The globally renowned St Lucia Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Program allows foreign investors to gain second citizenship by making a significant economic investment in the country.

Launched in December 2015, St Lucia’s CBI program offers four investment options starting from $240,000 to obtain a St Lucia passport, including a National Economic Fund contribution, a government-approved real estate investment, government bonds acquisition, and an investment in government-approved enterprise projects.

This article will walk you through the process of obtaining St Lucia citizenship by contributing to the country’s economy, from the qualifying investments, application process, and requirements to the visa free and visa on arrival access of a St Lucia passport and tax advantages.

Overview of St Lucia Citizenship by Investment (CBI)

Historical insight

Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs are immigration policies established by governments to grant citizenship to foreign nationals who significantly contribute to their economic growth and social development. St Lucia is among the nations with a citizenship program, providing an avenue to obtain citizenship in St Lucia and a second passport by making one of various investment options approved in the program.

St Lucia’s economic citizenship program, established in December 2015 in accordance with the St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Act No. 14 of 2015, is overseen by the St Lucia Citizenship Unit (CIU). The program offers four foreign investment options, starting from $240,000 for a sole investor or family of four to obtain a St Lucia passport:

  • National Economic Fund (NEF) donation
  • Approved real estate investment
  • Acquiring government bonds
  • Approved enterprise investment

Key amendments to the program

January 2017: Reduced minimum investment threshold from $200,000 to $100,000.

January 2017: Removed annual 500 citizenship application limit.

May 2020: Introduced temporary Special COVID-19 relief Bond investment option.

June 2020: Expanded family eligibility by increasing the maximum age of dependent children from 18 to 21, lowering the age of dependent parents from
65 to 55, and allowing unmarried siblings of the primary applicant to apply.

September 2023: Mandatory citizenship interview requirement introduced for applicants 17 and over.

February 2024: Introduced “Infrastructure Option”

June 2024: Joins the Caribbean Memorandum of Understanding Agreement (MoA).

July 2024: Raises the minimum non-refundable contribution from $100,000 to $240,000 as per the MoU.

St Lucia citizenship benefits

Great tax
benefits

Short 10 to 12-month application process

No visitation or residency requirements

Extensive family inclusion

No citizenship tests required

Visa free travel to over 140 countries

Why choose St Lucian citizenship by investment?

  • A St Lucia passport facilitates visa free access to 148 countries, including EU countries, the UK, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore.
  • Diversify your assets and utilize tax advantages, including no worldwide income tax, inheritance or capital gains tax.
  • The government of St Lucia permits dual citizenship, allowing you to maintain your current citizenship when obtaining citizenship of St Lucia.
  • Purchase high-end tourist real estate and obtain Saint Lucia citizenship while benefiting from the Caribbean’s thriving tourism industry.
  • Secure a Plan B for yourself, your family, and future generations by becoming a citizen of the Caribbean community in a member state of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
  • Enhance your quality of life and retire in a peaceful, sunny paradise.
  • St Lucian CBI has no minimum net worth requirement, with a $240,000 investment being enough for a single applicant or a family of four people to acquire St Lucia dual citizenship.

St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Eligibility Criteria

Requirements for the main applicant

To fulfill the requirements to obtain St Lucia citizenship by investment (CIP), the principal applicant must:

  • Be over 18 years old
  • Have a clean criminal record
  • Be of excellent character (proved through bank statements and employer references)
  • Be able to make a qualifying investment
  • Complete due diligence and background checks

Health and criminal background requirements

Ensuring the health and backgrounds of all applicants undergo thorough checks is a vital requirement for St Lucia to uphold the integrity of its immigration program.

  • Medical clearance: CBI applicants must prove good health by taking comprehensive tests that prove they have no contagious diseases or health conditions that put public health at risk.
  • Police clearance: A clean criminal record in all countries of residence over the past ten years is required to continue the citizenship application process in St Lucia.

