This report compares CIP regimes globally and ranks different countries according to many factors. Saint Lucia was named 3rd Best in the world, after Austria in 2nd and Malta in 1st.
According to this year’s report, Saint Lucia was recognised for its Investment, Residence and Physical visit requirements, causing it to be ranked number 1 in the world in these categories.
In the Visa-free and Visa-on-entry Category, Saint Lucia was named 2nd in the world.
The island’s CIP was also named 2nd Best for its Processing Time, Compliance and Transparency.
Overall, Saint Lucia placed 3rd with 70 out of 100 points, with Austria in 2nd place with 74 points and Malta in the leading position with 77 points.
Henley and Partners says they consulted expert sources and analysed all available data to arrive at their conclusions.
“In constructing the Henley Citizenship Program Index 2024 we have referred to multiple sources and experts to obtain and interpret the primarily qualitative data used. We have relied principally on the expertise of residence and citizenship analysts and the experience of investors and government officials. As a result, the explanatory power that supports the scores in the different categories is based on surveys, interviews with respondents, and opinions solicited from selected experts,” the firm stated.
According to the Henley Passport Index, Saint Lucian passport holders can travel to 148 of the world’s 226 countries with Visa-free access.
In recent weeks, the CIP has come under heavy criticism by Leader of the Opposition Allen Chastanet, citing Saint Lucia's abstention from signing a Memorandum of Agreement between OECS countries which offer the programme. Commentators have shot back, reminding the LOO that as Prime Minister, he was the one who lowered the cost of entry into the programme - the only clause in the MoA which Saint Lucia does not have in its current regulations. However, PM Pierre has stated that he will review the regulation once the country fulfills its current contractual agreements which are set to spur major infrastructural investment in Saint Lucia.