St Lucia one of the most beautiful Caribbean nations offers a fast track citizenship and a powerful passport to investors in the country. The Saint Lucia’s CIP (citizenship by investment program) is a flagship product, stands out amongst other Caribbean economic citizenship programmes. St.Lucia remains very appealing to americans, britons and europeans looking for relocation in a Caribbean island. St Lucia scored and performed very well on the Henley Passport Index, ranking 30th, with a score of 146
The St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP) Regulations in Saint Lucia provides 5 pathways to citizenship with sovereign and societal value. Saint Lucia is a nation that appeals to individuals and families as a place to live, do business, and build a life around.
Saint Lucia’s flagship citizenship investment programme offers five key routes to acquire citizenship and a second passport of this stunning island with unlimited access to wonderful Saint Lucia beaches!
Reasons to get St Lucia citizenship
- Tax free country
- Citizenship is permanent and for life
- Enjoy Caribbean holidays.
- Immediate citizenship within three months
- Second citizenship with Asset protection offshore
- No military service, interviews, business experience or tests
- No personal visit to island required
Five investment routes
- National Economic Donation : Minimum investment US$240,000
- Government Bonds: Minimum investment US$300,000
- Real Estate Investment: Minimum investment US$300,000
- Enterprise Investment: Minimum investment US$3,500,000
Note that bonds and Real estate are fully recoverable investments.
Each citizenship investment option offers the same advantages of citizenship of Saint Lucia, with visa-free or visa on entry access to more than 146 countries worldwide.
One of the most interesting options is the Covid bond issued by the Government. The creation of this special Bond starting at USD 300,000 is a non-interest-bearing government bond to which no processing fee is payable by the applicant. The bond must be registered and remain in the name of the applicant from the date of first issue. The Bond option is very attractive to families, they dont need to pay extra costs for bond.
The National Economic Fund Donation remains also the most popular, cheap and fast economic route for single applicants and families. It is a non-recoverable investment
CIP Application process
We have broken down the St. Lucia CIP Application into the headings below.
1. Process :-
This requires applicant(s) to fill out the various forms and provide the necessary documents to the CIP unit who then make the decision on the application.
See the below link to form SL 1 which is the cip issued checklist for forms and documents for anyone applying needs:-
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5e70a15bb2e3335af0f036b3/t/5f7e95501c77e72d9092e3b4/1602131282004/SL1+-+DocumentCheckList+SL1+Ver3%28Jan2017%29.pdf
The checklist can be looked at under the headings Principal Applicant.
https://www.cipsaintlucia.com/citizenship-application-forms
In addition to the Checklist SL1 we will need:-
A) Lawyers Credential – This Is The Lawyer Who Is Certifying All The Documents As True Copies
B) Medical Examiners Credentials – This Is For The Medical Examiner Who Is Doing The Sl 8 Form
C) Translators Credentials – If There Are Any Translations To Be Done , Then These Must Be Provided
Once the documents and forms are ready we submit them to the CIP unit. They then take 3-5 days to review the forms and deem the file compliant or request missing documents.
If it is compliant then you will receive a decision on your application within 90 days of the date the file is deemed compliant.
Once approved after / before 90 days you are then hopefully given a letter of approval which requires the payment of the investment sum fee within 60 days.
Once the Investment amount is paid the applicant(s) then swear and oath , receive their citizenship Certificate and then they get the passport about two weeks later.Please note I will need the original Birth Certificate when we come to apply for the Passport only.
2. Time frame
Standard time frame is Four (4) months from the date your file is deemed compliant until the passport is in hand. This can be made quicker if we submit the below into the Pre-Due Diligence Processing Portal as soon as possible for the applicant so due diligence can begin on them:-
a) Certified copy of Birth certificate
b)Certified copy of all passport pages
c)Pay the CIP fees (see below) to the CIP unit – please note once paid these are non-refundable
d) Provide a Police (If In USA need FBI not local police report ) for anyone 16 and over
e) Provide a CV / Resume for anyone 18 and over
Once this is submitted then the Due diligence will start on the applicant and it is entirely possible you can have a decision a lot quicker while you gather your documents to submit the full file and I would strongly recommend doing the Pre- Due Diligence Portal.
3. Costs
For a Single applicant
Donation option
- National Economic Fund: US$ 240,000 (one time non-refundable donation to state)
- Government Due diligence + CIP application fee: US$ 9,500
- Lawyer and agency fee: US$6,000
- Bank fee: $1000
- Total sum: US$ 246,500
Real Estate
The St Lucia government has approved two real estate projects for CIP.
https://www.cipsaintlucia.com/approved-real-estate-and-enterprise-projects
- Alpina St Lucia Hotel
- Canelles Resort
The costs for single applicant are as follows..
- Cost of Real estate – US$ 300,000
- Govt processing fee – US$ 10,000
- CIP + DD fee – $7,500
- Agency / Lawyer fee – $7,000
- Total: $324,500
National Government bonds
- Govt bonds: US$ 300,000 (5 year lock)
- Due diligence + CIP application: US$ 7,500
- Govt admin fee: US$ 50,000
- Lawyer and agency fee: US$ 6,000
- Total sum: US$ 363,500
Considering the Government refunds US$ 300,000 after 5 years, the true cost of citizenship is US$ 63,500. This will reduce per family member
Payment Steps
The time frame of payments are
- To start the file you pay sum of $7,500 cip fees and 50% of lawyer fees.
