St Lucia Citizenship by Investment: Costs and Rules in 2026

01

Who runs the program?

The Citizenship by Investment Unit administers the program, and its Board grants, denies or delays applications for cause (CIU). The rules sit in the Citizenship by Investment Act, Cap. 1.20 and its Regulations. The Regulations were amended in July 2024 and again by S.I. No. 57 of 2026 (Laws of Saint Lucia).

02

Who can apply?

The Act bars approval for anyone who, among other things, is involved in activity likely to bring St Lucia into disrepute, or was refused a visa by a country St Lucians can visit visa-free and has not since obtained one (s. 36(3)).

03

How the investment works

National Economic Fund. This is a contribution to a state fund. S.I. No. 106 of 2024, in force from 1 July 2024, sets it at:

• US$240,000 for the applicant with up to three qualifying dependents;
• US$10,000 for each further dependent under 18; and
• US$20,000 for each further dependent over 18.

The same instrument requires the Board to pay US$200,000 of each qualifying investment into the Fund. That matches the regional floor: under the 2024 Memorandum of Agreement, which St Lucia signed, no option in the participating states may cost less than US$200,000 from 1 July 2024 (OECS).

Citizens who came through the program can later add family members to the Fund: US$5,000 for a newborn up to 12 months old, US$35,000 for a spouse and US$25,000 for another qualifying dependent.

National Action Bonds. You buy US$300,000 of government bonds, for an applicant with any number of dependents. The bonds pay no interest and must stay registered in your name for five years from issue. A non-refundable US$50,000 administration fee applies (CIU).

Real estate and enterprise projects. St Lucia also has real estate and enterprise routes. S.I. No. 57 of 2026 amended the Regulations, and we have not yet read its text, so we leave those figures off this page.

Fees. The CIU lists a processing fee of US$2,000 for the main applicant and US$1,000 for each dependent, and due diligence of US$8,000 for the main applicant and US$5,000 for each dependent over 16. These are paid when you file and are non-refundable.

In our view, the Fund is the better choice for most families. The bonds return the capital only after five years, with no interest, and still cost US$50,000 in fees.

04

What happens after you apply?

The main applicant goes through an interview and identity check, which applies to files received from 4 September 2023 (CIU). The Act also lets the Unit require an interview in St Lucia or at a St Lucian embassy or High Commission (s. 34(2)).

If the Board approves you, it must tell you within 30 days. You then have 60 days to pay any other fees and 90 days to pay the qualifying investment. The Board can extend those deadlines by up to 90 days, or longer in unforeseen circumstances (s. 36(4) to (4B)). The Act sets no deadline for the decision itself, and the CIU publishes no processing time.

05

Do you have to live in St Lucia?

Not today. The Act, as revised to 2022, and the CIU's site set no minimum stay.

That may change. St Lucia is one of five states in the Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority (ECCIRA), set up by an agreement signed in September 2025 and given effect by each state's law that year. The agreement includes residency and genuine-link requirements. ECCIRA says it will start operations in late 2026 but gives no date (ECCIRA).

06

FAQ