Grenada vs St Lucia Citizenship

If you are considering acquiring Caribbean citizenship as a second passport for you and your family, this Grenada vs St Lucia citizenship article describes the differences (and similarities) between the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs of these two Caribbean countries. Whether your goal is to increase global mobility, make the best of the Caribbean’s tax-friendly policies, or diversify your assets, both passports can provide these advantages and more. So, let’s dive right in.

Benefits of Grenada and St Lucia's Citizenship by Investment Programs

Quick application process

No residency requirements

Tax-friendly policies

Visa-free travel to over 140 countries

Inclusion of whole family

Grenada vs St Lucia CBI Comparison

Program characteristics	Grenada Citizenship by Investment	St Lucia Citizenship by Investment
Application time	Three to four months	Three to four months
Passport Global ranking	74th. Visa-free access to EU Schengen countries, the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, Russia, and China, amongst others. Possibility of applying for US E-2 Visa	75th. Visa-free entry to EU Schengen countries, the UK, Hong Kong, and Singapore, amongst others
Qualifying investment	• NTF minimum donation: $150,000 (single applicant) / $200,000 (family of four) • Real Estate investment: $220,000 minimum • Investment routes: National Transformation Fund, real estate	• NEF minimum donation: $100,000 (single applicant) / $150,000(family of four) • Real Estate investment: $200,000 minimum • Investment routes: National Economic Fund, real estate, enterprise, government bonds
Taxes	No income tax on worldwide income, wealth tax, gift tax, inheritance tax, or capital gains tax	No income tax on worldwide income, wealth tax, gift tax, inheritance tax, or capital gains tax
Residence rule	No stay requirements	No stay requirements
Family eligibility	Inclusion of spouse, dependent children under 30, siblings over 18 (unmarried with no children), and parents and grandparents	Inclusion of spouse, children under 30, siblings under 18 (unmarried with no children), and parents and grandparents over 55
Application requirements	No language or residency requirement	No language or residency requirement

Grenada Citizenship by Investment

Grenada — also called ‘The Spice of the Caribbean’ — is praised for its beautiful nature, tranquility, and relaxed lifestyle. Since 2013, the government has its very own Citizenship by Investment Program. This successful immigration scheme grants foreign investors and their families a Grenada passport in exchange for a minimum contribution of $150,000 in the country’s economy.

With a Grenada passport, investors are able to travel visa-free to over 140 countries, such as the EU, the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, and Russia. In addition, the passport is also the only Caribbean passport offering the opportunity to apply for the E-2 Visa in the US – which allows you to enter and work in the US when investing a substantial amount of capital in a US business.

Investment options under the citizenship program are:

Non-refundable contribution to the National Transformation Fund of at least $150,000 for a single applicant or $200,000 for a family of up to four.
Real estate investment of at least $220,000 in shares of real estate projects or $350,000 as a sole owner of a property

Check our Grenada Citizenship Ultimate Guide by Experts

CLICK HERE

St Lucia Citizenship by Investment

Famous for its impressive Piton mountains, lush rainforest, and first-class white sandy beaches, this mesmerizing island has always been a tourists’ favorite. To attract foreigners, the country has built many new infrastructures, such as an international airport, hospitals, top accommodations, and marinas, which eventually led to the development of a flourishing real estate market. Due to its unique combination of luxury and tranquility, the island has attracted many retirees and expat families seeking to relocate to its shores.

Since 2015, the country has had its very own St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program, which grants citizenship to investors and their families in exchange for a qualifying investment of at least $100,000. In just three months, you can obtain a St Lucia passport, which allows visa-free access to more than 140 countries, including Europe’s Schengen zone, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Singapore, and more.

The program is a great opportunity for those who are looking for diversification of assets, with four different investment routes available:

Donation to the National Economic Fund of at least $100,000 (single applicant) or $150,000 (main applicant plus three family members). It’s possible to add family members for $15,000 or $25,000 each.
Investment in pre-approved real estate projects worth a minimum of $200,000
Investment in non-interest bearing Government Bonds of at least $300,000, held for five years
Investment in an Enterprise Project of at least $3.5 million for a sole investor or $1 million in a joint venture worth at least $6 million in total

Find out more with our St Lucia Citizenship Ultimate Guide

CLICK HERE

Checklist: Which program to pick?

