How to get St Lucia citizenship by investing in real estate
Foreigners can get St Lucia citizenship by investing at least $200,000 in real estate. Processing time is 3—4 months. In 5 years, the owner can sell the property and get investment money back.
Not every property meets St Lucia citizenship by investment program requirements. Immigrant Invest experts show what property to buy to get St Lucia citizenship and how to return the invested money a few years later.
Author •Elena Ruda
Explained how to buy property in St Lucia and get citizenship
How to get St Lucia citizenship by investing in real estate
St Lucia citizenship by investment program overview
Obtaining a St Lucia passport is fast and easy if you participate in the state citizenship by investment program, meet all the requirements and successfully pass the Due Diligence check.
The program has been operating since 2016. Investors do not need to visit the country to participate in it. The term for obtaining citizenship is 3 to 4 months.
The program provides several investment options. You can invest in:
pre-approved real estate;
the National Economic Fund of St Lucia;
government bonds;
business projects.
The option of investing in real estate is the second most popular among investors after contributing to the state fund. By 2020—2021, the share of program participants who invest in real estate has grown to 20%. It’s twice as much as in 2019—2020.
Benefits of investing in St Lucia real estate
Developed touristic real estate market. The island is one of the most accessible in the Caribbean region, with direct flights from the UK, Canada, the US and Germany. In 2019, St Lucia was visited by nearly 1.3 million tourists.
Profitable and secure investments. Foreigners buy St Lucia property for renting it out and living on holidays. Rental yield is approximately 3—5% per year.
3—5% per year
Renting yield in St Lucia
European and Canadian banks operate in St Lucia. Investors can open an account in a reliable bank and access all financial services to keep savings and make currency transactions.
St Lucia real estate by investment can be returned after 5 years by selling the property.
Obtaining St Lucia citizenship by investing in real estate. Foreigners who invest in government pre-approved St Lucia real estate get a second citizenship. The St Lucia passport is among one of the strongest in the world. It allows travelling visa-free to more than 140 countries, including the Schengen states, the UK, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
Tax optimisation for business. Investors can register a company in St Lucia and optimise taxes. There are no VAT and capital gains taxes. Income tax is not levied if income is received outside the country.
Benefits of obtaining St Lucia citizenship by investing in real estate
Visa-free travelling. The St Lucia passport allows the holder to visit 146 countries without getting a visa. In 114 countries, including the UK, the Schengen countries, Singapore and Hong Kong, St Lucia citizens don’t need to complete any formalities on arrival.
Long-term US visa. St Licia citizens can apply for a 10-year US visitor visa at any American consulate. In addition, St Lucia citizens can open accounts at international, including European, banks.
Fast application process with lower costs. The costs for obtaining a St Lucia passport are lower, and the processing time is shorter than in Europe. Getting a passport in Turkey or Montenegro will take more than 6 months. A starting investment in Turkey is $400,000.
Second citizenship in a Caribbean Community and Commonwealth. Successful applicants become full-fledged citizens with the right to live and work in St Lucia and other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries. Citizens of the country can come to any state of these associations without a visa. The Caribbean is duty-free, so business in the region can be profitable.
St Lucian citizens enjoy all the rights and privileges of citizenship of a Commonwealth country in the UK and other members. For example, Commonwealth citizens are entitled to assistance from the UK embassies if they face difficulty in a non‑Commonwealth country.
The St Lucia’s passport needs to be renewed every 5 years. Immigrant Invest lawyers accompany the investor through the St Lucia citizenship program up to obtaining passports and subsequently help with renewal. We send the passport and naturalisation certificate by delivery service to a convenient address
What property to buy to get St Lucia citizenship
Once approved by the St Lucia government, the real estate project becomes available for citizenship by investment applicants.
The minimum investment in real estate under the program is $200,000. St Lucia property cost depends on real estate type, distance from the sea and infrastructure.
For a minimum investment of $200,000, you can purchase a share in a hotel complex. When buying a share, the investor can have free rest in the hotel for up to two weeks a year.
Besides the share, you can buy real estate for permanent residence. Elite villas with furniture, communications, a swimming pool, a territory with landscape design and a sea view from an expansive terrace are being sold in St Lucia.
Average St Lucia property prices
An example of a government-approved project in St Lucia. Apartments in a luxury hotel by the ocean. If an investor buys an apartment in this project, they can receive an annual income from renting out the property. Renting resort real estate in St Lucia brings an average income of 3% per annum.
