St. Lucia is a Caribbean island that offers popular citizenship by investment (CBI) program. The program allows investors to obtain citizenship and a passport in exchange for an investment in the country’s economy. The St. Lucia CBI program has become an attractive option for investors seeking a second passport, visa-free travel, and access to various benefits. Here are the essentials of St Lucia citizenship by investment requirements.
Investment options:
To qualify for citizenship under the St. Lucia CBI program, applicants are required to invest in one of the following options:
National economic fund:
The National Economic fund (NEF) is a special fund established by the government of St. Lucia to support various development projects in the country. To be eligible for citizenship, applicants must make a non-refundable contribution of at least $100,000 to the NEF. The amount increases for larger families.
Real estate investment:
Applicants may also choose to invest in government-approved real estate. Applicants must invest at least $300,000 in a designated real estate project to be eligible for citizenship. The investment must be held for a minimum of five years.
Government bonds:
The St. Lucia CBI program also allows applicants to invest in government bonds. To be eligible for citizenship, applicants must purchase government bonds worth at least $500,000. The investment must be held for a minimum of five years, and the bonds cannot be traded, sold, or pledged.
Due diligence and processing fees:
In addition to the investment requirements, applicants must pay due diligence and processing fees for St. Lucia citizenship by investment. These fees cover the cost of background checks, document processing, and administrative expenses.
Due diligence fee:
The due diligence fee is payable to all applicants over 16. It covers the cost of conducting a background check and screening to ensure that the applicant does not have a criminal record or pose a security risk to St. Lucia. The fee is $7,500 for the principal applicant and $5,000 for each dependent.
Processing fees:
The St. Lucia CBI program also requires applicants to pay processing fees. The fees cover the cost of reviewing and processing the application, issuing a certificate of citizenship, and issuing a passport. The prices are $2,000 for the principal applicant and $1,000 for each dependent.
