St. Lucia Citizenship by Investment: The Ultimate Guide

Legend has it that infamous pirates, ‘Peg Leg’ and the feared ‘Blackbeard’ were enticed to the mystical land of Saint Lucia by its abundance of rum.

It is said that the notorious Blackbeard buried several of his treasures in the town of Vieux Fort. The idea of undiscovered treasures adds even more excitement to the island’s adventurous spirit.

This island paradise, cradled between Martinique and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, has become more than just a dream destination for many. It has become an opportunity for those seeking second citizenship, providing them greater freedom, asset protection and the ideal ‘Plan B’. 

St Lucia’s Citizenship-by-Investment (CBI) program provides an exclusive pathway that allows individuals and families to gain St Lucian citizenship by making a significant investment in the country.

Whether you are a successful entrepreneur, an investor or a family seeking a sense of belonging, St Lucia may hold the key to going where you are treated best. 

Having options is great and that’s precisely what St Lucia offers when it comes to CBI.

Not only is St Lucia a highly reputable option for obtaining a second passport in the Caribbean region, but it also offers plenty of investment routes to choose from to obtain its passport. 

Sure, there are already citizenship programs in each of the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis, and Grenada, but another option is great to have nonetheless. Each of them has distinct pros and cons.

While Antigua and Barbuda will work better for some people (e.g., larger families), St Lucia offers one of the lowest points of investment if you’re a solo applicant. 

In the few short years it’s been in operation, the St Lucia citizenship-by-investment program has earned itself a solid reputation. Some might even say it’s more of a ‘western’ passport. 

That’s because they haven’t buddied up to Russia or China or taken the more neutral route of neighbouring countries. They also haven’t been approving everyone’s application and have even had the gall to revoke the granted citizenship of some applicants in the past. 

It’s a passport program that is both respectable and very affordable, with a recent discount making it even more attractive.

At just US$100,000 (plus administrative fees), you could get access to over 136 countries visa-free, as well as all of the tropical benefits and enjoy your St Lucian passport for the rest of your life.

After all, there must be something to a tiny island-state that’s produced not one but two Nobel prize laureates. 

Let’s see what St Lucia is all about. 

Citizenship by Investment: The Basics

Before getting into the nitty-gritty of St Lucia’s citizenship-by-investment program, we should establish some common ground. 

What is a CBI program? How does one jurisdiction differ from another, and what should a high-net-worth investor pay attention to when obtaining his second passport?

In essence, a CBI program is set up and run by governments seeking additional investment capital that may not be obtained through other, more traditional avenues. 

CBI programs are typical of island states and nations that are otherwise overly reliant on one or two industries, thus having no other way to attract investment dollars or develop their economy.

Basically, countries sell passports and all the benefits they bring in exchange for cash. Depending on the country in question, you could be required to: 

• Some will want you to donate to a development government fund

• Buy real estate (sometimes from a pre-approved list only)

• Purchase bonds or another financial instrument     

• Set up a local company and employ locals.

Usually, countries only ask you to do one of those things, but exceptions exist – for example, wanting a donation and a real estate investment. 

A donation will never be recouped, whereas the other forms of investment will be subject to a holding period, after which you could get your investment back.

The regulations and guidelines vary depending on the jurisdiction, with a number of rules to consider. Moreover, the pros and cons of each specific passport will also vary. 

Why a St Lucia Citizenship-by-Investment Passport?

It’s not every day that you get the opportunity to purchase a passport in a country that boasts the highest number of Nobel Prize laureates per capita.

Both Arthur Lewis (economics) and Derek Walcott (literature) are remarkable testimonies to St Lucia’s well-educated society and high standard of living.

St Lucia is a safe and stable country and a member of the United Nations (UN), The Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and various other Caribbean-based unions.  It uses the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD) that has been pegged to the US dollar for over four decades. 

The island paradise that is St Lucia gained its independence from the United Kingdom back in 1979 but remains part of the Commonwealth. 

Due to its past ties with the UK, English is the official language, colonial architecture is typical, the legal system is based on English common law, and St Lucian citizens enjoy access to the UK and Ireland. 

