St Lucia is one of five countries offering citizenship by investing in real estate. Foreign nationals and their family members can obtain St Lucia real estate citizenship by purchasing approved property valued at least $200,000. There are also alternative investments, including donations to the country’s national fund and investing in business.
Overview of the St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program
The Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program is regulated by the Citizenship by Investment Act No. 14 of 2015, introduced to boost the country’s economic development by attracting foreign direct investment through the offer of Caribbean citizenship.
The St Lucia program offers four investment options:
- National Economic Fund (NEF) contribution
- Pre-approved real estate purchase
- Government bonds acquisition
- Enterprise investment
Benefits of St Lucia Real Estate Citizenship
There are several fantastic benefits to obtaining St Lucia citizenship through investing in St Lucia real estate:
- Low minimum investment: The required minimum investment amount of $200,000 stays the same, no matter the number of family members included in your application.
- Earn rental income: Besides obtaining citizenship, you can earn rental income.
- Invest in sought-after tourist accommodations: St Lucia’s tourist market offers the opportunity to acquire lucrative approved investment properties.
- Family inclusion: You can include family members in your citizenship application.
- Tax benefits: You can still benefit from the attractive tax advantages in St Lucia, such as favorable personal income tax rates, no capital gains tax, wealth tax, or inheritance taxes on worldwide income. For tax residency purposes, you can obtain a local address to use.
- Visa free travel: St Lucia passport holders enjoy visa free travel to over 140 St Lucia passport visa free countries.
Requirements to Obtain St Lucia Citizenship by Investing in Real Estate
Real estate investment in St Lucia for citizenship requires a minimum investment of at least $200,000 in St Lucia property approved by the St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU). This investment amount remains the same whether you are a single applicant or want to include family members such as a spouse, children, or financially dependent parents.
A primary requirement of purchasing St Lucia real estate to acquire citizenship and maintain dual citizenship status is that applicants must hold their real estate purchases for at least five years before reselling.
St Lucia Real Estate Citizenship Costs and Fees
In addition to the qualifying investment amount of $200,000, applicants are required to pay the following additional fees, including a government application fee, due diligence fee, and passport fee. The table below demonstrates the required fees for each applicant.
Real Estate Investment | Single | Applicant | Additional (over 18 years old) | Additional (under 18 years old) |
Minimum Investment | $200,000 | |||
Government Application Fee | $30,000 | $45,000 | +$10,000 each | +$5,000 each |
Due Diligence Fee | $8,000 | $5,000 for each family member aged 16 or over | ||
Passport Fee | $500 per passport | |||
Which property purchases qualify for citizenship in St Lucia?
Properties purchased as part of St Lucia’s Citizenship by Investment Program must be pre-approved by the St Lucia government. One of the benefits of obtaining St Lucia citizenship through property investment is lucrative approved real estate projects ranging from high-end resorts or hotels to high-end boutique properties approved by the St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU).
Canelles Resort: St Lucia’s Canelles Resort developed by Caribbean Galaxy Real Estate Ltd is a government-approved project located in on the southeast coast. The resort includes a serviced residence – Canelles Oceanfront Apartment, and two world-class luxury resort hotels – Zoetry Resort and Dreams Resort.
Canelles Oceanfront Apartment: This high-end serviced residence offers fully equipped rooms and suites. The facility includes a clubhouse, outdoor area, restaurants, and SPA.
Zoetry Wellness and Spa Resorts: This facility as part of the World of Hyatt Inclusive Collection offers luxurious beachfront boutiques and well-being facilities, including an outdoor activity area, SPA, and a seaside dining area.
Dreams Resorts and Spas: This facility offers luxury with rooms and suites. You’ll find a seaside dining area, swimming pool, waterpark, and beach activity area.