Requirements for dependent family members

The following family members are eligible for family inclusion to obtain citizenship by investment in St Lucia:

  • Spouse
  • Children of the main applicant or spouse, under 21; aged between 21 and 30, if supported by the main applicant or spouse; or aged 21 or over and physically/mentally challenged
  • Parents and grandparents of the main applicant or the spouse aged 55 or above
  • Siblings of the main applicant or spouse, unmarried, with no children, aged 18 or younger, who have received consent from their parent or guardian to apply for citizenship by investment

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St Lucia Citizenship Investment Options

To obtain St Lucian citizenship, the St Lucia citizenship by investment official website, cipsaintlucia.com, lists four investment routes:

  1. Non-refundable donation to the National Economic Fund
  2. Approved property investment
  3. Approved enterprise-project investment
  4. Acquisition of government bonds

1. National Economic Fund (NEF) contribution

A contribution to the Saint Lucia National Economic Fund – a government fund – is the most affordable and straightforward St Lucia citizenship program investment option. It requires no government fees besides a small non-refundable government administrative fee. You will be granted citizenship by making a non-refundable contribution of at least $240,000 to the NEF. The minimum investment required covers a main applicant and up to three dependents, and additional fees depend on the number of family members included.

National Economic Fund

Single Applicant or Family of Up to Four


Additional Dependent

(Under 18)

Additional Dependent

(Over 18)

New Child of Citizen


(12 Months or Below)

Souse of a Citizen

Dependents of Citizen other than Spouse


Minimum Donation

$240,000


+$10,000 each


+$20,000 each

+$5,000 each


+$35,000 each

+$25,000 each


Processing Fee

$2,000

$1,000 for each applicant

$1,000 for each applicant

$1,000 for each applicant

$1,000 for each applicant

$1,000 for each applicant

Due Diligence Fee

$8,000

$5,000 for each family member aged 16 or over

$5,000 for each family member aged 16 or over

$5,000 for each family member aged 16 or over

$5,000 for each family member aged 16 or over

$5,000 for each family member aged 16 or over

Passport Fee

$500 per passport

$500 per passport

$500 per passport

$500 per passport

$500 per passport

$500 per passport

2. Approved real estate purchase

If you prefer to choose the real estate route, you can purchase property in St Lucia. The minimum investment required is $300,000, the investment must be held for a minimum period of five years, and you must choose from St Lucia government-approved real estate. These are usually high-end touristic projects, such as resorts or villas. For one advantage of real estate, St Lucia real estate prices are cheaper than in neighboring countries, and you can receive a return on your investment. 

Real Estate Investment

Single
Applicant

Applicant
+ Spouse

Additional
Dependent

(over 18 years old)

Additional
Dependent 

(under 18 years old)

Minimum Investment

$300,000

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

3. Approved enterprise investment

St Lucia offers the option to invest a minimum of $3.5 million as a solo investor or $250,000 as part of a joint venture worth $6 million. Invest in approved enterprise projects in the following areas:

  • Specialty restaurants
  • Cruise ports and marinas
  • Agro-processing plants
  • Pharmaceutical products
  • Ports, bridges, roads, and highways
  • Research institutions and facilities
  • Offshore universities
  • Housing projects
  • Social development projects
  • Investment services

Enterprise Investment

Single
Applicant

Applicant
+ Spouse

Additional
Dependent

(Over Age 18)

Additional
Dependent

(Under Age 18)

Minimum Enterprise  Investment

OPTION 1: $3.5 million as a solo investor

OPTION 2:  $250,000 (in a joint $6 million investment) 

Government Fee

OPTION 1: $50,000

OPTION 2: $75,000

OPTION 1: $85,000

OPTION 2:$110,000

+$35,000 each

+$25,000 each

Processing Fee

$2,000

$1,000 for each applicant

Due Diligence Fee

$8,000

$5,000 for each family member aged 16 or over

Passport Fee

$500 per passport


4. Government bonds acquisition

The government bonds option allows you to invest $300,000 in non-interest-bearing National Action Government Bonds (NAB), which can be fully recovered after five years. The non-interest-bearing government bond option is guaranteed risk-free by the St Lucian government.

Government Bonds

Single
Applicant

Applicant
+ Spouse

Family
up 
to Four

Additional
Dependent

Bond Minimum Investment

$300,000

Government Fee

$50,000

Processing Fee

$2,000

$1,000 for each applicant

Due Diligence Fee

$8,000

$5,000 for each family member aged 16 or over

Passport Fee

$500 per passport

St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Required Documents

This list of required documents to obtain St Lucia citizenship by investment is not exhaustive: however, the St Lucia government recently streamlined the program’s application process, reducing the required documentation from eight to five. The Unit may request additional supporting documents from the applicant, depending on the application.

