With the advent of globalization and technological advances over the past few years, the world has truly become a global village. These days, a keystroke on a computer can bring other parts of the world closer to us in many ways, fueling our desires to experience those exotic locales firsthand.

That’s exactly the effect Saint Lucia has on anyone who happens to catch a glimpse of her enchanting beauty. This Helen of the West, which forms part of an island chain of pearls in the Eastern Caribbean, is truly a rare gem.

Saint Lucia – sheer natural beauty and outstanding achievements

The island is a 238-square-mile treasure laced with undulating topography, tantalizing beaches, cascading waterfalls, and warm and welcoming people. The cherries on top of this irresistible appeal would be the magnetic Pitons that tower from the Caribbean Sea in Soufriere on the island’s west coast, and the island’s two Nobel Laureates, Sir William Arthur Lewis (Economics, 1979) and Sir Derek Alton Walcott (Literature, 1992).

Saint Lucians are a culturally rich people, influenced by a mélange of British, French, African and East Indian ancestry. The history is rich, too, with the island having changed hands between the British and French thirteen times beginning in the 17th century until it was finally ceded to the British by France in 1814. Much of Saint Lucian architecture and place names reflect this mixed heritage. Independence later came in 1979, following 165 years of continuous British rule. Today, Saint Lucia is a vibrant economy that depends heavily on tourism and agriculture. 

So how do you get to be part of all this?

Okay, here’s the thing…

Since being launched in 2015, Saint Lucia’s Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP) has gone on to become a very efficient and well-managed programme of its kind in the Caribbean, buoyed by transparency, solid legal foundation, and good governance.

While due diligence is a crucial benchmark of the Programme, unnecessary bureaucracy is not. Which is why people from across the globe are choosing to become Saint Lucians as their second citizenship and getting a Saint Lucian passport. If you do plan on making Saint Lucia your new home away from home, here’s some crucial information you’ll need to know to make the process hassle-free and fast.

• Easy-to-download application forms: Application forms for citizenship are easy to download online, offering clients the opportunity to become familiarized with the application checklist.
• Online application process: As your authorized agents, we can help prepare your applications. This not only speeds up the filing process, but also eliminates the need for hard copy applications.
• Rigid background checks: All applicants, including their family members, are subjected to a thorough background check following the submission of a report to the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) by the third-party due diligence service providers.
• No hidden agenda: With Saint Lucia’s Citizenship by Investment Programme, there is no hidden agenda. You get what you were promised as we place our reputation at stake on one of our most prized treasures, our citizenship.
• E-payment platform: Payments can be made directly to us, thereby eliminating the need for bank wire transfers that can delay the process for weeks.
• Issuance of Saint Lucian Passports: While the Citizenship by Investment Unit processes all Citizenship by Investment applications and issues certificates of citizenship, the Immigration Department in Saint Lucia is the only entity responsible for issuing Saint Lucian passports. Usually, passports are process within 14 to 21 days; however, you must present an original copy of your birth certificate and certificate of citizenship to your authorized agents. 

Benefits of having a Saint Lucian passport

On becoming a Saint Lucian citizen, here are some of the benefits you would certainly enjoy as the holder of a Saint Lucian passport.

• Visa-free travel or visa-on-arrival to more than 146 countries, including the European Union Shengen countries, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom.
• Equal citizenship and rights with native-born Saint Lucians, including the right to pass on citizenship to family members and the right to vote.
• No residency requirement, no need to travel to Saint Lucia during the application process, and a quick processing turnaround within 3 months.
• Dual citizenship is recognized in Saint Lucia.
• No country restrictions.
• Unique Government Bond investment option not offered by other CIPs in the Caribbean, which must be held for 5 years and is non-interest bearing, but refundable after 5 years.    
• Saint Lucia, which is modeled after the British parliamentary system of government, enjoys stable political and economic democracy.
• Saint Lucia offers a favourable tax environment with no capital gains tax, relatively low income and corporate tax, no taxation on worldwide income (once resident for under 183 days), and no estate or inheritance tax.
• Saint Lucia boasts a favourable international financial services sector.
• Via its Hewanorra International Airport located in the southern part of the island, Saint Lucia offers good airlift into and out of the island to most cities across the world and many non-stop flights to and from the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe, the United States, and Canada.
  
  

How do you qualify for Saint Lucian citizenship via the CIP?

Under Saint Lucia’s Citizenship by Investment Programme, a foreign national can acquire citizenship via the following options. However, it is important to note that each citizenship investment option offers the same advantages of citizenship of Saint Lucia.

• Government Bond Investment: A minimum investment US$500,000.00 
• National Economic Fund Investment: A minimum investment of US$100,000.00 
• Real Estate Investment: A minimum investment of US$300,000.00 
• Enterprise Investment: A minimum investment of US$3,500,000.00
• COVID-19 Bond Relief: A minimum investment of US$250,000.00 (Limited time offer) 

Tempted yet?

So how about it? Are you ready to make that big decision that can change your life for the better? Are you ready to add to the total of 180,000 people who already proudly call this beautiful island nation their home? How about tempting some freshly prepared green fig and saltfish (Saint Lucia’s national dish) and climbing Mt. Gimie (Saint Lucia’s highest elevation)? How about learning to speak our kwéyòl, a French-based language spoken by many Saint Lucians?

These are just a few of the tempting attributes that Saint Lucia has to offer. Obviously, some secrets are reserved for citizens and held close to the chest. As the holder of a Saint Lucian passport, imagine the possibilities. But rest assured, having a Saint Lucian passport affords you way more that visa-free and visa-on-arrival to more than 146 countries globally. 

Once you get to know the island intimately, she truly will inspire you. And once you get your Saint Lucian passport, the rewards get even better.