Saint Lucia offers citizenship through its Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP), run by the CIP Unit under the Citizenship by Investment Act (Cap. 1.20). Investors can contribute to the National Economic Fund, buy government bonds, or invest in approved real estate or enterprise projects.
Read this first. In June 2026 the European Commission formally asked the Eastern Caribbean countries that operate investor-citizenship programs to phase them out by 1 June 2028. Under the EU’s revised visa-suspension mechanism, running such a program is itself a ground for suspending visa-free travel to the Schengen area. The governments say their programs will continue, but the outlook is uncertain.
Investment options (as published by the CIP Unit)
| Option | Amount (US$) | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| National Economic Fund (NEF) | 240,000 | Applicant with up to three other qualifying dependants; additional dependants US$10,000 each under 18 and US$20,000 each over 18 |
| National Action Bond (NAB) | 300,000 plus US$50,000 non-refundable administration fee | Non-interest-bearing; must stay registered in the applicant’s name for five years |
| Real estate project | 300,000 plus fees | Title held by the investor; administration fees by family size |
| Enterprise project | From US$250,000 (applicant with up to three dependants) plus fees | Larger amounts apply for a sole applicant or a joint venture |
Fees common to all options
- Application processing: US$2,000 for the main applicant and US$1,000 for each qualifying dependant.
- Due diligence: US$8,000 for the main applicant and US$5,000 for each dependant (applies to applicants over 16).
- Interview and identity verification: required for applications received from 4 September 2023; the fee is payable by the main applicant only.
A caution on the published figures
The CIP Unit’s own pages are not fully consistent: the investment-options page lists the NEF at US$240,000, an older FAQ on the same site lists lower amounts (for example US$100,000 for a lone applicant), and the Act sets a statutory minimum of US$200,000 with amounts set in regulations. The page also lists no effective date. For that reason we do not rely on any single figure: we confirm the current schedule with the CIP Unit in writing before you commit.
What to weigh before investing
- Visa-free access to the EU is what the European Commission has put in question.
- Your home country’s rules decide whether you may hold a second nationality.
- The five-year bond holding period if you choose the NAB.
How GoldPassports helps
We compare Saint Lucia with the other Caribbean programs and with European residence options, explain the risk plainly, and, as an authorised agent, prepare and submit the application for you.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Saint Lucia citizenship cost?
The CIP Unit's investment-options page lists US$240,000 for the National Economic Fund (applicant with up to three other qualifying dependants), US$300,000 plus a US$50,000 administration fee for the National Action Bond, and US$300,000 plus fees for real estate. Other pages on the same site show different figures, so we confirm the current schedule before you commit.
What fees apply to every option?
Application processing of US$2,000 for the main applicant and US$1,000 per dependant, and due diligence of US$8,000 for the main applicant and US$5,000 per dependant over 16. The main applicant also pays an interview and identity verification fee for applications received from 4 September 2023.
How long must I hold the bond?
Five years from first issue; the bonds are non-interest-bearing and must remain registered in the applicant's name.
Why are the published figures inconsistent?
The CIP Unit's pages and the Act show different amounts and none gives an effective date. We confirm the current schedule with the Unit in writing.
Is the program at risk?
In June 2026 the European Commission formally asked the Eastern Caribbean countries running investor-citizenship programs to phase them out by 1 June 2028, and the EU's revised visa-suspension mechanism treats such programs as a ground for suspending visa-free travel. The governments say their programs continue.
Official sources
Figures on this page come from the sources below and were last verified on 16 October 2026. Rules change; always confirm the current position before investing.
- Saint Lucia CIP: Citizenship by Investment (options and fees)
- Saint Lucia CIP: FAQs
- Citizenship by Investment Act, Cap. 1.20 (revised edition)
- Government of Antigua and Barbuda: response to the European Commission communication on CBI (6 July 2026)
- European Commission: Eighth report under the Visa Suspension Mechanism (COM(2025) 792)
