St Lucia сitizenship gives cosmopolitans several benefits. They visit more than 140 countries without visas, use the services of banks in the EU, and pay taxes at lower rates.
Obtaining a second passport by investment in St Lucia takes only 6+ months. The minimum investment in the country’s economy is $240,000.
Learn more about the advantages and terms for investors in the Caribbean state of St Lucia.
Author •Lyle Julien
Listed the benefits of St Lucia citizenship for investors
Investors holding St Lucia passports visit 147 countries without visas.
Demanded visa-free destinations include the states of the Schengen Agreement, where St Lucians can stay for 90 days within 180. Popular Asian destinations are Hong Kong and Singapore, which are also accessible without additional documents.
St Lucia is a former British colony and thus a part of the Commonwealth of Nations. Citizens of the island state of St Lucia can visit the UK without additional documents and are permitted to stay there for up to 180 days a year.
The сitizenship of St Lucia makes it possible to obtain a B‑1/B‑2 Visitor Visa to the United States for 10 years. The B‑1/B‑2 is a non-immigrant visa designed for business and tourism or visiting purposes, such as attending conferences, having a vacation trip, or meeting with relatives.
Applicants must complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application with the Form DS‑160, pay the visa fee, and schedule an interview at a convenient US Embassy or Consulate.
St Lucia has relatively low taxes. Some taxes are not paid at all — for example, tax on income received in other countries. There are also no inheritance taxes or capital gains.
Сonvinient conditions have been created for companies. 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.
Investors with St Lucia passports can easily open bank accounts in the EU countries. They are pre-checked by EU law, but the procedure is much less stringent than usual for third-country citizens.
An account in a European bank allows quick and easy payments in foreign currency and keeps savings in a safe place.
St Lucian and international banks across the Caribbean are also available to St Lucia passport holders.
Four types of Scholarships by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) are available to students from St Lucia. These are:
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships for one-year postgraduate courses.
Commonwealth Distance Learning Master’s Scholarships.
Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships allowing PhD candidates to spend up to 12 months at a UK university.
Commonwealth Professional Fellowships for mid-career professionals to undertake professional development in the UK.
The Chevening Scholarships are also available to St Lucians. It is a prestigious global scholarship programme funded by the UK Government, designed to develop future leaders by allowing them to pursue one-year Master’s degrees in the UK. For example, the University of London provides qualifying Master’s programs in various fields.
The scholarship covers tuition fees, a monthly allowance, return airfare, and additional expenses.
St Lucia passport holders enjoy visa-free access to 140+ countries, enhancing travel and business opportunities in the Schengen Area, the UK, and Asian economic centres like Singapore.
Citizenship also offers access to low tax rates and exemptions on foreign income, inheritance, and capital gains. Besides, the second passport simplifies opening bank accounts in the EU, aiding international financial transactions.
St Lucian citizens gain access to UK educational benefits, including Commonwealth and Chevening Scholarships, fostering professional development.
The investment program provides a cost-effective path to St Lucia citizenship, includes family members, and offers potential returns. The minimum investment is $240,000 with the obtaining time of 6+ months.
To enjoy the benefits of a second passport of St Lucia, wealthy people participate in the country’s citizenship by investment program. It has several advantages that make it attractive to applicants.
Remote process. The investor does not need to come to St Lucia at any stage of obtaining citizenship. All procedures are carried out remotely.
Short obtaining time. Due Diligence, the longest stage of obtaining citizenship, lasts about 3—5 months in St Lucia. Therefore, investors get their second passports in 6+ months.
In comparison, obtaining citizenship by naturalisation takes 10 years of living on the island.
Relatively low costs. The investment amount for obtaining St Lucia citizenship depends on the chosen option:
$240,000+ — contributing to a state fund;
$250,000+ — supporting infrastructure projects;
$300,000+ — buying government bonds or real estate;
$1,000,000+ — investing in a business venture.
In comparison, the minimum investment in citizenship of another Caribbean state of St Kitts and Nevis is $250,000. Obtaining not citizenship but residency in the EU in most cases requires at least €250,000.
Passports for family members. The investor can include relatives in the application: a spouse, children under 30, and parents over 55. Since July 2020, it has been allowed to add minor siblings in the citizenship application, provided they have a parent’s or legal guardian’s consent.
Citizenship for relatives can be issued even after the investor has received a passport. For family members who were originally eligible to participate in the program, the maximum application period is 5 years from the date of application by the investor.
Newborn children and new spouses can join the program and obtain citizenship at any time.
Return on investment. While contributions to a state fund are non-refundable, government bonds can be redeemed and real estate sold in 5 years after obtaining citizenship.
Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent for citizenship and residence by investment programs in the EU, the Caribbean, Asia, and the Middle East. Take advantage of our global 15-year expertise — schedule a meeting with our investment programs experts.
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