7 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying For A St. Lucia Passpor
Becoming a Saint Lucian citizen confers numerous social and economic benefits. But that’s only if you can pass the country’s often-rigorous background checks for second citizenship applicants.
This article shall highlight the top seven mistakes to avoid when applying for citizenship in this eastern Caribbean nation.
The Perks of Applying For St. Lucian Citizenship
1. Visa-free Travel
Becoming a Saint Lucian citizen provides hassle-free travel to multiple destinations worldwide. The country’s passport is stronger than many of its neighbors.
As of May 2024, a St. Lucia passport holder can travel visa-free to over 110 destinations worldwide. That includes the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Malaysia.
St. Lucia citizens can also travel to dozens of other countries either with electronic visas (eVisas) or on visa-on-arrival privileges.
2. Thriving Economy and Trade Benefits
St. Lucia enjoys a “moderately free” economy. The country boasts well-developed infrastructure and robust economic policies, which have contributed immensely to its flourishing business landscape.
Thanks to St. Lucia’s warm beaches and quaint villages, tourism is, unsurprisingly, its most lucrative economic sector. Other profitable industries include agriculture, banking, and real estate.
St. Lucia’s location in the Caribbean gives you access to millions of potential customers in the rest of the Americas.
Moreover, the country is part of the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) – European Union (EU) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). The EPA espouses free trade between CARIFORUM and EU member states.
3. Peaceful and Quiet Life
Saint Lucia enjoys a reputation as one of the world’s most tranquil places. The tiny Caribbean island nation boasts a stable political climate and a fairly small population, making it ideal for raising a family.
St. Lucia also maintains strict data protection laws safeguarding sensitive personal and financial information. It’s the perfect second home for investors and asylum seekers craving a quiet life.
4. Favourable Tax Regime
Legal St. Lucian businesses are exempt from capital gains tax, making the country particularly attractive for property investors. Citizens don’t need to pay taxes on dividends or inheritance, either.
Besides, many of the applicable taxes are significantly low.
The value-added tax (VAT) rate is 12.5% for most commodities and 10% for supplying hotel accommodation services. Comparatively, the standard VAT rate is 15% in the Dominican Republic and 21% in Jamaica.
Mistakes to Avoid When Applying For A St. Lucian Passport
1. Choosing Slower Routes to Citizenship
There are three primary ways to gain St. Lucian citizenship – birth, registration, and investment.
Citizenship by investment (CBI) is the fastest route to obtain a St. Lucian passport. The program allows foreigners to invest in government-approved schemes in exchange for citizenship.
St. Lucia has one of the most popular citizenship by-investment programs. According to recent statistics, thousands of foreign nationals have secured permanent residency in the country through its CBI initiative.
2. Not Understanding Your CBI Options
There are three primary ways to invest in the St. Lucian CBI program, namely;
- Contributing at least $100,000 to the St. Lucia National Economic Fund
- Contributing at least $200,000 to a state-approved real estate project
- Investing $300,000 in St. Lucia’s non-interest-bearing National Action Government Bonds and subsequently holding the investment for five years
3. Incorrect Investment Selection
Now that you understand the various ways to join St. Lucia’s citizenship by investment program, it’s imperative to research each option carefully to pick the right one for you.
Choosing the wrong investment can have several financial and logistical implications.
Note that there’s a specified minimum contribution for each option. Besides, all three investment choices have unique eligibility criteria.
4. Providing False Information
This is arguably the biggest mistake ever when applying for a St. Lucian passport.
Despite its strict data protection laws, St Lucia is known to conduct extensive background checks before accepting second citizenship applications.
So, ensure every information is accurate, verifiable, and up to date. That includes your biometrics, medical reports, and criminal records.
5. Providing Inadequate Information
Withholding crucial information is tantamount to dishonesty. It speaks to an elaborate scheme to cheat the immigration system. If discovered, your application may be declined immediately.
Strive to fill all immigration forms completely and satisfactorily. Leave no blanks, unless there’s an option to do so.
More importantly, do not withhold any crucial information, even if you believe disclosing it might lower your chances of getting accepted into St. Lucia’s CBI program.
6. Not Working With an Authorised Agent
St. Lucia only processes citizenship by investment applications submitted through authorized agents. Handing in the paperwork by yourself is the first step in setting up your CBI application for failure.
Fortunately, there are plenty of authorized agents to pick from. Just ensure you choose a person or company of good repute with no criminal record.
7. Not Paying the Relevant Fees
Any CBI applicant who wishes to bring their relatives to St. Lucia must pay an additional $20,000 if applying with a spouse, $25,000 for two dependents, and $30,000 for three dependents.
There’s also a non-refundable government administration fee of $15,000.
Moreover, you’ll need to pay the relevant fees to your identified authorized agent. That includes USD 1,000 in application fees and an annual license fee of USD 10,000.
Wrap Up
Avoiding the above mistakes can enhance your chances of gaining Saint Lucian citizenship. As a bonus point, remember to enlist professional assistance when applying for St. Lucian nationality. Working with an immigration expert helps you navigate the legal and logistical obstacles commonly encountered by second citizenship applicants.