Alpina Saint Lucia Hotel and Alpina Square: The Alpina Saint Lucia Hotel and Alpina Square offered by the Pearl of the Caribbean Development are five minutes from the Hewanorra International Airport. The hotel has 231 rooms with an additional 17 serviced apartments. The hotel promises premier amenities, including a business center, restaurants, a health center, a spa, and retail outlets. The Alpina Square, situated next to the Alpina Saint Lucia Hotel, offers premium office suites and commercial and retail spaces.
St Lucia real estate prices
St Lucia properties such as apartments, condos, historical homes, and villas are available to rent and purchase. You’ll find St Lucia real estate listings from $200,000 to $12 million.
Can I rent out my investment property?
An attractive aspect for real estate investors is renting out a property and receiving rental income. You could even use a property management company to handle the entire process for you. This is not different for properties purchased under St Lucia’s Citizenship by Investment Program. Real estate rentals in St Lucia can bring in an average of two to five percent in rental income per year.
A further advantage of pursuing real estate citizenship through the St Lucia Citizenship by Investment program is your ability to resell the investment property after five years, guaranteeing a decent return on your investment.
Calculate the cost of citizenship for you and your family, including all associated fees.
St Lucian Citizenship Processing Time
Your St Lucia citizenship by investment application will take three to six months to process, provided you fulfill the program’s requirements. You can complete the mandatory citizenship interview remotely and have your passport will be sent. The process has been streamlined through amendments introduced in February 2024, reducing the required documents from eight to five.
Who is eligible for the St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program?
Main applicants of the St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program must:
- Be over 18 years old
- Have a clean criminal record
- Be of excellent character
- Make a qualifying investment
Eligible family members of the main applicant are eligible to apply, including:
- Spouses
- Children of the main applicant or spouse under 21; aged between 21 and 30 if supported by the main applicant or spouse; aged 21 or over and mentally/physically challenged
- Parents and grandparents of the main applicant or spouse aged 55 or above
- Siblings of the main applicant or spouse who are unmarried, with no children, aged 18 or younger, and have received consent from their parent or guardian
St Lucia Property Taxes
You must pay taxes when purchasing St Lucia real estate to obtain citizenship. Taxes charged for real estate purchases in St Lucia and property ownership include the following:
- Property transfer tax: Buyers must pay a two percent transfer tax when purchasing real estate. The buyer can be an individual or a company.
- Stamp duty: Both buyers and sellers must pay stamp duty; however, the rates for each will differ. Buyers must pay a two percent stamp duty, while the rate a seller pays will depend on their residency status. Non-residents pay a ten percent rate, while residents will pay a rate determined by the property’s value.
- Annual property tax: Annual property tax for residential real estate is charged at 0.25 percent, while commercial real estate is taxed at 0.4 percent. These rates are the same for individuals, companies, residents, and non-residents.
Tax rates for St Lucia residents selling real estate
Real estate value (EC$) | Rate |
$50,000-$75,000 | 2.5 percent |
$75,001-$150,000 | 3.5 percent |
$150,001 and above | 5 percent |
St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Application Process
To obtain St Lucian citizenship by investing in real estate, you can expect to follow the application process outlined below:
Due diligence with Authorized Agent
Choose a property
Submit documents to CIU
Application approval
Real estate purchase
Receive your passport
1. Preliminary due diligence check with an Authorized Agent
Contact a St Lucia citizenship by investment licensed agent, such as Global Citizen Solutions, regarding your application for citizenship through real estate investment. The licensed, authorized agent will conduct initial due diligence and work with you to find the right pre-approved St Lucia real estate to invest in.
2. Choose a property
Once you have chosen your investment property, you will need to complete your application forms and provide all the necessary documentation, as guided by the approved agency.
3. Submit documents to CIU
The dedicated team of migration specialists will submit your application for citizenship to St Lucia’s Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) on your behalf.
4. Application approval
Within two to three months of submitting your application, successful applicants will receive a letter of approval from the Citizenship by Investment Unit stating that your application has been approved in principle.
5. Real estate purchase
Following the approval of your application by the CIU, you can now purchase the investment property and send proof of purchase to the CIU.