- Once your file is approved by CIP unit, pay investment sum ($100,000) to cip and the remaining 50% agency fees.
- Passport is issued 2 weeks after approval (original birth certificate must be produced)
Families
- 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;
- 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 (sibling) 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.
FAQ
These question and answers were provided by official CIP unit of Government of St Lucia.
What is the Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Programme?
The Citizenship by Investment Act No. 14 of 2015 and the Citizenship by Investment Saint Lucia Regulations No. 89 of 2015 with their respective amendments, allows an eligible person to acquire citizenship of Saint Lucia pursuant to a successful application and upon the payment of a qualifying investment and signing the Oath of Allegiance.
What are the qualifying investment options available in Saint Lucia?
Currently, the Programme offers investment via the following:
- Bonds
- National Economic Fund
- Approved Real Estate Projects
- Approved Enterprise Projects
- Non-Interest-Bearing Government Bonds
Who is eligible to apply to the Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Programme?
An individual wishing to submit an application through the Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Programme:
- must be at least 18 years of age
- satisfy a minimum qualifying investment in one of four investment options
- provide details and evidence of the proposed qualifying investment
- pass a due diligence 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.
Who is a principal applicant?
A person who, as head of a family, undertakes an investment for the purpose of acquiring citizenship of Saint Lucia and signs the relevant agreements and undertakings on behalf of his or her dependent.
Who is a qualifying dependent?
- 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;
- 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 if my child does not fall under the criteria of ‘qualifying dependent’?
In a case where your child does not fall within the criteria of ‘qualifying dependent’, he/she would need to apply as a separate ‘principal applicant’-if they are 18 years of age or older.
Can I submit my application directly to the Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Programme?
No. An applicant MUST go through a licensed Authorised Agent who will submit the application(s) on your behalf.
Who is an Authorised Agent?
An Authorised Agent is licensed by the Citizenship by Investment Board and is authorised to act on behalf of the applicant in relation to an application.
I have been approached by a Promoter and/or Marketing Agent in my jurisdiction. Are they affiliated with CIP Saint Lucia?
To ensure that a Promoter or Marketing Agent is licensed by the Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Programme, which is regularly updated.
- A Promoter is licensed by the Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Board to market the Programme globally, thereby driving applications.
- A Marketing Agent is licensed by the Citizenship by Investment Board and has direct obligation to market the Programme by way of roadshows, conferences and other marketing efforts which may contribute to the enhancement of the Programme globally.
Where can I find the forms to apply for citizenship in Saint Lucia?
Application forms for the Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Programme are available here. Forms can also be obtained from your Authorised Agent.
How long does it take to process my citizenship application?
From the date of notifying your Authorised Agent that your application has been accepted for processing, it will take approximately ninety (90) days to the grant of citizenship. Should there be any extenuating circumstances that would cause a delay in the processing of your application, your Authorised Agent will be informed directly by the Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Programme.
What language should my supporting documents be in?
All supporting documents must be submitted in the original language “ENGLISH”. Where the original language of the supporting document is NOT English, then you MUST provide the document in its original language and in the required format (original or certified true copy) in addition to the authenticated translation to the English language.
Can I follow-up on the status of my application?
No – only your Authorised Agent can check on the status of your application. The Programme will not share any information on the status of an application with anyone other than your Authorised Agent. The Programme has created a pre–processing law enforcement due diligence module which allows for law enforcement vetting to commence prior to the submission of a full citizenship application form.
Does the Programme conduct due diligence on the applicants?
The Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Programme has a rigorous due diligence process which entails engaging law enforcement and third-party due diligence firms. Upon receipt of feedback from law enforcement and due diligence firms, a decision is made on the application.
Will the Programme conduct due diligence on my sixteen (16) year old?
Yes, due diligence is completed on applicants sixteen (16) years and older.
Now that I have received a notification of citizenship grant from the Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Programme, what should I do next?
You are now required to make payment of qualifying investment amount and submission the oath or affirmation of allegiance.
Where can the oath or affirmation be taken and who can sign?
A successful applicant shall sign the oath of allegiance before an attorney-at-law, a Consular Officer of Saint Lucia, an Honorary Consul of Saint Lucia, or a Notary Royal or Notary Public.
How can I obtain Saint Lucian citizenship on behalf of my family?
The Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Board may grant an application for citizenship to a qualifying dependent after citizenship by investment is granted to a Principal Applicant in these situations:
- He or she was already a qualifying dependent when the application was made by the citizen and the application for citizenship by investment of the qualifying dependent is made no more than five years after the application was made by the citizen.
- He or she is a child born after the application was made by the citizen.
- He or she is a spouse of the citizen and was married after the application was made by the citizen.
I have now been granted citizenship, will the Citizenship by Investment Programme issue me with a Saint Lucian passport?
No – on notification of the grant of citizenship, the Citizenship by Investment Programme will issue a Certificate of Registration. Thereafter, the Authorised Agent (or other person authorised by the new citizen) will apply to the Immigration Department for a Saint Lucian passport on their behalf.
Please contact us for more information.
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