You can proudly show off a nice passport to a country dripping in luxury and beaches rivalling those of the Cayman Islands. Put it this way:  it has a much higher-end vibe than Dominica but for the same price tag. 

The Two Piton Mountains

For Those Who Will Visit St Lucia

If you plan on ever visiting or settling in St Lucia, it’s worth discussing the excellent standard of living that awaits you.

Although the country has no travel or residency requirement – in other words, you can become a St Lucian citizen without ever setting foot in the country – the country offers a high standard of living. 

The crime rates in St Lucia are very low, providing a safe environment for its island residents. The availability of modern healthcare facilities and well-developed infrastructure further enhances this community. An added bonus is that St Lucia boasts a selection of top-notch restaurants, satisfying the refined tastes of its discerning population.

Its main geographic features – the two Piton mountains – are the island’s most famous landmarks and have even been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is also a drive-in volcano, rainforests, national parks, botanical gardens, and, of course, the beaches. 

With virtually no traffic and a tropical climate year-round, St Lucia certainly is inviting. However, bear in mind that hurricanes hit the island periodically and can sometimes be devastating. 

There are also direct links to East Coast hubs in North America, including Miami, Philadelphia, New York, Atlanta, Chicago, and Toronto.  Europe is also directly connected with St Lucia through London.

The Economy of St Lucia

Before you invest in any country, you should take a long and careful look at its economy. That’s especially true if you’re going the actual investment route. You’ll want to recoup your investment eventually, won’t you? 

Luckily, with a population of around 180,000 people and a GDP of US$2.5 billion, St Lucia’s economy is in good shape. In fact, it’s one of the top performers in the region.

However, the typical island-nation problems plague this volcanic paradise too.

First, it’s reliant on just a few significant industries: banana production and tourism. This is, of course, problematic for a country that wants to grow its GDP and improve the lives of its population. 

Banana production is on a terminal decline due to the competition from Latin American countries with substantially lower production costs. Crop diversification has been encouraged to ensure that agriculture remains a substantial part of the country’s GDP. 

Meanwhile, tourism and related services comprise 82% of the St Lucian GDP. Nearly 1 million people visit the country annually and it’s one of the top destinations for opulent weddings and swanky honeymoons. 

St Lucia’s second problem is unemployment. Like its neighbours, the island suffers chronic youth unemployment rates of over 25%. With a median age of 34, many young people are going without and relying on state support. 

Given that the population is highly educated and skilled, the real culprit here is the lack of economic activity, fuelled in particular by a lack of foreign investment. 

Every crisis brings opportunity. The St Lucian government created that opportunity by launching a citizenship-by-investment program. 

Pros of Having a St Lucian Passport by Investment

The power of a second passport cannot be underestimated, opening doors to greater travel opportunities and business and tax advantages. St Lucia is an attractive spot for investors seeking a second citizenship, thanks to the numerous benefits. 

St Lucia’s Citizenship-by-Investment Program

No amount of tourism or crop diversification was ever going to propel St Lucia’s economy where it needed to be. 

Not too long ago, the government promised to double the nation’s GDP in a decade, but this was perhaps a populistic over-promise despite being a laudable goal for a country suffering high unemployment. 

Doubling their GDP is probably their only way to pay off debt, diversify industries and employ people. 

So, the country set up a citizenship-by-investment program that requires applicants to make a ‘significant economic contribution’ in exchange for a passport. 

Today, St Lucia’s CBI accounts for a healthy 4% of its GDP. Compare that to other jurisdictions like Dominica, where CBI income accounts for roughly 50% of GDP.

The St Lucian government has been careful and calculated with its approach to CBI and has ensured its program has high standards. Extensive due diligence has been the hallmark of the St Lucian CBI program.  

In addition, the St Lucian government has run the program differently than its neighbours. For example, it has not gained visa-free access to Russia or China.

It has positioned itself as a somewhat ‘Western’ passport, which certainly holds great appeal for some. In fact, it has sided with Taiwan on the international scene, possibly delaying China’s visa-free access indefinitely. 

Daring and bold, St Lucia CBI has a solid reputation. It has meant rejecting quite a few applicants and even revoking the citizenships of six of its own naturalised St Lucia citizens due to acts committed by them. 

