Saint Lucia · Citizenship and family
Saint Lucia citizenship: family eligibility and costs
Saint Lucia’s National Economic Fund route starts with a US$240,000 contribution for the main applicant and up to three eligible family members. The actual budget also needs to cover screening, processing, documents and other costs. Each relative must meet the eligibility rules.
What US$240,000 covers
S.I. No. 106 of 2024 sets the minimum National Economic Fund contribution at US$240,000 for the main applicant and up to three eligible dependants. It applies from 1 July 2024. Additional dependants require further contributions under the relevant age rules.[1]
The contribution does not buy a property or create an investment balance that will later be repaid. It is a one-off expense, separate from background checks, processing, document preparation and professional fees.
Some programme FAQs still show older contribution figures. A new application budget should use the US$240,000 amount in the amended regulations, rather than a lower figure on an older page.[1][4][5]
Which relatives can join the application
Act No. 22 of 2025 lists the dependant categories. They include a spouse, children and parents who meet the age and support conditions, and unmarried siblings under 18 with parental or guardian consent. The law also provides for fully supported individuals with disabilities.[3]
Children over 21 and no older than 30 must be fully supported by the applicant. The ordinary parent category requires an age above 55 and full support.[3] Two households of the same size may therefore have different eligibility outcomes.
Where financial dependency needs to be shown, start with actual living expenses: who pays tuition or rent, how payments are made and whether the relative has independent income. Relationships, ages and support should all have documentary evidence.
How the main costs compare for different families
S.I. No. 57 of 2026 lists due diligence fees of US$8,000 for the main applicant and US$5,000 for each eligible dependant over 16. The programme website lists processing charges of US$2,000 for the main applicant and US$1,000 per dependant.[2][4] The examples cover only the contribution and these two fees.
Scroll horizontally to read the full table
| Assumed household | Contribution | Due diligence | Processing | Three-item total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One applicant | $240,000 | $8,000 | $2,000 | $250,000 |
| Married couple | $240,000 | $13,000 | $3,000 | $256,000 |
| Couple and two children, assumed aged 8 and 12 | $240,000 | $13,000 | $5,000 | $258,000 |
All amounts are in US dollars and assume that everyone qualifies. These are not all-inclusive prices. Other applicable charges, document issuance, translation, certification, medical examinations, banking and professional services are excluded. Where someone is close to an age limit, check the date used to assess age and the resulting fee.
What the US$350,000 financial resource requirement means
The 2026 Regulations require a sworn declaration of financial resources of at least US$350,000. The 2025 Act also requires supporting evidence of financial resources and the source of funds.[2][3]
This is a financial evidence requirement, not a second contribution. It should not be added to US$240,000 as another investment payment. Equally, having enough money for the contribution does not by itself satisfy all the evidence requirements.
Where money comes from business dividends, an asset sale or a gift, contracts, financial or tax records and payment evidence should explain how it was lawfully acquired.
What happens after approval
A licensed authorised agent must submit the application, which is subject to background checks. A citizenship registration certificate and a passport are separate documents. Approval in principle does not mean a passport is already available for travel.[4]
The 2026 Regulations add a requirement for successful applicants to provide biometric data. Section 30A of the 2025 amending Act requires applicants and dependants to meet prescribed residence and genuine-link requirements, taking effect from 1 January 2026.[2][3]
The materials reviewed do not establish a single required number of days or a procedure covering every applicant. It would therefore be wrong to promise that no residence or local connection is required. A family should obtain the current requirements that apply to its application.
A useful proposal identifies who qualifies, what each charge covers and what the family must do after approval. That gives a clearer picture than the minimum contribution alone.
Official sources and legislation
1. Saint Lucia: S.I. No. 106 of 2024, amended Schedule 2
2. Saint Lucia: S.I. No. 57 of 2026, financial resources, biometrics and fees
3. Saint Lucia: Act No. 22 of 2025, dependants and application requirements
4. Saint Lucia CIP: FAQs, procedure and processing fees; read with amended legislation
This article provides general information. Check the latest rules, fees and ongoing requirements for your application before proceeding.