St. Lucia Citizenship By Investment
Last Updated: December 21, 2022
The St. Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program requires applicants to make a significant economic contribution to the country. In exchange, the applicants and their families get full citizenship, subject to a rigorous application process and background checks. The St. Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program is regulated by the Citizenship by Investment Act No. 14 of 2015.
Advantages of St. Lucia's Citizenship by Investment Program
- Visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel is possible to 147 countries with a St. Lucian passport, including the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Schengen Region of Europe.
- It is not necessary to live or visit.
- In addition to adding dependents after receiving citizenship, applicants gets a permit to list their spouse, children under the age of 31, siblings under the age of 18, and parents who are 56 years old or older.
- Investment and processing costs for the program are favorable.
-St Lucia accepts dual nationality
Requirements
The Citizenship by Investment Act No. 14 of 2015 establishes rules for the St. Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program. The Saint Lucia National Economic Fund (NEF), which receives the program’s donations that qualify as investments, was established by this act’s Section 33. The government will use these funds in accordance with its plan for national development.
The program requires applicants to significantly boost the nation’s economy. The applicants and their families are given full citizenship in exchange, subject to a rigorous application process and background checks. To be eligible, the main applicant must be at least 18 years old and satisfy the application requirements.
Options for St Lucia citizenship by investment
- A $300,000 minimum investment in real estate development that must be kept for at least five years. Depending on the real estate developer, additional expenses might also be incurred.
- A minimum investment of USD 3.5 million in an enterprise project that has been given approval (according to the regulations) and at least three permanent jobs. Alternatively, a combined contribution of USD 6 million (with each applicant contributing a minimum of USD 1 million), plus the creation of at least six permanent jobs.
The ensuing administrative charges levied by the government also apply to the first two choices:
- $30,000. Main Applicant
- 50,000 USD for the principal applicant and spouse.
- 10,000 USD for each dependent over the age of 18.
- $5,00 per dependent who is 17 or older.
- The following six family members: USD 10,000 each.
A $100,000 non-refundable donation to the NEF (for a single applicant). A candidate may submit their contribution under one of the four subcategories below:
Principal applicant: $100,000
Principal applicant and spouse: 140 000 USD
USD 150,000 for the principal applicant, their spouse, and up to two other qualified dependents.
In addition to the principal applicant, spouse, and two other qualifying dependents, there is a USD 15,000 fee for each additional qualifying dependent.
USD 25,000 for each additional qualifying dependent.
- Investing in five-year-required non-interest-bearing government bonds: (In accordance with Section 12(1) of the Citizenship by Investment Regulations, Cap)
Principal applicant: US$500,000
Applicants’ primary and spouse: USD 535,000
USD 550,000 for the principal applicant, their spouse, and up to two other qualified dependents.
USD 25,000 for each additional dependent who qualifies, regardless of age.
$50,000 in government administration fees
The St. Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program's procedures and timeline
In the event that there are no problems with the application, the entire procedure ought to take no more than four months from the time the application is submitted until the certificate of citizenship is issued. where it is anticipated that the processing time in exceptional circumstances will exceed three months.
An application for citizenship will be evaluated by the Citizenship by Investment Board, which oversees specific citizenship by investment unit (CIU), and the decision will either be to grant, deny, or delay for good cause.
An application cannot process until all necessary supporting documents are there. For the principal applicant, their spouse, and each qualifying dependent, each application must be accompanied by the applicable nonrefundable processing and due diligence fees.
Following notice of application approval, the main applicant has 90 calendar days to send the required funds for the qualifying option. Before a lawyer, notary royal, or notary public, the successful applicant must sign the oath or affirmation of allegiance. If it is necessary in extreme cases, the minister may order the revocation of a citizenship grant.
Within five years of their application’s approval, already-approved citizens may add dependents. Spouses are eligible to donate USD 35,000, and any additional dependents of any age are eligible to donate USD 25,000 each. Every eligible dependent who is 16 years old or older is also subject to a USD 5,000 due diligence fee. For each dependent who qualifies, the government processing fee is $1,000.
Every qualifying dependent must have a spotless personal history free of any convictions and not be the subject of any active criminal investigations. A person who can pose a threat to national security or who engages in any activity that could bring St. Lucia into disrepute is not eligible to become a citizen.
