The St Lucia real estate citizenship route allows foreign nationals to make real estate investments in the country to obtain St Lucia citizenship. This option requires an approved real estate property investment valued at least $300,000, and ownership must be maintained for five years.
Potential applicants can acquire full-title ownership or shares, including high-end branded hotels and resorts and luxury boutique properties. This guide provides everything you need to know about the real estate option for obtaining St Lucia Citizenship by Investment.
- Overview of St Lucia real estate citizenship
- St Lucia real estate citizenship benefits
- St Lucia real estate citizenship requirements
- Eligibility criteria for St Lucia real estate citizenship
- Government-approved real estate developments
- St Lucia application process for real estate investment
- St Lucia citizenship timeline
Key Points of St Lucia Real Estate Citizenship
- Minimum property investment: $300,000
- Additional fees: Government administrative fee, due diligence fee, processing fee, and passport fee
- Minimum holding period: Five years
- Approved property types: Government-approved luxury resorts, hotels, and boutique properties
- Resale restrictions: Property can only be resold after five years to non-CBI applicants
- Eligibility criteria: Over 18 with no criminal record
- Family inclusion: Spouse, dependent children, parents, grandparents, and siblings
- Income potential: Property developers of rental income opportunities
St Lucia Citizenship by Real Estate Investment Overview
Real estate investment is one of the four investment routes to obtain St Lucia Citizenship by Investment. The minimum investment starts at $300,000, and foreign investors must purchase shares of St Lucia government-approved real estate projects.
The options include high-end resort accommodation, which functions as both a qualifying investment to obtain citizenship and a St Lucia passport and an income-generating asset. Successful applicants must hold their investment for five years after being granted citizenship.
Nine Benefits of Getting St Lucia Citizenship by Investment in Property
- Low minimum investment required: The required minimum investment amount of $300,000 stays the same when including any number of family members in your application.
- Earn rental income: In addition to obtaining a citizenship certificate, you can earn a high annual rental yield of three to five percent.
- Invest in sought-after tourist accommodations: Approved real estate projects in St Lucia consist of internationally recognized hotel brands and lucrative boutique developments that deliver assured returns.
- Family inclusion: While Dominica offers a lower minimum threshold when comparing St Lucia vs Dominica citizenship, St Lucia offers more comprehensive family inclusion for property investors.
- Tax benefits: St Lucia property owners are not subject to worldwide income tax, capital gains tax, wealth, or inheritance taxes.
- No residency requirement: There is no requirement to visit St Lucia to complete the foreign investment or live there to maintain dual citizenship.
- Visa free travel: Investors in approved real estate properties qualify for a St Lucia passport with visa free access to 148 St Lucia passport visa free countries.
- Dual citizenship: The Government of St Lucia recognizes dual citizenship, allowing new St Lucian citizens to maintain multiple citizenships.
- No ALHL requirement: The real estate citizenship option in St Lucia does not require applicants to obtain an ALHL (Alien Landholding License) to purchase property.
Requirements to Obtain St Lucia Citizenship by Purchasing Approved Real Estate Properites
Caribbean real estate investment in St Lucia for citizenship requires a minimum investment of at least $300,000 in 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 dependent 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.
Who can participate in the St Lucia citizenship by real estate program?
Real estate citizenship by investment in St Lucia is a primary reason the country ranks among the Caribbean’s best investment destinations in the Global Residency and Citizenship by Investment Report. It allows foreign investors to buy property and acquire St Lucia citizenship. All foreign nationals can participate in the program as long as they’re not from or have ties to any prohibited country.
Eligibility criteria
Main applicant
- Be over 18 years old
- Have a clean criminal record
- Be of excellent character
- Make a qualifying investment
Qualifying dependents
- Spouse
- 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 Real Estate Citizenship Costs and Fees
| Real Estate Investment | Single Applicant | Main Applicant + Spouse | Additional Dependent (Under 18) | Additional Dependent (Over 18) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Investment | $300,000 | |||
| Government Administrative Fee | $30,000 | +$15,000 | +$10,000 each | +$5,000 each |
Minimum investment thresholds (2025 Updates)
St Lucia’s minimum real estate investment threshold to obtain citizenship was increased in 2024 from $200,000 to $300,000. As of 2025, the minimum investment amount remains the same.
St Lucia Government-Approved Real Estate Projects
Properties approved under the St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Act comprise two property types:
High-end branded hotel or resort:
- At least 70 rooms
- 4 or 5-star rating
- Recognized hotel brand
- Sophisticated, luxury service and amenities
High-end boutique property:
- 20 to 70 rooms
- Located in a unique environment
- Upscale with refined accommodation
- Personalized service with a high staff-to-guest ratio
A’ILA Resorts Villas & Residences
A’ILA Resorts, Villas, & Residences in Mount Pimard in Rodney Bay offers luxury living among natural beauty. The development comprises villas, apartments, and a luxury hotel.