Simply put – St Lucia doesn’t deal with people who have any ‘issues,’ no matter how minor.  

The History of St Lucia’s CBI Program

St Lucia was beautifully positioned to launch its St Lucia citizenship-by-investment program. Learning from its close neighbours and their CBI programs, which have run for decades, St Lucia was able to cherry-pick which aspects to include in its own program.

Taking onboard the best practices, St Lucia launched its CBI program in December 2015. It came into full effect on January 1, 2016, based on the Citizenship by Investment Act (Act No. 14 of 2015).

Although it’s one of the newer CBI programs on the global scene, it has already been through multiple changes.

Most notably, St Lucia removed the net worth requirement back in 2017. There weren’t many takers when the program had a wealth check: you had to be worth at least US$3 million to apply. 

Needless to say, that was highly prohibitive to many investors, who perhaps had the investment money to spare but weren’t worth that much on paper. 

Ever since this substantial change, anyone can apply as long as they can afford the investment. 

They also recognised that they had overpriced their program, especially when compared to its neighbouring CBI competitor countries. 

Thus, St Lucia lowered its fees from US$200,000 to US$100,000 in 2017. Now, the total investment is on par with other comparable CBI programs. 

St Lucia also removed multiple bureaucratic hurdles and shortened the total application to passport time to 3-6 months without decreasing the level of due diligence on applicants. 

Rating the St Lucia Citizenship-by-Investment Program?

You could be forgiven for thinking St Lucia is ‘yet another CBI program.’ In many respects, the Caribbean CBI programs are so similar that it’s hard to point out the differences and unique selling points. 

There are three notable differences between St Lucia and its Caribbean neighbours.

First, it’s the cheapest option for a single person to obtain a second passport. Although other CBI jurisdictions, such as Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda also ask for a donation of US$100,000, their fees are considerably higher than in St Lucia.

The total investment, including all fees, for a single person applying is around US$110,000. This figure excludes agency fees, but these will be the same no matter which CBI program you go for.

Second, St Lucia offers some of the more uncommon CBI routes for those who don’t want to go the donation path. If it floats your boat, you can invest in government bonds and even approved enterprise projects.

And third, St Lucia certainly has a different vibe than its closest CBI rival, Dominica. 

When you think of St Lucia, you think of opulence and exclusivity. The resorts and hotels on the island are geared toward the creme de la creme of society. 

Meanwhile, Dominica is much more pedestrian. We’re not saying that’s necessarily a bad thing but it is a distinguishing factor between the two,

It’s up to you to decide which one you’d like to go for.

How To Obtain a St Lucian Passport by Investment

Here’s what it will take to get a St Lucian passport:

1. National Economic Fund Donation

Making a one-time, non-refundable donation to the St Lucia National Economic Fund is the most popular way to obtain St Lucia CBI. 

The Fund was established for the sole purpose of granting St Lucian citizenship by donation of foreign investments. However, to this day, there has been no public account of how the funds were and are being spent (which has caused considerable controversy). 

In any case:

• You’re expected to contribute at least US$100,000 if you’re a single applicant

• Couples will spend US$140,000

•  A family of four will pay US$150,000

• Each additional dependent will cost you US$15,000.

Every application also comes with processing and administration fees:

• Principal applicant will pay US$2,000 in processing fees and US$1,000 per dependant.

• Due diligence fees are US$8,000 for the principal applicant and US$5,000 per dependant (over 16 years old).

The total St Lucia citizenship by donation required for a single person applying is thus US$110,000, excluding agency fees. Meanwhile, a family of four (two adults and two children 16+) will pay US$168,000.

The government has also made a permanent change for newborn dependents. Now, instead of the US$25,000 administrative fee for additional dependents, it will cost US$5000 to add a newborn to your application. This makes St Lucia much more competitive, especially for applicants with families.

2. Real Estate Investment

With CBI programs, there is nearly always a real estate investment option. St Lucia is no different. 

You may purchase a property worth a minimum investment of US$200,000, but only from the officially pre-approved list of real estate investment properties. 

Here is a complete list of approved real estate developments you can invest in. Given the newness of the program, there are currently only a handful of real estate properties on there. 

