St. Lucia’s citizenship by investment program is evolving as a favorable opportunity for investors and high-net-worth individuals looking for economic and political stability, as well as global mobility. Although St. Lucia’s citizenship program is the youngest in the Caribbean, it has proved its ability to provide an affordable and straightforward program, as well as a powerful passport that provides visa-free access and visa on arrival to 147 destinations including the UK, Schengen Area, Russia, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Latin American countries.
St. Lucia’s passport
St. Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program allows foreign investors and their qualifying dependents to acquire a second passport and citizenship in exchange for an investment in the country’s economy. After meeting certain criteria and successfully passing a thorough due diligence process, applicants are required either to make a non-refundable contribution (donation) to the Saint Lucia National Economic Fund or purchase real estate in a government-approved project or purchase a government bond. Applicants are granted citizenship for life within 4 to 5 months with no residency requirements.
Saint Lucia passport has enormous benefits to offer, the first of which is the right to live, work, and study in a stable and secure country. It has been ranked 32nd among global passports[1], swelling 10 points within ten years. It is considered a desirable passport, providing its holders visa-free access and visa on arrival to 147 destinations including the UK, Schengen Area, Russia, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Latin American countries. Saint Lucia citizens enjoy various tax redemptions, as there is no tax on capital, wealth, or inheritance tax.
3 The list of visa-free countries for Saint Lucia passport holders: Detail the countries that allow visa-free travel for Saint Lucia passport holders, including popular destinations in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
List of Visa-free countries for St. Lucia
As of March 2023, Saint Lucian passport holders can travel visa-free to 117 countries and territories, including the European Schengen Area, as well as the UK, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, Argentina, Malaysia, Philippines, Venezuela, and Zambia, as well as issuing a visa upon arrival to 30 countries such as Jordan, Armenia, and Egypt among other..
Saint Lucian citizens can enter without a passport with only an ID card to Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
| European Countries | Visa Free | Visa on arrival | Duration of stay | |
| Andorra | X | 90 days | ||
| Austria | X | 90 days from a total 180 days in the Schengen Area | ||
| Belgium | X | 90 days from a total 180 days in the Schengen Area | ||
| Czech Republic | X | 90 days from a total 180 days in the Schengen Area | ||
| Denmark | X | 90 days from a total 180 days in the Schengen Area | ||
| Estonia | X | 90 days from a total 180 days in the Schengen Area | ||
| Finland | X | 90 days from a total 180 days in the Schengen Area | ||
| France | X | 90 days from a total 180 days in the Schengen Area | ||
| Germany | X | 90 days from a total 180 days in the Schengen Area | ||
| Greece | X | 90 days from a total 180 days in the Schengen Area | ||
| Hungary | X | 90 days from a total 180 days in the Schengen Area | ||
| Iceland | X | 90 days from a total 180 days in the Schengen Area | ||
| Italy | X | 90 days from a total 180 days in the Schengen Area | ||
| Latvia | X | 90 days from a total 180 days in the Schengen Area | ||
| Liechtenstein | X | 90 days from a total 180 days in the Schengen Area | ||
| Lithuania | X | 90 days from a total 180 days in the Schengen Area | ||
| Luxembourg | X | 90 days from a total 180 days in the Schengen Area | ||
| Malta | X | 90 days from a total 180 days in the Schengen Area | ||
| Monaco | X | 90 days from a total 180 days in the Schengen Area | ||
| Netherlands | X | 90 days from a total 180 days in the Schengen Area | ||
| Norway | X | 90 days from a total 180 days in the Schengen Area | ||
| Poland | X | 90 days from a total 180 days in the Schengen Area | ||
| Portugal | X | 90 days from a total 180 days in the Schengen Area | ||
| Slovakia | X | 90 days from a total 180 days in the Schengen Area | ||
| Slovenia | X | 90 days from a total 180 days in the Schengen Area | ||
| Spain | X | 90 days from a total 180 days in the Schengen Area | ||
| Sweden | X | 90 days from a total 180 days in the Schengen Area | ||
| Switzerland | X | 90 days from a total 180 days in the Schengen Area | ||
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | X | 90 days within a 6-months period | ||
| Bulgaria | X | 90 days within a 6-months period | ||
| Croatia | X | 90 days from a total 180 days in the Schengen Area | ||
| Cyprus | X | 90 days within 180 days | ||
