Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can any foreign investor be considered for citizenship under the Citizenship by Investment Programme?
A: In order to be considered for citizenship, applicants must have a minimum net worth of US$3 million, be of exceptional character, hold no criminal record and be in excellent health. Additionally, the applicant must fulfill one of four investment options: contributing a minimum of US$200, 000 to the island’s National Economic Fund; invest in an approved real estate project at a minimum of US$300, 000; invest a minimum of US$3.5 million in an approved enterprise and guarantee a minimum number of jobs created; or invest a minimum of US$500, 000 in Government Bonds which will be held for five years.
Q: What is a global citizen?
A: A global citizen has several responsibilities: moral, ethical, political and economic. Among these responsibilities, a global citizen must respect cultural diversification; make connections and build relationships with people from other countries; understand the ways in which peoples of the world are inter-connected and inter-dependent; and understand and respond to global issues.
Q: Can an investor with a criminal record be granted citizenship?
A: According to the legislation which establishes the CIP, the principal applicant must not:
- Have been convicted of a criminal offense except a minor traffic offense
- Have been denied any category of visa to a country to which Saint Lucia has free visa access and been unsuccessful in subsequently obtaining that visa
- Have been declared bankrupt by a court
- Have been declared by a court or qualified health practitioner to be mentally incapacitated.
Q: Is there a limit to the number of applicants considered?
A: The Citizenship by Investment Unit will only consider five hundred applicants annually.
Q: Can citizenship granted under the programme be revoked?
A: Yes. The Minister may, by order, revoke a grant of citizenship in exceptional circumstances.
Q: Can an investor’s application be fast tracked?
A: There is no accelerated processing of applications. Every application received by the Citizenship by Investment Unit will be processed in the order it is received and will go through the due process as established by law.
Q: What becomes of the money deposited into the Saint Lucia National Economic Fund?
A: The Minister for Finance is required each financial year to gain approval from Parliament for allocation of funds for specified purposes.
Q: Can someone who is refused citizenship by investment reapply?
A: An applicant can appeal the denial of their application if they feel that there are good grounds to do so. The Authorised Agent can advise the applicant on how to make an appeal. Whether or not the applicant can reapply if their application has been denied depends on the reason for the denial.
Q: What rights does a citizen who has been granted citizenship by way of an investment have?
A: All citizens of Saint share the same rights and responsibilities. The new citizens are expected to be governed by the same laws and regulations that govern all of Saint Lucia.