General documents required investment citizenship in St Lucia

  • Original excerpt of the full birth record or certified copy of the birth certificate
  • Certified copy of proof of name change (if applicable)
  • Permanent residence card (if applicable)
  • National identity card (if applicable)
  • Certified colored copy of current passport(s) showing name, photo citizenship/nationality, date and place of issue, expiry date, passport number, and issuing country
  • Photograph and signature certificate (for children below 18 or if dependent, please insert N/A in the designated signature slot)
  • Six original passport-sized photos of each applicant taken within the last six months. The face must be neutral, with one photo affixed to the Medical Examiner Declaration.
  • Proof of residential address valid within the last three months. Examples include a Certified copy of a recent utility bill corresponding to your address OR a bank statement showing full name and address to show proof of address.
  • Marriage or divorce certificate
  • Copy of military service card (if applicable)
  • Affidavit from spouse or ex-spouse relating to children applying for citizenship
  • Affidavit of support for qualifying dependents
  • Education certificates and transcripts
  • Professional and academic certificates (submit these for children over 18 years old, too).
  • Professional reference letter (from an attorney, chartered accountant, or other profession of similar standing) valid within the last six months immediately before the submission of the application.

Supporting documents

  • Certified copy of your current and expired visas
  • Police certificate from country of birth and from any other country where you’ve resided for at least one year. The police certificate should be no more than six months old.
  • Custody or legal guardianship records
  • Statutory declaration of a non-accompanying parent of a qualifying dependent below 18 years old, indicating that they have no objection to their child acquiring St Lucian citizenship.
  • A certified copy of a photo ID of a non-accompanying parent bearing their signature

Translation and certification of documents

For non-English documents submitted with the application, provide a certified English translation only. The translation should be done by a qualified translator with professional credentials, ensuring accuracy and faithfulness to the original document. The original document’s text, seals, and signatures must be translated.

All the required documents to support the citizenship by investment application must be certified and authenticated as per the originating jurisdiction’s laws. 

Steps on How to Become a Citizen of St Lucia by Investment

As one of St Lucia’s CBI licensed agents, Global Citizen Solutions offers an initial pre-due diligence assessment free of charge, so you can be assured that your application will be successful even before signing a contract. Once you decide on the St Lucia citizenship by investment program, an expert team will guide you through the following steps to gain your St Lucia second passport:

  1. Choose your investment route: Decide which of the four investment routes is best for you – making a non-refundable contribution to the St Lucia National Economic Fund (NEF), purchasing shares of pre-approved real estate projects, making a business investment, or buying government bonds.
  2. Gather documents and complete application forms: Complete all the forms and necessary documents as provided by Global Citizen Solutions.
  3. Submit your application through GCS: Your dedicated Investment Migration Specialist will submit the application on your behalf*. As part of the due diligence checks, applicants aged 16 and older must participate in mandatory virtual or in-person interviews.
  4. Receive approval from the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU): Within 60-90 days of applying, you will receive an approval letter with the status ‘approved in principle’.
  5. Make your investment and send confirmationMake the investment and send proof to the CIU.
  6. Become a St Lucia citizen: You and your family will be granted citizenship of St Lucia and receive your passports at an address of your choice.

*The CIU doesn’t accept applications directly from prospective applicants but only from St Lucia Authorized Agents.

How long does it take to get St Lucia citizenship by investment?

The usual timeline to acquire citizenship by investment in St Lucia is 10 to 12 months, from the initial submission of the application submission to the granting of citizenship and a St Lucian passport. However, the citizenship process and timeline to citizenship will vary depending on the applicant’s circumstances.

Due diligence comprises the bulk of St Lucia citizenship by investment processing time. The recent simplification of document requirements, decreasing the required documents from eight to five as of February 2024, is poised to accelerate citizenship processing times.

Provided you fulfill all St Lucia citizenship by investment requirements, including the character criteria, and possessing all the necessary documentation with no discrepancies, such as an authenticated birth certificate and complete financial documents, you can expect approval from St Lucia’s citizenship unit in around ten months.

St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Compliance and Oversight

The government-appointed St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) manages and regulates the nation’s CBI program. Working in close conjunction with governmental bodies, including the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the US Treasury, and the European Union, the Unit guarantees adherence to regulations surrounding anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) policies while concurrently overseeing the operations of authorized agents.

The diligent enforcement of compliance measures and rigorous due diligence screenings of applicants to St Lucia’s CBI program reinforce its global reputation and enhance its appeal to prospective candidates.

Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre of St Lucia, joining the prime ministers of four other Caribbean nations offering CBI programs, officially announced the government’s commitment to a Memorandum of Understanding agreement on 3 June 2024, which came into effect on 30 June 2024. The accord will fortify and enhance compliance endeavors and unify investment standards across Caribbean citizenship programs.

