Saint Lucia is a relatively young island nation that only gained full independence in 1979. It is a country with white beaches, exotic nature, and a warm climate. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. English is the official language, which significantly simplifies communication with the local population and government agencies.
Currently, obtaining Saint Lucia citizenship requires only an investment in the country. Foreigners are offered four options: investing in a government fund, real estate, bonds, or a business. Passports are usually issued within three months. Similar to programs in other countries, Saint Lucia’s program is popular among wealthy foreigners due to its simple requirements and quick processing times. There is also a regular naturalization option, but obtaining a Caribbean passport requires at least 8 years. Due to the long processing times, this route is not popular.
Benefits of Saint Lucia citizenship and passport (2025)
- Having a Saint Lucia passport means mobility. It allows visa-free travel to 139 countries, including those in Europe, Latin America, parts of Asia, and parts of Africa. Additionally, Saint Lucia citizens can obtain 10-year tourist or visitor visas for the United States or Canada.
- A Saint Lucia passport can serve as a “Plan B.” If you are unable to remain in your home country due to political pressure, persecution, or threats to your life or health, you will always have a place to go. You won’t have to worry about obtaining a visa or residence permit in another country either.
- With Saint Lucia citizenship, it will be easier for you to become a tax resident. Saint Lucia levies personal income tax (rules depend on residency status); capital gains and inheritance taxes generally do not apply.
- As a Saint Lucia citizen, you can open bank accounts, keep funds in offshore accounts, and obtain loans (including mortgages) without restrictions. You can easily obtain a MasterCard or Visa to make purchases within the country and abroad. Sending international currency transfers would also be simple.
- With Saint Lucia citizenship, you and your children have the opportunity to enroll in a UK university or college under preferential terms. British educational institutions recognize certificates issued in Saint Lucia and have introduced special exams and programs for its citizens.
Who qualifies for Saint Lucia citizenship by investment?
Saint Lucia’s investment program is open to foreign nationals over the age of 18 with no criminal record who are willing to invest in one of the government-approved sectors. Income must be legal, and proof of the source of funds must be provided. Due diligence is mandatory.
By investing in the country, not only can the main applicant obtain citizenship, but their immediate family members can too. Your spouse and children under 21 will also receive passports. You may include other family members you support in your application (including your partner’s relatives), as well as:
- Children under 30;
- Parents aged 55 or older;
- Children and parents with disabilities, of any age;
- Unmarried siblings under 18 (with the main applicant’s consent and their parents’ consent).
Citizenship can be obtained through investment or naturalization. However, you must live in Saint Lucia continuously for at least 8 years, including the year before applying. Unlike the investment program, you must learn English and demonstrate your intention to continue living in the country.
Naturalization is not in demand because it requires full integration. In order to live in Saint Lucia for eight years, you must work at least part-time. Given the country’s small size, it is difficult to find a high-paying job without skills or English proficiency. Moreover, the unemployment rate is high (around 11%), real wages are low (USD 850), and rents don’t match these salaries (USD 500 for a one-bedroom apartment).
Therefore, investment is currently the easiest and fastest way to for your entire family. You don’t need to live in Saint Lucia before or after receiving your passport.
Investment options and minimums (updated 2025)
Saint Lucia’s investment program is one of the most flexible in the Caribbean. There are currently four options: government funds, real estate, government bonds, and businesses. Investment limits range from USD 240,000 to USD 6,000,000. Choose the option that best suits your needs and goals, whether that be long-term investment, potential return, or increased profits. Regardless of which option you choose, the outcome is the same: obtaining a second citizenship.
Contribution to a government fund
The simplest option is contributing to the National Economic Fund (NEF). These funds are used to develop the country’s healthcare, infrastructure, and tourism.
The requirements are clearly defined: You must donate a minimum of USD 240,000 to the NEF. This amount applies to both a single applicant and a family of four.
