Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment: contribution from US$240,000 or refundable government bonds

The lowest option is a non-refundable contribution to the National Economic Fund of US$240,000 for an applicant with three dependants. On top: processing US$2,000 for the applicant and US$1,000 per dependant, due diligence US$8,000 for the applicant and US$5,000 per dependant aged 16 or over. A single applicant pays about US$250,000, a couple with two children under 16 about US$258,000. Passport fees are charged separately when the passport is issued.

The CIU guideline is about 90 days from acceptance of the application for processing. It is the unit's guideline, not a guarantee: in open discussions applicants reported waits of around two years and longer, and after approval the payment confirmation and passport issuance take further time. Planning should be on a realistic schedule.

There is no residence before applying, and the oath can be signed before an attorney-at-law, a consular officer, an honorary consul or a notary. However, from 1 January 2026 the law provides for residency and genuine-link requirements for the applicant and each dependant, with the parameters set by regulation. No parameters have been published yet, so zero days should not be assumed; the requirement is verified at the filing date.

Government bonds of US$300,000 are registered in the applicant's name and held for 5 years from first issue, without interest. A non-refundable US$50,000 fee is paid on top. Refundability does not speed up processing and does not remove the vetting. The cost of money frozen for 5 years should be counted and compared with the non-refundable US$240,000 contribution.

No. India does not allow dual citizenship, so taking Saint Lucia's passport means surrendering the Indian one. Families who are not ready for that should be comparing residency programmes instead; that comparison comes before any payment.

The law requires refusal for false information, a criminal conviction, a criminal investigation, a security risk and a visa refusal from a country with which Saint Lucia has visa-free travel without a visa obtained afterwards.

Saint Lucia citizenship and visa-free entry to the EU are separate legal questions. The revised visa suspension mechanism, in force since 31 December 2025, explicitly names investor citizenship schemes as a ground for suspension. The European Commission has asked the Caribbean states to phase out their programmes by June 2028; on 24 September 2026 the Prime Minister of Saint Lucia discussed a transition path with the EU Commissioner. There is no decision on visa-free travel; talks are under way. A possible change should be priced into the decision today.

From 2026 the application must include a sworn statement that you hold financial resources of at least US$350,000, together with documents evidencing those resources and the source of funds. It is a requirement of S.I. 57 of 2026 and applies whichever investment route you choose.

No. After approval, payment of the investment and the oath, the CIU issues a certificate of registration as a citizen. The passport is obtained by a separate application under the Passports Act. A successful applicant provides biometric data.

Through the Liberalised Remittance Scheme, which has a per-person annual cap, so the funding structure across family members is planned in advance. The CIU checks the source of funds with law enforcement and third-party agencies and due diligence fees are not refunded, so the funds history is assembled before filing.

For 5 years after the certificate of registration a change of name is prohibited, except for marriage, divorce, adoption, witness-protection programmes and clerical corrections. Any change must be notified in writing to the CIU before a passport application and vetted: US$10,000 for the applicant, US$7,500 per dependant aged 16 or over.

Yes. A citizen's spouse US$35,000, a newborn up to 12 months US$5,000, other dependants US$25,000. A child born after the application is added to it. Each passes due diligence.

File preparation takes 3–6 weeks; the guideline for the decision is about 90 days, in practice up to two years and longer; then payment, oath, certificate and passport. Three months end to end should not be counted on.

Yes. Children of the applicant or spouse are included up to age 21 without conditions, from 22 to 30 if fully supported by the applicant, and children with a disability with no age limit. Parents of the applicant or spouse over 55 who are fully supported. Unmarried siblings under 18 with parental consent are also allowed. They pay a US$1,000 processing fee and US$5,000 due diligence from age 16; the fund contribution does not grow while there are no more than three dependants.

The NEF contribution of US$240,000 covers the applicant and up to three dependants. Each further dependant adds US$10,000 (under 18) or US$20,000 (from 18). Processing US$1,000 and due diligence US$5,000 (from 16) apply to each. A single applicant: US$250,000; a couple with two children under 16: US$258,000; a couple with three children, one over 16: US$274,000. For bonds and real estate the contribution does not grow; administrative fees apply instead: for real estate US$30,000 alone, US$45,000 with spouse, US$5,000 or US$10,000 per dependant.