Pros and Cons of St Lucia Citizenship by Investment

St Lucia is one of the five countries in the Caribbean that offer citizenship by investment programs, including Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, and St Kitts and Nevis. While they are all excellent (and we at Global Citizen Solutions work with all of them), each has its own characteristics that make them more appealing to different clients. Let’s explore some pros and cons of the St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program. 

Pros

  • Four diverse investment options allow you to diversify your assets portfolio through the St Lucia CBI program.
  • Affordable Caribbean citizenship for an individual applicant: An individual who makes an NEF donation will pay less than $240,000 for the program costs (bank fees, translations, notary, and other service fees are not included in this amount).
  • St Lucia investment program ranked the best CBI program in 2021.
  • The only country in the Caribbean to offer a fully refundable investment route through the government bond option.
  • Proximity to the US, with a flight time of under four hours, and expanding flight options as evidenced by American Airline’s announcement of adding a new flight route between NYC and St Lucia in December 2024.

Cons

  • Few real estate projects available: Currently, the only government-approved project to invest in is a resort on the island’s east coast, by the village of Micoud.
  • No visa free access to China or Russia: If easy access to these countries is essential for you, then another Caribbean passport may be a better fit.

St Lucia Citizenship Comparison with other Caribbean CBI Programs

St Lucia is one of five Caribbean countries offering citizenship by investment programs. Here is a brief comparison of the highlights of each Caribbean citizenship program:

  • St Lucia: Provides the most investment routes among Caribbean programs, including a refundable government bon option and the option to make a business investment of $250,000 in St Lucia infrastructure projects.
  • Antigua and Barbuda: Has the lowest investment requirement among Caribbean citizenship programs for a family of four.
  • Dominica: Provides the cheapest real estate prices for real estate citizenship in the Caribbean.
  • Grenada: The only CBI country in the Caribbean offering eligibility to the US E-2 Visa Program
  • St Kitts and Nevis: The first country to offer economic citizenship in the Caribbean. According to the Global Passport Index, it provides the most powerful Caribbean passport by investment.

About St Lucia

saint-lucia-citizenship-by-investment-program-visa-free-access

St Lucia has been an independent Commonwealth country since 1979. An island country of the West Indies in the eastern Caribbean, St Lucia is nicknamed “Helen of the West.” The country’s official language is English, but the French-based St Lucian Creole is also widely spoken.

With its natural beauty, it’s unsurprising that St Lucia has amassed accolades, including “The World’s Leading Honeymoon Destination” and “The Caribbean’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination.”

St Lucia has a total area of 617 square kilometers. There are several small islands off the coast, the largest being the Maria Islands. Iconic landmarks include the famous Pitons, two mountainous volcanic plugs, and the world’s only drive-in volcano, Sulphur Springs, where you can dive into the mud baths.

Tourism is Saint Lucia’s primary source of employment and income — accounting for 65 percent of its GDP — and the industry has been recovering well following the pandemic. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) reports that visitor arrivals for the Caribbean in July 2022 were almost at the same level as in July 2019. The country has excellent connections worldwide, offering direct flights to London, Toronto, and Miami, Chicago, Boston, and flight paths are constantly expanding, with American Airlines opening a new route between JFK and UVF (Hewanorra International Airport) in December 2024.

saint-lucia-citizenship-by-investment-programme-factsheet

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 St Lucia Citizenship by Investment

How to get St Lucia citizenship?

You can get St Lucia citizenship by marriage, birth, naturalization, or investment. For Saint Lucia citizenship by investment, you must show outstanding character, hold a clean criminal record, have excellent health, be over 18 years old, pass St Lucia’s due diligence checks, and make a minimum financial contribution:

  • Saint Lucia National Economic Fund donation ($240,000) 
  • Investment in real estate ($300,000)
  • Approved enterprise project contribution ($250,000)
  • Government bond investment ($300,000)

What is the total cost St Lucia citizenship by investment?

St Lucia economic citizenship starts from $240,000 for a sole applicant or family of up to four. Applicants must also pay additional fees (government administrative fee, processing fees, due diligence fees, passport fees), which comes to about $14,000 for a family of four. The overall St Lucia passport cost depends on the investment route and number of qualifying dependents. 

What is the St Lucia citizenship application process?