Suppose you have three minor children. You’ve included them in your main application, but your spouse, her child over 18 from a previous marriage, and other relatives want citizenship, too. In that case, you’ll need to pay additional fees:
| Family member | Additional amount, в $ |
|---|---|
| Child under 18 years old | 10 000 |
| Relative over 18 years old | 20 000 |
| Newborn child (up to 1 year old) | 5 000 |
| Spouse | 35 000 |
Real estate investment
Another option for obtaining a Saint Lucia passport is purchasing real estate. However, buying any property won’t grant you citizenship; the money must be invested in a government-approved project. Currently, these projects include A’ILA Resorts Villas & Residences and the Caribbean Galaxy Canelles Resort. Investors can choose from luxury hotels or high-end boutique properties.
Important: those wishing to purchase real estate without participating in the investment program must first obtain a special license from the Department of Lands and Surveys. Investors applying for a passport, however, are exempt from the requirement.
The property you intend to purchase must cost at least USD 300,000. The basic amount does not change depending on the number of relatives receiving citizenship with you.
Additional administrative fees apply:
| Passport applicants | Administrative fee, $ |
|---|---|
| Investor only | 30 000 |
| Investor + spouse | 45 000 |
| Each dependent under 18 years old | 5 000 |
| Each dependent over 18 years old | 10 000 |
| Investor, spouse, and 4+ dependents | 60 000 |
After receiving citizenship, you can legally rent out your property. You will earn an annual passive income of 2.1% of the property’s value.
Government bonds
You can obtain citizenship by purchasing Saint Lucia government bonds. The total value of the bonds must be at least USD 300,000. Many consider this option to be the most profitable because the money can be returned after five years. To receive the funds, the investor or their representative must submit the original bond certificate and provide an account for the deposit to the Accountant General of Saint Lucia.
Relatives can receive citizenship with you at no additional charge. However, an additional USD 50,000 non-refundable administrative fee is required.
Business projects
Investing in the following areas can help you become a citizen:
- Restaurant business;
- Pharmaceuticals;
- Ports and marinas;
- Agro-processing plants;
- Housing construction;
- Universities and research institutes;
- Investment services;
- Social development projects;
There are 3 business investment options:
- USD 3.5 million + a USD 50,000 administrative fee if the applicant applies for citizenship alone.
- USD 6 million + a USD 50,000 administrative fee for joint investments (each applicant must invest at least USD 1 million);
- USD 250,000 if the applicant and up to three dependents are applying for citizenship.
All three options require additional administrative fees:
| Passport applicants | Fee, в $ |
|---|---|
| Investor only | 15 000 |
| Investor + spouse | 20 000 |
| Investor + 2 dependents | 25 000 |
| Investor + 3 dependents | 30 000 |
| Each additional dependent | 10 000 |
How to apply: Saint Lucia CBI process
The law prohibits you from applying for Saint Lucia citizenship on your own — you must contact a licensed agent. After signing a contract with an authorized company, the application process begins. It consists of five stages, which we’ll explain in detail below. Overall, the entire process should take three months.
1. Preliminary investor screening
First, the licensed agent analyzes all your information. They will review your documents, determine the source of your funds, and verify your criminal record. These factors are the most important in determining whether you can proceed to the next step. If the agent discovers any inaccuracies, they will report them. The preliminary screening allows time to correct errors and prepare new documents. The entire process typically takes one week.
A screening conducted by our compliance department minimizes the likelihood of denial. If there is even the slightest risk of rejection, we will offer you another citizenship program with equally favorable terms.
2. Document preparation and submission of the citizenship application
A licensed agent will prepare a complete set of documents and check for all required certified translations and copies, which takes several days. The agent also completes the application for Saint Lucia citizenship on your behalf, which helps avoid typos and errors that could lead to refusal. Once the document set is ready, the agent submits it to the appropriate department.
3. Due Diligence
Due diligence is the most important stage because it determines the outcome of the citizenship application. Authorities must ensure that applicants are not criminals and that their investment funds were acquired legally. Law enforcement agencies also determine if the applicant is on sanctions lists, has ties to terrorism, has participated in corruption schemes, or has committed tax evasion. An online interview is conducted at this stage.
All your information is analyzed during the due diligence process: bank account transactions, tax returns, sources of income, and business connections. An anti-money laundering officer must participate in the process. They will assess the legitimacy of your funds and provide an official report. Due diligence can take a variable amount of time depending on your history.
