S.I. No 48 of 2019
• Saint Lucia National Economic Fund Act No. 18 of 2019
• Citizenship by Investment (Amendment) Act No. 4 of 2020
• Citizenship by Investment (Amendment) Regulations No. 73 of 2020
• Citizenship by Investment (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations, 2020
• Citizenship by Investment (Amendment) Regulations No. 4 of 2022
• Citizenship by Investment (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations of 2022

In addition to the investment amount, additional fees are involved such as Government fee, due diligence fee, application fee, processing fee etc.

Qualifying Investments

St Lucia offers citizenship only to selective individuals. The following investments qualify for immediate passport, under the St Lucia citizenship program:

• One time contribution to National Economic Fund ($240,000)
• Real estate Investment ($300,000 in hotels, resorts, boutiques)
• Government Bonds ($300,000)
• Direct business investment ($3,500,000) on enterprise projects.

1. Economic Fund Donation

Saint Lucia National Economic Fund is a special fund established under Section 33 of the Citizenship by Investment Act for the sole purpose of receiving qualifying investments of cash for funding government sponsored projects.

The Minister for Finance is required each financial year to gain approval from Parliament for allocation of funds for specified purposes.

Once an application for citizenship by means of an investment in the Saint Lucia National Economic Fund has been approved, the following minimum investment is required:

• Applicant applying alone: US$240,000
• Applicant applying with spouse: US$240,000
• Applicant applying with spouse and up to two (2) other qualifying dependants: US$240,000
• Each additional qualifying dependant, below 18 years age: US$10,000
• Each qualifying dependent above 18 years: US$ 20,000

CIP Processing fees (non-refundable)

Principal applicant: US$ 2,000
Each qualifying dependant:US$ 1000

CIP Due diligence fees (non refundable)

– Principal applicant: US$ 8,000
– Each qualifying dependant over 16 years: US$ 5,000.

Add on Dependents

A citizen (granted through the citizenship program) may add-on a qualifying dependent for the grant of citizenship by making an investment into the National Economic Fund.

• Newborn child of a citizen who is 12 months of age or below – $5,000
• Spouse of a citizen – $35,000
• Qualifying dependents of a citizen other than a spouse – $25,000

2. National Action Government Bonds

Effective from Jan 1, 2023, The Government will issue National Action Bond replacing Covid relief bonds. These are Non interest bearing Government bonds starting at USD 300,000 was created by Government to attract investments into Saint Lucia for the purpose of citizenship by investment. This is a non-interest-bearing government bond to which no processing fee is payable by the applicant. Only administrative fee applies.

• Sole applicant –  US$300,000 ( fully refundable after 5 year holding period)
• Family (with any number of qualifying dependants) : US$300,000

An administrative fee of US $50,000 is payable by the applicant once the application for citizenship has been granted. There are also due diligence fee paid by applicants.

Applicants must:

• Satisfy a minimum qualifying investment for the purchase of non-interest bearing Government bonds.
• • Government of Saint Lucia’s Bonds are issued under the National Savings and Development Bonds Act Ch.15.25 of 2005 of the Revised Laws of Saint Lucia.Keep Government bonds which have been purchased as a qualifying investment for a five year holding period.
  • Once an application for citizenship has been approved, the applicant must make their purchase of the non-interest bearing Government bonds through the Debt and Investment Unit in the Ministry of Finance
  • • Once the transaction is complete, the applicant would be provided with a Bond Certificate within 21 calendar days.
    • A certified copy of the Bond Certificate must be submitted to the Unit as proof of having made the qualifying investment.
    • Upon receipt of the Bond Certificate, the Unit shall process the issuance of a Citizenship Certificate.

4. Real Estate

The Cabinet of Ministers will consider real estate projects to be included on the approved list for the Citizenship by Investment Programme. The Government will consider citizenship for minimum investment in real estate projects starting from USD 300,000 or more.