Passport strength

Considering that both Caribbean programs allow for great global mobility, the possibility of tax exemptions, inclusion of family members, flexible requirements, and no need for residency, the choice will depend on specific points. The Grenada passport is stronger and ranks higher than the St Lucia passport. However, it comes at a higher cost and can take longer to obtain.

Citizenship by investment cost

The programs differ in terms of investment volume and options. Prospective applicants interested in obtaining citizenship in Grenada must donate at least $150,000 to a state fund or buy real estate for $220,000. For St Lucia, applicants must donate at least $100,000 to a government fund or purchase at least $200,000 worth of real estate.

Passport validity

Both passports are valid for five years, after which they must be renewed. Both countries also recognize dual citizenship and allow citizenship to be passed down to future generations.

Taxes

The Caribbean tax environment is advantageous and sought-after by many global investors and families looking to optimize their taxes and plan for their futures. Grenada and St Lucia are no exception, each offering favorable tax policies to their citizens. Both countries require you to live there for at least 183 days a year in order to be considered a tax resident. In both countries, residents pay income taxes on a progressive scale, with only locally sourced income being taxed.

So, which program should you pick? That depends on your personal circumstances and requirements. To help you, we’ve summarized some key aspects of each program below.

St Lucia is better in terms of the following:

Diverse investment options
More affordable donation route
Slightly faster processing period

Grenada is better in terms of the following:

Chance to apply for an E-2 US visa
Access to Russia and China
Slightly more family-friendly approach

If you are in search of more in-depth knowledge or for a citizenship plan that is tailor-made for you and your family, don’t hesitate to get in contact with us at Global Citizenship Solutions. We have a team of experts on Caribbean Citizenship by Investment programs and also worldwide.

Why work with Global Citizen Solutions?

Global approach by local experts. We are corporate members of the Investment Migration Council, with local expertise in all six Caribbean CBI programs.
100% 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.

To see the full list of reasons to work with Global Citizen Solutions for your Caribbean citizenship application, click here.

Don’t forget to check our other Caribbean comparison articles:

Frequently Asked Questions

How strong is the Grenada passport?

The Grenada passport occupies the 74th position in the Global Passport Index ranking, giving visa-free and visa-on-arrival access to over 140 countries, including the EU Schengen area, the UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, Russia, and China. Grenada citizens are also eligible to apply for the US E2 Visa. Amongst the five Caribbean citizenship programs, Grenada is the only one that allows this.

How strong is the St Lucia passport?

The Saint Lucia passport ranks 75th in the Global Passport Index. It allows visa-free and visa-on-arrival access to over 140 countries, including the EU Schengen area, the UK, Singapore, and Hong Kong. This Caribbean citizenship program allows dual nationality and a second citizenship in exchange for a minimum investment of $100,000.

Which Caribbean island is best for citizenship?

There are five Caribbean countries that offer Citizenship by investment programs: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia, and St Kitts and Nevis. They all have excellent advantages, such as global mobility and flexible requirements, as well as accepting dual citizenship. The best Caribbean country depends on the specific needs of each investor, such as the inclusion of family members, how quickly you can acquire citizenship, and the investment options you’re interested in. In other words, the best Caribbean citizenship is the one that’s right for you and your family.

If you need more information, check our Caribbean Programs Comparison Table.

Can Grenada citizens work in USA?

Grenada citizens are able to work in the US if they have the US E-2 investor visa. Only citizens of countries who have a treaty with the United States are eligible to apply for the E-2 Visa, and Grenada is one of these countries. It means that acquiring citizenship from this Caribbean country can be one important step in your plan of living and having business in the US.

Can I acquire St Lucia citizenship?

Yes, thanks to the country’s Citizenship by Investment program, you can acquire this Caribbean citizenship in exchange for a contribution to the development of St Lucia. The minimum investment is $100,000 and citizenship can be extended to your family. All applications are processed by the Citizenship by Investment Unit.

Can I acquire Grenada citizenship?

Grenada has a Citizenship by Investment Program in which investors can obtain citizenship if they make an investment in the country, starting at $150,000. All applications are processed by the Citizenship by Investment Unit.