4. Meet the investment requirement
Once your application is approved, the Government of Saint Lucia will send an official notification to your licensed agent. The intermediary will then inform you of the deadline for completing the investment process, which can include purchasing government bonds, completing a real estate transaction, investing in a company, or making a contribution to the NEF. Once the funds are received, the authorities will make the final decision on whether to grant citizenship.
5. Obtain the passport
Before receiving your passport, you must sign an oath of allegiance in front of a lawyer, consular official, or royal or public notary. After the ceremony, you will receive a Certificate of Registration. A licensed agent will submit this document to the Department of Immigration, who will then issue you a Saint Lucia passport. From August 2025, adult Saint Lucia ePassports are valid for 10 years (5 years for minors).
List of required documents
Preparing your Saint Lucia citizenship application is a serious matter. If a document was issued in English, provide the original or a certified copy. If the document is not in English, you must provide a certified translation. Even stamps must be translated if they are not in English.
List of documents required for Saint Lucia citizenship:
- Proof of payment of non-refundable due diligence and application fees;
- A printed document checklist (Form SL1);
- Citizenship Application (Form SL2A);
- Citizenship applications for spouse/dependents (Form SL2B);
- Signature and photograph specimens (Form SL3);
- Proof of investment (Form SL4);
- Affixed and sworn statement confirming personal information (employment, annual income, etc.);
- Birth certificate;
- International passport;
- Two 5×5 cm photos taken no more than six months ago;
- A police certificate proving you have no criminal record, obtained from your country of birth and all countries where you have lived for at least one year in the last ten years;
- Proof of residence (rental agreement, utility bills, etc.);
- CV;
- A bank letter of recommendation issued no more than six months ago;
- University diplomas and other educational documents;
- A lawyer’s or notary’s license for the certification of documents;
- Name change certificate (if applicable);
- Citizenship certificate;
- Permanent residence card (if applicable);
- An internal ID card;
- Copies of all valid and expired visas;
- Marriage or divorce certificate (if applicable);
- Guardianship certificate (if applicable);
- If the application is submitted for a minor child and the other parent is not present, a citizenship consent form and an ID card with a photo and signature from the mother or father is required;
- Military service records;
- Proof of enrollment in a school, university, or other educational institution for applicants aged 18 to 30 (if applicable);
- Personal information of the specialist who translated the documents.
Saint Lucia citizenship cost
The following expenses are in addition to the basic investment and administrative fees:
| Government fee | Primary applicant | Each dependent |
|---|---|---|
| Application processing | 2 000 $ | 1 000 $ |
| Due diligence check (for everyone over 16 years old) | 8 000 $ | 5 000 $ |
For a clearer picture, we calculated the total cost of participating in the St. Lucia investment program for a family of four (two parents and two children, aged 7 and 16) by making a contribution to the fund:
- Basic investment: USD 240,000 for all four family members;
- State fee for processing the investor’s application: USD 2,000;
- State fee for processing the application for the remaining family members: USD 3,000;
- Investor due diligence: USD 8,000;
- Due diligence for a spouse and one child aged 16: USD 10,000.
For a family of four, the total cost of St. Lucia citizenship is approximately USD 263,000.
This option is viable, but it requires careful document preparation, so are essential.
If Saint Lucia isn`t the right fit: other CBI programs
There aren’t many options: Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Vanuatu, Cambodia, the Dominican Republic, Nauru, and North Macedonia. The most popular options are in the Caribbean — Grenada, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, and Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Of all the aforementioned countries, Vanuatu — a small island nation near Australia — offers the most favorable conditions. Take a look at the table below for a quick overview:
| Country | Minimum investment amount, $ | Passport issuance time (days) |
|---|---|---|
| Vanuatu | 130 000 | 60 |
| Turkey | 400 000 | from 180 |
| Egypt | 250 000 | from 180 |
| Jordan | 1 000 000 | from 90 |
| North Macedonia | ~ 200 000 | unknown |
| Cambodia | 312 000 | around 120 |
| Nauru | 105 000 | from 90 |
If you’re looking for a citizenship by investment program with minimal investment and minimal processing time, consider Vanuatu. We’ll explain all the details during a free consultation.