- The LifeCo Wellness Center: 65 rooms
- Aila Palm Family Hotel: 153 rooms
- Aila Cove Adult-only Hotel: 320 rooms
- Blue Zone Residences: 29 units
- Sunset Residences: 156 units
- Villas: 90 units (220 m2 to 850 m2)
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Application Process to Obtain Real Estate Citizenship in St Lucia
The St Lucia immigration process through real estate investment follows the application process outlined below:
1. Preliminary due diligence check with an Authorized Agent
Contact an Authorized Agent St Lucia Citizenship by Investment lawyer licensed by the St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) to start the citizenship process. The licensed agent will conduct preliminary due diligence checks 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 to obtain citizenship to the St Lucia Citizenship Unit on your behalf.
4. Due diligence
An independent firm will carry out the necessary background, including a mandatory virtual interview. You must provide supporting documents if requested.
5. Application approval
Within seven months of submitting your application, you will receive an approval letter from the CIU stating that your application has been Approved in Principle.
6. Complete real estate purchase
Following the approval of your application by the CIU, you can now make the investment in your chosen government-approved project and send proof of purchase to the CIU.
7. Receive your St Lucia passport
You and your family will be granted citizenship and a St Lucia certificate of naturalization, and your St Lucia passports will be sent to an address of your choice.
As an applicant to the St Lucia CBI program, your application must be submitted through an agency with a St Lucia CIP license.
St Lucia Real Estate Market Insights
St Lucia’s real estate market has seen a surge in interest, with real estate experts like Michael Gordan at Saint Lucia Realty highlighting the demand among foreign buyers for seaview properties, modern amenities, and direct beach access.
Cap Estate, Rodney Bay, and Marigot Bay are three of St Lucia’s prime destinations for real estate investment, and a report by Island Global Research showed that investments in such destinations can produce a rental yield of four to seven percent. Though exact figures on current property appreciation are sparse, a 2022–23 study by the Realtors’ Association (Saint Lucia) Ltd revealed an eight percent price increase during that period.
Average St Lucia Property Prices
| Property Type | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Property Type Average Price One-bedroom condo, 130 meters squared, located in an apartment complex | $100,000 to $300,000 |
| Two-bedroom apartment, 200 meters squared, located a short distance from the beach | $400,000 to $1 million |
| Family villa with three to four bedrooms, 2,500 square feet, located 100 meters to 1 mile from the beach | $500,000 to $1.5 million |
| Beachfront villa with four to five bedrooms and a sea view, 8,000 square feet, located 50 to 100 meters from the beach | $800,000 to $2 million |
| 10 to 15-room hotel with a pool, 16,500ft2, located 100 meters from the beach | $1.7 million to $6 million |
Property taxes in St Lucia
When buying property in Saint Lucia to obtain citizenship, you must pay annual property taxes. The St Lucia government-approved real estate tax depends on the property type. The tax rate for residential property is 0.25, and the rate for commercial property is 0.4 percent.
St Lucia Citizenship Timeline
The St Lucia citizenship processing time through the real estate investment route takes about 10 to 12 months, provided you fulfill the required eligibility and investment requirements. The mandatory Caribbean citizenship interview is conducted virtually, reducing the overall citizenship timeline.
St Lucia Real Estate Investment Compared with Other Options
The Saint Lucia real estate investment option under the citizenship by investment program doubles as a qualifying investment and long-term asset. Unlike non-refundable contributions to the Saint Lucia National Economic Fund (NEF), business investments, and St Lucia government bonds acquisitions, buying property in St Lucia to get citizenship comes with the potential to earn rental income.
| NEF Contribution | Real Estate Investment | Enterprise Investment | Government Bonds Acquisition | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Investment Type | Non-refundable contribution | Real estate shares aquisition | Sole or joint business investment | National Action Government Bonds purchase |
| Minimum Investment Required | $240,000 | $300,000 | -$250,000 in joint $6 million venture -$3.5 million sole investment | $300,000 |
| Additional Fees | -Due diligence fee -Processing fee -Passport fee | -Government application fee -Due diligence fee -Processing fee -Passport fee | -Government application fee -Administrative fee -Due diligence fee -Processing fee -Passport fee | -Government application fee -Due diligence fee -Processing fee -Passport fee |
| Asset Ownership | N/A | Tangible asset | Intangible asset | |
| Refundability | No | Yes | ||
| Minimum Holding Period | N/A | Five years | ||
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.
