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Citizenship
Saint Lucia recognizes three types of residence: citizenship, permanent residence and right of abode. Non-citizens need a work permit to work in Saint Lucia.
Residence permit
A person who is not a citizen of Saint Lucia but wishes to reside in Saint Lucia may do so under the following conditions:
If this person comes to the island to work, a work permit must be obtained before arrival. After obtaining a work permit, the Immigration Department will stamp the person's passport (upon arrival). This stamp entitles you to stay in Saint Lucia for the duration of your work permit. Dependents of a work permit owner will also have a similar stamp in their passport, except that this stamp excludes the right to work.
Individuals who wish to purchase real estate in Saint Lucia and settle without a job can also do so. A special permit from the Minister of Legal Affairs is required for the purchase of property by a non-citizen of Saint Lucia. This permission must be granted after establishing the identity and character of the applicant.
Permanent residence
You can apply for permanent residence after five (5) years of continuous residence in Saint Lucia.
The advantage of this status is that your passport has a stamp of permanent residence, which eliminates the need to apply for a residence permit every three months and the inconvenience of lengthy procedures at the port of entry after a trip abroad.
This status does not entitle a permanent resident to work in Saint Lucia, a work permit is still required.
Citizenship of Saint Lucia is granted to persons:
By birth: Born in Saint Lucia
By origin: Born outside Saint Lucia but to parents who are citizens of Saint Lucia
Adoption: An adopted child can also become a citizen of Saint Lucia if one of the adoptive parents is a citizen of Saint Lucia
Marriage: Marriage to a citizen of Saint Lucia. Upon application after seven (7) years of continuous residence in Saint Lucia. Under special circumstances, this term can be shortened. Such thing is rare and usually is associated with outstanding public service.
Pursuant to the Citizenship by Investment Act of 2015, applicants who meet the required investment and eligibility criteria are granted citizenship through the Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program. The minimum investment requirement for the program is 100,000 American dollars for a single applicant with no return to the Saint Lucia National Economic Fund, 165,000 dollars for a couple and 190,000 dollars for a family of four.
However, other options are available, including:
Real Estate Investment: Applicants must invest in a government-approved real estate development of at least 200,000 dollars plus fees. The investment must be kept for at least five years, after which it can be liquidated.
Please note that Saint Lucia has suspended the participation of citizens of Russia and Belarus in investment citizenship programs.
Government bonds or approved enterprise projects: A temporary bond was launched in May 2020, offering single applicants the option of contributing a minimum of 250,000 dollars in a repayable government bond, or 300,000 dollars for a family application. The minimum term of bond storage is five years, after which the capital can be returned to the investor at 0% interest. This offer is limited time and valid until December 2022.
Requirements and processing of the application for citizenship
There is no requirement to reside in Saint Lucia. Applications for Saint Lucia citizenship by investment take an average of 3-4 months to process and can be submitted remotely. Dependent children, siblings and parents may be included in the family application.
Once investors are successfully granted Saint Lucian citizenship, they will be issued a passport. Owners of Saint Lucian passports get visa-free access to 157 countries and territories around the world, including access to the Schengen area of the EU, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Singapore.
In addition, dual citizenship is allowed in Saint Lucia. Thus, citizens of Saint Lucia do not lose their citizenship after acquiring the citizenship of another country. Individuals acquiring citizenship of Saint Lucia are also not required to renounce their original citizenship.
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