Saint Lucia tourist visa and visa-free entry

Schedule 4 of the Visa Order exempts, among others, Argentina, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, France and its overseas departments, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Norway, Peru, San Marino, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Venezuela, Hong Kong and the CARICOM member states (with a temporary visa requirement for Haiti). Singaporeans need a visa only for stays over 15 days. Under the EU agreement, citizens of every EU member state except Ireland may stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa.

Schedule 3 lists the nationalities that must obtain the visa before arrival: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Central African Republic, Chad, China, Colombia, both Congos, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, Eritrea, Haiti, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, North Korea, Kosovo, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, the UAE, Uzbekistan, the West Bank and Yemen. Other Schedule 1 nationalities appear in Schedule 2 and may be issued a visa on arrival.

The application form, completed in block letters, asks about your employer or school, profession, travel dates, purpose (business, holiday, transit or other), length of stay, address in Saint Lucia and host details, previous visits, the money you will bring, and your spouse and children. Applicants travelling through the United Kingdom also answer questions about their UK visa.

Attach two certified passport-size photographs, a passport valid for at least six months, a return ticket to your port of origin, a copy of the travel itinerary, proof of hotel or private accommodation, an invitation letter with the host's address and telephone numbers if a friend or relative invites you, proof of sufficient funds and a job letter. Students add a letter from their school, college or university.

The Ministry of External Affairs lists EC$125 for a single entry within a three-month period and EC$190 for multiple entries over a one-year period. An extension of stay costs EC$200 per thirty days plus EC$2 for the form; for a foreign husband of a Saint Lucian the fee is payable, while for a foreign wife it is waived.

Complete the application form and submit it to the Immigration Department at least two weeks before the travel date; the department can be contacted at immigration@rslpf.com or +1 758 456 4055. In some circumstances a visa can be applied for at the airport on entry, but the ministry warns that such an application may be refused, and Schedule 3 nationals must hold the visa before arriving.

A visa does not guarantee entry: the form's declaration states that a visa holder found inadmissible at the port of entry can still be refused, and that false or misleading statements may lead to permanent refusal.

All visitors must have a return ticket. Citizens of OECS Protocol member states may enter and remain for an indefinite period, except prohibited immigrants or for reasons of national security, and the Passport Exemption Order lets OECS and CARICOM citizens, and UK, US, French and Canadian visitors staying up to six months with a return ticket, enter with other identity documents and a signed declaration. Passengers in transit for no more than 14 hours with a through ticket are also exempt from the passport rule.

Visitors receive up to six weeks on arrival. To stay longer, a first-time applicant brings one passport photo (2 x 1.5 inches), a valid passport, a valid return ticket (property owners and people of Saint Lucian parentage are exempt), a host with a national ID card or Saint Lucian passport and, if renting, a rental receipt. Spouses of Saint Lucians add the marriage certificate and the spouse's birth certificate and ID; property owners add the deed of sale and land registration; yacht crew add the yacht's registration and declaration.

Extensions are handled from 8:30 to 12:00 and take about five working days. The fee is EC$200 per thirty days plus EC$2 for the form.