What happened? The Government of St Lucia plans to amend the Citizenship by Investment Act. Deputy Prime Minister Ernest Hilaire announced this on 31 March 2025.
The proposed changes include:
Annual quotas on citizenship granted.
Net worth requirements for applicants.
Requirements for escrow accounts.
The government has not yet shared when the changes will come into effect. Similar requirements were in place when the citizenship by investment program was launched in 2015, but they were later removed under former Prime Minister Allen Chastanet.
The aim of the reforms, according to the government, is to restore citizenship by investment to “the exclusive high-end program.” Additional control measures are expected to increase its appeal in the investment migration market.
St Lucia may be tightening the requirements for investors to preserve its visa-free access to the Schengen Area. The country previously raised the minimum investment threshold for the same reason from $100,000 to 240,000.
It is not yet known when the changes will come into force. However, St Lucia may introduce a transition period. This would allow investors to obtain citizenship under the current rules if they apply soon.