Saint Lucia
National Economic Fund (NEF)
Minimum investment
USD 240,000
Processing time
typically 60-90 days to a letter of approval; investment must be completed within 90 days of approval
Physical presence
none required to obtain or maintain citizenship
- Investment route
- •National Economic Fund (NEF) donation, USD 240,000 covering the applicant plus up to 3 dependants
- •National Action Bond (NAB), non-interest-bearing, USD 300,000 for any number of dependants, held 5 years, plus USD 50,000 admin fee
- •Real estate purchase in an approved project, USD 300,000 plus administrative fees
- •Enterprise investment: USD 3,500,000 solo, or USD 6,000,000 joint venture with each investor contributing at least USD 1,000,000 (both plus USD 50,000 admin fee), or a lower Option 3 enterprise route at USD 250,000 covering the applicant plus up to 3 dependants
- Investment breakdown
- •NEF: USD 240,000 covers applicant + up to 3 dependants
- •each additional dependant under 18 adds USD 10,000, each 18+ adds USD 20,000
- •a spouse added later by an existing citizen costs USD 35,000, other dependants added later cost USD 25,000, a newborn under 12 months costs USD 5,000. Real estate admin fees: USD 30,000 applying alone, USD 45,000 with spouse, USD 5,000 per dependant under 18, USD 10,000 per dependant 18+, USD 10,000 each for dependants beyond 4. Enterprise Option 3 admin fees: USD 15,000 alone, USD 20,000 with spouse, USD 25,000 with 2 dependants, USD 30,000 with 3 dependants, USD 10,000 each additional dependant beyond 3
- Additional fees
- •application processing fee USD 2,000 for the main applicant plus USD 1,000 per dependant
- •due diligence fee USD 8,000 for the main applicant plus USD 5,000 per dependant (due diligence applies only to applicants over 16)
- •mandatory interview and identity verification fee, payable by the main applicant only, in effect since September 2023
- Eligibility
- •18+ for the main applicant
- •verifiable lawful source of funds
- •must select one of the five qualifying investment routes
- •subject to CIP Board discretion to grant, deny, or delay any application for cause
- Due diligence
- •due diligence conducted on all applicants over 16
- •mandatory interview and identity verification for the main applicant only, in effect for all applications processed since 4 September 2023
- •the CIP Board holds the right to grant, deny, or delay any application for cause
- Family inclusion
- •Spouse
- •dependent children
- •a newborn child of a citizen 12 months or under can be added later for USD 5,000
- •a spouse can be added to existing citizenship later for USD 35,000
- •other qualifying dependants can be added later for USD 25,000
- Naturalization
- citizenship is granted immediately on approval — no residency period is required
- Renewal
- •citizenship is for life
- •real estate and bond investments must be held for 5 years before resale
- Dual citizenship
- Fully permitted — no requirement to renounce any prior nationality
- Key benefits
- •The widest choice of investment routes among Caribbean CBI programs, including an interest-free government bond that returns full principal
- •Visa-free access to 140+ destinations
- Taxation
- no tax on worldwide income, capital gains, or inheritance
Application process
- 1.select a licensed agent
- 2.choose one of the five investment routes and gather supporting documents
- 3.submit the application along with processing and due diligence fees
- 4.the main applicant completes the mandatory interview and identity verification process
- 5.on approval, complete the chosen investment within 90 days
- 6.receive the certificate of registration and passport