Most European countries have a visa-free travel agreement with Saint Lucia, which allows Russians to come and stay on the island for up to 42 days. If the visit is for a longer stay, you will have to apply for a visa. The request can be filled in both: before and during the planned trip.
To qualify for a long stay on the island (for training, employment, solving business problems), the applicant must meet the government requirements and fill in the request properly. To apply, one must contact the immigration service in Castries. Staying in the country without a visa or exceeding the permissible period of stay is illegal and threatens with administrative measures, including deportation.
To legalize the stay in Saint Lucia, a person can obtain a single-entry or multiple-entry visa. In the first case, the permit is valid for 3 months and allows a one-time visit to the island for tourist or business purposes. In case of obtaining a multiple-entry visa, a foreigner can legally live in the country for up to 1 year.
Freelancer Visa
Saint Lucia has a direct visa program for digital nomads called “Live It”. It is designed for freelancers, students, remote employees and permits to live on the island for up to 1 year. Applicants have the right to include family members in the application.
The main distinguishing feature of the program is that there are no requirements for proof of minimum income earned outside the country. However, one will have to declare the savings that will be required to pay for the stay.
To request a Digital Nomad visa, it is enough to meet a short list of requirements:
- Hold a valid passport.
- Have the means to live in the country. No minimum values are currently set.
- Prove the presence of remote employment.
This is a multiple-entry visa that allows you to leave and enter the country without additional permissions. The cost of registration is $75. This is one of the most affordable digital nomad visas in the region.
How much does the visa cost?
The amount of visa fees depends on the type of permit requested and the nationality of the applicant. You can apply for a visa and pay fees at the nearest consulate or embassy. The application takes 7-14 days to be processed. Currently, the following costs apply:
- Tourist visa – $30.
- Student visa – $25.
- Business visa – $35.
Types of visas provided
For a long visit to Saint Lucia, a visa will be required, the type of which will be determined by the purpose of the visit and the current citizenship of the candidate. Citizens of a number of countries can stay on the island for a long time without a visa or receive a permit upon arrival. In general, the visa policy of an island state involves 2 main types of non-immigrant visas:
- Single entry visitor visa. For a one-time visit to the country. Validity period is 3 months. Application processing time is 4-5 days. Suitable for visits for tourism, business, short-term visitor visits, etc.
- Multiple entry visitor visa. Allows multiple entries. Valid for up to 12 months. It will take 4-5 days to process the application. Issued to tourists, businessmen, students, relatives of citizens of Saint Lucia.
A foreign citizen has several options for registration of legal residence on the island. Depending on the purpose and duration of the visit, you can get one of the following permits.
Student Visa
Foreign nationals planning to take a study course in Saint Lucia are eligible to obtain a student visa. The visa allows the holder to live as long as it takes to finish their studies. The program, if necessary, allows work in limited conditions to support the applicant and his/her dependents (if any).
To obtain a study visa, a number of requirements must be met:
- Provide a letter of admission to a recognized university or other educational institution.
- Prove the availability of funds for living in the country.
- Pay for the studies in full.
- Get medical insurance that covers treatment costs.
- Demonstrate an intention to return to the candidate's home country after graduation.
Tourist Visa
Tourists from over 100 countries need to apply for a visa to visit the island. This requirement does not apply to Russians (when staying up to 42 days). Tourist visa refers to non-immigrant and allows them to visit the country for leisure or business purposes. The visa can be single (the right of single entry for up to 3 months) or multiple (several entries within 1 year).
To obtain such permission, the applicant must provide a standard package of documents, including a return ticket and information about the purpose of the trip. The candidate can familiarize with the requirements and apply for a non-immigrant visa on the official government website.
Business Visa
Despite the fact that Saint Lucia is a well-known offshore zone, the government does not provide separate business visas. A visit to the country for business purposes is permitted upon receipt of a standard non-immigrant visa. As part of the stated goals, it is possible to obtain a single or multiple entry permit.
To justify a business visit, immigration authorities may request a letter of recommendation from the employee's sending company, documents confirming the fact of employment or ownership of a foreign company, bank statements or tax returns. In addition to requesting additional information and documents, the authorities of Saint Lucia may schedule a personal interview with the applicant.
Work visa (to work legally in the country)
Despite the fact that most employers prefer local residents, foreigners are eligible to obtain a work visa and permit. For legal employment, the candidate can get a single-entry or multiple-entry non-immigrant visa.
The need to work in hiring or doing business requires a foreign citizen to obtain a separate work permit from the Ministry of Education, Human Resource Development and Labour. The application must be sent at least 2 months before the planned employment date. It is prohibited to engage in any paid activity prior to the issuance of the permit.
The procedure for obtaining a work permit involves paying a non-refundable contribution of $100. The permit is issued for 1 year and assumes an annual extension if there are appropriate grounds.
Necessary Documents
The specific package of documents is determined by the purpose of the visit, its duration and the citizenship of the applicant. The requirements for granting the relevant type of visa are determined in a similar way. In a standard situation, the applicant's file should include the following documents:
- A passport that has a validity period of at least 6 months after the visa ends.
- 2 passport size photographs.
- Applicant's profile* (*questionnaire).
- Birth certificate (if applicable).
- Marriage certificate (if applicable).
- Police clearance certificate.
- Medical certificate.
- Proof of living expenses.
- Information about the purpose of the visit and planned actions.
- Return or current ticket.
- Information about the availability of accommodation.
- Receipts for payment of visa fees.
Recent changes in the visa issuance with Saint Lucia
In 2024, the island nation announced its intention to join the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA), which has been signed by a number of countries in the Eastern Caribbean. The document is related to a change in the procedure, the establishment of new common standards for granting citizenship by investment and an increase in the minimum investment threshold to $200,000.
Saint Lucia's entry into the MoA has raised concerns that its citizens may be denied visa-free access to the Schengen area. However, after the Prime Minister of Saint Lucia met with EU representatives in Brussels, such statements were rejected. The main change in recent immigration legislation has therefore been the standardization of the passport-for-investment program.