Manuel Garrido
If you’re considering moving to a naturally beautiful and accessible Caribbean island, the St Lucia immigration process provides several pathways to establish residency. Foreign nationals can move to St Lucia through obtaining a work permit, buying property on the island, or investing in the St Lucia citizenship program.
For travelers who wish to learn about immigration to St Lucia, this guide offers essential details on the requirements to visit St Lucia or move there permanently.
St Lucia Visitor Requirements
The Immigration Department of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force issues non-immigrant visas to foreign nationals to enter the country. Citizens of specific countries, including CARICOM nations, the European Union, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and its territories, and other countries in the British Commonwealth do not require non-immigrant visas to enter St Lucia for up to 42 days (six weeks).
The following table lists key visa information for Americans and other foreign nationals who don’t need a visa:
Requirement | Rule |
Flight information: | Flight number, airline, and departure airport |
Travel document: | Valid passport with biometric page |
Passport validity: | Duration of the trip |
Tourist visa: | Electronic Entry Form |
Proof of accommodation: | Must produce evidence of booked accommodation, if asked |
Proof of onward travel: | Must produce evidence of onward ticket, if asked |
Blank passport pages: | One page required for entry stamp |
Vaccination: | None (Yellow fever vaccine required if visited country with risk of yellow fever in the six weeks before arrival) |
Currency restrictions for entry: | None |
Currency restrictions for exit: | None |
New Electronic Entry Form
The St Lucia government introduced a new electronic immigration form requiring all air passengers to register their impending arrival on the St Lucia Online Immigration & Customs Platform.
A benefit of the electronic form is there are no time restraints for submission; travelers arriving in St Lucia can submit the St Lucia online form prior to departure, on board flights that offer internet services, or after arriving in Saint Lucia using the airport’s internet services.
After the electronic form is completed, visitors receive a receipt with a QR code by email, which they must present to St Lucia Immigration and Customs at the airport along with their travel documents.
Requirements for citizens of countries that require visas
Foreign nationals who are not eligible for the St Lucia Electronic Entry Form must apply for a single-entry or multiple-entry visa through their nearest St Lucia Embassy or Consulate. The St Lucia passport requirements vary depending on the applicant, but typically include completing a St Lucia immigration form, providing details on the purpose of travel, financial documentation, and paying visa fees.
Understanding Immigration Pathways to Saint Lucia
Among the various St Lucia immigration options, citizenship by investment is the most consistent and legally sound method to permanently reside in the country. Individuals with skills that fill labor shortages in St Lucia may qualify for a work visa through an employment contract with a St Lucian business or international company operating there.
Although this overview highlights several ways to immigrate to St Lucia, individuals should know that the right to reside in St Lucia and obtaining St Lucia citizenship are governed differently and offer distinct benefits.
St Lucia residents are allowed to live in the country as long as they comply with the St Lucia immigration terms of their visa. Leaving the country may result in the complete loss of their residency status and ties to St Lucia.
Unlike residents, St Lucian nationals enjoy unconditional rights, highlighted by St Lucia’s ranking of 5th on the Global Intelligence Unit Global Residency and Citizenship by Investment Report. Citizens can live in the country, hold a St Lucia passport, retain a permanent connection, and pass citizenship down to future generations.
St Lucia Immigration Requirements for Residency
There are three options to emigrate to St Lucia:
- Right to reside
- Permanent residence
- Citizenship
Right to reside
The right to reside in St Lucia is granted for the following purposes:
- Work: Eligible if filling a labor shortage
- Study: Requires enrolment in an educational institution
- Family reunification: Applies to qualifying family members of legal residents
Permanent residence
Permanent residence is granted after five years of continuous residence in St Lucia. St Lucia permanent residents receive a permanent residence stamp, eliminating the requirement to renew a residence permit or fill out a St Lucia electronic immigration form online prior to travel or at the airport after arrival.
Citizenship by investment
Expats can obtain a St Lucia passport and the right to permanently reside their through the St Lucia citizenship by investment program (CBI). The program requires investing in the country through one of the following options:
- $240,000 contribution to the National Economic Fund (NEF)
- $300,000 approved St Lucia real estate purchase
- $250,000 approved enterprise investment
- $300,000 St Lucia government bonds acquisition
Family members, including spouses, dependent children, parents, and grandparents, also qualify for St Lucia’s CBI program. Citizenship grants a Caribbean passport and the right to permanently migrate to St Lucia without restrictions.
