ABOUT SAINT LUCIA CITIZENSHIP
In 2015, the Saint Lucia Citizenship Program was launched. The Saint Lucia program is recognized as one of the latest citizenship by investment programs in the Caribbean. To apply for this program, an individual must be above the age of 18, in good health condition, and without any trace of criminality.
In addition, the applicant would be required to invest in real estate approved by the government or a non-refundable donation to the Saint Lucia National Economic Fund.
Facts About Saint Lucia
- The country is named after a Roman Catholic Saint called St. Lucy.
- Saint Lucia is situated in the Atlantic Ocean, right in the Caribbean. It is a volcanic island and a part of the Windward island located near the Islands of St. Vincent and Martinique.
- The two volcanic mountains, “Pitons” at the World Heritage Site, are one of the famous features of the island. These volcanic mountains are the world’s only drive-in volcanoes.
- The total area of Saint Lucia is 620 sq. It is 43km long and 23km wide.
- It has calm and typical weather for a Caribbean island, with temperatures of bout 21 to 32 degrees. The northeast trade winds regulate the tropical climate (allowing favorable weather throughout the year).
- The island is situated in the hurricane belt, but it has wonderfully escaped the destructive hurricanes.
- The official language of Saint Lucia is English. However, over 95% of the
indigenous people speak a French dialect known as Saint Lucian Creole French. - Saint Lucia is a member of the UN, British Commonwealth, and its legal system is dependent on English law.
- Saint Lucia is also a member of the Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, UNO, African, Association of Caribbean States, WTO, Caribbean Community, Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, Non-aligned Movement, Organization of America States, and the Organization of the Eastern Caribbean States.
- Saint Lucia hosts the headquarters of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States in the capital city of Castries.
- The Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD) is the official currency
- Bananas are the country’s main export. Also, it exports petroleum oil and beers. Tourism is important to the country’s economy, as it attracts visitors to the island from cruise ships.
Alternatively, the Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment program is St. Lucia CIP. The program is well approved and guaranteed by the government. In Saint Lucia, there are no inheritance taxes or capital gains. No tax on worldwide income for its citizenship holders. Property tax is levied on all properties.
BENEFITS OF SAINT LUCIA CITIZENSHIP
Visa-free Travel
Citizens of Saint Lucia can travel visa-free and visa-on-arrival to more than 140 countries, including Singapore, Hong Kong, the Schengen Area, and the U.K.
Supported by the Law
The Saint Lucia Citizenship is backed up and guaranteed by the government.
Smooth Process
The processing for Saint Lucia Citizenship is without stress, and within a space of 6 months application would get approval.
Tax Relief
There is minimal taxation and no taxation on gifts, wealth, foreign income, inheritance, or capital gains.
Minimal Residency Requirements
There are no residency requirements for citizenship applications in Saint Lucia. Applicants do not need to travel either before or after the application.
Dual Citizenship Allowed
There is no need for applicants to renounce their original citizenship. Obtaining second citizenship with Saint Lucia is allowed.
VISA FREE COUNTRIES FOR ST. LUCIA
Obtaining Saint Lucia Citizenship grants some travel benefits to its citizens. Saint Lucia passport allows visa-free and visa-on-arrival easy access to more than 140 countries across the globe.
Holders of the Saint Lucia Citizenship may decide to stay in their home countries and still benefit from the visa-free and visa-on-arrival features.
(Visa-free and visa-on-arrival countries)
- Andorra
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Austria
- Bahamas
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Barbados
- Belgium
- Belize
- Benin
- Bolivia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Bulgaria
- Cambodia
- Cape Verde
- Chile
- Colombia
- Comoros
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cuba
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Estonia
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Jordan
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Latvia
- Lesotho
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Malta
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Micronesia
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Mozambique
- Nepal
- Netherlands
- Nicaragua
- Norway
- Palau
- Panama
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Rwanda
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Samoa
- San Marino
- Senegal
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- Somalia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Suriname
- Swaziland
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- Timor-Leste
- Togo
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- The United Kingdom and Crown dependencies
- Vanuatu
- Vatican City
- Venezuela
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
GUIDELINES FOR APPLICATION FOR SAINT LUCIA CITIZENSHIP
Document Screening
We assist you in screening your document in preparation for government approval. For this process to go smoothly, applicants are expected to make a down payment for opening the application. We will get a response within 48 hours.
Collection of Checklist Document
We have professionals who will assist you in collecting the proper documents needed by the government to process your citizenship application.
Submission of Application and Due Diligence Fees
At this stage, the application is submitted alongside the diligence fees. If the applicant chooses to make the real estate option, a reservation will be made. Note that the real estate funds will be refunded if the application is declined.
Diligence Report and Government Decision
A due diligence report is sent to the government for a check. Based on the information in the report, the government will decide to grant the application or decline it.
Fulfillment of Citizenship Investment Requirement
When all verifications are done, the applicant will be invited to make a donation or real estate investment. The balance of the purchase will be settled at this point.
Issuance of Certificate and Passport
The applicant will be issued a certificate of registration, citizenship certificate, and passport I.D. Then the balance of the professional fees will be settled.
COSTS OF SAINT LUCIA CITIZENSHIP
Interested applicants can get qualified for the Saint Lucia citizenship by the Investment Act of 2015 by making either of these:
1. Donation NEF
Make a cash donation to the National Economic Fund through a dedicated government escrow account.
Single Applicant – USD 100,000
Main Applicant and Spouse – USD 140,000
Main applicant, spouse, and 2 dependents – USD 150,000
Each additional dependent – USD 15,000
2. Real Estate Investment
Making Investment in real estate on any government-approved projects asset classes:hotel shares; freehold property with title deed; partial ownership or land.
Minimum Investment – USD 300,000
Government Fees
There are other fees to be settled apart from the purchase of real estate and donations:
Main applicant – USD 30,000
Main applicant & spouse – USD 45,000
All eligible dependents above 18 – USD 10,000
All eligible dependents under 18 – USD 5,000
Applicant applying with spouse & more than 4 dependents – USD 10,000
Additional Fees
Application processing fees
Some costs are related to the real estate purchase and donation options:
Main applicant – USD 2,000
All eligible dependents – USD 1,000
Due Diligence & Background Investigations
Some necessary background investigations are payable to the government choice due diligence agency using Interpol, World-Check, and international government agencies to assist in screening applicants according to their application information.
Main applicant – USD 7,500
Eligible dependents aged 16 and older – USD 5,000
Notwithstanding, our professional fees, certificate of Citizenship, passport, official application forms, and other disbursements are the only charges inclusive of the cost. A detailed quotation without any hidden charge will be made available.
PROGRAM DURATION
The duration of 6 months is the specified timeframe for the application process. However, the initial duration of document collection could be a bit longer depending on how fast the applicant provides the required documents. We are fully on the ground to assist our client (applicant) pass-through this stage faster with samples and professional advice.
The duration of the renewal stage depends on the availability of the agency that would handle it. We have no regulation over this particular process. However, we assure you that we work with the best Government agencies to hasten the entire process and make our client (applicant) get quick approval.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS & LEGAL GROUNDWORK
MAIN APPLICANT CRITERIA
QUALIFIED DEPENDENTS
*Note that parents and children above 18 are dependent on the applicant
LEGAL GROUNDWORK
Saint Lucia Citizenship was launched in August 2015 through both houses of
Parliament. The terms of Citizenship by Investment in Saint Lucia are contained in Statutory Instrument No.89 of 2015. The Act permits individuals and families to acquire Saint Lucian citizenship upon a qualifying investment.