| Ireland | X | 90 days | ||
| Moldova | X | 90 days of a total 180 days | ||
| Montenegro | X | 90 days | ||
| Romania | X | 90 days within 6 months | ||
| San Marino | X | 10 days. Schengen Area visa rules apply because access is through Italy. Travelers wishing to stay longer, must apply for a permit. | ||
| United Kingdom | X | 6 months | ||
| Vatican City | X | 90 days from a total 180 days in the Schengen Area | ||
| American countries | Visa free access | Visa on arrival | Duration of stay | |
| Argentina | X | a maximum stay of 90 days | ||
| Belize | X | 6 months. Indefinite stay is granted to holders of a CARICOM Certificate of skills | ||
| Bolivia | X | 90 days | ||
| Chile | X | 90 days | ||
| Colombia | X | 90-180 days within one year | ||
| Costa Rica | X | 30 days | ||
| Ecuador | X | 90 days | ||
| El Salvador | X | 90 days | ||
| Guatemala | X | 90 days | ||
| Guyana | X | 6 months; holders of a Caricom Certificate of Skills can indefinitely | ||
| Honduras | X | 90 days | ||
| Nicaragua | X | 90 days | ||
| Panama | X | 180 days | ||
| Peru | X | 183 days | ||
| Suriname | X | 6 months. Indefinite stay is available to CARICOM Certificate of skill holders. | ||
| Venezuela | X | 90 days. | ||
| Asian countries | Visa free access | Visa on arrival | Electronic Travel Authorization | Duration of stay |
| Bangladesh | X | 30-60 days. | ||
| Cambodia | X | 30 days | ||
| Israel | X | 3 months’ stay permitted. | ||
| Jordan | X | |||
| Kiribati | X | 30 days | ||
| Laos | X | Apply online prior to travelling to stay for 30 days. The stay is extendable to 60 days | ||
| Malaysia | X | 1 month. | ||
| Maldives | X | 30 days or more | ||
| Nepal | X | 90 days. Visa on Arrival is available at Tribhuvan International Airport. | ||
| Pakistan | X | St. Lucian passport holders can obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization. | ||
| Philippines | X | 30 days | ||
| Singapore | X | 30 days | ||
| South Korea | X | Electronic Travel Authorization required, available via online application. A 90 day long stay is granted upon arrival. | ||
| Sri Lanka | X | Electronic Travel Authorization required, available via online application. Applicant must have an onward ticket. The ETA is valid for 30 days. | ||
| Taiwan | X | |||
| Timor-Leste | X | Only available at the following entry points: Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport or at the Dili Sea Port. St. Lucian citizens can stay for 30 days with this Visa | ||
| Uzbekistan | X | St. Lucian citizens can stay for 30 days | ||
| African Countries | Visa free access | Visa on arrival | Duration of stay | |
| Botswana | X | 90 days within one calendar year | ||
| Burundi | X | 30 days | ||
| Cape Verde | X | 30 days | ||
| Comoros | X | 45 days provided they have a valid onward ticket | ||
| Egypt | X | 15 days | ||
| Eswatini | X | |||
| Gambia | X | 90 days | ||
| Guinea-Bissau | X | 90 days | ||
| Kenya | X | 90 days | ||
| Lesotho | X | 90 days | ||
| Madagascar | X | Apply and pay for the Madagascar e Visa online prior to travelling to get a 30, 60, or 90-day visa or get a Visa on Arrival | ||
| Malawi | X | 90 days | ||
| Mauritania | X | |||
| Mauritius | X | 90 days | ||
| Mozambique | X | 30 days provided you can prove your visiting for a holiday | ||
| Rwanda | X | 30 days if applying online for an eVisa or 90 with a Visa on Arrival | ||
| Senegal | X | 30 days | ||
| Seychelles | X | Return ticket, accommodation information, and proof of funds required to obtain a 3-months visitor permit. | ||
| Sierra Leon | X | 30-90 days. | ||
| Somalia | X | 30-day visitor permit | ||
| Tanzania | X | 90 days | ||
| Togo | X | 7 days | ||
| Tunisia | X | 90 days | ||
| Zambia | X | 90 days as tourists or 30 days for business. | ||
| Zimbabwe | X | 90 days |
Visa agreements
The Passport of St Lucia has gained strength over the years in terms of visa-free travel freedom, as the government has signed a few visa waiver agreements with 147 destinations. In 2006, the St Lucia passport only had visa-free access to just 63 destinations, but this number has surged to more than double within 15 years.
In 2015, the EU signed short-stay visa waiver agreements with Saint Lucia, for a period of 90 days in any 180-day period. Today the visa exemption also applies to non-Schengen EU member states such as Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Cyprus.
In 2020, a Visa waiver was signed with Kosovo in New York, and since August 2020, St. Lucian citizens can enter Ukraine as tourists with an e-Visa for 30 days.
St. Lucia has also signed several agreements with Argentina, Cuba, Malaysia, South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan.
St. Lucia citizens can enter without a visa to the Schengen area and spend 90 days out of any 180-day period. The passport is first issued for a 5-year period and then for 10-year periods.
