St Lucia Citizenship by Investment

FAQ'S

How do I get citizenship through investment in St Lucia

Once you have obtained advice on the most appropriate programme and decided on St Lucia you can apply through La Vida and we will manage the full application for you.

Do I have to live in St Lucia to become a citizen?

No. The Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment programme has no minimum stay requirement. As a citizen of St Lucia, you have the right to reside in the country for as long or little as you like.

How much does St Lucia Citizenship by Investment cost?

It depends on the investment route and there are currently three investment routes in Saint Lucia to choose from:

1. Citizenship by Donation – A non-refundable contribution to a government fund from $240,000 for a family of four persons.
2. Citizenship by Real Estate Investment – $300,000 into a government-approved project, plus fees.
3. Citizenship by Enterprise Investment –  $250,000 for a family of four persons., plus fees.

Additional government, professional and due diligence fees apply in all cases, for a personalised quotation, please contact us.

Can I invest in Government Bonds in St Lucia?

Yes, in January 2023, the St Lucia Citizenship Unit announced a new bond offering, known as the National Action Bond, which requires a refundable deposit of $300,000, plus fees, regardless of the number of applicants included. The bond must be held for five years, following this it will be refunded to the investor at 0% interest.

Prior to this, the Government ran a Limited Time Offer, called the Covid-19 Relief bond, which closed in December 2023.

What are the required documents for Citizenship by Investment in Saint Lucia

A variety of documents are required to apply for Citizenship by Investment in St Lucia. The list may vary depending on your personal circumstances. La Vida’s in-house processing team will work closely with you and advise on exactly what will be required. Some of the most common documents required are:

• Passports and ID cards
• Birth certificates
• Marriage certificates
• Police Reports
• Proof of Address
• Proof of Funds / Bank Statements
• Employment records
• Education records

How long does it take to get St Lucia Citizenship through investment?

La Vida has extensive experience submitting CBI Applications to St Lucia and other Caribbean countries. It allows us to quote our own actual figures based on a sizeable number of submissions for each program. Figures you see elsewhere on the web could be borrowed, generically quoted or amended to suit the message. We also caution against agents claiming quicker times. Everyone submits to the same processing unit and there is no favouritism. An agent influences the timeline based on their efficiency in processing prior to submission and ensuring the application is complete and accurate. And then further, in dealing efficiently and knowledgeably with any questions that come back from the CBI unit.

The latest timeline (taken as last two-year moving average) from submission to approval of citizenship for St Lucia is 5.3 months. The fastest approval time we have experienced during that period was 3.1 months. Please bear in mind, as with all CBI programmes, once approved there is a further period of bank clearing, making the investment and issue of the citizenship certificate before the application and receipt of a passport. The average additional time for this for St Lucia was a further 6.9 months.

Prior to submission, it typically takes applicants an average of 2-6 weeks to gather all the necessary documents to compile their file before submission. La Vida’s team will assist with all aspects of the process. Our market leading client portal offers complete security for documentation and efficient and transparent processing, enabling clients to update their documents at their own pace and track their progress. We feel this leads to the most stress free and efficient process in ensuring a complete and accurate file for submission.

One further point for St Lucia is the backlog of CBI applications. This is already built into the figures above. But as we approach the end of 2024 the backlog is past its peak. We hope and expect processing times will come down rapidly from here.

What family members can I include in my St Lucia citizenship by investment application?

The main applicant can include the following family members:

• Spouse
• Children up to 21 years of age, of the main applicant or spouse
• Dependent children up to the age of 30 years old who are fully supported by the main applicant
• Dependent Children of any age who are physically or mentally challenged and fully supported by the main applicant
• Dependent parents of the main applicant or spouse who are above 55 years of age and fully supported by the main applicant
• Dependent Parents of any age who are physically or mentally challenged and fully supported by the main applicant
• Unmarried siblings of the main applicant below eighteen years of age (must have consent from their parent or guardian)

How many countries will a Saint Lucia Passport give me visa-free access to?

St Lucia passport holders benefit from visa-free access to 158 countries and territories worldwide according to La Vida’s Unique Passport Value Report for St Lucia. This represents over a third of the world’s GDP and includes access to the EU Schengen zone, UK, Hong Kong, Singapore and more.

Do I have to pay tax in Saint Lucia?

You are not required to pay any income tax on your worldwide income in Saint Lucia or capital gains tax. You are only required to pay tax on any income derived in Saint Lucia.

How long is my Saint Lucia passport valid for?

Once you have been granted citizenship in Saint Lucia, this is for life. However, your St Lucia passport has a validity period of five years. All applicants will be required to renew their passports every five years. The renewal fees are minimal, currently around $200 pp.

Am I required to travel to process my St Lucia Citizenship application?

There is no requirement to visit St Lucia to process your Citizenship by Investment application. The entire process can be completed remotely through La Vida. Once you are granted St Lucian Citizenship, there is no minimum stay requirement either.

Can I apply for the Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment programme if I have a health condition?

All applicants are required to undertake a full medical check, certified by a registered doctor as part of the application process for St Lucia. This includes supplying a HIV test and full blood count and completing the official medical form. Even if the medical report states the applicant has an existing health condition, it is still possible to apply in most cases. Please contact us for specific circumstances and we can clarify based on your personal situation.

Do I need to take a language test to apply for St Lucia Citizenship?

No language test is required to apply for Citizenship by Investment in Saint Lucia.

Can I pay for my Saint Lucia CBI application in Cryptocurrency?

La Vida can accept direct cryptocurrency payments for our application and processing fees subject to the usual Due Diligence and AML procedures. However, the main investment for St Lucia Citizenship is payable to the St Lucian Citizenship by Investment Unit. These funds need to be paid in USD, so any cryptocurrency would need to be converted to USD first. For more details on how La Vida can assist you with cryptocurrency payments, please get in touch.

Can I have dual Citizenship in St Lucia?

Saint Lucia allow dual citizenship with all countries. It is worth checking with your current country if they also permit dual citizenship.

Can unmarried or same sex couples apply for Saint Lucia's Citizenship Programme?

Applicants must be legally married if wanting to apply together under one family application. Unfortunately, same-sex marriage is not yet legally recognised in Saint Lucia or the other Caribbean nations offering CBI programmes. In this circumstance, the best solution is for the two individuals to apply as single applicants separately.

Alternatively, if you wish to apply with your partner, then you could consider one of the European Golden Visa programmes where same-sex marriage and unmarried couples are eligible to apply together.

Will I qualify for the St Lucia Citizenship by Investment programme?

Other than making the required investment applicants will need to pass the St Lucia government Due Diligence and Anti Money Laundering requirements. The DD and AML tests are extensive and fees are payable on application. However before committing La Vida can provide an initial and free assessment on your likelihood of success for the St Lucia CBI program through our own due diligence pre-screening. In addition to our own tests this uses the two most prominent commercially available products available to scan for potential issues and adverse media. Please contact our advisors if you would like your free assessment before proceeding.