AI-generated illustration; not an actual property
By Raphael Andrew · VFM Real Estate St. Lucia
When overseas buyers contact VFM Real Estate St. Lucia about buying property in Saint Lucia, they want to understand the purchase procedures, the documents they must provide, and how long the application process takes.
This guide explains the Certificate of Eligibility, the Alien Landholding Licence, the supporting documents and the government fees involved. Your attorney should confirm the requirements that apply to your purchase.
At a glance
What you need to know | Quick answer |
|---|---|
| Approvals | Certificate of Eligibility and Alien Landholding Licence |
| Documents | Personal documents and property records |
| Fees | Separate fees apply to each approval |
| Time | Allow approximately six months after application submission; timing varies. |
| Professional help | Involve an attorney early |
In this Guide
Approvals ·
Documents ·
Fees ·
Timing ·
Entrance permit
Buying Property in Saint Lucia: Required Approvals
The Certificate of Eligibility (COE) establishes your eligibility to apply for an Alien Landholding Licence. You may apply for a certificate valid for one year or ten years.
The Alien Landholding Licence (ALHL) is government permission to buy and hold the property named in the licence. The buyer must comply with the licence’s conditions.
If you have already identified the property, the law permits the COE and ALHL applications to be submitted together.
Identify the Property and Involve an Attorney
At VFM, I help buyers identify a property and then contact an attorney to assist with the licence application and legal aspects of the purchase.
Before committing to the purchase, I advise buyers to have their attorney verify the vendor’s ownership and authority to sell, and check for encumbrances—such as mortgages or other registered interests affecting the property.
I also recommend asking the attorney to make the purchase agreement and deposit arrangements conditional on licence approval. The agreement should address what happens to the deposit if approval is refused or delayed.
Prepare Your COE Documents
For an individual applicant, the published COE checklist includes:
- A completed application form and document checklist.
- Proof of payment of the non-refundable application fee.
- Your birth certificate or birth record.
- A certified copy of your passport’s personal-details page—the page showing your photograph and identity information.
- Two passport-sized colour photographs taken within the preceding six months, with certification that they show your true likeness.
- Certified proof of residential address dated within the preceding three months.
- An original bank reference letter, issued within the preceding six months by an internationally recognised financial institution.
- An original police certificate of good character, or equivalent, issued within the preceding six months. You need one from your country of residence and, if different, your country of nationality.
- A certified name-change document, where applicable.
- A statutory declaration—a formal written statement confirming that the information in your application is true.
- The Land Register for property already owned in Saint Lucia, where applicable.
Supporting documents must be in English or accompanied by authenticated English translations. Ask your attorney which originals, certified copies and translation certifications are required. A certified copy is a copy formally confirmed as matching the original. Companies and trusts need additional documents. The authorities may also request further information.
Prepare Your Alien Landholding Licence Documents
The ALHL application requires a separate set of property information and supporting records:
- Application form and checklist: Completed forms identifying the applicant, property and intended use.
- COE: A valid Certificate of Eligibility. If both applications are submitted together, your attorney should coordinate this requirement.
- Ownership evidence: The Land Register—the official land record—or other valid evidence identifying the property’s current owner.
- Map Sheet and survey plan: These records show where the property is located and its size. The survey plan shows the land’s boundaries and measurements. The Act requires the survey plan to be lodged with the Office of the Chief Surveyor by a licensed surveyor.
- Purchase price: Proof of the agreed purchase price.
- Development approval evidence: Proof that the property forms part of an approved project or development, where applicable.
- Existing property holdings: Land Register and Map Sheet for other land already owned or leased in Saint Lucia, where applicable.
- Statutory declaration: A formal written statement confirming that the application information is true.
- Subdivision-fee payment: Proof of payment where the prescribed subdivision fee applies.
These requirements appear in section 15 of the Act and the official ALHL checklist.
Before signing or certifying documents overseas, ask your attorney how they must be authenticated. They should confirm whether you need an apostille—a certificate authenticating the signature or seal on a public document—or other professional-certification evidence.
What Does the COE Cost?
Subject to verification. The published government fees below are in US dollars. Select the certificate duration appropriate to your circumstances with your attorney’s guidance.
| COE duration | Non-refundable application fee |
| One year | $3,000 |
| Ten years | $10,000 |
These are alternative certificate durations. You do not pay both fees. Ask your attorney to confirm the applications and fees required for each proposed purchaser, particularly where two or more people are buying together.
What Does the Alien Landholding Licence Cost?
Subject to verification. The published government licence fees for holding land are shown separately below, in US dollars.
| Property size | ALHL fee |
| One acre or less | $2,500 |
| More than one acre, up to five acres | $5,000 |
| More than five acres, up to ten acres | $10,500 |
| More than ten acres | $20,000 |
View the official government fee schedule
A separate $100 subdivision application fee applies where required for an application to hold a subdivided lot. Your attorney should confirm whether it applies to your purchase. It should not be treated as a replacement for the applicable licence fee.
The COE and ALHL fees are only part of the purchase costs. Ask your attorney for a quotation that lists each charge for both applications and the purchase. It should cover legal fees, applicable stamp duty, registration, searches, document preparation, certification and translations. Ask about other expenses paid on your behalf, often called disbursements. Confirm what is included and what you must pay separately.
How Long Should You Allow?
From my experience, buyers should allow approximately six months from the date their lawyer submits the COE and Alien Landholding Licence applications together.
This is a planning estimate based on my experience, rather than an official processing standard or guaranteed approval date. Actual timing can vary, including whether applicants supply the required documents promptly.
Ask your attorney what remains outstanding before submission and respond promptly to requests for additional information.
What Happens After Approval?
Your attorney should coordinate completion of the purchase after the Alien Landholding Licence has been issued. The Act requires registration of the licence within 90 days of issuance and includes conditions concerning the property’s approved use. Additional conditions may apply where development or business activity is intended.
Explain your intended use to your attorney before purchasing so they can address these requirements.
What Is the Alien Investor Entrance Permit?
The Alien Investor Entrance Permit is a separate immigration permission obtained by applying to the Chief Immigration Officer. An eligible investor may apply for themselves and on behalf of eligible dependents.
Its main benefit is the right to enter and remain in Saint Lucia for the duration of a valid Alien Landholding Licence. For buyers planning extended stays, this is an important distinction from property ownership alone. The permit does not itself authorise employment; the Act requires a work permit to work in Saint Lucia.
The application requires the prescribed form, a supporting letter from the Citizenship by Investment Unit, a valid COE, a valid landholding licence and the relevant valid passports. It is a separate application and is not automatically issued with the property licence.
Your Starting Checklist
Before moving forward, make sure you have:
- An attorney advising on the purchase and applications.
- The current COE and ALHL document checklists.
- Legal checks on ownership and encumbrances.
- Written purchase and deposit conditions.
- Separate budgets for the COE, ALHL and legal expenses.
- A realistic allowance for application processing.
Considering a property purchase in Saint Lucia?
Contact VFM Real Estate St. Lucia to discuss your requirements and begin identifying suitable properties.
Discuss Your Property Purchase
Sources checked on 30 October 2026. This guide provides general information. Verify legal requirements, fees and purchase arrangements with your attorney.
Official Sources
- Alien Landholding Department: guidance, forms and checklists
- Act, section 8: COE applications and concurrent submissions
- Act, section 15: licence application requirements
- Act, section 19: property-specific licence validity and section 20: conditions
- Act, section 42: entrance permit eligibility, section 44: application and section 47: entitlements
