Three routes — fund, real estate, or bonds
NEF is the cheapest and fastest entry. Government bonds (National Action Bonds) are the only route among the Caribbean programmes in this index where the capital is returned after 5 years, though the administrative fee makes it costlier overall.
What the full cost consists of
Due diligence is comparable to regional neighbours. The main thing that sets Saint Lucia apart is the gap between the official review target and what happens in practice (see the timeline section below).
How the process runs
A good fit if
A poor fit if
Who runs this programme
Your request goes to two or three firms from this list. You see exactly which ones before it is sent, and you can exclude any of them.
This is an independent list of firms in the market, not our partners — we do not forward requests to them or receive payment for referrals. Contact them directly via the link.
Frequent questions
Does review really take 90 days?
That is the regulator’s official statutory target, not actual practice. Independent industry monitoring in late 2025 recorded an average of around 18 months — budget your timeline for that, not the advertised minimum.
How do the government bonds work?
National Action Bonds are non-interest-bearing $300,000 bonds, held for 5 years, after which the full principal is returned. A separate, non-refundable $50,000 administrative fee applies — so the real total cost of this route is higher than just $300,000.
NEF or bonds — which is better value?
NEF is cheaper upfront ($240,000) and does not require a 5-year wait for a return — but the money is never returned. Bonds cost more now ($350,000 with the fee), but $300,000 of it comes back after 5 years.
Who can be included in the application?
A spouse, children, parents — due diligence is charged separately per dependant aged 16 and over.
What does due diligence actually check?
Bank transactions, tax returns, sources of income, business connections. An anti-money-laundering officer is required to participate, assessing the legitimacy of funds and producing an official report.
Can you buy real estate instead of contributing to the fund?
Yes, from $300,000 in a government-approved project, with a mandatory 5-year holding period before resale.
Sources
Figures are for reference only. Verified against official sources on 26 August 2026. A precise quote is issued by the appointed firm after document review. This material is not legal advice, a public offer or investment advice.