Administration fees (non-refundable)
(for an approved real estate or enterprise project investment)

• Principal applicant:US$ 30,000
• Each qualifying dependant:US$ 45,000
• Each qualifying dependant under 18 years: US$ 15,000

Approved real estate projects fall into two broad categories:

1. High-end branded hotels and resorts
2. High-end boutique properties

Once approved, the real estate project becomes available for qualifying investments from applicants  for citizenship by investment.

The applicant is required to execute a binding purchase and sales agreement for an investment in an approved real estate project. Investments, equalling the agreed purchase price, are deposited in an approved irrevocable escrow account managed jointly by the developer and the Citizenship by Investment Unit in Saint Lucia.

Once an application for citizenship by means of an investment in a real estate project has been approved, the following minimum investment is required:

5. Business Enterprise Projects

The Cabinet of Ministers will consider enterprise projects to be included on the approved list for the Citizenship by Investment Programme.

Approved enterprise projects fall into seven (7) broad categories:

1.  Specialty Restaurants
2.  Cruise ports and marinas
3.  Agro-processing plants
4.  Pharmaceutical products
5.  Ports, bridges, roads and highways
6.  Research institutions and facilities
7.  Offshore universities

Once approved the enterprise project becomes available for qualifying investments from applicants for citizenship by investment.

Once an application for citizenship by means of an investment in an approved enterprise project has been approved, the following minimum investment is required:

Option 1 – A sole applicant.

• A minimum investment of  US$3,500,000

Option 2 – More than one applicant (joint venture).

• A minimum investment of US$ 6,000,000 with each applicant contributing no less than US$1,000,000

The Government has not approved any enterprise projects under CIP as of today.

CIP Application Forms

The application forms are available for free download. You can prepare your own application and later checked by the lawyer.

Guidelines for Application
Document Checklist – SL1
Use of Authorised Agent Form – SL2
Statement of Alternative Citizenship – SL3
Investment Confirmation Form – SL4
Citizenship by Investment Application Form – SL5
Photograph and Signature Certificate – SL6
Affidavit of Support – SL7
Medical Certification Form – SL8
Photograph Guidelines
Saint Lucia Passport Application Form
National Insurance Corporation Application for Registration (under 65)
National Insurance Corporation Application for Registration (65 years and over)
Source of Funds Document

St.Lucia Passport

The St Lucia passport is ranked 30th best passport in the world, having visa free travel access to 145+ countries and territories (EU schengen, UK, Ireland etc), according to Henley Index 2023.  Download the visa waiver list of countries in pdf format

How do i start?

• Ask us for free quote.
• Pay initial CIP fee to Licensed agent
• Wait for CIP approval (takes months)
•  Pay the full investment to Government.
• Collect your citizenship certificate and passports

FAQs

These are the most popular questions we have compiled related to St Lucia citizenship by investment scheme

How much is Saint Lucia citizenship by investment?

Saint Lucia citizenship will cost you $240,000 plus lawyer fee for one person under donation option.  Prices increase when you add more family members, depending on their ages.

What’s new in 2024?

St Lucia is the most popular CIP with US citizens. Interviews implemented by Government as a part of additional security check. Investments hiked for donation and real estate from Jul 1, 2024.

Can i invest in Real estate?

At present no project is approved by government for CIP.

Why CIP Saint Lucia is very popular?

Saint Lucia is a very beautiful caribbean island with pitons, It is a tropical paradise with blue waters and beaches. CIP is very popular with americans and other nationals who seek global mobility, financial freedom and wealth protection.

Do i need to produce Birth certificate?

Yes, Original BC will be required by Passport Office of St.Lucia.

How many countries can i travel visa free with Saint Lucia passport?

Saint Lucia passport holders can visit 140+ countries and territories, including Schengen area, United Kingdom, Ireland, Israel, Singapore etc.

How do i invest in St.Lucia Government bonds?

You can buy into $300,000 Saint Lucia Govt issued bonds for the purpose of citizenship by investment.  This is a risk free investment fully refunded after 5 years with no interest. There is a $50,000 Govt processing fee plus due diligence and lawyer costs.

