INTERESTED IN A CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT PROGRAMME?
ST. LUCIA CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT PROGRAMME
Sa ou it là – What do you say?
Located in the Windward Islands and home to a World Heritage site, the Pitons, a pair of dramatically tapered mountains, St. Lucia has a mixture of cultures in its offerings. From Carib settlement remains to forts and buildings from its Dutch, French and English colonisation, the landscape reflects the heavy competition between nations to control the island. This leads to the nickname, ‘the Helen of the West,’ because the island changed rule 14 times, seven times French and seven times English. The heavy charm of St. Lucia continues to infect visitors to this day.
St. Lucia Citizenship-by-Investment
The St. Lucia Citizenship-by-Investment Programme requires Applicants to make a significant economic contribution to the country. In exchange, and subject to a stringent application process and due diligence checks, the Applicants and their families are granted full citizenship. The St. Lucia Citizenship-by-Investment Programme is regulated by the Citizenship-by-Investment Act No. 14 of 2015.
Main Benefits of investing in St. Lucia
Visa-free travel, or visa-on-arrival to over 146 countries including the Schengen Zone, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom.
No Residency or travel requirements
Allows Dual citizenship
Confidential Due Diligence process
Short processing time
Citizens are not taxed on worldwide income
Applicants are able to include a spouse, children under 31, siblings under 18, and parents aged 56 and over, as well as to add dependents after they have been granted citizenship
Investment Options
St. Lucia has crafted a Citizenship-by-Investment Programme to match the ambitions of all prospective Applicants. There are four investment options available to clients:
National Economic Fund (NEF)
The St. Lucia National Economic Fund (NEF) was established in 2015 under Section 33 of the Citizenship by Investment Act for the sole purpose of receiving qualifying investments of cash for funding government sponsored projects to help the national development agenda of St. Lucia.
| Government Fees for contribution to NEF | Main Applicant | Main Applicant and Spouse | Main Applicant, Spouse, and up to two other qualifying Dependents | Main Applicant, Spouse, two other qualifying Dependents and additional Dependents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Processing fees |
US$2,000 |
US$2,000 PLUS US$1,000 for each Dependent |
US$2,000 PLUS US$1,000 for each Dependent |
US$2,000 PLUS US$1,000 for each Dependent |
|
Minimum Contribution to NEF |
US$200,000 |
US$235,000 |
US$250,000 PLUS US$15,000 for each additional Dependent |
US$ 250,000 PLUS US$25,000 for each additional Dependent after the first two |
|
Due Diligence |
US$7,500 |
Main Applicant: US$7,500 Dependents aged 16 and older: US$4,000 |
Main Applicant: US$7,500 Dependents aged 16 and older: US$4,000 |
Main Applicant: US$7,500 Dependents aged 16 and older: US$4,000 |
Real Estate Investment
Applicants making an investment under the Real Estate option are required to make a purchase of real estate with a minimum value of US$300,000 from an approved real estate development, which must be held for a minimum period of five years. Investments, equaling the agreed purchase price, are deposited in an approved irrevocable escrow account managed jointly by the developer and the Citizenship-by-Investment Unit in Saint Lucia.
| Government Fees for contribution under Real Estate Option | Main Applicant | Main Applicant and Spouse | Family of six persons | Family of more than six persons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Processing fees |
US$2,000 |
US$2,000 PLUS US$1,000 for each Dependent |
US$2,000 PLUS US$1,000 for each Dependent |
US$2,000 PLUS US$1,000 for each Dependent |
|
Government Administration Fees (non-refundable) |
US$30,000 |
US$45,000 PLUS US$1,000 for each Dependent |
US$30,000 PLUS US$10,000 for each Dependent aged 18 and older OR US$5,000 for each Dependent aged 17 and under |
US$10,000 for each subsequent family member after sixth |
|
Minimum Real Estate Investment |
US$300,000 |
US$300,000 |
US$300,000 |
US$300,000 |
|
Due Diligence |
US$7,500 |
Main Applicant: US$7,500 PlUS US$4,000 for Dependents aged 16 and older |
Main Applicant: US$7,500 PlUS US$4,000 for Dependents aged 16 and older |
Main Applicant: US$7,500 PlUS US$4,000 for Dependents aged 16 and older |
Approved Enterprise Project
Applications under the Approved Enterprise Project would require an investment in an approved enterprise project (as set out in the regulations). Option 1 outlines a minimum investment of US $3.5 million in a business, plus the creation of no less than three permanent jobs. Alternatively, Option 2 outlines a joint contribution of at least US$6 million (with each applicant contributing a minimum of US$1 million), plus the creation of no fewer than six permanent jobs.
