Overview Of Saint Lucia New Alien Landholding Legislation

Overview Of Saint Lucia New Alien Landholding Legislation

Saint Lucia published important New regulations governing the Rental and Purchase of  property by Foreigners:

  1. Alien Landholding (Licensing) Act No.1 of 2020

  2. Alien Landholding (Licensing) Regulations No. 70 of 2020

That is, everyone who is not considered a citizen must obtain a foreigner’s license to own land in order to buy property in Saint Lucia.

As for the purchase of real estate through the Citizenship by Investment Program, the responsibility of the Citizenship by Investment Unit is to process the application for a certificate or foreign license for ownership of land, collect payments and carry out due diligence checks.

An alien applies to the Board with a request for a permit to purchase, acquire, lease land or continue to hold land in Saint Lucia. In turn, the Citizenship by Investment Unit Board may:

  • grant or deny an application for a certificate or an alien landholding licence;

  • issue a certificate;

  • issue an alien landholding licence, subject to the conditions under this Act, including conditions as the Physical Planning and Development Division or the Development Control Authority determines;

  • amend a licence issued under the former Act or an alien landholding licence;

  • revoke a certificate;

  • revoke a licence issued under the former Act or an alien landholding licence;

  • appoint a committee;

  • require an alien to provide further information for considering an application for a certificate or an alien landholding licence;

  • give written notice to the Registrar of Lands where the name on a licence issued under the former Act or an alien landholding licence is amended under section 22..

For an alien investor, an entry permit is valid for the entire duration of the license issued in accordance with the previous Law or a license to own foreign lands. This permission allows a foreign investor to enter Saint Lucia and remain for the duration of the current license. However, it does not give the right to get a job without obtaining a work permit.

Permission may be revoked if:

  • the applicant provides false information,

  • the applicant is considered to be a national security risk,

  • the applicant is involved in an activity that is likely to cause disrepute to Saint Lucia,

  • the applicant is convicted of a criminal offence, except in the case of a minor traffic offence or an offence that is spent under the Criminal Records (Rehabilitation of Offenders) Act, Cap. 3.13, irrespective of the time or location of the commission of that offence.

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