Citizenship by Investment Programme

Grenada's Citizenship by Investment Programme enables foreign nationals to acquire permanent residence and full citizenship through a qualifying economic contribution, with no employer sponsorship, prior residence, or visit to Grenada required. Established under the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Act, 2013, and administered by the Investment Migration Agency (IMA), the programme targets high-net-worth individuals seeking a second citizenship with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to approximately 145–150 countries, including the EU Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, China, Russia, and Singapore. Grenada is uniquely the only Caribbean CBI nation with a bilateral Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation with the United States, allowing Grenadian citizens to apply for the US E-2 Investor Visa to live and operate a business in the US.

The programme offers two pathways:

• National Transformation Fund (NTF): A non-refundable contribution of USD $235,000 for a single applicant or family of up to 4 members. Each additional dependent beyond 4 requires USD $25,000. This is the faster and simpler route.
• Approved Real Estate: Purchase of a government-approved property at a minimum of USD $270,000 (shared ownership) or USD $350,000 (sole ownership), plus a mandatory non-refundable government contribution of USD $50,000. A minimum 5-year holding period applies; the property can be sold after that period to new CBI applicants or on the open market.

• Minimum age 18 for the principal applicant
• Good character with no criminal record and not under criminal investigation
• Passes comprehensive due diligence checks
• Good health (confirmed by medical certificate)
• Investment funds from demonstrably legal sources
• No specific educational or professional qualifications required

• Valid passport
• Birth certificate
• Police clearance certificates from country of birth, citizenship, current residence, and any country where the applicant has lived for more than one year (issued within the last 6 months)
• Professional reference letter from a lawyer, accountant, or banker (minimum 2-year acquaintance)
• Bank reference letter confirming good financial standing
• Medical certificate confirming good health and absence of communicable diseases
• Passport-size photographs
• Proof of source of investment funds (bank statements, financial documentation)
• Completed CBI application forms
• Proof of address
• Marriage or divorce certificates (if applicable)
• For real estate option: binding purchase agreement for an approved property

Applications must be submitted exclusively through an IMA-authorised international marketing agent — direct submissions to the government are not permitted. The typical process is:

1. Select an investment route (NTF or real estate) and engage a licensed IMA-authorised agent.
2. The agent prepares and submits the complete application package to the IMA.
3. Pay non-refundable due diligence fees (USD $5,000 per adult aged 17+), processing fees (USD $1,500 per person; USD $500 for those under 17), and interview fees (USD $1,000 per applicant aged 17+).
4. The IMA conducts thorough due diligence using Thomson Reuters, the Financial Investigations Unit, the Joint Regional Communications Center, and Interpol. All family members aged 17+ undergo due diligence and a mandatory interview (in person or virtual via secure video platform).
5. Upon successful due diligence, the applicant receives "Approved in Principle" status and completes the investment.
6. A certificate of registration is issued, after which the applicant takes the Oath of Allegiance at a Grenadian Embassy, High Commission, or Consular Office (or remotely).
7. A Grenadian passport is issued, typically within 4–6 weeks of the oath.

Total processing time is 60 business days from submission of a complete application, with the full timeline from initial engagement to passport receipt typically 4–6 months.

Eligible dependants include a spouse, dependent children up to age 30 (biological or legally adopted, including the spouse's children; since the 2019 amendment, children aged 18–30 no longer need to be enrolled in higher education), children with physical or mental disabilities at any age, dependent parents and grandparents (those 55+ qualify at standard fees; those under 55 at higher fees), and unmarried, childless siblings aged 18+ of the main applicant or spouse. Children born within 12 months of the applicant obtaining citizenship are automatically added.

Grenada operates a territorial tax system — only income earned or sourced within Grenada is taxable; foreign-sourced income is not taxed. Grenada does not levy capital gains tax, net worth tax, or inheritance or estate tax. Citizenship alone does not create tax residency; an individual must spend at least 183 days per year in Grenada to become tax resident. Real estate investors are subject to property transfer tax (5% of property value for properties over XCD $20,000) and annual property tax. No ongoing reporting obligations to the IMA exist beyond the investment requirements.

Grenada's unique advantage among Caribbean CBI programmes is the bilateral Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation with the United States. This enables Grenadian citizens to apply for the US E-2 Investor Visa, allowing them to live and operate a business in the United States — a pathway unavailable through any other Caribbean CBI programme.