Saint Lucia
Citizenship by Investment Program
Saint Lucia's Citizenship by Investment Program was launched in December 2015 following the passage of Act No. 14 of 2015, the Citizenship by Investment Act on 24th August 2015. Under the program, foreign nationals that contribute economically to the country may become Saint Lucian citizens. Economic contribution may be in the form of a donation to the National Development Fund or an investment in an approved real estate project or an investment in government bonds or an investment in an enterprise project.
An amendment of Regulation, coming into force last January 1st (2017), has reduced qualifying investment amounts on the National Development Fund option, has removed the sworn affidavit requirement declaring financial resources of at least US$ 3m, has added an administrative fee for the Government bonds investment option, and provides the option to sign the Oath of allegiance before an attorney-at-law, a Consular Officer of Saint Lucia, an Honorary Consul of Saint Lucia, a Notary Royal or a Notary Public.
An amendment of Regulation, coming into force last January 1st (2017), has reduced qualifying investment amounts on the National Development Fund option, has removed the sworn affidavit requirement declaring financial resources of at least US$ 3m, has added an administrative fee for the Government bonds investment option, and provides the option to sign the Oath of allegiance before an attorney-at-law, a Consular Officer of Saint Lucia, an Honorary Consul of Saint Lucia, a Notary Royal or a Notary Public.
investment
Investment in an approved Real Estate project
- US$300,000 minimum investment in an approved real estate project. Real estate approved projects may be high-end branded hotels and resorts, and high-end boutique properties.Requirements
- Main applicant must be 18 years old or older.
- Main applicant must prove that has enough funds to make the required investment, and prove the legal source of these funds.
- Primary applicant and dependents do not suffer contagious disease and/or serious health problems.
- Clean Criminal Record.
- Not to be the subject of a criminal investigation.
- Not to be considered a potential national security risk.
- Not to be involved in any activity likely to cause disrepute to Saint Lucia.
- Not to have been denied a visa to a country with which Saint Lucia has visa-free access.
Restricted Nationalities
No nationality is officially restricted
dual citizenship
Dual citizenship is recognized in Saint Lucia. You are not required to renounce your previous nationality to become a citizen of Saint Lucia.
Documents Required
- Proof of payment of nonrefundable processing and due diligence fees
- Certified copy of passport
- Six passport-size photos
- Original or Certified copy of Birth Certificate (if applicable)
- Certified copy of proof of name change (if applicable)
- Certified copy of Military Records or exemption from military service (if applicable)
- Photograph and Signature Certificate
- Evidence of Residential Address
- Certified copy of ID Card
- Original or Certified copy of Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
- Curriculum Vitae
- Original Professional Reference Letter (Not older than 6 month)
- Original Bank Reference Letter (Not older than 6 month)
- Affidavit of support for Dependents
- Professional and academic certificates (if applicable)
- Original Police Clearance Certificate
- Certified copy of current and expired visas
- Medical Certificate
- Official transcripts of written confirmation from a recognized education center (dependents over 18)
- Certified copy of custody or legal guardianship records
- Statutory declaration of a non-accompanying parent (if applicable)
- Certified copy of a photo ID of a non-accompanying parent bearing his or her signature (if applicable)
- Real estate sales and purchase agreement
- dual citizenship Yes
- Family members included Yes
- land ownership Yes
- Physical residence required No
- Personal visit required No
- Language skills required No
- Interview required No
- Investment Single $350,000
- Investment Family 4 $350,000
- Minimum annual income -
- Time to citizenship 4
- Time to permanent residency
- Visa-free countries 144
- Financing available No
Benefits
citizenship benefits
Country details
Saint Lucia
XCD
1758
Castries
North America
English
160,922
Saint Lucia is a small island state in the Caribbean Sea, and is a member of CARICOM and the Commonwealth.
It is located north of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and south of the island of Martinique. The island has a population of 185,000 inhabitants. Its official languages are English, although 90% of its population speak a French-based Creole. Its official legal tender currency is the East Caribbean Dollar (XCD), which has a fixed exchange rate with the dollar at 2.7: 1.
It is located north of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and south of the island of Martinique. The island has a population of 185,000 inhabitants. Its official languages are English, although 90% of its population speak a French-based Creole. Its official legal tender currency is the East Caribbean Dollar (XCD), which has a fixed exchange rate with the dollar at 2.7: 1.
Visa Free Travel
With your new passport from Saint Lucia you'll be able to access 144 countries visa free
Taxes
Becoming a Saint Lucian citizen does not automatically make you a tax resident. To be a tax resident an individual must:
- Have their permanent place of residence within the country and spend a period of time during the tax year in Saint Lucia, unless the purposes of absence are considered reasonable by the Comptroller of Inland Revenue, or
- Be in Saint Lucia 183 days or more in the tax year, or
- Be in Saint Lucia for a continuous period of less than 183 days, but is resident the preceding or succeeding tax year.
Personal Income Tax is levied on a residence and remittance basis:
- Individuals resident or ordinarily resident in Saint Lucia are subject to personal income tax on a worldwide basis.
- Individuals resident but not ordinarily resident are subject to personal income tax on their Saint Lucian source income and foreign-source income remitted to the country.
- Individual non-residents are taxed on their income from Saint Lucian sources and income from foreign-sources remitted to the country.
Personal Income tax rates are progressive up to a top marginal tax rate of 30% on annual income exceeding XCD30,000. Capital Gains, Dividends and Saint Lucian bank interests are tax-exempt.
Saint Lucia does not have Controlled Foreign Companies (CFC) Rules. This means that income retained in a foreign entity owned by a tax-resident may not be subject to taxation.
Saint Lucia levies a residential property tax of 0.25% of the open market value of the property. There is a stamp tax on the transfer of assets, ranging from 2% to 10%, depending on the type of asset and residency status of the seller. There are no net wealth and inheritance taxes in Saint Lucia.
The Value-added tax rate is 15%. A reduced rate of 10% applies to the hotel sector. Certain goods and services are tax-exempt.
Regarding corporate taxation, domestic companies in Saint Lucia are subject to tax on their profits, whether accrued within or outside the country. The Corporate Income tax rate is 30%. Dividends and capital gains are not usually subject to taxation. However, capital gains will be subject to taxation if comprising a substantial portion of the income-earning activities of the business.
Companies incorporated under the International Business Companies Act may benefit from a full tax exemption, easy accounting and confidentiality. Learn more about company taxation and legal frameworks at incorporations.io/saint-lucia/.
This should not be construed as tax advice. We have access to a global network of qualified attorneys and accountants who can give you the proper advice for your particular circumstances. Contact us for further information.
- Property tax Yes
- Transfer tax Yes
- Inheritance tax No
- Net worth tax No
- CFC law No
- Tax residency days 183
- Personal income tax rate 30%
- Capital Gains tax rate 0%
- Investment income tax rate 0%
- Territorial taxation Yes