Authorities in St Lucia have introduced new entry requirements for entering the country, requiring visitors to complete a new digital form ahead of arrival.

The new Electronic Immigration form requires travellers to submit their itinerary and contact information within 72 hours of arrival. The form also queries the nature of travel. 

Despite the fact that St Lucia removed all COVID-related entry restrictions, the new form has several health-based questions such as whether the traveller has any symptoms or contact with someone who had a communicable disease. The form states that any false declarations will be fined XCD $1,000 (or US$370). 

One form for entire family

Travellers only need to submit one form on behalf of an entire family or group, and after submitting the form will receive an emailed receipt with a QR Code to present to local authorities upon arriving, according to the government’s website. 

The tourism department for St Lucia shares on its website that it is strongly encouraging all travellers to submit the digital form within three days of arrival, but those who do not submit in advance, will be required to complete and submit a paper version on-site at the airport. 

In a statement provided to Travel + Leisure (T+L), Sean Alexanders, assistant superintendent in charge of the island’s Department of Immigration, said, “we have been listening to our nationals, visitors, and investors who are seeking seamless travel experiences backed by confidence in the management of the destination’s entry processes.”

Testing out the form both on a desktop and mobile device, T+L found that the process was very responsive and straightforward. The island’s tourism department points out that the form can even be completed upon an arriving flight with in-flight Wi-Fi to help expedite the arrival process for passengers. 

Travellers looking to plan a trip to the island may want to consider the upcoming St Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival in May or take advantage of winter travel specials curated by the local tourism board, which include hotel discounts of up to 40 per cent off.