You can expect to be investing in a high-end hotel or a resort, and usually, these will be slightly overpriced – a regular occurrence with CBI programs that require you to buy from a pre-approved list of real estate.

You will be required to hold the property for at least five years. 

In addition to the actual price, keep in mind that there are additional fees that are higher than for a donation:

• The principal applicant will have to pay US$30,000 in admin fees

• Each qualifying adult dependent will pay US$10,000 and US$5,000 if the dependent is under 18

• Due diligence fees are US$8,000 for the principal applicant and US$5,000 per dependent (over 16 years old)

• Application processing fee of US$2,000 for the principal applicant and US$1,000 for each qualifying dependent.

In total, a solo applicant going for the real estate option will shell out US$240,000. Meanwhile, a family with two small kids would have to pay a total of US$283,000.

3. Government Bond Investment

The St Lucian government introduced sweeping changes to this particular investment option, making it the perfect opportunity for bond investors.

Previously, investors were required to invest at least US$500,000 in government-issued non-interest-bearing bonds and hold them for at least five years. However, applicants can now qualify for St Lucia citizenship by a minimum investment of U$300,000 in National Action Government Bonds (NAB) with a five-year hold period. 

While the application fees are considerably higher than if you were to go the donation route, they have also been discounted:

• A non-refundable administrative fee of US$50,000 for those buying government bonds. 

• Due diligence fees are US$8,000 for the principal applicant and US$5,000 per dependent (over 16 years old).

With this option, you can essentially donate US$50,000 and invest US$300,000 in government bonds with no interest for five years.

For people with cash sitting around, you can save US$50,000 in ‘sunk costs’ in exchange for parking US$300,000 for a time. As long as St Lucia doesn’t default on bonds, you will get that money back in five years. Money in the bank earns almost nothing nowadays, so if you have cash that you’re not investing, it’s a good deal.

4. Approved Enterprise Projects

Finally, the most exotic option of them all is investing in an approved enterprise project. This option comes as no surprise since the government of St Lucia is making a concerted effort not just to attract foreign capital but also to create jobs for its population.

If you’re a sole investor, you will need to spend a minimum of US$3,500,000, but if you’re investing together with partners, you will each need to contribute at least US$1,000,000 and a total of US$6,000,000. 

In addition, you’ve got the fees: 

• A non-refundable admin fee of US$50,000

• Each qualifying adult dependent will pay US$35,000 and US$25,000 (if under 18 years old)

• Due diligence fees are US$7,500 for the applicant and US$5,000 per dependent (if over 16 years old).

The caveat is that you can’t just dream up the investment projects. Each project is pre-approved by the government and featured on its official website. 

The projects can range from specialty restaurants, cruise ports, marinas, agro-processing plants, pharmaceutical products, ports, bridges, roads and highways, research institutions and facilities to offshore universities.

These are the most desirable community and infrastructure projects that you can expect to contribute to.

Step-by-Step Application for Citizenship Process

Before applying for St Lucia citizenship, you’ll need to check your eligibility. The good news is that the eligibility requirements are pretty standard and don’t make it too difficult for an applicant to tick all the boxes.

Good on the eligibility front? Here’s how you apply: 

• Do an initial due diligence check and gather your documents. You must work with a government-approved agency to do this and lodge an application. We can help. 

• Pay the due diligence and registration fee (real estate option). Then, lodge your application with the St Lucian Citizenship Unit. 

• The St Lucian government will take approximately 60 to 90 days to approve your application. Once approved, you’ll receive a Letter of Approval.

• The total investment amount will be fully paid at this point. Payment must be carried out within 90 calendar days of the Letter of Approval being issued. 

• Once completed, the Citizenship Unit will issue a Certificate of Naturalisation to you (and your family members). Take an oath or affirmation of allegiance before an attorney-at-law or notary public. 

• You can then apply for and receive your St Lucian passport in a week. 

It should be noted that you can add dependents for five years after your own application gets approved for the additional administrative and due diligence fees. 

St Lucian Citizenship-by-Investment Benefits

Many benefits come with St Lucian citizenship that you may not find with other CBI programs. Among the main benefits, you’ll find:

• No pointless hoops to jump through: There won’t be an interview to obtain the St Lucia passport, nor will any tests need to be taken.