An apartment can be left for you to live in or rented out for a certain period. In the second case, the management company will help.
After 5 years, the property can be sold, and most of the costs returned.
Examples of properties in St Lucia
St Lucia, Castri
380 m²
7 
7 Who can participate in the St Lucia citizenship by investment program
To enter the St Lucia real estate citizenship program, an investor must be over 18 years, without a criminal record but with a legal income.
An investor can include a spouse, children under 30, parents over 55, and brothers and sisters under 18 in the application. Children and parents must be financially dependent on the investor.
Brothers and sisters must not be married and have children. Just like children and parents, they must be financially dependent on the investor. Siblings must get the parent’s or guardian’s consent to obtain investment citizenship.
The Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program has a strict Due Diligence process. Upon the lawyer’s feedback, the St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Unit decides on the application. All participants over the age of 16 are subject to Due Diligence.
What are the costs and fees when buying St Lucia real estate?
The total cost of obtaining St Lucia citizenship by investment in real estate depends on the applicant’s specific situation.
The investment amount doesn’t depend on the number of family members. The main applicant pays an administration fee of at least $30,000. Also, there are processing and Due Diligence fees.
The investor can return the investment capital in 5 years by selling the property.
St Lucia real estate citizenship expenses
Property taxes in St Lucia
When buying real estate, individuals and companies pay the property transfer tax, which is 2%. Buyers pay for it.
The stamp duty is paid by both parties of the real estate purchase contract. The buyer pays the tax of 2%. If the seller is a St Lucia resident, they pay 2.5, 3.5 or 5%, depending on the property value. A non-resident pays 10%.
Owning real estate. St Lucia has favourable taxation for real estate owners who pay annual taxes. It is:
0,4% of the property value for commercial real estate;
0,25% for residential real estate.
The exact amount depends on the location of the object.
The selling stamp duty rate depends on property value and varies from 2.5 to 5%.
How to buy property in St Lucia and get citizenship
St Lucia citizenship by investment process including several consecutive steps. If the investor meets all requirements, obtaining time takes 3—4 months.
Preliminary Due Diligence check
The Immigrant Invest Compliance Department checks investors’ biographies before signing a contract. An Anti-Money Laundering Officer identifies potential risks that may lead to the rejection of the application. This is how Immigrant Invest reduces the risk of refusing an application for citizenship by investment to 1%.
The Immigrant Invest Compliance Department checks investors’ biographies before signing a contract. An Anti-Money Laundering Officer identifies potential risks that may lead to the rejection of the application. This is how Immigrant Invest reduces the risk of refusing an application for citizenship by investment to 1%.
Choosing a property
The investor chooses a share or apartment in a government pre-approved project.
The investor chooses a share or apartment in a government pre-approved project.
Sending documents to the St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Unit
Investors collect supporting documents according to the list. Immigrant Invest lawyers get copies notarized, apostilled, and submitted for consideration to the government.
The St Lucia CBI Unit accepts applications and starts the Due Diligence check.
Investors collect supporting documents according to the list. Immigrant Invest lawyers get copies notarized, apostilled, and submitted for consideration to the government.
The St Lucia CBI Unit accepts applications and starts the Due Diligence check.
Approving application
Immigrant Invest lawyers receive a response about investors’ participation in the real estate citizenship program. Approval is the basis for the transfer of investments.
Immigrant Invest lawyers receive a response about investors’ participation in the real estate citizenship program. Approval is the basis for the transfer of investments.
Purchasing real estate
Investors’ expenses when choosing to buy a share in real estate include the cost of the object, Due Diligence check, and administrative and courier fees.
Investors’ expenses when choosing to buy a share in real estate include the cost of the object, Due Diligence check, and administrative and courier fees.
Getting passports
The CBI Unit prints passports and naturalisation certificates when the bank confirms the investment. Immigrant Invest lawyers deliver a new St Lucia passport to the investor.
The CBI Unit prints passports and naturalisation certificates when the bank confirms the investment. Immigrant Invest lawyers deliver a new St Lucia passport to the investor.
Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent for citizenship and residence by investment programs in the EU, the Caribbean, Asia, and the Middle East. Take advantage of our global 15-year expertise — schedule a meeting with our investment programs experts.
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