Acquiring Citizenship by Investment in Grenada - The Ultimate Guide
In today’s increasingly uncertain world, forward-thinking individuals are increasingly looking to second citizenship programs as a pathway to enjoying increased global mobility, peace of mind and financial security. By making a qualifying investment into the economy of certain Caribbean island nations, eligible investors and their families can apply to become full citizens of countries such as Grenada.
Gaining citizenship of Grenada through its Citizenship by Investment Program unlocks a world of benefits. Our comprehensive guide outlines the program’s various advantages as well as everything you need to know about applying, from eligibility rules to application costs and typical processing times.
Find out what kind of investment you would need to make in order to qualify for the Grenada Citizenship Program. There are several investment options to choose from. Our guide outlines these routes, including the requirements of the real estate investment option and the financial contribution option, along with details of the application process.
Drawing on years of experience in the Caribbean, we have created this in-depth resource for those considering applying for the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Program. Read on to discover why investors choose Grenada to protect their future and find out how this trusted program could provide greater security, freedom and flexibility for you and your family.
Introduction
Established in 2013 with the passing of the ‘Grenada Citizenship by Investment Act,’ Grenada’s Citizenship by Investment Program provides a straightforward path to citizenship for eligible investors.
The program allows applicants to obtain Grenadian citizenship by investing in the National Transformation Fund or a government-approved real estate project. It is overseen by the Citizenship by Investment Unit in the capital, St. George’s.
In return for their investment, successful applicants gain enhanced global mobility, security, and opportunity for themselves and their families.
What sets Grenada’s Citizenship program apart is its exclusive E-2 Visa Treaty with the United States which provides a pathway to residency in the USA. As Grenada is the only Caribbean country operating a Citizenship Program to have an E-2 Visa Treaty with the USA, successful applicants of the island’s Citizenship by Investment Program can apply for a US E-2 Investment Visa after just 3 years of residency in Grenada, allowing them to live and work anywhere in the United States.
An E-2 Investment Visa can be renewed indefinitely and dependants can be included in the application, providing a special gateway to the United States accessible only through Grenada’s Citizenship by Investment Program.
“What sets Grenada’s Citizenship program apart is its exclusive E-2 Visa Treaty with the United States which provides a pathway to residency in the USA. As Grenada is the only Caribbean country operating a Citizenship Program to have an E-2 Visa Treaty with the USA, successful applicants of the island’s Citizenship by Investment Program can apply for a US E-2 Investment Visa after just 3 years of residency in Grenada, allowing them to live and work anywhere in the United States”
Benefits
Full Citizenship for Life
Successful applicants of the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Program become full citizens of the country with the right to live and work in Grenada with no restrictions.
Your citizenship rights can be passed on to future generations, allowing your children and grandchildren to enjoy all the same benefits and safeguarding your family’s future.
As Grenadian citizens, successful applicants can also take advantage of the country’s membership of CARICOM (the Caribbean Community) which provides Grenadian nationals with the right to take up residence, work without permission and establish a business in any other CARICOM member states. There are 15 member states of CARICOM: Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St Lucia, St Kitts & Nevis, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago.
Grenadian citizens also enjoy all the rights and privileges of citizenship of a Commonwealth country in the UK and other Commonwealth countries.
Acquiring citizenship of Grenada can therefore unlock an array of opportunities across CARICOM and the vast Commonwealth.
No Residency Requirement
A key benefit of the Grenada program is the lack of a residency requirement for new citizens. Successful applicants are not obligated to permanently live in the country after obtaining citizenship.
As a citizen you have the option to spend as much time as you desire in this idyllic island paradise, renowned for its high quality of life, natural beauty and pleasant tropical climate. Why not take advantage of your citizenship and enjoy a relaxed Caribbean lifestyle by residing part-time or full-time in this beautiful and welcoming country?
Visa-Free Travel Worldwide
Upon obtaining citizenship through the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Program, you can apply for a Grenadian passport through a separate application process.
