Citizenship by Investment / Saint Lucia / Route
Saint Lucia · Citizenship route
Saint Lucia citizenship through a non-refundable National Economic Fund contribution of USD 240,000 for an applicant alone or with up to three qualifying dependants.
Last updated: 2026-10-01
Programme overviewنظرة عامة
Advising UAE residents on second citizenship from our Dubai office.
Overview
Saint Lucia's National Economic Fund is a non-refundable government contribution from USD 240,000, covering the applicant alone or with up to three qualifying dependants.
Saint Lucia offers the widest choice of the five Eastern Caribbean programmes — fund, government bond, real estate and enterprise — and the broadest definition of who counts as a dependant.
Government fees and timing
From the Citizenship by Investment Programme:
- Additional dependants beyond three: USD 10,000 each under 18, USD 20,000 each aged 18 or over; USD 5,000 for a newborn aged 12 months or under.
- Processing: USD 2,000 main applicant, USD 1,000 each dependant.
- Due diligence: USD 8,000 main applicant, USD 5,000 each dependant. Due diligence is conducted only on applicants above the age of 16.
The Programme states that, in most cases, its processing time for a grant of citizenship is significantly below its 90-day guideline.
Travel access today
Here is where Saint Lucia stands today:
United Kingdom: a visa is required. The UK removed visa-free access for Saint Lucia on 5 March 2026 under Statement of Changes HC 1691, expressly because of the citizenship-by-investment programme. The transitional window closed on 16 April 2026.
United States: a visa is required, as it is for every Caribbean CBI passport. No programme in this region gives visa-free entry to the United States.
Canada: a visitor visa is required. None of the five Caribbean citizenship-by-investment countries has visa-free access to Canada.
On Schengen and the EU: access is currently in place, but the EU's revised visa suspension mechanism, adopted on 31 December 2025, makes operating a citizenship-by-investment scheme a self-standing ground for suspending visa-free travel. The European Commission wrote to Antigua & Barbuda in June 2026 seeking a phase-out, and an EU report is due in December 2026. Schengen access should not be treated as permanent.
What this does to an Indian passport
India does not allow dual citizenship. Section 9(1) of the Citizenship Act 1955 provides that a citizen of India who voluntarily acquires the citizenship of another country ceases to be a citizen of India. Acquiring any Caribbean citizenship is voluntary, so your Indian citizenship ends automatically on the day it is granted — no Indian decision, no discretion, no deferral. The Indian passport must be surrendered and a Surrender Certificate obtained.
You can then apply for Overseas Citizen of India status. The Ministry of External Affairs states plainly that OCI is not dual citizenship: no vote, no constitutional posts, no equality in public employment, and no acquisition of agricultural land, farmhouses or plantation property in India.
This is a replacement for your Indian citizenship, not an addition. Plan around that.
Talk to a second citizenship consultant in Dubai
XIPHIAS Immigration has advised families on Caribbean citizenship since 2009, and our Dubai team works with UAE residents. We were named Best Immigration Consultant by The Times of India in 2022. Our immigration consultants in Dubai will take you through the current requirements, costs and travel access.
Sources
- Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Programme
- UK Government — Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules HC 1691
- UK Government — check if you need a UK visa
- Government of Canada — find out if you need a visa
- Citizenship Act 1955, Section 9(1) — Government of India
- Government of India — passport surrender certificate
- Ministry of External Affairs — Overseas Citizenship of India scheme
- OECS — regional CBI standards
Verified against government sources on 30 September 2026. Travel access changes without notice — confirm before booking.
What you getالمزايا
Processing for a grant of citizenship is, in most cases, significantly below the Citizenship by Investment Programme's 90-day guideline.
Simple, contribution-based route: one amount covers an applicant with up to three qualifying dependants.
No residency requirement before or after citizenship.
The broadest dependant definition of the five, including unmarried siblings under 18 with parental consent.
Supports Saint Lucia’s national development through the NEF.
Investment & costsالتكاليف
Qualifying investment
National Economic Fund — applicant alone or with up to three qualifying dependants
One-time, non-refundable contribution.
Each additional dependant under 18
Each additional dependant aged 18 or over
Newborn aged 12 months or under
Government & due-diligence fees
Figures are indicative and exclusive of professional fees. Your advisor confirms an exact, written cost breakdown for your family size.
Eligibilityالأهلية
Requirements
Make the NEF contribution after receiving approval from the Citizenship by Investment Programme.
Pass due diligence (background, financial, health) and attend an interview, in person or virtually.
Provide all required documentation (IDs, proof of funds, birth/marriage certificates, dependent proofs).
Comply with Saint Lucia CBI regulations, nationality, and sanctions restrictions.
Who cannot apply
Unclear or unverifiable source of funds.
Adverse background findings or sanctions/watchlist presence.
Failure to complete KYC/AML checks or provide required documents.
Document checklistالوثائق
Identity & Civil
- ✦Valid passport copies (main applicant and dependents)
- ✦Birth certificates (applicant and dependents)
- ✦Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- ✦Police clearance / background check for applicants aged 16+
Financial & Source of Funds
- ✦Proof of source of funds / bank statements
Health & Compliance
- ✦Medical certificate (as per CIU guidelines)
- ✦Professional reference letters (if required)
- ✦Signed application forms
- ✦Recent passport-sized photographs
Your XIPHIAS advisor prepares a personalised document list at onboarding. The checklist above is indicative and may vary by family size.
Family scopeالأسرة
All eligible dependants can be included in one application or added after approval.
Age limits, dependency definitions, and addition fees vary by jurisdiction. Your advisor confirms exact rules at onboarding.
Risk notes
Saint Lucia lost visa-free access to the United Kingdom on 5 March 2026 under Statement of Changes HC 1691, expressly because of the citizenship-by-investment programme. The transitional window closed on 16 April 2026.
No Caribbean citizenship-by-investment passport gives visa-free access to the United States.
Applications have been subject to an interview, in person or virtually, since 1 September 2023, at the due diligence stage.
Indian citizenship ends automatically on acquiring Saint Lucian citizenship.
Compliance
Routes: National Economic Fund from USD 240,000; National Action Bond USD 300,000 plus a USD 50,000 non-refundable administrative fee, non-interest-bearing and held five years; approved real estate from USD 300,000 plus administrative fees of USD 30,000 or USD 45,000; and enterprise projects.
Due diligence is conducted only on applicants over 16. Processing fees are USD 2,000 for the main applicant and USD 1,000 per dependant; due diligence USD 8,000 and USD 5,000.
Saint Lucia has the broadest dependant definition of the five: children up to 21, or up to 30 if fully supported; parents over 55; and unmarried siblings under 18 with parental consent.
No residency or visit requirement after grant.
The Citizenship by Investment Programme states processing is significantly below its 90-day guideline.
Start the Saint Lucia route.
A senior advisor will confirm the exact costs, timeline and documents for your case — privately, and entirely off the record.