Grenada’s citizenship by investment program occupies a structurally distinct position in the Caribbean market. The NTF donation starts at $235,000 for a single applicant. That is $35,000 more than Dominica’s EDF contribution and $15,000 less than St Kitts. The premium over Dominica has one precise justification: Grenada holds a bilateral treaty of commerce and navigation with the United States that makes Grenadian citizens eligible to apply for the US E-2 Treaty Investor Visa. No other Caribbean CBI country has this treaty.
For investors who need legal US business presence without the EB-5 capital requirement ($800,000 minimum) or its multi-year processing queue, the Grenada CBI is the cheapest available route to E-2 eligibility anywhere. That single structural fact drives the pricing premium, the demand pattern, and the program’s competitive positioning.
Everything else the program offers, Schengen access, UK ETA eligibility, China visa-free, a clean zero-tax structure for non-residents, is useful but not uniquely differentiated enough to justify the Caribbean premium on its own. The E-2 treaty is the deciding variable.
The Legal Foundation
Grenada’s CBI program operates under the Citizenship by Investment Act of 2013 and its subsequent amendments. The program is administered by the Citizenship by Investment Committee (CBIC), which is the government body responsible for reviewing applications, commissioning due diligence, and issuing approvals.
All applications must be submitted through government-licensed agents. Direct applications from investors are not permitted. The licensed agent structure creates a formal accountability layer and means the quality of your application preparation, your due diligence package, and your overall experience is materially affected by the agent you select. See the guide to choosing an immigration agent in 2026 for what to look for.
The 2024 CARICOM regional reform framework introduced mandatory interviews and enhanced due diligence requirements across all Caribbean CBI programs, including Grenada. These are not add-ons. They are standard practice across the regional market and reflect coordinated international pressure on Caribbean passport programs following the 2022-2023 period of reputational exposure. Grenada’s response was to tighten its third-party due diligence requirements and implement biometric collection across all applicants.
Investment Routes
Grenada offers two pathways to citizenship: a non-refundable donation to the National Transformation Fund (NTF) and a government-approved real estate investment. The two routes have different cost structures, different risk profiles, and suit different applicant objectives.
National Transformation Fund: The Donation Route
The NTF donation is a non-refundable contribution to Grenada’s national development fund. There is no investment return, no equity, and no asset to recover. Capital is permanently transferred. In exchange, the applicant and qualifying family members receive citizenship.
The base donation is $235,000 for a single applicant or a family of up to four. This is the post-CARICOM 2024 floor, which established a $200,000 regional minimum across Caribbean programs. Grenada’s NTF sits above that floor, consistent with its premium positioning relative to Dominica and Antigua.
All-in cost estimate, single applicant:
| Cost Item | Estimated Range |
|---|---|
| NTF contribution | $235,000 |
| Government due diligence fee | $7,500-$10,000 |
| Application and processing fee | $1,500-$2,000 |
| Agent and legal fees | $12,000-$22,000 |
| Medical and document preparation | $2,000-$3,000 |
| Total (single applicant) | $258,000-$272,000 |
Family of four: The NTF contribution for a family of up to four remains $235,000. Per-adult due diligence fees apply on each additional adult applicant. A family of four, assuming two adults and two dependent children, realistically lands at $280,000-$320,000 all-in before agent fees. Large family compositions require a per-family model; the headline figure does not extrapolate linearly.
The NTF route is the cleaner execution for most applicants. No property transaction, no development risk, no hold period management, no resale uncertainty. Transfer the funds, complete due diligence, receive citizenship.
Real Estate Route: The Investable Alternative
The real estate route requires a minimum $270,000 investment in a government-approved development. These are resort and tourism properties, typically fractional or shared ownership in hotel or branded-residence projects that have been pre-approved by the CBIC for CBI qualification purposes.
The $270,000 is the shared-ownership minimum. Sole ownership real estate starts at $350,000. In both cases, the real estate investment is accompanied by a mandatory $50,000 NTF contribution. The NTF contribution is a separate, non-refundable payment on top of the property price, not a replacement for it.
The investment must be held for five years. The 5-year hold is longer than Dominica’s 3-year equivalent. Resale after the hold period is permitted to a subsequent CBI applicant, which means the exit market is constrained to investors looking for a qualifying real estate position.
All-in cost estimate, shared ownership route, single applicant:
| Cost Item | Estimated Range |
|---|---|
| Real estate investment (minimum) | $270,000 |
| Mandatory NTF contribution | $50,000 |
| Government due diligence fee | $7,500-$10,000 |
| Application and processing fee | $1,500-$2,000 |
| Property legal and conveyancing costs | $3,000-$6,000 |
| Agent and legal fees | $12,000-$22,000 |
| Medical and document preparation | $2,000-$3,000 |
| Total (single applicant) | $346,000-$363,000 |
The resale reality. Approved CBI developments are tourism-class assets in a small island economy. Secondary market liquidity is thin. Exit buyers after the 5-year hold are almost exclusively other CBI investors seeking a qualifying property position. Do not model this as a straightforward capital preservation play. The NTF donation is the cleaner structure for the majority of applicants unless specific resort exposure is wanted for unrelated reasons.
