St Lucia Passport: The Benefits and Drawbacks

Is a St Lucia passport a good investment? 

Thousands of investors and entrepreneurs seem to think so.

Still, if you’re unfamiliar with the Citizenship-by-Investment (CBI) world, you may be surprised why a small Caribbean country is so popular among investors and entrepreneurs.

But there are reasons why this small country’s passport is in demand – put simply, it’s one of the most affordable and accessible in the world.

For just US$240,000 (plus administrative fees), you could get access to over

138 countries visa-free, as well as all of the tropical benefits and enjoy your St Lucian

passport for the rest of your life.

While other Caribbean countries, including Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda and St Kitts and Nevis all offer similar programs, the minimum investment requirements and government fees for those programs often make St Lucia’s more appealing for certain individuals and families.

Also, when you consider that European citizenship-by-investment programs can require a minimum investment of €600,000, you can appreciate how options like St Lucia and Dominica’s don’t fail to capture the interest of foreign investors.

However, affordability isn’t the ultimate deciding factor when getting a second passport. You must consider factors like taxes, physical presence requirements, investment routes, and more.

Whether you want a slow-paced life in the Caribbean or the European vibe of Greece or Malta, Nomad Capitalist can help you figure out which CBI program fits best with your life.

From billionaires and celebrities to up-and-coming entrepreneurs, we’ve helped over 1,500 successful clients create their holistic Action Plans, grow their wealth, and increase their peace of mind. 

We’re the general contractors of the residence and citizenship by investment (RCBI) world, and we can help you go where you’re treated best. 

All you need to do is reach out.

Why St Lucia?

St Lucia is an Eastern Caribbean Island nation located south of Martinique and northeast of Saint Vincent. Castries is the capital and largest city of St Lucia. 

The current population of Saint Lucia is just under 180,000, making it a small island full of big opportunities.

The country is a member of the UN, CARICOM (Caribbean Community) and various other Caribbean-based unions. Saint Lucia’s currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD) (pegged to the US dollar). 

St Lucia gained independence from the UK in 1979 but remains part of the Commonwealth. 

The island nation’s British history is evident in its colonial architecture and official language, English. 

The legal system of Saint Lucia is also based on English common law, making business dealings easy for English-speaking foreigners.

From a lifestyle perspective, it’s hard to beat the island’s culture, which is similar to other Caribbean island nations but untouched in a way that places like the Bahamas or even Dominica aren’t. 

Known for its lush rainforests, golden beaches and striking volcanic landscapes, the island offers a serene yet luxurious lifestyle ideal for relaxation and rejuvenation. 

Because you can’t relax on the beach all the time (okay, maybe you could), it is also important to consider the financial benefits of moving to St Lucia and getting St Lucian citizenship.

And, luckily for you, beyond its allure as a tropical paradise, St Lucia also offers a pretty favourable tax environment. 

With no global income, wealth or inheritance taxes, it provides a strategic advantage for investors and entrepreneurs looking to optimize their financial plans. 

Additionally, St Lucia’s pro-business policies and growing economic sectors make it a thriving hub for international business, particularly in tourism, agriculture and renewable energy.

How to Get a St Lucia Passport by Investment in 2025?

One of the most straightforward ways to get a Saint Lucian passport is through the country’s economic citizenship program. Currently, the Saint Lucia CBI program offers four routes to acquire the St Lucia passport:

• Make a Donation: Donate US$240,000 to Saint Lucia’s National Economic Fund.
• Invest in Real Estate: Invest US$300,000 in pre-approved real estate, plus fees (which currently include a non-refundable administration fee of US$30,000).
• Invest in Government Bonds: Invest US$300,000 in government bonds and hold them for five years (plus a non-refundable administration fee of US$50,000).
• Invest in a Local Business: Invest a minimum of US$3.5 million in an enterprise project (plus a non-refundable fee of US$50,000).

Once you make the required investment, pay the due diligence fees, and fulfil all the other requirements, you’ll be granted citizenship of Saint Lucia in three to six months.

Other ways to get a St Lucia passport include naturalisation after living in the country for seven years or via other common routes such as marriage or descent.

Benefits of a St Lucia Passport

According to the latest Nomad Passport Index, the Saint Lucia passport ranks 59 and allows visa-on-arrival and visa-free access to 138 countries.

The Nomad Passport Index measures a country’s passport on various domains that are highly important to a Nomad Capitalist: tax-friendliness, dual citizenship, perception, freedom, and of course, travel freedom.

Saint Lucia scores a perfect 50 in freedom and dual citizenship, 40 in tax-friendliness and 30 in perception.

Saint Lucia passport holders can travel visa-free to the EU, Malaysia, Hong Kong and the UK, making it an excellent second passport for people looking for fast second citizenship with decent travel freedom.

However, the benefits of obtaining a St Lucia passport extend far beyond just a few numbers on a list, and it is important to understand these factors more in-depth if you are considering adding a St Lucia passport to your portfolio.

Fast Citizenship

Saint Lucia will process your citizenship application within three to six months. It’s an excellent option for people looking to renounce US citizenship and a pretty good option for people who don’t want to wait a long time to get their second citizenship.

Cheap Passport

With a headline donation of US$240,000 for a single applicant, St Lucia offers one of the cheapest second passports around. 

You will pay a minimum of US$250,000 for a Saint Kitts and Nevis passport or just US$200,000 in Dominica. However, the fees for acquiring a Dominica passport are higher, starting at US$75,000 for just the main applicant. 

No Residence Requirement

Not a fan of island life? No worries. With the St Lucia passport, you’ll never have to enter the country to receive, renew, or maintain your citizenship. It doesn’t get more hands-off than this.

Visa-Free Travel

Saint Lucian citizens can travel visa-free to 138 countries, including the EU and the UK.

Tax Benefits

Saint Lucia doesn’t levy any inheritance, wealth or capital gains taxes. Moreover, non-residents don’t pay taxes on foreign-sourced income.

Dual Citizenship Allowed

Saint Lucia recognizes the right to hold dual citizenship, so you won’t have to give up your existing citizenship to get a St Lucia passport.

Drawbacks of a St Lucia Passport

While a St Lucia passport offers numerous advantages, there are some factors to consider when evaluating its suitability for your specific lifestyle and financial situation (and future goals).

The island’s remote location may pose logistical challenges for frequent travellers, as it requires lengthy flights from major cities like New York or London. 

Additionally, the annual hurricane season, which spans from June to November, can disrupt travel plans and daily life during peak activity. 

From a purely administrative perspective, perhaps the biggest drawback of applying for a St Lucia passport is the strict due diligence process required for citizenship applicants. 

While this ensures the program’s integrity, it can be time-consuming and may limit eligibility for some individuals. 

While they don’t cancel out all of the benefits of acquiring St Lucian citizenship via investment, these potential drawbacks are worth weighing up to determine if St Lucian citizenship aligns with your goals.

The Benefits and Drawbacks of a St Lucia Passport: FAQs

Is a St Lucia Passport Worth It?

As one of the cheapest passports to buy in the Caribbean for a solo applicant, the St Lucia passport is an excellent tool for anyone looking to gain a fast second citizenship in a vibrant offshore sector.

Compared to Dominica, which has a similarly priced donation route, St Lucia has a far more luxurious vibe with high-end hotels, resorts and housing options.

No matter which way you go, Dominica or Saint Lucia, elsewhere in the Caribbean, or further afield to the EU, Nomad Capitalist can guide you on the best second passport to get. 

We’ve helped our clients gain citizenship in many countries and can help you get the passport that best fits your life, too. Set up a call with us today to go where you’re treated best.