FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AT THE GENERAL OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER REGARDING CITIZENSHIP, RESIDENCE, WORK PERMITS AND ALIEN’S LAND-HOLDING LICENCE

1. How can a person obtain citizenship?
i. By Registration - (a) by marriage to a Vincentian
(b) by having temporary residence for seven (7) or more consecutive years, or (c) by having permanent residence status.
ii. By Descent - If one (1) or both parents was/were born in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

2. Can children who are born abroad to parents who are Vincentian citizens by descent apply for citizenship?
Only if they have been granted temporary/permanent residence in the State which meets the criteria for the granting of citizenship by registration.

2. What is the processing time for citizenship applications?
This time may vary from approximately six (6) months to one (1) year or more. This depends on the length of the investigative process, which is necessary for the processing of each application.

3. Does a person have to be in the State to apply?
No. Applications can be sent by mail, courier or delivered to the Prime Minister’s Office by someone acting on the applicant’s behalf. This applies to citizenship, residence or work permits.

4. How can someone obtain a work permit?
A person should have a prospective employer or proof that he/she is self-employed in order to be eligible to apply for a work permit. If the work permit is desired for more than (6) months, a residence permit is also required.

5. Who can apply for temporary residence?
Anyone can apply for temporary residence if they are desirous of residing in St. Vincent and the Grenadines for an extended period of time.

6. How can one obtain permanent residence?
A person who was granted temporary residence in the State for seven (7) or more consecutive years or is the holder of an Alien’s Land-Holding Licence can apply for permanent residence.

7. What is the processing time for residence and work permit applications?
An average six (6) to eight (8) weeks.

8. Where can application forms be obtained?
At the Office of the Prime Minister and on the Government’s website: www.pmoffice.gov.vc

9. What is the procedure for a foreigner desiring to purchase property in St. Vincent and the Grenadines?
An application for an Alien’s Land-Holding Licence has to be prepared and submitted through a local lawyer, who would forward the application to the Office of the Prime Minister for processing. The Licence fee and Stamp Duty are determined/based on the market value of the land/property.