It was disclosed that in 2023, 17,553 passports were issued and in 2024, 18,001 passports. These numbers represent the number of passports for all Saint Lucians seeking renewals, replacement passports due to loss or theft and first time passport holders. The report went on to state that in 2023, 2,199 visas were issued and in 2024, 3,808 visas were issued.

This revelation comes weeks after Opposition forces accused the Citizenship by Investment Unit of selling tens of thousands of passports. Last night on News Maker Live (NML), Allen Chastant disclosed that 56,000 passports had been issued to Caribbean Galaxy in the much-discussed Citizenship by Investment Programme. However, in his statement to the nation in June, the Minister with responsibility for CIP, Hon. Dr. Ernest Hilaire  disclosed that only about 1300 passports had been issued.

Leader of the Opposition (LOO), Allen Chastanet was unable to furnish viewers of the much anticipated NML show with any such evidence which he claimed  to have been privy to during his meeting in Washington DC with Philippe Martinez and his lawyers. The LOO promised to share this information with Saint Lucians when he received copies.

The Immigration Department is the sole organisation responsible for the issuance of passports in Saint Lucia.  The Commissioner of Police is also the Chief Immigration Officer, with primary responsibility for the department.