The following questions are commonly asked by clients who apply for citizenship in Saint Lucia under its new citizenship by investment programme (CIP)
How much time it takes for St Lucia passport?
The Average processing time is 3-5 months. You will be issued citizenship certificate and passport. No requirement to visit St Lucia. It takes 3 months to get the approval, and another 1-2 weeks to issue passport.
Is citizenship reported to other countries?
No citizenship is confidential/discrete and is not reported to other countries by Saint lucia government.
what are the costs involved?
Your fees is composed to two parts: Government fee and Agency fee. The Government fee involves investment, application fee, passport fee) plus Agency fee. You will ONLY pay the full investment, only after receiving approval from government which takes 3 months.
You can start the initial application process paying only Government application fee ($2000), Due diligence fee ($7500). There is also a local agent fee (approx $3000 to $5000) depending on single or family application depending on how many people apply. There are no hidden or any other fee.
Remember you will only pay initial govt fee plus due diligence fee to start the application process. The rest is only after application approval by government.
Which investment is the fastest option?
Real estate and donation are the most popular options. The fee vary on total people applying and their age.
Will i get a refund, if my application is rejected?
If your application is rejected or decide to withdraw your application in the middle of process, you will not get refund of initial fee paid (due diligence, application fee, agency fee). You dont need to pay the full investment.
Why Government bond option is so popular?
The Bond option is preferred option those seeking risk free investment. It is a zero coupon bonds (no interest paid) guaranteed by Government of St Lucia after 5-6 years. with no interest. The minimum required bond investment is USD 300,000 and family of 5 can apply for this sum without increasing the bond sum.
WHAT are the additional costs for family dependants?
Please refer to the citizenship prices.
WHAT restrictions apply for family members?
It is important to remember married siblings, son/daughter above 32 years cannot be included as dependant (exception is handicapped or mentally challenged).
Eligible family dependants
- A spouse of the applicant;
- A child of the applicant or of his or her spouse who is twenty-one years of age or below;
- A child of the applicant or of his or her spouse who is no more than thirty years of age and who is fully supported by the applicant;
- A child of the applicant or of his or her spouse, of any age, who is physically or mentally challenged and who is fully supported by the applicant; (no age limit)
- A parent of the applicant or of his or her spouse who is above fifty-five years of age and who is fully supported by the applicant;
- A parent of any age who is physically or mentally challenged and who is fully supported by the applicant;
- An unmarried sister or brother of the applicant who is below eighteen years of age and who has received the consent of his or her parent or guardian to make an application for citizenship by investment.
What is the reputation of Saint Lucia passport?
St Lucia passport is ranked No 37 best passport in world passport rankings with visa free travel to 146 countries in the world according a survey Henley passport . The visa free travel access includes South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, European schengen states such as Germany, France, Switzerland etc. Economic Citizens of Saint Lucia (passport holders) still need visa to travel to Canada and United States.
What are the requirements to qualify under CIP programme?
Citizenship by Investment Programme in Saint Lucia requires meet the following minimum criteria:
- Be at least 18 years of age;
- Satisfy a minimum qualifying investment in one of the following categories –
- The Saint Lucia National Economic Fund $240,000;
- An approved Real Estate development $300,000;
- An approved Enterprise project $1 million; or
- The purchase of Government bonds $300,000
- Provide details and evidence of the proposed qualifying investment;
- Pass a diligence background check along with their qualifying dependents over the age of 16;
- Provide full and frank disclosure on all matters pertaining to the application; and
- Pay the requisite non-refundable processing, due diligence and administrative fees upon application.
Can i include children over 18 years in the family application?
Yes you can
Who is not eligible to apply?
Russians, Iranians cannot apply at the moment. If you have a visa refusal from countries with visa waiver agreements, you will be refused.
Is the citizenship lifetime and can it be passed on to future family generations?
Yes citizenship is lifetime and it can be passed on to future generations.
What if citizenship is refused?
You are only required to pay the full amount, only after receiving “Letter of Approval” from Government. You will have 60 days time to commit to the investment. If you are refused it could be of the following reasons.
- You have not passed background and due diligence checks done by the Government
- You have prior criminal convictions or visa denials.
- You have lied or provided false information in your application.
- Have been convicted of a criminal offence except a minor traffic offence.
- Have been denied any category of visa to a country to which Saint Lucia has visa free access and been unsuccessful in subsequently obtaining visa.
- Have been declared bankrupt by a court; and
- Have been declared, by a court or qualified health practitioner to be mentally incapacitated.
Can i include parents above 65 years in the citizenship application
Yes you can, but parents must be fully supported by main applicant.
What documents are required to apply for St LUCIA CITIZENSHIP?
- Birth Certificate (original and copy)
- Medical Health Certificate (less than 3 months old)
- Police certificate (less than 6 months old)
- Letter of recommendation from the head of the school/university for children between 12 and 18 years old
- Proof of payment of relevant fees.
- Affidavit of Source of Funds.
- Detailed Business Background Reports/Resume
- Two(2) professional references
- Letter of Employment/ Financial Statements
- Recommendation from applicant’s Bankers
- Two (2) Personal references
- Eight (8) passport size photos for each applicant
- Marriage Certificate/Dissolution of Marriage if required
- Notarized copies of University/College diplomas.
- If documents are not in english (both original and translated ones ) must be given.
Can i invest in St.Lucia Real estate?
Yes , you can invest in CIP approved residential apartments, villas, holiday homes and private homes. Several ownership options (freehold, fractional shares) available. You cannot sell your property for 5 years. The developer pays 3-4% rental returns, no maintenance or operational fee and 3 week free stay at the resort. You can also register your local address in St.Lucia
How is the health care in St Lucia?
St Lucia has thirty-three (33) Health Centers, three (3) public hospitals, one (1) private hospital, and one (1) psychiatric hospital.
What are the places worth visiting in Saint Lucia?
The Pitons are two volcanic mountains our very own World Heritage Site in St. Lucia, linked by a ridge called Piton Mitan. The two Piton Mountains are perhaps the most photographed feature on the island. The larger of these two mountains is called the Gros Piton and the other is called Petit Piton. The famous Sulphur Springs is the hottest and most active geothermal area in the Lesser Antilles. The park is approximately 45 hectares and is billed as the Caribbean’s only drive-in volcano. There are man-made hot pools where locals and visitors alike frequent for the healing properties of the mineral-rich water.
How is the climate in Saint Lucia?
The local climate is tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds, with a dry season from 1 December to 31 May, and a wet season from 1 June to 30 November.
Do Saint Lucia has tax treaty with US government?
On June 30, 2014, St. Lucia signed a Model 1 agreement with the United States of America in relation to Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). As at September 1, 2016, the status of the agreement is listed as “In Force”.
Can i become a Tax resident in St.Lucia?
Yes, only if you come and live in St.Lucia for 183 days and have a registered local address.
Which country nationals cannot apply for CIP program?
Nationals of Russia, Belarus, Iran are restricted from applying as a result of to international/UN financial sanctions.