As a citizen of Grenada, you will enjoy enhanced global mobility to travel and conduct business. The Grenadian passport is globally recognized and highly valued for its extensive visa privileges, allowing holders visa-free or visa on arrival access to approximately 144 countries and territories worldwide.
For example, with a Grenadian passport you can enjoy visa-free travel to Europe’s Schengen area and the UK.
The passport also provides visa-free access to major destinations such as China, Hong Kong, Singapore and many others.
USA E-2 Visa Eligibility
Grenada’s Citizenship by Investment Program is unique in providing a path to eligibility for the coveted United States E-2 Visa. Individuals who acquire Grenadian citizenship can apply for this special visa after just 3 years residency in Grenada, which allows them to enter, live and work in the USA. This route to future US access is a key advantage only Grenada’s program offers among Caribbean citizenship programs.
Financial Advantages
Grenada’s Citizenship by Investment Program offers successful applicants who take up residence a highly appealing tax regime – including no capital gains tax, no inheritance tax, no wealth tax and no tax on income generated outside the country. Along with the country’s natural beauty and enviable lifestyle, these tax advantages have made Grenada a sought-after destination for investors seeking second citizenship in the Caribbean. For those seeking the opportunity for substantial wealth preservation together with an unparalleled quality of life, Grenada provides a unique opportunity to prosper in an island paradise.
Fast Track Application Process
Grenada offers a rapid route to acquiring second citizenship in the Caribbean. The country seeks to rapidly process applications while maintaining strict due diligence standards. Thanks to a streamlined application process, your application could be processed within 3 to 4 months from submission, providing you with swift access to all the benefits of Grenadian citizenship and the peace of mind that comes with expanded opportunities.
Family-Friendly Program
The Grenada Citizenship by Investment Program readily welcomes families, allowing the main applicant to include immediate relatives in their application. Spouses, children, parents and grandparents can all apply for citizenship alongside the main applicant. In addition, the right to citizenship passes to future generations, allowing descendants to inherit all the benefits of citizenship as well. So, for families, applying for citizenship in Grenada creates a legacy of security and access to opportunity for generations to come.
Dual Citizenship Permitted
A key advantage of Grenada’s Citizenship by Investment Program is that dual citizenship is permitted. Unlike some countries, Grenada’s laws fully recognize dual nationality. Applicants can therefore acquire a valuable second passport without having to renounce their existing citizenship. This makes the program ideal for investors looking to enjoy the benefits of a new citizenship while retaining their current one.
Requirements
In order to be eligible for the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Program, an applicant must be able to meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years of age,
- Be of good character with no criminal record,
- Be able to satisfy the minimum required investment and pay the required processing, due diligence and administrative fees,
- Pass due diligence checks.
- Nationals of the following countries are not eligible to apply for citizenship in Grenada: Belarus, North Korea, Russia
The following family members of the main applicant (or the main applicant’s spouse) can be included in the application:
- Spouse
- Dependent children aged under 18 the main applicant (or the main applicant’s spouse)
- Children aged 18 to 30 who are financially dependent on the main applicant
- Children aged 18 or over who are physically or mentally disabled, living with and fully supported by the main applicant
- Parents or grandparents of the main applicant (or the main applicant’s spouse) who are aged 55 or older and financially dependent
- Unmarried siblings of the main applicant (or the main applicant’s spouse)
Investment Options
- 1 Option 1 National Transformation Fund (NTF)
Applicants can qualify for the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Program by making a non-refundable financial contribution to Grenada’s National Transformation Fund (NTF).
The National Transformation Fund was established in 2013 in order to support the transformation of Grenada’s economy such as tourism, agriculture and alternative energy.
Investment Amount
- Main Applicant: US $235,000
- Main applicant and up to 3 dependants (excluding siblings and parents and grandparents aged 55 or below): US $235,000
- Each additional dependant (excluding siblings and parents and grandparents aged 55 or below): $25,000 each
- Any parent or grandparent aged 55 or below: US $50,000 each
- Any sibling: US $75,000 each
Administrative Fees
In addition to the financial contribution to the National Transformation Fund (NTF), additional administrative fees are payable.
