St Lucia Citizenship: A Low Cost Passport Option
St Lucia citizenship by investment was officially launched by the government on December 29, 2015. As a result, applicants of all nationalities who have a clean background and are willing to invest in the local economy can qualify. St Lucia citizenship benefits are very inclusive for add on dependents of the main applicant including newborns, new spouse, siblings and dependent children up to 30 years of age. Additionally, the St Lucia citizenship costs have been significantly reduced as of May 18, 2020. The four paths to acquire St Lucia citizenship by investment are:
- Make a non-refundable contribution to the Saint Lucia National Economic Fund,
- Invest in St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Real Estate,
- St Lucia Government Bond or
- Invest in a Local Business.
St Lucia National Economic Fund
The Saint Lucia National Economic Fund (NEF) is a special vehicle created under section 33 of the St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Act for receiving nonrefundable contributions to government sponsored projects. As a result, the government is able to promote development of medical facilities, schools, local infrastructure, hurricane relief and tourism. Additionally, Saint Lucia National Economic Fund costs are tiered with the amount of the contribution depending on the number of dependents on the application.
| NEF Program Requirements | NEF Program Costs |
| Investment | $100,000 main applicant $140,000 main applicant and spouse $150,000 main applicant and spouse plus up to 2 other dependents $25,000 for each additional dependent $5000 newborn child 12 months and under |
| Due Diligence | $7,500 main applicant $5,000 spouse $5,000 dependents >16 years old |
| Government Fees | not applicable |
| Government Processing Fees | $2,000 main applicant $1,000 spouse $1,000 each dependent |
Professional fees are required on all NEF applications and will vary in relation to the number of dependents and the complexity of the application.
St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Real Estate
Applicants for the St Lucia citizenship by investment program may qualify by investing a minimum of US$300,000 in a approved St Lucia citizenship by investment real estate project. As a result, their $300,000 investment will qualify the main applicant and their dependents, irrespective of the number dependents on the application. Additionally, the investor is required to hold the property for a minimum of five years in order to retain their St Lucia passport.
| Real Estate Program Requirements | Real Estate Program Fees |
| Investment | $200,000 all inclusive |
| Due Diligence | $7,500 main applicant $5,000 spouse $5,000 dependents >16 years old |
| Government Fees | $30,000 main applicant $15,000 spouse $10,000 dependents 18 years and over $5,000 dependents <18 years old |
| Government Processing Fees | $2,000 main applicant $1,000 spouse $1,000 each dependent |
Professional fees are required on all applications and will vary in relation to the number of dependents and the complexity of the application.
St Lucia Government Bond Option
The government of St Lucia has renamed the government bond purchase option. As a result, investors and their families can qualify for St Lucia citizenship by investment by purchasing the non-interest bearing bond and holding it for a minimum of 5-7 years. In contrast with the pre-existing program, the minimum investment amounts have been reduced significantly. The table below reflects the updated program.
| Program Costs | Single Applicants, Married Couples | Family of 4 (kids <16) |
| Investment | $250,000 | $250,000 (6 year holding period) $300,000 (5 year holding period) +$15,000 each additional dependent |
| Due Diligence | $7,500 main applicant $5,000 Spouse | $7,500 main applicant $5,000 Spouse $0 children <16 |
| Government Administration Fees | $50,000 payable upon approval | $50,000 payable upon approval |
| Government Processing Fees | $2,000 main applicant $1,000 spouse | $2,000 main applicant $1,000 spouse $1,000 each dependent |
| Holding Period | 5 years single applicant 6 years married couples | 7 years w/additional dependents 6 years $250,000 investment 5 years $300,000 investment |
Professional fees are required on all applications and will vary in relation to the number of dependents and the complexity of the application.
St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Business Investment
The St Lucia citizenship by investment program also offers business options for acquiring citizenship. Options for individuals include direct purchase of an eligible business worth a minimum of $3,500,000 plus the creation of at least three permanent jobs. Additionally, multiple applicants can combine funds with a minimum of $1,000,000 per applicant for a combined total of $6,000,000, plus the creation of at least 6 permanent jobs.
St Lucia Citizenship Benefits
- No Restricted Nationalities: St Lucia currently does not preclude any nationalities from qualification for the program. However, they are currently unable to process applications of Iranian Origin.
- Member of British Commonwealth: As a Commonwealth Citizen, successful applicants enjoy benefits including assistance at British Embassies and consulates in foreign non-Commonwealth countries where their own country does not have a diplomatic or consular post. Additionally, they can apply for British emergency passports if their passport has been lost or stolen. Also, the children of successful applicants receive preferential treatment inside the UK for student visas and also work visas.
- Superb Infrastructure: The island features two ideally located airports and seaports. Additionally, St Lucia services the international yachting community at three locations on the island.
- Simple Qualification Requirements: St Lucia passport requirements do not include academic credentials, English fluency or minimum net worth.
- Dual Citizenship: The government of St Lucia recognizes and allows dual citizenship.
- Low Tax Country: St Lucia requires no wealth tax, inheritance tax and no tax on international income.
- No Residency Requirement: Residency is not required to obtain or retain St Lucia citizenship.
- No Interview: An interview is not required as part of the approval process.
- Finance and Banking: Easy to obtain SSN, tax Id, proof of address and start an offshore company.
- Program Diversity: Funding options include St Lucia real estate investment, non refundable contribution, enterprise or government bond option.
- Add On Dependents: St Lucia citizenship by investment includes options for newborn children or a new spouse that can be added to the application at anytime. Additionally, a person who was a qualifying dependent before the initial application for citizenship was submitted may be added to the application for up to five years after the application for citizenship was granted.
- Natural Environment: St Lucia has a beautiful landscape including unspoiled rain forests, the Piton Mountains and miles of secluded beaches.
- Visa Free Countries: St Lucia citizenship visa free countries and regions includes the EU, UK, Iran, Argentina, Cuba, Hong Kong Singapore and all the Caribbean states. Additional visa free access includes 146 countries and regions.
- Digital Processing: to prevent the transmission of the novel corona virus, processing of St Lucia citizenship by investment applications has been moved 100% online.
St Lucia Qualified Dependents
- Dependents of the main applicant include children 21 years and under without demonstrating full financial support for the child dependent.
- Dependent children between 22-30 years who are fully supported by the main applicant or spouse. There is no longer any requirement for them to be enrolled in a qualified institution of higher learning.
- Dependent parents and grandparents over the age of 55 who are supported by the main applicant may be included.
- Unmarried siblings of the main applicant below the age of 18 may be included as dependents with no additional costs e.g. fees are the same as other dependents.
- Legally adopted children can be included as dependents.
On May 6, 2019 the government of St Lucia announced it has amended section 36 of the Citizenship by Investment Act No. 14 of 2015 to allow the citizenship by investment board to grant citizenship to qualifying dependents as follows:
- the person was a qualifying applicant when the application was made by the citizen;
- the person is a child born after the application is made by the citizen;
- the person is a spouse of the citizen and was married after the application was made by the citizen;
- the application for St Lucia citizenship by investment of the qualifying dependent was made no more than five years after the application was made by the citizen.
Essentially, the program has become open ended for newborns, new spouses and qualifying dependents for up to five years after initial the application was made.
| Add On Requirements | Program Costs |
| Due Diligence | $5,000 per dependent >16 years |
| Processing | $1,000 |
| Investment Amount | $35,000 for new spouse $25,000 for each dependent other than spouse $500 (newborn children 12 months of age and below) |
Professional fees are required on all applications and will vary in relation to the number of dependents and the complexity of the application.