There is one difference with the $500,000 bond option compared to $300,000 bonds. That is $50,000 government processing fee is waived under $500,000 option. This makes it 100% refundable investment.

What are the citizenship processing times?

Saint Lucia has improved the speed of application processing through CIP online platform. Please expect approvals issued within 70 days if all documents are in order.

How do i start the application process?

You can start the process paying 50% lawyer fee plus $7500 CIP due diligence fee. The rest of investments must be made only after the approval letter issued

Which is the most popular route for citizenship?

Donation route is the most popular route. Second is the bond investment.

Do i need to visit St Lucia to receive passport?

No, your authorized agent will deliver passports to you.

Does Saint Lucia has any physical residence requirements?

None. You are not required to visit Saint Lucia. Not even for a single day.

How many years St Lucia passport is valid for?

5 years, can be renewed at any St Lucia consulate abroad. It can also be done by a lawyer in St Lucia.

How fast is the processing time?

70 days or less

Who are qualifying family dependants?

You can add the following dependants simultaneously with the application.

• spouse of the applicant;
• a child of the applicant or of his or her spouse who is twenty-one years of age or below;
• a child of the applicant or of his or her spouse who is no more than thirty years of age and who is fully supported by the applicant;
• a child of the applicant or of his or her spouse, of any age, who is physically or mentally challenged and who is fully supported by the applicant;
• a parent of the applicant or of his or her spouse who is above fifty-five years of age and who is fully supported by the applicant;
• a parent of any age who is physically or mentally challenged and who is fully supported by the applicant;
• an unmarried sister or brother of the applicant who is below eighteen years of age and who has received the consent of his or her parent or guardian to make an application for citizenship by investment.

In a case where your child does not fall within the criteria of ‘qualifying dependent’, he/she would need to apply as a separate ‘principal applicant’-if they are 18 years of age or older.

Who cannot apply for St Lucia CIP?

Nationals of Iran cannot apply for St Lucia CBI scheme. In 2018, St Lucia Citizenship Unit announced, they will not process applications from Iran, due to sanctions and due diligence providers unable to vet iranians.

Is Government bond option the cheapest?

It can be the cheapest route compared to donation, only if you have money. Here is why!

You buy Government issued bonds (zero interest) for USD 300,000 locked for 5 years + Pay $50,000 + $7500 (due diligence) + $2000 (application fee), totalling  $359,500. .

You get the full $300,000 returned by Government with no interest after 5 years, and at the end of the day you only paid $59,500 for the passport, assuming you are single person.

Yes possible, but financing option for bonds not available. Remember you have to pay $50,000 additional fee for subscribing Government bonds.

Does St Lucia report the names of new citizens to foreign countries?

No, the names of CBI citizens is not reported to other countries or published in official gazette.  However St lucia will publish names of people who have been revoked of citizenship under CBI scheme.

Can i vote in elections?

Yes, new citizens who acquired citizenship under CIP, can vote in Saint Lucia elections and also can hold Government jobs.

Can citizenship applications be rejected?

The Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) may refuse applications under the following cases

•  Provides false or concealment of information in the application
• has been convicted of a criminal offence except where the offence is a minor traffic offence;
• subject of a criminal investigation;
• considered to be a potential national security risk; 281 No. 14 ] Citizenship by Investment Act [ 2015]
• involved in any activity likely to cause disrepute to Saint Lucia;
• has been denied a visa to a country with which Saint Lucia has visa-free travel and has not subsequently obtained a visa to that country

Has Saint Lucia stripped citizenship in the past?

Yes, 6 persons have been revoked of citizenship acquired under citizenship by investment scheme.

Can i get drivers license?

Yes, only if you live six months or more in Saint Lucia.

What if my application is refused?

You can make an appeal on the decision. Depending on the reason given for refusal, you can reapply. The authorized agent licensed by Citizenship Investment Unit will advise you accordingly.