Saint Lucia Citizenship — Donation

Summary

Saint Lucia's Citizenship by Investment — National Economic Fund (NEF) Donation is the country's most popular CBI route. You make a one-time, non-refundable contribution to the government's NEF, and in exchange you and your eligible family members are granted Saint Lucian citizenship and passports. The minimum contribution is $240,000, raised in mid-2024 from the earlier $100,000 threshold as part of an Eastern Caribbean–wide harmonization across the five regional CBI countries.

Saint Lucia launched its program in 2015, making it the newest entrant among the Caribbean Five (Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts & Nevis, and Saint Lucia). The donation track is straightforward: no property to manage, no bonds to hold, just a contribution, due diligence, and a citizenship decision.

Eligibility

Investment requirement

• Minimum donation to the NEF: $240,000, covering a main applicant and up to three qualifying dependents.
• Additional dependents beyond the initial four are charged separately (additional fees per spouse, child, parent, or sibling).
• The donation is non-refundable.

Fees (on top of the donation)

• Application processing fee: $2,000 for the main applicant and $1,000 for each dependent.
• Due diligence fees: $8,000 for the main applicant and $5,000 for each dependent older than 16.
• Passport fees and post-approval registration costs are billed separately.

Personal eligibility

• Main applicant age 18 or older.
• Clean criminal record; no prior visa refusals from countries Saint Lucia maintains visa-free travel with, unless since resolved.
• Documented source of funds (typically five years of financial history).
• Good health, demonstrated by medical certificates for all applicants.
• Not a national of a restricted country under current CIU policy.

Family members who can join

• Spouse.
• Unmarried children under 30 who are financially dependent.
• Parents and grandparents of the applicant or spouse who are financially dependent.
• Unmarried siblings under 18 of the applicant or spouse.

Residency and language

• No minimum stay and no language test. Main applicants complete Saint Lucia's interview and identity-verification process, which can be handled in person or virtually.
• Applicants never have to set foot in Saint Lucia, though a visit is encouraged.

Dual citizenship

Saint Lucia permits dual citizenship for CBI grantees. You do not renounce your U.S. citizenship.

What This Route Allows

If approved, this route can lead to citizenship in Saint Lucia. Citizenship is the national status itself, not a residence permit: you can document the citizenship, apply for citizen identity or passport documents, and live in Saint Lucia without a separate immigration permit.

What This Route Is Not

This is not automatic citizenship. Naturalization, registration, and restoration routes usually require an application, supporting documents, and a decision by the relevant authority.

Next Steps

1. Engage an authorized agent. Applications must be filed through a licensed Saint Lucia CBI agent — the CIU does not accept direct submissions from applicants.
2. Prepare documents. Passports, birth and marriage certificates, police certificates from every country lived in for more than six months over the past ten years, five years of bank statements, source-of-funds documentation, and medical forms.
3. Complete due diligence. The CIU screens applicants through multi-jurisdictional background checks. Expect three to four months, longer if your background is complex.
4. Pay the donation. On approval in principle, you wire the $240,000 contribution plus government and due diligence fees to escrow.
5. Receive your certificate and passports. Final approval triggers issuance of a citizenship certificate. Passports follow and are valid for ten years, renewable.

Sources

• Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Unit — National Economic Fund
• Saint Lucia introduces the Applicant Interview and Identity Verification Process
• Government of Saint Lucia — Citizenship Act amendments
• CIU Saint Lucia — Official Program Site