Grenada

Overview

Grenada — the southernmost of the Windward Islands — operates a citizenship by investment programme that has gained significant international attention since its launch in 2013, primarily due to a unique treaty-based benefit that no other Caribbean citizenship programme offers: eligibility to apply for the United States E-2 Investor Visa. For clients with US commercial interests or travel needs, this creates a compelling combination of Caribbean tax planning and practical US access that is difficult to replicate elsewhere.

Citizenship by Investment Programme

Grenada's CBI programme is administered by the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Unit and offers two investment routes:

National Transformation Fund (NTF) — Donation Route A non-refundable contribution of $235,000 qualifies a single applicant. For a family of four (main applicant, spouse, and two dependants), the required contribution is $235,000, with supplementary fees for additional dependants. This makes the family unit pricing particularly competitive relative to other Caribbean programmes.

Approved Real Estate Route A minimum investment of $270,000 in a government-approved real estate development, held for a minimum of five years, qualifies the main applicant and qualifying family members. Approved developments include resort properties in Grenada's expanding tourism sector.

E-2 Treaty Visa — Unique US Advantage

Grenada maintains an E-2 Treaty of Commerce and Navigation with the United States, which is the bilateral basis for the E-2 Investor Visa category. Unlike most Caribbean nations, Grenada is a qualifying treaty country, meaning that Grenadian citizens who make a qualifying investment in the United States (typically $100,000 to $200,000 in an active US business) can apply for an E-2 visa, granting the right to live and work in the United States for the duration of their business operations.

The E-2 visa is renewable indefinitely as long as the underlying business remains active. This pathway is of particular value to entrepreneurs seeking a practical route to US presence without the cost and uncertainty of EB-5 or other immigration categories. Obtaining Grenadian citizenship via the CBI programme, followed by an E-2 application based on a US business investment, has become a structured strategy for clients from countries without their own E-2 treaty with the US.

Travel Access

The Grenadian passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more than 140 countries and territories, including the United Kingdom, all Schengen Area states, and Singapore. CARICOM free movement rights apply across the Caribbean Community member states. The combination of Caribbean and UK/Schengen access, together with the E-2 pathway to US presence, makes the Grenadian passport one of the most strategically useful in the Caribbean CBI market.

Citizenship by Descent

Grenadian citizenship obtained through the CBI programme is hereditary. Children born to Grenadian citizens after the grant of citizenship inherit citizenship by descent, extending the long-term value of the investment across generations without requiring additional applications or fees.

Processing and Due Diligence

Processing timelines are typically three to six months from submission of a complete application. The CIU conducts rigorous due diligence, including international law enforcement checks and source-of-funds review. The programme has maintained a strong reputation since launch due to consistent application of due diligence standards.

There is no requirement to visit Grenada at any stage of the application or citizenship maintenance process, and no minimum residency obligation is imposed.

Tax Environment

Grenada does not levy income tax, capital gains tax, or inheritance tax on non-resident individuals. There is no withholding tax on dividends paid by Grenadian companies to non-resident shareholders on foreign-source income. Individuals who relocate to Grenada and meet residency criteria benefit from a territorial tax system.

Company Formation

Companies can be incorporated in Grenada under the Companies Act. The corporate sector is smaller than in dedicated offshore centres, and Grenada is not typically selected as a corporate domicile for sophisticated structures. However, the combination of a CARICOM company and Grenadian citizenship can provide operational flexibility for clients with Caribbean business interests.

Practical Considerations

Grenada's primary draw in the CBI market is the E-2 visa strategy and the breadth of its travel access at a mid-range price point. Total all-in costs for the NTF route including government fees and professional service fees typically range from $270,000 to $310,000 for a single applicant. For clients specifically seeking the E-2 pathway, this represents a significantly lower cost of entry than alternative routes to US investor status.