How to get St Lucia citizenship in 2025: a complete guide for investors

St Lucia offers one of the most attractive citizenship by investment pathways in the Caribbean, allowing wealthy individuals to obtain a passport in just 6+ months and gain an enhanced global mobility, tax advantages through a straightforward application process without requiring residency or visits to the island.

Investors can choose from multiple investment options, including a contribution to a state fund, the purchase of real estate, or the acquisition of government bonds.

St Lucia’s terms are flexible, allowing family members to be included in the citizenship application.

The principal applicant can apply for citizenship if over 18 years old and has no criminal record. Another important criterion is the legal origin of income for investment under the program.

Family members who can participate in the program with an investor are the following:

• a spouse;

• children under 30;

• parents over 55;

• siblings under 18.

Lyle Julien,

Investment programs expert

Participation of relatives is paid additionally. The total expenses depend on the number and age of family members.

We calculate the cost individually for each family. The calculation includes the investment amount, additional fees, a payment schedule, and the cost of support services.

Family members can sometimes be added to the program after the investor has received a passport. Citizenship for dependents who were initially eligible for the program can be issued within five years from the investor’s application approval date. The term for adding newborn children and new spouses of any family members is not limited.

St Lucia citizenship by investment program participants are not required to stay in the country to maintain citizenship.

To become a citizen of St Lucia, applicants are offered five investment options:

1. Contribution to the National Economic Fund — at least $240,000.

2. Investments in an infrastructure business project — at least $250,000.

3. Real estate purchase for at least $300,000.

4. Buying government bonds for at least $300,000.

5. Investing in government-approved business projects — at least $1,000,000.

The total expenses include government fees that depend on the chosen option. Besides, the contribution sum increases when family members are added to the application.

Investors make non-refundable donations to the National Economic Fund of St Lucia. The investment amount depends on the number of family members.

The investment threshold for a single applicant is $240,000. This amount does not change if the investor applies with up to three family members. Starting with the 5th applicant, they should add $10,000 per minor dependent and $20,000 per dependent over 18.

The minimum expenses for obtaining St Lucia citizenship through the state fund option are as follows:

• a fund investment — $240,000;

• Due Diligence — $8,000;

• other state fees — $3,950.

The total expenses are about $251,950 for a single applicant.

If the applicant chooses the bonds option, they invest at least $300,000. Only non-interest-bearing Government Bonds qualify.

The investment amount does not depend on the number of candidates in the application. However, the investor pays a fixed administrative fee of $50,000.

The minimum expenses for obtaining St Lucia citizenship through the government bonds option are as follows:

• a purchase of bonds — $300,000;

• an administration fee — $50,000;

• Due Diligence — $8,000;

• other state fees — $1,950.

Ownership period. Government bonds must be held for a minimum of 5 years. After this period, the bonds can be fully redeemed, and the investment can be returned.

An investor acquires a share in a property valued at a minimum of $300,000. Typically, this property is a five-star hotel or resort complex, and it must be part of a government-approved project eligible for the program.

The minimum investment amount does not change depending on the family members. Real estate may be sold after five years to return the investment.

Investors who choose this option pay a non-refundable government fee of $30,000.

The minimum expenses for obtaining St Lucia citizenship through the real estate option are as follows:

• a property purchase — $300,000;

• an administration fee — $30,000;

• Due Diligence — $8,000;

• other state fees — $3,950.

The total expenses are about $341,950 for a single applicant.

The applicant can invest in government-approved projects, including restaurants, marinas, pharmaceuticals, research companies, and agricultural enterprises.

An investor contributes at least $3.5 million and creates a minimum of three jobs in St Lucia. However, it is possible to team up with other applicants, invest at least $6 million, and create six jobs. In this case, the minimum investment per applicant is $1 million.

The applicant pays an administrative fee of $50,000. A government processing fee of $2,000 applies for the investor, and $1,000 per family member.

As of February 1st, 2024, investors can contribute to infrastructure projects with a minimum investment of $250,000, which covers the main applicant and up to three dependents.

The investor also covers the following fees:

• a government processing fee of $2,000 for the main applicant and $1,000 for each dependent included in the application;

• a non-refundable administration fee of $15,000 for the main applicant;

• a non-refundable administration fee ranging from $20,000 for the main applicant and spouse to $30,000 for the main applicant and three dependents;

• a non-refundable administration fee of $10,000 for each additional applicant over 18 starting from the fourth dependent.

Infrastructure projects encompass the construction and development of ports, bridges, roads, and highways.

In addition to the investment, applicants pay fees. They differ depending on the option and the number of family members under one application.

The most affordable option is a state fund contribution. However, purchasing government bonds or real estate is more preferential for those who want to return the invested money in five years, decreasing the citizenship cost to state fees.

1. Increased global mobility. Investors with St Lucia passports do not have to obtain visas when travelling to most countries. This allows discovering new destinations and is helpful when doing business.

2. Tax optimisation. St Lucia has low taxes. Some taxes are not paid, such as the tax on income received in other countries. There is also no inheritance or capital gains taxes.

Beneficial tax conditions have been created for companies in St Lucia. Financial reporting is carried out according to international IFRS standards. Companies are taxed only on income earned in St Lucia. In addition, there is no tax on dividends in the country.

3. Opening bank accounts. Investors with St Lucia passports can open accounts in international financial institutions, allowing quick and easy payments in foreign currencies and preserving assets.

4. Education in the UK. St Lucia citizens enjoy preferential conditions in some universities in the UK. Students from St Lucia are entitled to four types of Scholarships by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and Chevening Scholarships.

5. Getting a US visa. The сitizenship of St Lucia makes obtaining a 10-year B‑1/B‑2 Visitor Visa to the United States possible. Documents are accepted at any convenient American consulate.

Citizens of St Lucia benefit from increased global mobility and can travel to 147 countries without obtaining a visa in advance.

Some countries such as Australia or Egypt require St Lucia passport holders to have an Electronic Travel Authorisation or to be issued a visa upon arrival. Both of these permits are quicker and cheaper to get than a regular visa.

1. St Lucia citizenship can be obtained by birth, registration, or investment.

2. Investment is the fastest route to get St Lucia citizenship. Applicants invest at least $240,000, pay government fees, pass Due Diligence, and undergo an interview. When all the conditions are met, the government issues a naturalisation certificate allowing a foreigner to apply for a passport.

3. Possible investment options include contributing to the state fund, buying real estate, purchasing bonds, investing in a business, or participating in an infrastructure project.

4. The investor’s family, including a spouse, children under 30, parents over 55, and siblings under 18, obtain citizenship with the main applicant.

5. St Lucia’s citizenship program provides a comprehensive set of benefits, including enhanced global mobility, access to a preferential tax regime, and the ability to pass on citizenship for the investor’s children.