St. Lucia Citizenship by Investment

St. Lucia lies in the eastern Caribbean Sea, northwest of Barbados and south of Martinique. A volcanic island mostly covered in rainforest, it is famous for its twin peaks — the Pitons — and its magical beaches. St. Lucia is a member of the Commonwealth and CARICOM and has excellent air links to Europe and North America.

Citizenship by Investment Overview

The St. Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program provides investors with the opportunity to make a contribution to the government or an approved enterprise, or to invest in an attractive real estate development.

St. Lucia Citizenship by Investment

The St. Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program requires applicants to make a significant economic contribution to the country. In exchange, and subject to a stringent application process and due diligence checks, the applicants and their families are granted full citizenship. The St. Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program is regulated by the Citizenship by Investment Act No. 14 of 2015.

Benefits of the St. Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program

• No prior visa required for over 140 destinations including Europe’s Schengen Area, Hong Kong, Singapore, the UK, and many others
• No residence or visitation is required
• Applicants are able to include a spouse, children under 31, siblings under 18, and parents aged 55 and over, as well as to add dependents after they have been granted citizenship
• The program has attractive investment and processing costs
• St. Lucia recognizes dual citizenship

Requirements of St. Lucian citizenship by investment

The St. Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program is regulated by the Citizenship by Investment Act No. 14 of 2015. § 33 of this act established the Saint Lucia National Economic Fund (NEF), which receives the qualifying investments of donations from the program. These funds will be used by the government under the national development agenda.

The program requires applicants to make a significant economic contribution to the country. In exchange, and subject to a stringent application process and due diligence checks, the applicants and their families are granted full citizenship. The main applicant must be at least 18 years of age to qualify, meet the application requirements, and select one of the following investment options:

• A non-refundable contribution to the National Economic Fund of USD 240,000 for the main applicant and up to three qualifying dependents. For each subsequent qualifying dependent aged 18 or older, an additional USD 20,000 is required, while for each subsequent qualifying dependent under the age of 18 (0-17), an additional USD 10,000 is required
• Investment in an approved enterprise or project of USD 250,000 plus applicable administration fees for the main applicant and up to three qualifying dependents
• Purchase of real estate with a minimum value of USD 300,000 for the main applicant and any number of qualifying dependents from an approved real estate development, which must be held for a minimum period of five years
• Investment in non-interest-bearing government bonds with a minimum value of USD 300,000 (and an administrative fee of USD 50,000), which must be held for a minimum period of five years

All qualifying dependents must have a clean personal background with no criminal record and not be under any criminal investigation (other than in respect of a minor offense). A person that is deemed a potential security risk or who is or has been involved in any activity that is likely to bring disrepute to St. Lucia shall not be approved for citizenship.

Procedure for the St. Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program

The Citizenship by Investment Board, which provides oversight to a dedicated citizenship by investment unit (CIU), will consider an application for citizenship and its outcome may be to either grant, deny, or delay for cause. A citizenship by investment application will be submitted in electronic and printed form by Citizenship Avenue on behalf of the applicant. All applications must be completed in English.

All requisite supporting documents must be attached to an application before it can be processed by the CIU. All applications must be accompanied by the relevant nonrefundable processing and due diligence fees for the principal applicant, their spouse, and each qualifying dependent. Where an application has been approved in principle, the CIU will notify Citizenship Avenue that the qualifying funds and requisite government administration fees must be paid before the certificate of citizenship can be granted.

The main applicant must remit the required funds for the qualifying option within 90 calendar days after notice of approval of their application. A successful applicant shall sign the oath or affirmation of allegiance before an attorney-at-law, notary royal, or notary public. The minister may, by order, revoke a grant of citizenship in exceptional circumstances as may be deemed necessary.

Dual citizenship

There are no restrictions on dual citizenship in St. Lucia.