When applying for citizenship by investment, an expert from Global Citizen Solutions will help you with the necessary paperwork according to the Citizenship by Investment Act.

  1. The St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) will receive your application and conduct a compliance check and due diligence check.
  2. The Unit will send a recommendation to the St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Board, which will make a board decision.
  3. Successful applicants must make the significant investment.
  4. A naturalization cerfiticate is granted when proof of the investment is received.

The process takes 10 to 12 months to complete.

How does St Lucia citizenship by donation work?

St Lucia citizenship by donation is a route under the St Lucia CIP program. You will be granted St Lucia citizenship by making a qualifying donation to a national fund. The lowest Saint Lucia passport price  is $240,000 for an individual applicant, a couple, or family of four. Other investment options include property investment, government bond investment, or approved enterprise investment. 

Can my family obtain St Lucia citizenship by investment?

Yes, you can include your spouse, dependent children up to age 30, dependent parents or grandparents over age 55, mentally and physically challenged dependent children and/or parents, and unmarried siblings under 18.

Is St Lucia dual citizenship allowed?

Yes, St Lucia allows dual citizenship – you keep your existing nationality and have St Lucian citizenship.

What is the St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Act?

The St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Act No. 14 of 2015 enables individuals to acquire Saint Lucian citizenship by registration following a qualifying investment in Saint Lucia. Section 33 established the Saint Lucia National Economic Fund (NEF), which receives the qualifying donations that the government uses under the national development agenda.

How long does it take to get a St Lucia passport?

Usually, it takes 10 to 12 months from the date of submission to receive a Saint Lucia citizenship certificate and Saint Lucia passport.

Not only is the St Lucian passport powerful, but St Lucia’s citizenship by investment program offers a fast application process and diverse investment options to suit different needs.

What language should my supporting documents be in?

All supporting documents must be submitted in the original language when applying for Saint Lucia citizenship. Where the original language of the supporting document is not English, you must also submit an authenticated English translation of the original.

What if my St Lucia passport application is denied?

If your Saint Lucian passport application is denied after the date of submission, you can appeal the decision if you feel there are reasonable grounds to do so. Your Authorized Agent will advise you on the appeal process.

What is the St Lucia National Economic Fund?

The fund was established in 2015 to receive donations under the Citizenship by Investment Program. Funds collected are used for purposes approved by the government as part of the national development agency priorities.

Is St Lucia a good investment?

Strategically located in the Caribbean, St Lucia’s efficient infrastructure, safe reputation, and beautiful landscape make the country a good investment location. St Lucia investor visa or citizenship benefits include privacy on the island, flexible requirements, and the fact that an investment is only needed after the application is approved. The St Lucian passport is ideal for global mobility, offering visa free travel to the EU Schengen Area, the UK, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Singapore. 

Additionally, Saint Lucia’s citizenship by investment application process is quick, the entire family is eligible, and the Saint Lucia passport is the cheapest second passport to acquire by investment. Finally, the tax advantages afforded by St Lucia’s tax environment are highly attractive, with St Lucia citizens and residents paying no worldwide income, capital gains, or inheritance taxes.

How much to buy a passport in St Lucia?

You can’t buy St Lucia citizenship or a St Lucia passport. Through the St Lucia CBI program, also known as the St Lucia Golden Visa, you can obtain a passport by investing in the country and contributing to its economic growth to enjoy St Lucia citizenship benefits. The minimum donation is $240,000 for a sole applicant or family of up to four to receive St Lucian citizenship.

Is St Lucia citizenship worth it?

St Lucia citizenship offers numerous benefits, making it worth considering for a range of individuals from retirees to expat families. St Lucia’s passport offers global mobility with visa free travel to 148 destinations, including European Union countries; there are no taxes on worldwide earnings, capital gains, or inheritance. The country’s CBI program is accessible, requiring just $240,000 to apply as an individual or small family, and there’s no requirement to visit St Lucia during the citizenship process.

St Lucia is safe, politically stable, and well-connected, offering regular international flights to key cities, including Miami, Toronto, and London. From December 2024, American Airlines will start offering flights to St Lucia from New York’s JFK International Airport.

Are there any background checks during the St Lucia CIP application process?

All Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program applicants will go through due diligence checks, including a mandatory virtual interview for applicants aged 16 and above. Due diligence fees are $8,000 for the principal applicant and $5,000 for each family member aged 16 and older. Global Citizen Solutions also conducts a preliminary due diligence check to help ensure your application will be successful.