• Visa-free access to over 136 countries: All of Europe, lots of Central and South America, Hong Kong, Singapore and the UK are included.

• Invest only after getting approved: Some CBI programs will demand that you invest before you get approved for citizenship. The opposite is true in St Lucia CBI– you’ll only be spending real money after you’re approved for and receive your naturalisation certificate. 

• Fast citizenship: You won’t need to sit around and wait for years until your St Lucia Citizenship by Investment is approved. It will take 3-6 months to get your St Lucia passport. 

• Cheapest second passport: Tied with a few other jurisdictions in the Caribbean, the St Lucia passport is the cheapest for a single person to obtain. 

• Your family can come too: You can obtain St Lucia Citizenship by Investment for your spouse, dependent children (under 21), and parents (over 55) when applying for the St Lucia CBI program, but each dependent comes at an additional price. 

• No residency requirement: You don’t have to reside in St Lucia before, during or after the application process. 

• No travel is required: You can complete all your paperwork and obtain your St Lucia passport remotely. 

• Your citizenship is for life: Everyone who obtains a St Lucia Citizenship by Investment will hold their St Lucia passport for life. That means you will always have a place to live and work, no matter what happens.

• You’ve got options: With the most varied investment options, St Lucia caters to those who want to buy citizenship fast and those who want to create actual ties with the country and help its economy develop. 

• Dual citizenship is allowed: St Lucia recognises dual citizenship, so you won’t have an issue obtaining and having two passports.

• Moderate taxation: There are no inheritance taxes, wealth taxes, capital gains tax, or personal income tax rates for revenue derived from abroad if you do not reside in St Lucia.

• Ease of doing business: In the Ease of Doing Business Report, St Lucia’s latest ranking is 93rd out of 190. This makes it the second-best in the Caribbean region – a remarkable result.

• Vibrant offshore sector: Comparable to other Caribbean islands, St Lucia also has a vibrant international offshore sector, allowing people to participate in all areas of financial services, for instance, the creation of international companies and the opening of trusts. 

THE CONS OF ST LUCIAN CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT

There aren’t many cons in relation to the St Lucia CBI program. However, the few existing cons relate to its newness and unique approach to international affairs. 

• No access to Russia or China: If visa-free access to these two countries is important, you won’t get it with a St Lucian passport. That’s because the country has not been too keen to establish relations with them. Plus, it has sided with Taiwan in international affairs, which means its China access is far, far away.

• It’s a relatively new program: Sometimes, border patrol officers can be funny and a lesser-known passport such as St Lucia can mean that they take extra time and care checking you out before they admit you into the country. 

• High fees: The administration and due diligence fees, especially the US$50,000 fee for alternative investment options other than the donation to the development fund, put St Lucia at a higher fee price-point than its neighbouring countries. 

Your St Lucia Citizenship by Investment

St Lucia might be a relative newcomer in the CBI world, but it merits close attention. Its high standards and stringent due diligence measures have made St Lucia Citizenship by Investment highly regarded. 

Some concerns remain, mainly relating to the government’s lack of experience in running such a program, which can manifest by turning off potential developers. 

For example, the country’s lack of administrative efficiency caused the Range Development company to stop its plans of building a Ritz Carlton in St Lucia and go for development in Grenada instead. And when many Caribbean islands are offering similar CBI programs with remarkably similar benefits and prices, failures like this matter. 

However, if St Lucia is given more time, we’re confident their level-headed approach will help them come out on top. 

For single applicants, St Lucia’s citizenship-by-investment program is one of the best to participate in. For just US$100,000 (plus fees), you can have your St Lucian passport in 3-4 months. The entire process can be completed remotely.

When you start adding complexities, such as family members or alternative investment routes that you potentially would want to consider, the costs rise, which is why each case must be looked at individually. 

We’ve helped dozens of people obtain their St Lucian passports. On top of that, Nomad Capitalist’s founder, Andrew Henderson, has personally obtained St Lucian citizenship. 

Let us help you figure it out so you can diversify and allow yourself to go where you’re treated best.