A History of Citizenship by Investment – Infographic (May 2022 Update)
40 years have passed since countries first began selling citizenships. See our timeline of the history of citizenship by investment programs.
The Caribbean’s youngest citizenship by investment program distinguishes itself by being the only program in the region that offers a government bond investment option (starting at US$250,000).
With a population of 180,000, Saint Lucia is also the region’s most populous CBI-country, and has well-developed hospitality and financial sectors.
This program page is sponsored by RIF Trust
Program type | Direct citizenship program |
Time to citizenship | 3-6 months |
Time to citizenship | 3-6 months |
Time to permanent residency | 3-6 months |
Minimum investment | US$100,000 |
Physical presence requirement | None |
Application processing time | 3-6 months |
Grants visa-free travel to | 146 destinations, including Schengen countries |
Contribution types available | Donation, Property Investment, Business investment, Bond investment |
General program requirements
Saint Lucia has several investment options available for citizenship:
COVID-19 Relief Bonds (ending 31 December 2021).
$250,000 Single applicant (five-year holding bond).
$250,000 Primary applicant and spouse (six-year holding bond).
$250, 000 Primary applicant applying with spouse and two qualifying dependents (seven-year holding bond).
$300,000 Primary applicant applying with up to four qualifying dependents (five-year holding bond).
$15,000 for each additional dependent after the third.
Government Bonds (Five year holding period)
$500,000 Sole applicant.
$535,000 Primary applicant and spouse.
$550,000 Applicant applying with spouse and two qualifying dependents (seven-year holding bond).
$25,000 for each additional dependent after the third.
Both bond options have an additional, non-refundable administration fee of $30,000.
Saint Lucia’s National Economic Fund (NEF)
$100,000 Single applicant.
$140,000 Primary applicant and spouse.
$150, 000 Primary applicant applying with spouse and two qualifying dependents.
$15,000 or $25,000 for additional dependents depending on family circumstances.
Real Estate Investment
$300,000 investment made into real estate which are government approved projects.
There are non-refundable government fees depending on the number of applicants:
$30,000 Primary applicant.
$45,000 Primary applicant and spouse.
$10,000 dependents over 18.
$5,000 dependents under 18.
Enterprise Investment
$3,500,000 for a sole investor.
$6,000,000 for co-investors with a maximum of six investors.
$50,000 non-refundable government fee for each primary applicant.
$35,000 non-refundable government fee for each dependent over 18.
$25,000 non-refundable government fee for each dependent under 18.
All options have due diligence fees of $7,500 for the primary applicant and $5,000 for any dependent over 16. There are additional processing fees of $2,000 for a primary applicant and $1,000 for every dependent.
Program benefits
Requirements to qualify for citizenship
Make the initial payment to begin the application process and prepare the documentation requested for the application.
The government will begin their due diligence on you and additional adult dependents included in the application.
You will receive a preliminary approval after the due diligence has been completed. The final qualifying investment amount will need to be paid to complete the process. After the transfer has been completed, you will be approved as a citizen and your new passports.
There is no language test and there is no physical presence required in Saint Lucia.
Legislation upon which this program is based:
Citizenship by Investment Act 2015 Section 14
See the complete list of agents authorized by the government to submit applications for this program.
Development Name | Construction Status | Announced Completion Date | Last Update | Images | Website |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Saint Lucia Canelles Resort (Galaxy Developers) | Not started | 2023 | 01/01/2020 | No data | http://galaxycarib.com/english/ |
The Alpina Saint Lucia Hotel | Not started | No data | 01/01/2020 | No data | https://takgroup.com/ |
Development Name | Construction Status | Announced Completion Date | Last Update | Images | Website |
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40 years have passed since countries first began selling citizenships. See our timeline of the history of citizenship by investment programs.
The discounted bond option will remain in place for at least another year.
“We cannot sit by and allow CIP to be turned into a slush fund at the whims and fancies of the Cabinet,” said MP Allen Chastanet.
American CBI investors, particularly those with crypto-interests, are relocating to Saint Lucia in hitherto unseen numbers, says Keith Isaac.
An email circulated among staff at the Saint Lucia CIU indicates Nestor Alfred’s tenure is coming to a close following a political shake-up.
On whether he worries for the future of the program under the new government: “At this stage, I don’t have that kind of fear, no.”
Programs that offer citizenship within months in exchange for investments or donations, with minor/no physical presence requirements.
Programs that offer citizenship in exchange for investments following a 1-2 year period, with minor/no physical presence requirements.
Bulgaria Investor Program (discontinued)
Malta MEIN
Programs that offer residence permits within months in exchange for passive investments, with limited physical presence requirements.
Andorra Residence Without Lucrative Activity
Anguilla Permanent Residency Program
Australia BIIP Investor Streams
Bahamas Economic Permanent Residence
Brazil Investor Visa (VIPER)
Cayman Islands Investor Visa
Costa Rica Investor Visa
Curaçao Investor Permit Program
Cyprus Golden Visa
Greece Golden Visa
Guernsey Investor & Entrepreneur Residency
Ireland Immigrant Investor Program
Italy Investor Visa
Latvia Investor Visa
Luxembourg Investor Visa
Malaysia M2H Visa
Malta Permanent Residence Program
Mauritius Permanent Residency Program
Monaco Carte de Séjour
Netherlands Investor Visa
New Zealand Investor Visa
Nicaragua Investor Permanent Residency Program
Panama Qualified Investor Visa
Philippines Special Investor Residence Permit
Portugal Golden Visa
South Korea Investor Visa
Spain Golden Visa
Thailand Elite Residence Program
UK Investor Visa (discontinued)
United States EB-5
Programs that offer residence permits within months to those who can demonstrate income or personal wealth above a certain level, usually requiring that the holder not take up employment locally.
Argentina Rentista and Pensionado Residency
Greece FIP Visa
Indonesia Retirement Visa (KITAS)
Italy Elective Residency Visa
Jersey High Value Residency
Mexico Legal Residency Visa
Nicaragua Pensionado and Rentista Visas
Panama Rentista Retirado Visa
Paraguay Permanent Residency Program
Portugal D7 Visa
Spain Non-Lucrative Visa
Uruguay Independent Means Visa
Programs that offer residence permits within months to those who physically relocate to start and/or run a business. Startup and entrepreneur visas fall under this category.
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