Citizenship
14 October, 2024
Reading Time: 6 min

How to get St Lucia citizenship by investing in real estate

Foreigners can get St Lucia citizenship by investing at least $200,000 in real estate. Processing time is 3—4 months. In 5 years, the owner can sell the property and get investment money back.

Not every property meets St Lucia citizenship by investment program requirements. Immigrant Invest experts show what property to buy to get St Lucia citizenship and how to return the invested money a few years later.

Elena Ruda

Author •Elena Ruda

Explained how to buy property in St Lucia and get citizenship

St Lucia citizenship by investment real estate

How to get St Lucia citizenship by investing in real estate

St Lucia citizenship by investment program overview

Obtaining a St Lucia passport is fast and easy if you participate in the state citizenship by investment program, meet all the requirements and successfully pass the Due Diligence check.

The program has been operating since 2016. Investors do not need to visit the country to participate in it. The term for obtaining citizenship is 3 to 4 months.

The program provides several investment options. You can invest in:

  • pre-approved real estate;

  • the National Economic Fund of St Lucia;

  • government bonds;

  • business projects.

The option of investing in real estate is the second most popular among investors after contributing to the state fund. By 2020—2021, the share of program participants who invest in real estate has grown to 20%. It’s twice as much as in 2019—2020.

Benefits of investing in St Lucia real estate

Developed touristic real estate market. The island is one of the most accessible in the Caribbean region, with direct flights from the UK, Canada, the US and Germany. In 2019, St Lucia was visited by nearly 1.3 million tourists.

Profitable and secure investments. Foreigners buy St Lucia property for renting it out and living on holidays. Rental yield is approximately 3—5% per year.

3—5% per year

Renting yield in St Lucia

European and Canadian banks operate in St Lucia. Investors can open an account in a reliable bank and access all financial services to keep savings and make currency transactions.

St Lucia real estate by investment can be returned after 5 years by selling the property.

Obtaining St Lucia citizenship by investing in real estate. Foreigners who invest in government pre-approved St Lucia real estate get a second citizenship. The St Lucia passport is among one of the strongest in the world. It allows travelling visa-free to more than 140 countries, including the Schengen states, the UK, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

Tax optimisation for business. Investors can register a company in St Lucia and optimise taxes. There are no VAT and capital gains taxes. Income tax is not levied if income is received outside the country.

Benefits of obtaining St Lucia citizenship by investing in real estate

Visa-free travelling. The St Lucia passport allows the holder to visit 146 countries without getting a visa. In 114 countries, including the UK, the Schengen countries, Singapore and Hong Kong, St Lucia citizens don’t need to complete any formalities on arrival.

Long-term US visa. St Licia citizens can apply for a 10-year US visitor visa at any American consulate. In addition, St Lucia citizens can open accounts at international, including European, banks.

Fast application process with lower costs. The costs for obtaining a St Lucia passport are lower, and the processing time is shorter than in Europe. Getting a passport in Turkey or Montenegro will take more than 6 months. A starting investment in Turkey is $400,000.

How St Lucia citizenship can become a powerful tool for convenient travelling and business expansion

Second citizenship in a Caribbean Community and Commonwealth. Successful applicants become full-fledged citizens with the right to live and work in St Lucia and other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries. Citizens of the country can come to any state of these associations without a visa. The Caribbean is duty-free, so business in the region can be profitable.

St Lucian citizens enjoy all the rights and privileges of citizenship of a Commonwealth country in the UK and other members. For example, Commonwealth citizens are entitled to assistance from the UK embassies if they face difficulty in a non‑Commonwealth country.

St Lucia citizenship by investment real estate

The St Lucia’s passport needs to be renewed every 5 years. Immigrant Invest lawyers accompany the investor through the St Lucia citizenship program up to obtaining passports and subsequently help with renewal. We send the passport and naturalisation certificate by delivery service to a convenient address

What property to buy to get St Lucia citizenship

Once approved by the St Lucia government, the real estate project becomes available for citizenship by investment applicants.

The minimum investment in real estate under the program is $200,000. St Lucia property cost depends on real estate type, distance from the sea and infrastructure.

For a minimum investment of $200,000, you can purchase a share in a hotel complex. When buying a share, the investor can have free rest in the hotel for up to two weeks a year.

Besides the share, you can buy real estate for permanent residence. Elite villas with furniture, communications, a swimming pool, a territory with landscape design and a sea view from an expansive terrace are being sold in St Lucia.

Average St Lucia property prices

Real estate type

Price

Apartment up to 200 m², with 2 bedrooms, located at some distance from the sea

$400,000 to $1,000,000

Villas up to 450 m², with 3—4 bedrooms, plot up to 2,500 m². Distance to the sea is 100 m to 2 km

$1,000,000 to $2,000,000

Villas on the Caribbean coast, up to 700 m², with 3—5 bedrooms, a plot of up to 25,000 m². Distance to the sea is 100 m

$3,000,000 and more

An example of a government-approved project in St Lucia. Apartments in a luxury hotel by the ocean. If an investor buys an apartment in this project, they can receive an annual income from renting out the property. Renting resort real estate in St Lucia brings an average income of 3% per annum.

An apartment can be left for you to live in or rented out for a certain period. In the second case, the management company will help.

After 5 years, the property can be sold, and most of the costs returned.

Who can participate in the St Lucia citizenship by investment program

To enter the St Lucia real estate citizenship program, an investor must be over 18 years, without a criminal record but with a legal income.

An investor can include a spouse, children under 30, parents over 55, and brothers and sisters under 18 in the application. Children and parents must be financially dependent on the investor.

