Through investment
Saint Lucia has inherited decades of experience from its Caribbean neighbors. By hand-picking only the best practices, the Citizenship by Investment Board is committed to making the program the most efficient for investors, while providing unmatched benefits for the country and its people.
2. Investing in real estate:
Purchase of property for $300 thousand or more in approved real estate development projects. Purchase must be owned by at least 5 years. Registration, processing fees and taxes are paid separately.
3. Investments in business:
The applicant must invest at least $3.5 million in an approved business project and create three jobs at a minimum. Two applicants are entitled to divide a contribution of $6 million and organize six jobs. Approved business projects should fall into the following categories: restaurants, cruise docks and ports, agricultural factories, pharmaceutical companies, bridges, highways and roads, research organizations and facilities, marine universities.
4. Government Bond Option
Introduction of the Government National Action Bond (“NAB”) Option as a qualifying investment option for the grant of Saint Lucia citizenship.
An applicant and qualifying dependants of any number may opt for the Government Bond option at US $300,000. The bond is non-interest bearing with a holding period of five (5) years.
A one-time administrative fee is payable upon the grant of citizenship is applicable - US $50,000.
Contributing to the National Development Fund and government bonds:
Investing in real estate:
The passport of Saint Lucia gives the right to its immediate holder, who obtained citizenship through investment, as well as to financially dependent members of his family under the age of 25, and parents who have crossed the age limit at 65, all the advantages enjoyed by born citizens of the country.
It is worth to note that the undoubted advantage is the fact that obtaining citizenship of this country does not imply a compulsory procedure for an interview and an exam for proficiency in the state language. In addition, it is not necessary to live there permanently, and it is possible in parallel to retain the previous citizenship. Citizenship status can be inherited by children. Saint Lucia's passport exempts from tax on foreign income, inheritance, and donation, allows visa-free entry to 130 states, and allows you to receive income from rent and capital gains.
The process of obtaining citizenship in Saint Lucia is one of the fastest and easiest options. As a rule, the approval procedure takes no more than 2-3 months, and the applicants for obtaining a passport are not required to undergo an interview. In addition, it is possible to become a citizen of this island state without knowing the state language.
The main stages of obtaining citizenship:
The preparation of the documents.
To apply for citizenship, you will need to fill out official forms (they are filled out by the main applicant and dependents), and also receive a certificate of no criminal record and a number of other supporting documents. All documents must be properly executed. In addition, to file an application, the applicant and the dependents must undergo a medical examination and obtain a medical opinion. All documents are submitted in English.
Filing of documents.
A package of documents is submitted to the Citizenship Division for investment. Currently, the interview requirement has been canceled. At this stage, there is a payment of the administrative fee, as well as a fee for checking for reliability.
Verification.
After the submission of documents, the official authorities of Saint Lucia conduct a thorough check, during which they examine the accuracy of the information provided and the credibility of the applicant. In general, the verification procedure includes three components. Thus, a preliminary check is first conducted, which involves an analysis of the risks of granting citizenship to the applicant. During the preliminary check, the guarantee is provided for the integrity of the applicant. Then held due diligence. Due diligence is to conduct external and internal reliability checks. In the Due Diligence process, the official authorities of Saint Lucia interact with experts from non-state independent companies, in particular, with detectives who check the sanctions lists and study the information obtained through various channels. It also analyzes the documents confirming the legal origin of the invested funds. The third component of the test is the study of the applicant's biography, which is performed to determine the accuracy of the information provided about the identity of the applicant for citizenship of Saint Lucia. The Minister makes the final decision on the results of the audit. Information about the decision is sent to the applicant.
The implementation of the investment.
The investment takes place after successfully passing the test. The investment is made in accordance with the selected option. It is necessary to make investments within 60 days from the moment of approval of the application.
Taking the oath. Since January 2017, the procedure has been simplified: successful applicants are no longer required to personally attend the taking of the oath in the country, the embassy or consulate of St. Lucia, and also in the office of the high commissioner. Taking the oath may occur in the framework of the procedure, which is carried out with the participation of a lawyer or a notary (they must be accredited in Saint Lucia) or with the participation of an honorary consul or consular officer. After taking the oath, the applicant receives a certificate of registration (this document acts as proof of receipt of citizenship).
Obtaining of passport.
The applicant and dependents submit applying for a passport after granting citizenship. Citizenship guarantees the possession of all the rights of a citizen of Saint Lucia and obliges to obey the laws of this state.
This browser does not support the video element.