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Citizenship by investment
St Lucia Citizenship by Investment
Contribute from USD 240,000 (up to four family members), or invest in government bonds or real estate, for St Lucian citizenship and a passport for the family.
Reviewed by Fergus Wu · Updated October 2026
Schengen access watch: on 25 June 2026 the European Commission asked Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis and St Lucia to phase out citizenship by investment by 1 June 2028, or their nationals’ visa-free Schengen access could be suspended. As of late September 2026 no suspension had been decided; subject to the EU’s latest announcements.
Programme overview
St Lucia’s citizenship by investment programme was launched in 2015 and is run by its Citizenship by Investment Unit. It offers four routes: a National Economic Fund contribution, government bonds, approved real estate and enterprise projects. You don’t need to move there; applications go through a government-authorised agent and must pass due diligence. St Lucia has formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
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InvestmentFrom USD 240,000
Investment routesDonation, government bonds, real estate or enterprise project
ResidenceNo need to move
StatusCitizenship and passport
Summary
The most common route is a one-time USD 240,000 contribution to the National Economic Fund, covering the main applicant and up to three dependants. Other routes are USD 300,000 in non-interest-bearing government bonds held for five years (plus a USD 50,000 administration fee), approved real estate from USD 300,000 held for five years (no new project-approval applications since 1 December 2025; March 2026 regulations add a USD 500,000 completed-home route), and approved enterprise projects. The passport is visa-free to the Schengen Area, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan; since March 2026 a visa is required for the UK.
Key benefits of St Lucia citizenship
- One contribution covers fourThe USD 240,000 National Economic Fund contribution covers the main applicant and up to three dependants.
- Government bond optionBuy USD 300,000 of non-interest-bearing government bonds and hold them for five years, plus a USD 50,000 administration fee.
- Children dependent up to 30Covers fully supported children under 30, fully supported parents over 55, and unmarried siblings under 18.
- Add family members laterChildren born and spouses married after the application can be added; existing qualifying relatives can be added within five years.
- Visa-free to 140+ destinationsCurrently visa-free or visa-on-arrival to over 140 destinations, including the Schengen Area.
- Visa-free entry to TaiwanSt Lucia has formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan; its passport currently gives visa-free entry for up to 30 days.
Why Global Immigrate for St Lucia citizenship
Due diligence preparation
We review your background and source-of-funds documents in advance, reducing requests for more information and delays.
Comparing several countries
We compare total costs and what each passport can do for you — based on your travel needs, family size and budget — rather than selling a single programme.
Clear, transparent fees
All service fees and third-party costs are set out in writing before you sign — no hidden charges — and our refund terms are explained clearly.
Requirements
Investment options
Choose one of the following options; the other requirements are listed below.
- Option 1USD 240,000National Economic Fund
- Up to 4 people
- Option 2USD 300,000Government bonds
- Held 5 years
- Plus a USD 50,000 administration fee
- Option 3USD 300,000Approved real estate
- Held 5 years
- Option 4USD 3.5 millionApproved enterprise project
- Joint project of USD 6 million total, USD 1 million each
Applicants generally need to meet the following:
- Main applicant aged 18 or over
- Apply through a government-authorised agent and pass due diligence
- Applicants aged 16 and over generally attend a remote interview
- No criminal record
Investment rules
Investment requirements in detail
Saint Lucia offers a National Economic Fund (NEF) contribution, government bonds, approved real estate and approved enterprise projects. S.I. No. 57 of 2026, gazetted on 23 March 2026, added a completed-property route, a USD 350,000 financial-resources declaration and an annual cap of 1,500 approvals.
National Economic Fund (NEF)
MinimumUSD 240,000
Requirements
Covers main applicant plus up to three dependants; extra dependants +USD 10,000 under 18, +USD 20,000 aged 18+
Government bonds
MinimumUSD 300,000
Requirements
Non-interest-bearing, held in the applicant's name for five years then repaid; plus a non-refundable USD 50,000 administration fee
Approved real estate (development)
MinimumUSD 300,000
Requirements
Hold five years; plus administration fee (USD 30,000 single, USD 45,000 with spouse, upwards); no new project approval applications after 1 December 2025
Approved completed apartment or villa
MinimumUSD 500,000
Requirements
Added by S.I. No. 57 of 2026; hold five years, plus administration fee from USD 30,000
Approved enterprise project
MinimumUSD 3.5 million
Requirements
USD 3.5 million alone with three jobs, or a USD 6 million joint project with at least USD 1 million each and six jobs (both plus a USD 50,000 admin fee); a USD 250,000 option also exists for Cabinet-approved projects (admin fee from USD 15,000)
What counts
- The NEF is a one-off non-refundable contribution with no return and nothing to maintain afterwards.
- Government bonds must be registered in the applicant's name and held for five years from first issue; they pay no interest and the principal is repaid at maturity.
- Real estate must be in a CIU-approved project; on the completed-property route, the new citizen must take steps to obtain title documents within 90 days of the certificate of registration.
- Enterprise investment must be in an approved project and meet conditions such as job creation.
What doesn't count / restrictions
- Property outside approved projects, or private homes bought independently, do not qualify.
- Bond and real estate administration fees are non-refundable and do not count towards the investment; the real estate fee rises by USD 5,000 per dependant under 18 and USD 10,000 per dependant aged 18+.
