Key Advantages

• A St. Lucian passport provides visa-free travel to 127 countries, including the EU Schengen area, the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore and many others
• No residence or visitation requirements
• A range of investment options are available
• Attractive investment and processing costs
• St. Lucia recognizes dual citizenship
• A right of descent for future generations

Requirements

St. Lucia’s Citizenship-by-Investment Program is regulated by the Citizenship by Investment Act No. 14 of 2015. Section 33 of this Act established the Saint Lucia National Economic Fund, 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 a person 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:

1. An investment in an approved real estate development with a minimum value of USD 300,000, which must be held for a minimum period of five years – additional costs may also be incurred depending on the real estate developer.

2. An investment in an approved Enterprise Project (as set out in the regulations) with a minimum investment of USD 3.5 million plus the creation of no less than three permanent jobs, or a joint investment of USD 6 million (each applicant contributing a minimum of USD 1 million) plus the creation of no less than 6 permanent jobs.
For the above two options, the following government administration fees will also apply:
• Main applicant USD 50,000
• Spouse USD 35,000
• Dependent under 18 years USD 25,000
• Dependent 18 years and older USD 35,000

3. A non-refundable contribution to the National Economic Fund (NEF) of USD 100,000 (for a single applicant).
An applicant may make the contribution under one of the four following categories:
• Main applicant USD 100,000
• Main applicant and spouse USD 165,000
• Main applicant, spouse and up to two other qualifying dependents USD 190,000
• Each additional qualifying dependent of any age USD 25,000

4. Investment in non-interest bearing government bonds, which must be held for five years (this option is valid until 31 March 2017)
• Main applicant USD 500,000
• Main applicant and spouse USD 535,000
• Main applicant, spouse and up to two other qualifying dependents USD 550,000
• Each additional qualifying dependent of any age USD 25,000

For the government bond option, there is a non-refundable administration fee of USD 50,000.

In addition, due diligence and government processing fees are charged on all investment options. Due diligence fees are USD 7,500 for the main applicant, and USD 5,000 for each qualifying dependent over 16. Government processing fees are USD 2,000 for the main applicant and USD 1,000 for each qualifying dependent. The main applicant and any 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 offence). 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.

Procedures and Time Frame

The documentary requirements of the St. Lucia Citizenship-by-Investment Program are reasonable and the procedures are quite straightforward. The application process should take no longer than four months from submission of the application to issuance of the passport, assuming there are no areas of concern with the application. Under the real estate option, the time frame may vary depending on the development.

The Citizenship by Investment Board (CIB), which provides oversight to a dedicated Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU), will consider an application for citizenship and the outcome may either be to grant, to deny or to delay for cause. The average processing time from receipt of an application to notification of the outcome is four months. Where, in exceptional cases, it is expected that the processing time will be longer than four months, we will inform the applicant of the reason for the anticipated delay.

A citizenship-by-investment application will be submitted in electronic and printed form by Winston Hawthorne & Co. 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 non-refundable processing and due diligence fees for the principal applicant, his or her spouse and each qualifying dependent.

Where an application for citizenship-by-investment has been granted, the CIU will notify us that the qualifying investment and requisite government administration fees must be paid before the Certificate of Citizenship can be granted. Where an application has been denied, the applicant may, in writing, request a review by the Minister.

The principal applicant must make the qualifying investment within 60 calendar days after notice of approval of their application. In the case of an investment in an approved real estate or enterprise project, the principal applicant must pay the government administrative fees due within 60 full days after notice of approval of their application.

A successful applicant shall sign the oath or affirmation of allegiance before an attorney-at-law, Consular Officer of Saint Lucia, Honorary Consul of Saint Lucia, 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. 

Further Information

For further information on the program and on how to apply – or to arrange a private consultation – please contact us today.