A contribution to the Government’s National Economic Fund
Country Profile
Saint Lucia is a Caribbean island with a tumultuous history that saw it frequently switch between French and British colonial rule. Integration between these two European cultures is manifested in Saint Lucia’s adoption of both civil and common law, as well as in the widespread use of French and official use of English. The culture of Saint Lucia has also been influenced by African heritage as, under British rule, enslaved Africans were brought in to work the land. Saint Lucia is a renowned vacation destination, and travel and tourism normally contribute more than 40 per cent of the nation’s GDP. Saint Lucia’s ‘Pitons’ – twin mountains of volcanic origin – are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Official name: Saint Lucia
- National anthem: Sons and Daughters of Saint Lucia
- Location: Caribbean, Americas
- Capital city: Castries
- Official language: English
- Independence: 22 February 1979, from the United Kingdom
- Government type: Constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy
- Head of State: Monarch represented by the Governor General
- Head of Government: Prime Minister
- Basis of legal system: English common law; French civil law
- Currency: Eastern Caribbean dollar
- Climate: Tropical
Programme Profile
Investment Options for a single applicant
- US$100,000
Investment in an approved real estate project, to be held for 5 years
- US$200,000 + US$30,000 Administration fee
The National Action Bond (NAB) is a new non-interest-bearing Government bond
- US$300,000 + US$50,000 administrative fee
Applicants can obtain citizenship by making an investment, either independent or joint, in an approved enterprise project.
- Independent investment must be valued at US$3.5 million and create at least three permanent jobs.
- For joint investments, each investor must contribute at least US$1 million, resulting in a joint investment worth US$6 million and creating at least six permanent jobs.
- Due diligence, processing, and Government administration fees apply.
The Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Programme
- The Caribbean’s newest economic citizenship programme, inaugurated in January 2016
- Four investment options:
- A contribution to Saint Lucia’s National Economic Fund (NEF), reduced since 1 January 2017
- An investment into an approved real estate project to be held for five years, with only two approved projects available to date
- An investment in National Action Bonds to be held for a minimum of five years
- An investment in an approved enterprise project that creates at least three permanent jobs, or in a joint venture that creates at least six permanent jobs
- Due diligence fees apply to all four investment options. Processing fees apply to all options except the Real Estate option. Administration fees apply to the Real Estate, Government Bonds and Enterprise Project options
- Applications are processed by the Citizenship by Investment Unit
- Approvals or denials are usually returned within three months of submission
- No English, business skills, or education requirement
- No need to reside in Saint Lucia or travel to the island
- As of 2020, Saint Lucia significantly improved opportunities for family inclusion under the Programme, expanding the meaning of ‘dependant’ to include minor siblings
- All main applicants are required to attend a mandatory interview