- Under the 2024 Memorandum of Agreement among the five Eastern Caribbean states, every route has carried a floor of at least USD 200,000 since mid-2024, and discounts or rebates that cut the effective investment are prohibited.
- Due diligence (USD 8,000 main applicant, USD 5,000 per dependant over 16) and processing fees (USD 2,000 main applicant, USD 1,000 per dependant) are separate.
Timing and holding rules
- Applications go through an authorised agent and must pass due diligence and interview; the contribution, bond purchase or property investment is made after approval in principle.
- Real estate must be held for at least five years from the grant of citizenship and cannot be sold or transferred in that time; developers must hold funds in escrow.
- The five-year bond period runs from first issue, and the bonds cannot be redeemed early.
Financial resources and family
- The main applicant must swear an affidavit declaring financial resources of at least USD 350,000, with source-of-funds evidence; this is a resources test, not an additional payment.
- Adding family after citizenship: newborn (12 months or under) USD 5,000, spouse USD 35,000, other qualifying dependants USD 25,000 (plus due diligence).
- Act No. 22 of 2025 introduced residence and genuine-link requirements from 1 January 2026; the number of days has yet to be prescribed. Successful applicants must enrol biometrics.
- In June 2026 the European Commission wrote to the five Eastern Caribbean states asking them to phase out citizenship by investment by 1 June 2028, at the risk of losing Schengen visa-free access; the governments are negotiating, and as of November 2026 the programme is still accepting applications.
Based on official regulations and Citizenship by Investment Unit information as of November 2026; amounts and rules are subject to change.
Our three guarantees
Full service-fee refund if refused
Guaranteed in your service agreement: if your application is refused, we refund the service fees you have paid in full — or you can switch to another suitable programme at no extra charge.
No extra charge for further documents or resubmission
If the authorities request further documents, or an application must be resubmitted, we handle it at no additional service fee.
Handled by professionals, fee fixed at signing
Every application is prepared and reviewed by our professional immigration team. Your service fee is fixed when you sign, with no additional charges afterwards.
Service fees exclude investment amounts, government fees and third-party costs. Refusals caused by false or incomplete information, or by the applicant not cooperating as required, are not eligible for a refund. Full terms are set out in the service agreement.
Free St Lucia citizenship brochure
Covers the requirements, process and timeline, a fee overview and FAQs. Leave your details and we’ll send it to you.
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If you can’t see it, please check your spam folder. A consultant may also contact you to answer any questions about the programme.
Application process
- Assessment and documents2–6 weeksWe assess eligibility, choose the investment route and prepare documents.
- Filing and due diligenceA few monthsAn authorised agent files the application; the unit carries out due diligence and the interview.
- Approval in principle and investmentAfter approvalMake the contribution, bond or real estate investment.
- PassportWeeks after the investment is confirmedReceive the certificate and passport; recently the whole process has taken about 12–18 months.
Pathway to PR and citizenship
- Citizenship and passportRecently about 12–18 months
You and your family receive citizenship and a passport directly, with no residence or PR stage; passports are usually renewed every 5 to 10 years. You can keep your current nationality, subject to your home country’s rules.
Residence requirementNo need to relocate; a 2025 amendment adds residence and genuine-link duties from 1 January 2026 (number of days not yet set)
General information only; requirements follow each country’s latest rules and can vary with your circumstances.
Compared with other options: Citizenship by Investment
See the Citizenship by Investment overview| Programme | Investment | Status | Typical timeline | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey Citizenship by Investment | Real estate USD 400,000 (held for three years) | Citizenship and passport | Usually about 6–12 months | Citizenship through real estate |
| Grenada Citizenship by Investment | Donation from USD 235,000 | Citizenship and passport | Usually a few months | A future US E-2 visa (after three years of residence) |
| St Kitts & Nevis Citizenship by Investment | Donation from USD 250,000 | Citizenship and passport | Usually a few months | Prioritising visa-free access and a long track record |
| St Lucia Citizenship by InvestmentThis programme | Contribution from USD 240,000 (up to four family members) | Citizenship and passport | Recently about 12–18 months | Families prioritising Schengen access, or needing ties with Taiwan |
| Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship by Investment | Donation from USD 230,000 | Citizenship and passport | Usually a few months | Covering a family at lower cost |
| Dominica Citizenship by Investment | Donation from USD 200,000 | Citizenship and passport | Usually a few months | Families on a limited budget |
| Argentina Citizenship by Investment | Contribution from USD 350,000 (coming soon) | Citizenship and passport | Applications targeted for Q4 2026 | Families wanting a South American passport who can wait for the official launch |
| Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment | Donation USD 130,000 | Citizenship and passport | Usually within a few months | Prioritising speed and tax |
St Lucia citizenship FAQ
Does St Lucia have diplomatic ties with China?
No. St Lucia has formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, not with the People’s Republic of China.
Is the St Lucian passport visa-free to the UK?
Since March 2026, St Lucian passport holders need a visa for the UK; the Schengen Area, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan remain visa-free.
Is there an interview?
Yes — applicants aged 16 and over generally attend a remote interview.
How long does it take?
Recently about 12–18 months, depending on due diligence.
Do I need to give up my current nationality?
St Lucia allows dual citizenship, but you need to check separately whether the country of your current nationality allows it.
Sources
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