Passport requirements
- Passport application form
- Original birth certificate
- Certified copy of passport biodata page
- Two passport-sized photos (2 inch x 2 inch) with one certified
- Affidavit of Name Difference or Deed Poll (if applicable)
- Marriage (for married women only)
- Divorce certificate (for divorced women only)
- Death certificate (for widowed women only)
St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Immigration Process
St Lucia permanent residence
Permanent residence is granted after five years of continuous residence in St Lucia. St Lucia permanent residents receive a permanent residence stamp, waiving the requirement to fill out a St Lucia electronic immigration form online prior to travel or at the airport.
St Lucia citizenship by investment process
Applying for St Lucia citizenship by investment is relatively straightforward.
- Choose an Authorized Agent to process your application: Your licensed St Lucia citizenship by investment lawyer or agent will provide a personal service, walking you through all the necessary paperwork and visa requirements for a successful citizenship application.
- Complete all the application forms as provided by your Authorized Agent: Ensure all the documents are legalized according to the St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Unit’s (CIU) standards. The Government of St Lucia Immigration Department assesses the application and conducts background checks on each applicant.
- The CIU approves your application: A letter of approval will be issued, with detailed instructions on making the required investment.
- Choose your preferred investment within 60 days of receiving notice from the CIU: Submit proof of purchase of your qualifying investment, as well as the government application fees.
- Become a citizen: Upon receiving proof of payment, the CIU issues the certificate of citizenship registration. Applicants must then submit the passport documents and passport application. You are then granted citizenship of St Lucia and access to St Lucia passport visa free countries.
Take a look at our St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Ultimate Guide by Experts
St Lucia Immigration for OECS Citizens
Thanks to the Free Movement of Persons Regime in the Eastern Caribbean established by the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), OECS citizens enjoy freedom of movement between member states, including St Lucia. Additionally, OECS citizens can visit Saint Lucia without a valid passport using their national photo ID card. This means when considering Grenada vs St Lucia citizenship benefits for visa free travel, both are equal for free movement.
Life in St Lucia
Expats living in St Lucia enjoy a relaxed and nature-immersed lifestyle, with tropical temperatures all year, stunning beaches, and numerous cultural events. All St Lucians speak English, which is the country’s official language, which makes cultural integration easier for English-speaking expats.
Living costs in St Lucia are much lower than those in luxury Caribbean destinations like Barbados and Antigua.
Securing the fifth spot in the CBI rankings published by the Global Intelligence Unit at Global Citizen Solutions, St Lucia has developed a sizeable expat population, with towns like Rodney Bay and Soufrière being some of the most sought-after for St Lucia real estate investment.
They are home to many foreigners and offer amenities, bars and restaurants, private health clinics, and entertainment. St Lucian infrastructure has improved over the years, but foreigners immigrating to St Lucia from developed countries should understand there are still some limitations, especially in rural areas.
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 Immigrating to St Lucia
Can I Immigrate to St Lucia?
Yes, immigration to St Lucia is possible. St Lucia acknowledges three types of residency: Citizenship, permanent residence, and the right to reside.
How do you become a citizen of St Lucia?
There are several paths to Saint Lucia citizenship. A person born in St Lucia will obtain citizenship by birth. A person with at least one St Lucian parent obtains citizenship by descent. Spouses of St Lucia citizens are eligible for citizenship by marriage. Alternatively, a person can invest in St Lucia and obtain St Lucia citizenship by investing at least $240,000 in the country’s economy.
How can I move to St Lucia?
To move to St Lucia as a non-national, you can either apply for St Lucia’s citizenship by investment program by making a qualifying investment starting from $240,000 and using a licensed Caribbean immigration service or obtain a St Lucian work permit.
How long can a foreigner stay in St Lucia?
Foreigners from countries that qualify for the Electronic Entry Form can stay in St Lucia for 42 days visa free. Citizens of CARICOM countries can stay in St Lucia for up to six months. Citizens of other OECS members can stay in St Lucia indefinitely, provided they register their stay with the St Lucia immigration office.
Do you need an immigration form for St Lucia?
All travelers arriving by air must complete a St Lucia electronic immigration form and present the receipt with the QR code to Saint Lucia customs upon arrival. The online form should ideally be completed three days prior to arrival; however, travelers can also complete the onboard flights that offer internet services or at an airport in St Lucia.
What is the pre-arrival registration form for St Lucia?
The St Lucia pre-arrival registration form is an electronic form that must be submitted by travelers from visa free countries when visiting the country. Travelers must complete the online immigration form online prior to entering Saint Lucia. Travelers must enter details of their trip, their age, and contact number, as well as answer personal questions, such as their health status.
What do I need to live in St Lucia?
To live in St Lucia as a foreigner, you need a valid residence visa. However, you can immigrate to St Lucia and avoid visa requirements by becoming a citizen through the country’s citizenship by investment program.