6. Receive your St Lucia passport
You and your family will be granted a St Lucia certificate of naturalization, and your passports will be sent to an address of your choice.
It is important to note that applications submitted by individuals directly to the CIU will not be accepted. As an applicant to the St Lucia CBI program, you must use an Authorized Agent like Global Citizen Solutions to submit the application on your behalf.
Why use Global Citizen Solutions?
Global Citizen Solutions is a multidisciplinary firm offering bespoke residence and citizenship solutions in Europe and the Caribbean. In a world where the economy and politics are unpredictable, having a second citizenship opens up opportunities and creates flexibility for you and your family.
So, why work with Global Citizen Solutions to obtain St Lucia citizenship?
- Authorized International Marketing Agent. Global Citizen Solutions have official certification by the Government of St Lucia to promote and market their Citizenship by Investment program. You can find a copy of our certificate by clicking the image on the right
- Global approach by local experts. We are corporate members of the Investment Migration Council, with local expertise in all five Caribbean CBI programs.
- 100 percent approval rate. We have never had a case rejected and will offer you an initial, free-of-charge, due diligence assessment before signing any contract.
- Independent service and full transparency. We will present to you all the investment options available, and all expenses will be discussed in advance, with no hidden fees.
- An all-encompassing solution. A multidisciplinary team of immigration lawyers, investment specialists, and tax experts will take into consideration all your and your family's mobility, tax, and lifestyle needs.
- Confidential service and secure data management. All private data is stored within a GDPR-compliant database on a secure SSL-encrypted server.
Frequently Asked Questions about Obtaining St Lucia Citizenship by Investing in Real Estate
Can foreigners buy property in St Lucia?
Foreigners can buy real estate in St Lucia, including residential and commercial properties. As a foreigner, you will need to apply for an Alien Landholding License (ALHL) to buy St Lucia property. Alternatively, you can legally purchase property without obtaining AN ALHL by applying to the St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program and purchasing specific property approved for the program.
What is the St Lucia citizenship program?
The St Lucia Citizenship by Investment scheme enables investors to contribute economically to the country and obtain citizenship. Investing in pre-approved real estate is one route under the investment program where applicants can purchase a property worth at least $200,000 and acquire citizenship.
Alternative investment routes include:
- A non-refundable contribution to the National Economic Fund
- Acquiring government bonds
- Investing in an approved enterprise project
The minimum investment required varies depending on the investment chosen and the number of applicants.
Can US citizens own property in St Lucia?
US citizens can legally own property in Saint Lucia by obtaining an Alien Landholding License or qualifying for Saint Lucia’s citizenship program. This allows them to purchase real estate in the country and get a Saint Lucia passport.
Can I resell the property I bought through the St Lucia citizenship program?
You can resell your St Lucia property purchased to obtain citizenship by investment after five years.
Can I purchase a free-standing house in St Lucia under the citizenship program?
If you want to obtain a St Lucia passport by purchasing property, you will need to purchase a property that the government has approved. These qualifying properties typically include tourist accommodations in hotels and resort complexes.
Alternatively, you can obtain St Lucia citizenship through one of the other investment options and purchase real estate once you become a St Lucia citizen. Investment citizenship allows you obtain a St Lucia passport buy any type of property in the country.
What type of property can I purchase in St Lucia?
If you purchase property under the St Lucia CBI program, you must buy St Lucia government-approved real estate, such as shares in high-end tourist accommodation. If you are not a CBI applicant, you can purchase any St Lucia real estate for sale, providing you obtain an Alien Landholding License (ALHL).
This includes residential and commercial properties, such as apartment buildings overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, spacious homes near the golden sands of beaches, townhomes within walking distance, and classic plantation homes.
What are the fees associated with the real estate route for citizenship in St Lucia?
Fees associated with obtaining citizenship through real estate investment in St Lucia include making a qualifying St Lucia real estate purchase and paying processing fees, including government application fees, due diligence fees, and passport fees. The government application fee and due diligence fee vary depending on the applicant.
