How To Obtain A St Lucia Golden Visa

Saint Lucia recently joined the list of countries that offer Golden Visas. St. Lucia has been a Golden Visa favorite due to its minimal investment requirements and the perks of its citizenship program.

The goal of St. Lucia’s citizenship by investment program is to invest a set amount of money to assist the country grow. In addition, you will get citizenship within 90 days. However, if you wish to apply for a Golden Visa in St. Lucia, you must be eligible for the program and have sufficient funds to finish your investment.

How Can I Get a St. Lucia Golden Visa?

You can get a St.Lucia Golden Visa if you invest anywhere between USD 100,000 up to USD 3 million in one of the following investment options:

• National Economic Fund Investment.
• Covid-19 Relief Bond.
• Government Bond Investment.
• Real Estate Investment.
• Enterprise Investment.

In addition to the investment, to apply for the St. Lucia Golden Visa, you must meet the basic requirements, such as being over 18 and having no criminal convictions.

National Economic Fund Investment

Giving money to the National Economic Fund is one of the cheapest ways to get citizenship in St. Lucia by investment. If you are applying by yourself, you need to pay USD 100,000.

When applying with a partner, the amount goes up to USD 165,000. For a family of four, it goes up to USD 190,000.

Government Bond Investment

This investment option, you deposit money into a government bond- the amount required in this case is USD 500,000. The bonds are non-interest bearing and the holding period is at least 5 years. Please keep in mind that the amount required increases if you apply with additional family members.

Real Estate Investment

St. Lucia also lets people become citizens by investing in real estate. For this choice, you need to spend at least $300,000 on an approved home. Luxury hotels and resorts, high-end shops, and any other property that the Minister and St. Lucia’s Citizenship by Investment Unit think is suitable are all acceptable. You have to keep the house for 5 years before you can sell it.

Enterprise Investment

The most expensive option under Saint Lucia’s Golden Visa Program is enterprise investment, which requires a minimum investment of USD 3.5 million in an authorized firm project. Additionally, your company must create at least three permanent work roles.

However, for this investing approach, you can form a joint venture with other individuals. The total joint investment must be at least USD 6 million, with each applicant contributing the minimum of USD 1 million. Furthermore, the joint enterprise must create at least six permanent job opportunities.

St. Lucia Citizenship by Investment Application Process

You cannot start the application process until you find a marketing agent and a licensed agent. Marketing agents are authorized by the St. Lucia government to help with the application and the necessary documentation.

After that, the St. Lucia Golden Visa application will go through the review process:

Keep in mind that after your application is approved, you must make all final payments for your investment within 90 calendar days. If you invested in real estate, government bonds, or enterprise, you must pay all administrative fees within 60 days after your application is approved.

Document Checklist for St. Lucia Golden Visa

You need the following documents for the St. Lucia Golden Visa:

• Proof of paid due diligence and processing fees.
• Document checklist form (SLI1).
• Authorized agent form (SL2).
• Statement of alternative citizenship form (SL3).
• Investment confirmation letter (SL4).
• Registration as St. Lucia citizen application form (SL5).
• Certified copy of your birth certificate.
• Certified copy of name change certificate (if applicable).
• Citizenship certificate (if applicable).
• Permanent resident card (if applicable).
• Military records (if applicable).
• Photograph and signature certificate.
• Six passport format photographs.
• National ID card (if applicable).
• Copy of all your passport pages.
• Proof of residential address (one document).
• Certified copy of marriage certificate (if applicable).
• Certified copy of divorce papers (if applicable).
• CV (for every over-18 applicant).
• Reference letters (from an attorney, accountant, or similar professions).
• Bank reference letter.
• Affidavit of support for each applicant (SL7).
• Academic certificates (for each over-18 applicant).
• Police certificate (from every country you lived in for a year during the last 10 years).
• Certified copies of any visas you had.
• Medical certificate (SL8).
• Official confirmation of enrollment (for applicants who are attending university at the time of the application).
• Records of custody.
• Statutory declarations for children under 18 from the non-accompanying parent.
• A signed certified copy of a photo ID of the non-accompanying parent.

Document Guidelines

All documents must be submitted in English or translated by a certified translator; you must attach a copy of the translator’s credentials to the documents. Additionally, if any documents contain a seal in another language, you need to translate the seal as well.

Moreover, the pictures you provide for the St. Lucia Golden Visa application must be taken in the last 6 months and follow these guidelines:

• You must take the pictures with a plain white background.
• Your entire face must be shown clearly, including ears and hairline.
• You cannot wear sunglasses.
• You must have a neutral expression with your mouth closed.
• You cannot edit the photos in any way.
• The size of the photos must be approximately 35 x 45 mm
• Two of your photos must be certified, and one must be attached to your medical record.

Please make sure that you keep a photocopy of all documents you submit.

Saint Lucia Golden Visa Processing Fees

For the St. Lucia citizenship by investment program, you must submit additional due diligence and processing fees. The charges differ depending on the number of applicants:

Keep in mind that the processing and due diligence fees are non-refundable, but for applicants under 16 you are not required to pay for due diligence.

Processing Time for Saint Lucia Golden Visa

The usual processing time for a Saint Lucia Golden Visa is approximately 3 to 4 months. Sometimes applications may be delayed due to missing documents, but your legal representative will notify you of any setbacks.

St. Lucia Citizenship by Investment Residency Requirement

You are not required to meet a residency requirement for Saint Lucia’s Golden Visa scheme. You don’t even have to visit the country to apply for the visa- all application steps can be completed while you are in your home country.

Am I Allowed to Apply With Family Members for a St. Lucia Golden Visa?

You can include your husband or wife in your application and any family member if they are your or your spouse’s:

• Children under 21
• Children under 30 who are dependent on you
• Children who have physical and mental disabilities
• Parents who are over 55 years of age and dependent on you
• Parents (no matter what the age) who have mental and/or physical disabilities and are dependent on you
• Single sibling under 18 who has parental consent to join you in St. Lucia

Please note that if you apply with a brother or sister under 18, you or your sibling may be required to attend an interview in St. Lucia or at an embassy/consulate of St. Lucia in your country.

Does Saint Lucia Allow Dual Citizenship?

Saint Lucia allows dual citizenship for citizens of other countries. But, if your current country of residence does not permit dual citizenship, you don’t qualify for both citizenships. In this case, you may be required to renounce your previous citizenship, or you may choose not to apply for the visa at all.

Advantages of Having a Saint Lucia Second Passport

Some benefits of having a St. Lucia second passport involve:

• Visa-free or visa on arrival access to around 116 countries in the world, including the UK.
• Low tax rates.
• The advantages of having dual citizenship.
• The option to apply with several family members, including siblings.
• No residence requirement to qualify for the visa.