The Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Programme has a rigorous due diligence process which entails engaging law enforcement and third-party due diligence firms. Upon receipt of feedback from law enforcement and due diligence firms, a decision is made on the application. The St.Lucia Citizenship by Investment Regulations mandate that a due diligence background check is done on every applicant and their family members over the age of sixteen.
The Saint Lucia Due Diligence is a 4 layer- pronged process consisting of:
- KYC by licensed Agents who will source passports, ID documents, evidence of money, visas and police certificate and health record
- Law Enforcement in conjunction with Royal St Lucia Police Force (RSLPF), Joint Regional Communications Center JRCC, Implementing Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) who issue a report.
- 3rd Party International DD Firms who provide a detailed report to CIP unit.
- Interviews & Identity Verification (effective Sep 2023)
The IMPACS is the nerve centre of the Region’s new multilateral Crime and Security management architecture, specifically designed to administer a collective response to the Crime and Security priorities of Member States. Within its fold, is a special department of IMPACS, called the Regional Crime and Security Strategy Central Coordinating Unit (RCSS-CCU) formerly known as the Liaison Office, and two sub agencies: the Joint Regional Communications Centre (JRCC) and the Regional Intelligence Fusion Centre (RIFC).
- The Joint Regional Communications Centre (JRCC) is the central clearing house for the Advance Passenger Information (API) and acts and on behalf of individual CARICOM Member States for the purpose of pre-screening passengers from air and sea carriers traversing the Region. The JRCC assists regional law enforcement personnel in the detection of persons who are travelling with stolen, lost and fraudulent travel documents, along with the identification of and monitoring the movements of persons of interest, including those who may be a high security threat to the safety and security of the Region.
- The Regional Intelligence Fusion Centre (RIFC) provides intelligence support to key stakeholders in an effort to detect, deter and control crime within the Region.
- The Regional Crime and Security Strategy Central Coordinating Unit (RCSS-CCU), formerly known as the Liaison Office, coordinates the various activities of the regional security groupings within the CARICOM anti-crime and security management framework. The RCSS Unit is the main point of contact between IMPACS, Member States and international agencies such as INTERPOL, UN Agencies, OAS and SOUTHCOM.
Banks
Besides these there is one final additional compliance checks done by banks in Saint Lucia who check the source of funds funds. The Unit has banking relationships with these banks.
1.Bank of Saint Lucia
Name of Account Holder: Citizenship by Investment Board
Bank of Saint Lucia Limited,
Waterfront,
Castries,
Saint Lucia W.I.
Bank Account Number:101412504
Branch Swift Code: BOSLLCLC
2.Republic Bank
Citizenship by Investment Board
Republic Bank (EC) limited -St Lucia,
Castries,
Saint Lucia W.I.
Bank Account Number: 950102014692
Branch Swift Code: RBNKLCLC
Due Diligence Contractors
The following firms are currently contracted to undertake due diligence for the Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Programme
- BDO Consulting
- Exiger
- Globe Detective Agency Private Limited
- NFC Worldwide Solutions
- Refinitive
- S-RM
- Tianchao Business Investigation Co., Ltd
Four of the biggest firms which specialize in conducting due diligence background checks have been contracted for the Saint Lucia programme.
- Thomson Reuters has an extensive network of research analysts who are strategically located around the world and speak over 60 local languages. Their Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) Reports provide a detailed background check on any entity or individual, no matter where they are located in the world.
- BDO Consulting uses multidisciplinary project teams to leverage BDO’s global network and technological resources to provide reports uniquely tailored to each client’s individual risk profile and preferences.
- IPSA International has subject matter experts, investigators and researchers from a wide range of backgrounds and experience such as law enforcement, risk audits, journalists, detectives, fraud examiners and regulators.
- Wealth X specifically for cases where enhanced financial due diligence is required.