Brothers and sisters must not be married and have children. Just like children and parents, they must be financially dependent on the investor. Siblings must get the parent’s or guardian’s consent to obtain investment citizenship.

The Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program has a strict Due Diligence process. Upon the lawyer’s feedback, the St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Unit decides on the application. All participants over the age of 16 are subject to Due Diligence.

What are the costs and fees when buying St Lucia real estate?

The total cost of obtaining St Lucia citizenship by investment in real estate depends on the applicant’s specific situation.

The investment amount doesn’t depend on the number of family members. The main applicant pays an administration fee of at least $30,000. Also, there are processing and Due Diligence fees.

The investor can return the investment capital in 5 years by selling the property.

St Lucia real estate citizenship expenses

Investor

Married couple

Family of four

Family of five and more

Investment

$200,000

$200,000

$200,000

$200,000

Administration fee

$30,000

$45,000

$45,000


and +$5000 per family member under 18


+$10,000 per family member over 18

$45,000


and +$5000 per family member under 18


+$10,000 per family member over 18

Processing fee

$2,000

$3,000

$3,000


and +$1,000 for each family member

$3,000


and +$1,000 for each family member

Due Diligence

$7,500

$12,500

$7,500 for the investor


and +$5,000 perfamily member over 16

$7,500 for the investor


and +$5,000 perfamily member over 16

Property taxes in St Lucia

When buying real estate, individuals and companies pay the property transfer tax, which is 2%. Buyers pay for it.

The stamp duty is paid by both parties of the real estate purchase contract. The buyer pays the tax of 2%. If the seller is a St Lucia resident, they pay 2.5, 3.5 or 5%, depending on the property value. A non-resident pays 10%.

Owning real estate. St Lucia has favourable taxation for real estate owners who pay annual taxes. It is:

  • 0,4% of the property value for commercial real estate;

  • 0,25% for residential real estate.

The exact amount depends on the location of the object.

The selling stamp duty rate depends on property value and varies from 2.5 to 5%.

How to buy property in St Lucia and get citizenship

St Lucia citizenship by investment process including several consecutive steps. If the investor meets all requirements, obtaining time takes 3—4 months.

1

Preliminary Due Diligence check

The Immigrant Invest Compliance Department checks investors’ biographies before signing a contract. An Anti-Money Laundering Officer identifies potential risks that may lead to the rejection of the application. This is how Immigrant Invest reduces the risk of refusing an application for citizenship by investment to 1%.

2

Choosing a property

The investor chooses a share or apartment in a government pre-approved project.

3

Sending documents to the St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Unit

Investors collect supporting documents according to the list. Immigrant Invest lawyers get copies notarized, apostilled, and submitted for consideration to the government.

The St Lucia CBI Unit accepts applications and starts the Due Diligence check.

4

Approving application

Immigrant Invest lawyers receive a response about investors’ participation in the real estate citizenship program. Approval is the basis for the transfer of investments.

5

Purchasing real estate

Investors’ expenses when choosing to buy a share in real estate include the cost of the object, Due Diligence check, and administrative and courier fees.

6

Getting passports

The CBI Unit prints passports and naturalisation certificates when the bank confirms the investment. Immigrant Invest lawyers deliver a new St Lucia passport to the investor.

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.

Frequently asked questions

  • Is St Lucia a good place for foreigners to invest in?

    St Lucia real estate is an investment that brings a stable rental income. The main income of the state is formed by tourism. Renting out real estate to the country’s guests brings an income of 3—5% per annum.

    The main advantage of buying real estate in St Lucia is obtaining citizenship by investment. The passport of this state allows you to visit more than 140 countries without visas, including the Schengen Area, the UK, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

    St Lucia has a beneficial tax law. If an investor becomes a tax resident of the country, they get an opportunity to optimise taxation. You can register a company in St Lucia to use the services of European banks and conduct international business.

  • Can I buy a house in St Lucia and get citizenship?

    Yes. Investors buy shares, apartments, or villas in government-approved properties. Usually, these are five-star hotel complexes.

    Investments in real estate in St Lucia bring a stable annual income. At the same time, the investor does not need to take part in the future fate of the object — a management company is in charge of the current affairs.

  • How much does St Lucia citizenship cost?

    The program’s costs depend on the composition of the investor’s family. Immigrant Invest lawyers calculate it individually.

    The minimum investment in real estate is $200,000. This amount does not change depending on the number of applicants and their age: both the investor and their spouse or a family of five can invest one amount.

    The investor also pays a additional costs include.

  • How long does it take to get citizenship in St Lucia?

    It usually takes 3—4 months. Caribbean citizenship programs are among the fastest in the world due to clear and transparent procedures.

  • Who can participate in the St Lucia citizenship by investment program?

    St Lucia has the usual Caribbean investor requirements. The main applicant must be over 18, with no criminal record, be in good health, have a legal business and have sufficient funds to pay all program expenses.

    Members of the investor’s family can participate in the program: spouse, children under 25 years old, parents of the main applicant or spouse over 65 years old. Parents and adult children must be financially dependent.

  • What are the other options to get citizenship in St Lucia?

    The St Lucia citizenship by investment program offers investors four options: a non-refundable contribution to a state fund, the purchase of the real estate, the purchase of state funds, bonds or business investments.

    A donation to the St Lucia National Economic Fund (NEF) is the least expensive option of the program. Investments range from $100,000.

    Real estate is bought for an amount of $200,000 or more. At the same time, it can be sold after five years, and the money invested can be returned, sometimes even with a profit. In addition, the share in the hotel complex generates rental income.

    Government bonds are bought in the amount of $300,000 or more.

    To invest in a business under the citizenship program, investors need to pay at least $1 million.