As the UK is a member in the Commonwealth of Nations, St Lucia citizens can visit the country and stay there for up to 180 days. On leaving the UK, they can immediately re-enter and start a new 180-day period. St. Lucia citizens are also eligible for benefits at UK universities and tax incentives.
St. Lucia passport holders can stay 90 days in Hong Kong, South Korea, and Nepal, the main centers of business and cultural life in Asia, as well as 30 days in Singapore, Taiwan, and the Philippines.
In Africa, St. Lucia citizens can stay up to 90 days in Botswana, Keya, Gambia, Malawi, Madagascar, Mauritania, Senegal, Seychelles, Tunisia, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia, among others. They can stay up to 30 days in Somalia, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Mozambique, Egypt, and Burundi. They can also stay 183 days in Saint Helena.
In North America, St. Lucia passport holders can stay up to 180 days in Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Bermuda, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, among others. They can also stay up to 90 days in the Bahamas, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Panama, and Sint Maarten, among others.
In South America, they can stay up to 90 days in Argentina, Aruba, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela.
St. Lucia citizens can also apply for a 10-year US Visitor visa to the United States.
Alternatives to visa-free travel
St. Lucian citizens can get visas upon arrival for 30 countries, mainly, Egypt, Iran, Somalia, Maldives, Mauritania, Nepal, Jordan, Armenia, Bangladesh, and Laos, among others.
Some of the 18 countries issue eVisas for St. Lucia passport holders including Bahrain, Azerbaijan, Georgia, India, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Turkey, and UAE, among others. The process of getting an eVisa is like the process of applying for a traditional visa. However, in this case, applicants don’t have to visit a visa application center, but rather submit an application online, including the visa payment.
Benefits of St. Lucia’s Citizenship
Saint Lucia citizenship has a lot of benefits to offer, the first of which is the right to live, work, and study in a stable and secure country. It provides its holders with global mobility and access to 147 destinations. Saint Lucia citizens enjoy various tax redemptions, as there is no tax on capital, wealth, or inheritance tax.
St. Lucia is strategically located to serve regional, international, and virtual markets, due to its proximity to the nearshore markets of North America, South America, and CARICOM member countries. It is only three hours flight from the USA and an 8-hour flight to Europe. It boasts two airports servicing regional and international airlines.
Thanks to prudent planning and comprehensive policies, St. Lucia provides an appealing investment climate with cutting-edge solutions. It continually ranks at the top in factors like ease of doing business, economic freedom, and transparency making it an irresistible and unique choice for investors.
St. Lucia’s passport Vs. Grenada and Dominica
All Caribbean countries have powerful passports providing visa-free access or visa upon arrival to more than 140 destinations including the European Schengen area, UK, and main Asian countries known for their business culture.
St. Lucia passport is ranked 29th among global passports, providing its holders visa-free access and visa on arrival to 147 destinations including the UK, Schengen Area, Russia, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Latin American countries.
Grenada passport is currently ranked 30th among global passports, providing visa-free access to 145 countries, and instant travel opportunities to worldwide prime destinations, including Singapore, the United Kingdom, Russia, China, and the entire European Union.
The Dominican passport is currently ranked 31st among global passports, providing visa-free access to 144 countries, such as Singapore, the United Kingdom, Russia, and the entire European Union.
Frequently asked questions
Investors looking to obtain St. Lucia’s citizenship may have several concerns and would raise several questions before taking any investment risk.
How to renew a St. Lucian passport?
St Lucia’s online service is the best way to get your St Lucia Passport renewal done quickly, conveniently, and hassle-free. Passport holders are required to complete a passport application form, the expired St. Lucian passport, proof of citizenship and identity, and passport-sized photos. In cases where original documents are in a foreign language, an English translation of the document, by a recognized translator, must be presented along with the original document.
What are the visa requirements for family members?
Documents required when obtaining a visa to St. Lucia include a passport valid for at least six months, an application form, proof of sufficient funds, a return or ongoing ticket, a letter of invitation from a friend or relative, civil status documents, criminal record, medical record, and birth certificate.
A powerful tool to tour the world
Saint Lucia’s enviable quality of life and ease of doing business has been attracting many investors and high-net-worth individuals lately, due to many reasons the most important of which are its safety, stability, zero taxes imposed on non-residents, along with global mobility, and visa-free access to more than 145 international destinations including the Schengen Zone and the United Kingdom, and Singapore. The country is also attracting investors due to the massive business opportunities existing in various sectors such as tourism, manufacturing, and global business outsourcing. Therefore, for investors looking to move seamlessly from one country to another in both business and personal life, St. Lucia’s passport is considered an ideal option, especially that applicants can obtain a passport in just six months, and the process can be completed remotely without visiting or living in Saint Lucia.
[1] https://www.henleyglobal.com/passport-index