| Government Fees for contribution under Approved Enterprise Project Option | Main Applicant | Main Applicant and Spouse | Main Applicant, Spouse, and up to two other qualifying Dependents | Main Applicant, Spouse, two other qualifying Dependents and additional Dependents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Processing fees |
US$2,000 |
US$2,000 PLUS US$1,000 for each Dependent |
US$2,000 PLUS US$1,000 for each Dependent |
US$2,000 PLUS US$1,000 for each Dependent |
|
Government Administration fees |
US$30,000 |
US$45,000 PLUS US$1,000 for each Dependent |
US$30,000 PLUS US$10,000 for each Dependent aged 18 and older OR US$5,000 for each Dependent aged 17 and under |
US$ 10,000 for each subsequent family member after sixth |
|
Minimum Enterprise Investment Option 1 (single applicant) |
US$3,500,000 |
US$3,500,000 |
US$3,500,000 |
US$3,500,000 |
|
Minimum Enterprise Investment Option 2 (2 or more Joint |
Minimum Enterprise Investment Option 2 (2 or more Joint |
Minimum Enterprise Investment Option 2 (2 or more Joint |
US$6,000,000 in total with each Applicant contributing a minimum of US$1,000,000 |
US$6,000,000 in total with each Applicant contributing a minimum of US$1,000,000 |
|
Due Diligence |
US$7,500 |
Main Applicant: US$7,500 PLUS US$4,000 for Dependents aged 16 and older |
Main Applicant: US$7,500 PLUS US$4,000 for Dependents aged 16 and older |
Main Applicant: US$7,500 PLUS US$4,000 for Dependents aged 16 and older |
Purchase of Non-Interest Bearing Government Bonds Option
There are currently 2 options for bond purchases:
Government Bonds, under regulation 12(1) of the Citizenship by Investment Regulations, Cap. 1.20,
Under the Covid-19 Relief Bond, available for a limited period until 31 December 2021
Applicants who wish to make a contribution under the Purchase of the Government Bonds option would make a purchase in the name of the Main Applicant. The bond should remain in at least a five year hold from the date of purchase and not attract a rate of interest for the duration of the bond.
Option 1: Government Bonds
| Government Fees for purchase of Government Bonds | Main Applicant | Main Applicant and Spouse | Main Applicant, Spouse, and two other qualifying Dependents | Main Applicant, Spouse, two other qualifying Dependents and additional Dependents. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Processing fees |
US$2,000 |
US$2,000 PLUS US$1,000 for each Dependent |
US$2,000 PLUS US$1,000 for each Dependent |
US$2,000 PLUS US$1,000 for each Dependent |
|
Government Administration Fees (non-refundable) |
US$50,000 |
US$50,000 |
US$50,000 |
US$50,000 |
|
Minimum Bond Purchase Option 1 – Government Bonds |
US$500,000 |
US$535,000 |
US$550,000 |
US$550,000 PLUS US$25,000 for each additional Dependent after the first two |
|
Due Diligence |
US$7,500 |
Main Applicant: US$7,500 PlUS US$4,500 for Dependents aged 16 and older |
Main Applicant: US$7,500 PlUS US$5,000 for Dependents aged 16 and older |
Main Applicant: US$7,500 PlUS US$5,000 for Dependents aged 16 and older |
Option 2: COVID-19 Relief Bond
| Government Fees for purchase of Government Bonds | Main Applicant | Main Applicant and Spouse | Main Applicant, Spouse, and two other qualifying Dependents | Main Applicant, Spouse, two other qualifying Dependents and additional Dependents. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Processing fees |
US$2,000 |
US$2,000 PLUS US$1,000 for each Dependent |
US$2,000 PLUS US$1,000 for each Dependent |
US$2,000 PLUS US$1,000 for each Dependent |
|
Government Administration Fees (non-refundable) |
US$30,000 |
US$35,000 |
US$ 35,000 PLUS US $25,000 for each additional qualifying Dependent of ANY age |
US$ 35,000 PLUS US $25,000 for each additional qualifying Dependent of ANY age |
|
Minimum Bond Purchase Option 2 – COVID-19 Relief Bond
(available until 31st December 2021)
|
US$250,000 (bond holding period is five years) |
US$250,000 (bond holding period is five years) |
US$ 250,000 (bond holding period is seven years) OR US $300,000 (bond holding period is five years) |
Each subsequent qualifying dependent is US$ 15,000 |
|
Due Diligence |
US$7,500 |
Main Applicant: US$7,500 PlUS US$5,000 for Dependents aged 16 and older |
Main Applicant: US$7,500 PlUS US$5,000 for Dependents aged 16 and older |
Main Applicant: US$7,500 PlUS US$5,000 for Dependents aged 16 and older |
Requirements of
St Lucia Citizenship By Investment
Applicants must:
Be at least 18 years of age
Satisfy a minimum qualifying investment
Hold no criminal record (save for minor traffic offences)
Have excellent health
Pass a due diligence background check
In your application you may also include:
A spouse of the main applicant
Children of the main applicant or of his or her spouse who is twenty-one years of age or below
Children of the main applicant or of his or her spouse who is no more than thirty years of age and who is fully supported by the applicant
Children of the main applicant or of his or her spouse, of any age, who is physically or mentally challenged and who is fully supported by the applicant
A parent of the main applicant or of his or her spouse who is above fifty-five years of age and who is fully supported by the main applicant
A parent of any age who is physically or mentally challenged and who is fully supported by the main applicant
An unmarried sister or brother of the main applicant who is below eighteen years of age and who has received the consent of his or her parent or guardian to make an application for citizenship by investment