Short answer: besides the donation route (from USD 240,000 for up to four people), St Lucia offers government bonds: invest around USD 300,000, hold for five years, then recover the principal (plus an admin fee). The passport is visa-free to the Schengen Area; a UK visa has been required since March 2026.
Donation vs bonds
| Donation | Government bonds | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount | From USD 240,000 (up to four people) | Around USD 300,000 |
| Recoverable | No | Principal after five years (plus admin fee) |
| Family | Donation can cover up to four | Per bond-route rules |
| Schengen | Visa-free | Visa-free |
| UK | Visa required since March 2026 | Same |
Who should choose bonds
- Wanting funds back eventually and accepting a five-year lock-up
- More capital available and willing to pay more for principal recovery
- Not treating UK visa-free access as essential
Points to note
- Liquidity is low during the holding period — fit it into overall allocation.
- Admin and government fees are extra; compare net cost after principal is returned.
- Processing has recently been about 12–18 months — slower than some Caribbean programmes.
- UK visa-free access is gone; if the UK matters, prioritise Antigua, Grenada or St Kitts.
See St Lucia CBI.