Applicants are required to pay application, due diligence and processing fees as part of the application process.
Application Fee
Application Fee: US $1,500 per person
Due Diligence Fee
Due Diligence Fee: US $5,000 per person over 17, nil per dependent child aged 0 to 16
Processing Fee
Processing Fee: US $1,500 per person over 18, US $500 per person under 18
- 2 Option 2 Real Estate Investment
Applicants can qualify for the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Program by making an investment in an approved Grenada real estate project (N.B. the property must be held for a minimum of 5 years).
Minimum Investment Amount
- Minimum independent investment: US $350,000
- Minimum joint investment in tourism accommodation: US $270,000 per investor (total value of the investment: US $540,000)
Search our Grenada Citizenship by Investment real estate for approved properties in Grenada.
Additional Fees
In addition to the investment, the following Government, application, due diligence and processing fees are payable as part of the application process via the real estate investment route.
Government Fees
- Main Applicant: US $50,000
- Main Applicant plus up to 3 dependants (except parents or grandparents aged 55 or below and sibling): US $50,000
- After the 3rd family member (other than parents/grandparents aged 55 or below and siblings): US $25,000 each
- Any parent or grandparent aged 55 or below: US $50,000 each
- Any sibling: US $75,000 each
Application Fee
Application Fee: US $1,500 per person
Due Diligence Fee
Due Diligence Fee: US $5,000 per person over 17, nil per dependent child aged 0 to 16
Processing Fee
Processing Fee: US $1,500 per person over 18, US $500 per person under 18
Application Process
The application process involves the following steps:
- 1 Compile Application
Complete all required forms for the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Program in the English language and gather together all required supporting documents with the guidance and support of an authorized Agent. We can introduce you to a qualified and authorized Agent with experience of handling citizenship applications.
- 2 Submit Application
Submit application to Grenada’s Citizenship by Investment Committee (CBIC) via an authorized Agent for review and due diligence.
- 3 Application Review & Determination
The application will be thoroughly reviewed by the Citizenship by Investment Committee (CBIC).
Interview
A mandatory interview of all applicants aged 17 is required as part of the program’s enhanced due diligence process.
Due Diligence
Strict due diligence (including AML (anti-money laundering), CTF (counter-terrorism financing) and criminal record checks will be conducted by multiple organizations including the CBIC, international due diligence firms and regional and international law enforcement agencies.
Determination
Approval in principle or rejection is usually provided within a period of 90 days.
- 4 Conclude Investment
If approved, applicants are required to pay the balance of the required investment and the remaining fees.
- 5 Citizenship Granted
The passport(s) will then be made available for collection either in Grenada or at an Embassy or Consulate, usually within a period of 30 days. At this time successful applicants will take an oath of allegiance.
Real Estate
Searching for real estate approved for the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Program? Several of our property listings in Grenada are approved projects under the CIP program.
Several of the listings on our site are officially approved projects which means that an investment in to one of them provides eligibility to apply for citizenship of Grenada.
Search our Grenada Citizenship by Investment real estate options or contact us to discover your options.
Costs & Fees
Administrative Fees
In addition to the financial contribution to the National Transformation Fund (NTF) or the real estate investment (plus Government Fees) outlined above, additional administrative fees are also payable.
Applicants are required to pay application, due diligence and processing fees as part of the application process.
Application Fee
Application Fee: US $1,500 per person
Due Diligence Fee
Due Diligence Fee: US $5,000 per person over 17, nil per dependent child aged 0 to 16
Processing Fee
Processing Fee: US $1,500 per person over 18, US $500 per person under 18
Find Out More
We would be delighted to discuss your options and consider whether the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Program would be a good fit for you.
To request a telephone callback, please complete the contact form and a specialist citizenship advisor will be in touch as soon as possible.
We look forward to hearing from you.