The Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Unit (the “CIU” and or “Unit”), is a statutory body of the Government of Saint Lucia which was established on August 24, 2015, under the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) Act No. 14 of 2015 and subsequently amended by Statutory Instrument No.1 of 2017. The Unit commenced operations on October 1, 2015.
About SL CIP Unit
The Citizenship by Investment Program of St.Lucia is commonly referred as “CIP Saint Lucia”. CIP Saint Lucia is made up of CIP Board and CIP Unit. The Unit’s primary function is for the general administration of the Citizenship by Investment (“CIP”) program of Saint Lucia and publishing annual financial statements of the Citizenship by Investment Unit. The Saint Lucia CIP Unit receives and assesses all applications for citizenship through a qualifying investment, and is overseen by the CIP Board
Primary Functions
The main functions of the Unit are
- process all applications for the Citizenship by Investment Programme
- recommend suitably qualified applicants for citizenship to the Board;
- make recommendations to the Board on the development of the Citizenship by Investment Programme
- advise the Board on any matter within its knowledge or on which the Board may seek its advice, including advice in relation to the terms and conditions on which citizenship by investment may be granted undertake, sponsor or assist in research relating to citizenship by investment which may be subject to control or regulation under this Act;
- collect fees;
- implement and provide technical advice and guidance on citizenship by investment in Saint Lucia;
- utilize best practices in administering the Citizenship by Investment Programme;
- carry out any other function specified in this Act.
Departments
- Office of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – The Office of the CEO provides strategic leadership, ensuring policy alignment with national development goals while overseeing efficient operations, regulatory compliance, and innovative strategies to enhance the program’s global appeal and credibility.
- Human Resources (HR) Department – The Human Resources Department fosters a dynamic and inclusive work environment by prioritizing talent acquisition, employee engagement, and operational efficiency to build a high-performing team that upholds integrity and international standing
- Verification Department – The Verification Department plays a crucial role in the initial compliance phase by reviewing applications for completeness and accuracy, ensuring adherence to the Citizenship by Investment Act, with compliant applications advancing to the Due Diligence stage while non-compliant ones are flagged.
- Due Diligence Department – The Due Diligence Department assesses applicants’ suitability for citizenship through comprehensive background checks, risk profiling, and enhanced measures such as third-party verifications, regional intelligence reviews, and Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA) investigations to uphold the integrity of the application process.
- Processing Department – The Processing Department manages post-decision deliverables by issuing notification letters and Citizenship
Certificates to applicants, assessing applications from Promoters and Authorized Agents, and overseeing the issuance of their licenses with accuracy and efficiency. - Alien Landholding Department – The Alien Landholding Department regulates land acquisition by non-nationals under the Alien Landholding Act, ensuring compliance with Saint Lucia’s property laws through applicant vetting, due diligence, Board reviews, and license enforcement, while supporting the integrity of the Citizenship by Investment program.
- IT Department – The IT Department enhances operational efficiency through infrastructure upgrades, network improvements,
hardware refresh, and the development of CIP Portal V2.0, providing a faster, more user-friendly experience with streamlined workflows. - Finance Department – The Finance Department ensures the financial integrity and sustainability of the Citizenship by Investment Unit by managing budgeting, accounting, reporting, and auditing while overseeing fund collection, regulatory compliance, and financial analysis to support strategic planning and economic benefits for Saint Lucia.
- Administrative Department – The Administrative Department manages correspondence, maintains applicant records, coordinates with stakeholders, and facilitates the timely processing of citizenship applications while ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and professionalism to support the overall efficiency of the CIP.
