Country Profile:

Saint Lucia, a picturesque island in the eastern Caribbean, showcases a diverse landscape of volcanic peaks, verdant rainforests, and stunning beaches. Its economy thrives on tourism, agriculture (bananas, coconuts), and offshore banking.

The island’s culture is a vibrant blend of African, French, and British influences, celebrated through music, dance, and cuisine. Creole traditions, colorful festivals like Carnival, and historic sites like Pigeon Island enrich the cultural tapestry of Saint Lucia.

Capital: Castries

Population: 178,696 (2018, 177th)

Ethic Group: 85.3% Black, 10.9% Mixed, 2.2% Indian

Area: 617 km²  (178th)

Offical Language: English

Currency: East Caribbean dollar( pegged to the United States dollar, at the exchange rate of US$1 = EC$2.70)

GDP per Captial: $18,972 (2023, 90th)

How To Immigtate To Saint Lucia:

Saint Lucia is one of the five Caribbean nations that offer fast-track citizenship by investment policies. Additionally, it also provides a digital nomad visa option for remote workers.

Visa Exemption:

People from Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Saint Vincent and the Grenadlines, and Grenada can work and live in Saint Lucia freely.

Citizenship by Investment:

The Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program has been in effect since February 2015, and its rules have undergone various changes almost every year. Currently, the program offers multiple pathways to obtain citizenship, including donations, real estate purchases, government bonds, and business investments.

1. Donation Option: Applicants can make a donation to the National Economic Fund (NEF) of Saint Lucia. The minimum donation is $100,000 for a single applicant, $140,000 for a couple, and $150,000 for families of three or four. An additional donation of $25,000 is required for each additional dependent.

2. Government Bonds Option: Investors can invest $300,000 in non-interest-bearing government bonds and hold them for at least five years. There is also an application fee of $50,000. The investment amount and government fee remain fixed and do not change based on the number of dependents.

3. Real Estate Option: Applicants can purchase a combination of approved real estate properties worth at least $200,000. For this option, a single applicant needs to pay a government fee of $30,000, while a couple pays $45,000. An additional fee of $10,000 is required for each additional dependent above 18 years old, and $5,000 for each dependent below 18 years old.

4. Business Investment Option: Investors can invest at least $3.5 million individually in a government-approved local enterprise or at least $6 million collectively (Each applicant must contribute at least US$1,000,000) with other investors in a qualifying project. For this option, a single applicant needs to pay a government fee of $50,000, with an additional fee of $35,000 for each dependent above 18 years old and $25,000 for each dependent below 18 years old.

In addition to the chosen investment option, the main applicant needs to pay a due diligence fee of $7,500, while each adult dependent above 16 years old needs to pay $5,000 for due diligence. The main applicant also needs to pay a application processing fee of $2,000, and each accompanying dependent needs to pay $1,000.

The necessary documents include a passport, passport-sized photos, a copy of the birth certificate, proof of relationship for dependents, resumes for applicants above 18 years old, a letter of application, bank statements, educational certificates, records of previous visas, military records, proof of nationality, proof of investment completion, medical certificates, and a total of eight relevant application forms.

The application process involves the following steps:

1. Contract with an licensed agent: Similar to other passport programs, the Saint Lucia citizenship program must be processed through one of the government-approved intermediary firms, many of which are available through domestic immigration companies.

2. Fill out application forms and submit the required documents: The licensed agent will assist with this process.

3. Background check: The Citizenship by Investment Unit reviews the application and relevant documents. After the review, a thorough background check is conducted by a designated agency hired by the Saint Lucian government. Upon completion of the background check, the immigration department makes the final decision on whether to issue the passport.

4. Complete the investment: Once approved, the applicant has 90 days to complete the investment and pay the related fees. After the investment is completed, the applicant can register and receive the passport.

The entire processing time for the Saint Lucia citizenship program is 3 to 6 months, and the entire process is conducted online. Dependents such as main applicant’s couple, children under 25 years old who are not economically independent and elderly relatives above 55 years old can accompany the main applicant. New family members can join the citizenship at any time and are not subject to the previous requirement of waiting five years after the main applicant obtains citizenship.

Live It Program:

Starting from January 2021, Saint Lucia launched a digital nomad visa program called the “Live it Programme.”The program is currently undergoing a trial phase and can be applied for online. There are no specific income criteria, and the visa is valid for 12 months with the possibility of unlimited renewals, although it does not grant permanent residency.

Applicants also need to ensure they have good health, no criminal records, sufficient income or financial proof, and basic requirements such as health insurance coverage that applies to Saint Lucia.

The entire application process can be divided into three steps:

1. Form Completion: First, you need to download and fill out the application form from https://www.govt.lc/media.govt.lc/www/resources/forms/SaintLuciaVisaApplicationForm.pdf;

2. Document Submission: Submit the completed form and relevant income proofs, main and secondary applicant information documents to VISAOFFICE@POLICE.GOVT.LC. The entire review process takes up to 5 working days;

Required documents include: valid passport (six-month validity) , two passport-size photographs, a return ticket, copy of the travel itinerary, proof of accommodation, letter of invitation (if invited by friend/relative—must also provide telephone number and address), letter of enrollment from school, college, or university (for students applying for the visa), proof of sufficient funds, proof of employment.

All documents must be either provided in or translated into English. 

3. Visa Fee Payment: After the application is approved, you will pay a visa fee of 75 US dollars upon arrival in Saint Lucia, at the time of entry.

Passport Power:

Saint Lucia recognizes dual citizenship, and passport holders enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 146 countries or regions worldwide.

Useful Links:

Saint Lucia CBI：https://www.cipsaintlucia.com/