Dependants
Under the 2020 Act, the following changes were made with respect to the family members that can be included in an application for citizenship:
- The maximum age of a child (of the main applicant or of his or her spouse) who may qualify as a dependant without satisfying any other requirements was increased from 18 to 21.
- The maximum age limit at which a child over 21 (of the main applicant or of his or her spouse) may qualify as a dependant was increased from 25 years to 30 years, and the requirement that such a child also demonstrate attendance at an institution of higher learning was removed.
- The minimum age at which a parent (of the main applicant or of his or her spouse) may qualify as a dependant while being fully supported by the main applicant was lowered from 65 to 55, and the requirement that such a parent be living with the main applicant was removed.
- Provisions were made for siblings of the main applicant, who may now be included if below the age of 18, unmarried, and in receipt of the consent of his or her parent or guardian to make an application for citizenship by investment.
What does this update mean for me?
The 2020 Act significantly expands the categories of eligible dependants under the St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Programme. If you are considering applying under the Programme and wish to include your family members, it is now more likely that you will be able to do so.
Post-Citizenship Additions
The 2020 Act removes the requirement that a post-citizenship application must always be submitted within five years of submission of the original application. Instead, no time limit is placed on post-citizenship applications for:
- children born, or legally adopted, after submission of the original application; and
- spouses married after submission of the original application.
What does this update mean for me?
Previously, a five-year post-citizenship addition time limit existed for all such applications. Please note, however, that the five-year time limit still applies for people who would have qualified as dependants when the original application was made.
Extension of Time for Payment of the Investment and Related Fees
The 2020 Act allows for an extension to the usual allotted time period for the main applicant to make the qualifying investment and pay any other fees, if unforeseen circumstances exist.
The possibility of extension applies to both standard and post-citizenship applications.
What does this update mean for me?
If you are in the process of applying under the St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Programme and are worried about your ability to make the investment within the allotted time frame due to Covid-19, an extension can be granted.
Please note that, under normal circumstances, the allotted time period for the main applicant to make the qualifying investment is within 90 days of the grant of approval in principle and, for payment of any other fees, within 60 days of the grant of approval in principle.
How can I find out more?
If you want to learn more about the recent changes to the St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Programme, please contact CS Global Partners.