Processing Timeline
Standard processing from a complete application submission to citizenship approval is four to six months. That is the formal CBIC review window. End-to-end from initial engagement to passport in hand is typically six to nine months, accounting for the document preparation phase before submission and biometric passport issuance after approval.
The realistic process breaks into stages:
Stage 1 - Document preparation (4-8 weeks). Assembling the full AML/KYC package required by the licensed agent before submission. This includes notarised documents, apostilles, police clearance certificates from all countries of residence in the last ten years, medical certificates, source of funds documentation, and translation of any non-English materials. Timeline extends for applicants with complex document trails across multiple jurisdictions.
Stage 2 - Formal application submission. The complete file is submitted to the CBIC through the licensed agent. The formal processing clock starts here.
Stage 3 - Due diligence and review (8-16 weeks from submission). Grenada commissions third-party due diligence firms to conduct background checks covering criminal records, financial crime, sanctions lists, adverse media, and political exposure. Since 2024, this includes biometric data collection and a mandatory interview. A clean, well-documented application moves through this stage without complications. Complex profiles take longer.
Stage 4 - Approval-in-principle. Issued before the investment transfer is required. Once received, there is a defined window to complete the NTF payment or real estate transaction.
Stage 5 - Passport issuance. Biometric passport issued after citizenship is confirmed.
Grenada does not offer a paid accelerated processing track. There is no 45-day or 60-day fast lane comparable to St Kitts’ Accelerated Application Process. For applicants where processing speed is the primary constraint, see the fastest second passport routes in 2026. For a side-by-side processing timeline comparison across the major programs, Grenada sits mid-range in the Caribbean.
The US E-2 Treaty: The Defining Structural Advantage
The E-2 Treaty Investor Visa is a US non-immigrant visa that allows citizens of countries holding a qualifying bilateral investment treaty with the United States to live and work in the US by investing in a US-based enterprise. Grenada’s treaty of commerce and navigation with the United States is what places Grenadian citizens in the eligible pool.
No other Caribbean CBI country holds this treaty. Not Dominica. Not St Kitts. Not Antigua. Not St Lucia. Grenada is the only Caribbean CBI route that creates E-2 eligibility. That is a categorical advantage for a specific investor profile, not a marginal differentiation.
What E-2 Actually Involves
Three structural facts matter before E-2 access becomes a planning consideration.
E-2 eligibility is not E-2 approval. Grenada citizenship makes you eligible to apply for an E-2 visa at a US consulate. It does not grant you an E-2 visa. The US evaluates every E-2 application on its own merits. The investment must be substantial and at-risk. The business must be real, operational, and directed by the applicant. Investment minimums are not codified in statute, but consular practice generally requires $100,000 to $500,000 depending on business type and scale. A hair salon requires less than a technology services company. A weak or insufficiently capitalised business proposal will not produce a visa regardless of the passport presented. Engage a US immigration attorney to assess your specific E-2 business case before treating E-2 access as the headline justification for the Grenada CBI cost.
E-2 is a non-immigrant visa. It does not lead to a green card through the E-2 pathway alone. It is renewable indefinitely as long as the underlying business remains operational and the applicant maintains Grenadian citizenship. If the business closes or the citizenship lapses, the E-2 basis disappears. Some investors use the E-2 as a bridge to eventual US residency through other routes, but the E-2 itself does not create a green card path.
The cost structure has two stages. Stage one is Grenada citizenship: $235,000 NTF donation, total all-in approximately $260,000-$275,000 for a single applicant. Stage two is the US business investment, separate and additional to the Grenada CBI cost, typically six figures minimum. The full cost to achieve E-2 residency via this route is materially higher than the Grenada CBI cost alone. It is, however, well below the EB-5 threshold ($800,000 for targeted employment area investments, $1,050,000 for non-TEA projects) and avoids the EB-5 regional center queue, which for high-demand nationalities such as Chinese and Indian applicants currently runs seven to nine years in the unreserved category.
Why This Matters for Non-US Nationals
The E-2 framework is disproportionately valuable for two profiles.
For professionals who need extended, legal US work and business presence, the E-2 provides renewable US residency status without the complexity of an employment-based green card application or the capital requirements of EB-5. A technology founder who wants to build and operate a US subsidiary can do so under E-2 status without being classified as a US tax resident through the green card or green card application process.
For investors who have already identified a US business opportunity, the Grenada CBI is the fastest and cheapest route to E-2 eligibility. Total time from engagement to E-2 visa in hand is typically nine to fifteen months across both stages, depending on document preparation complexity and US consular scheduling.
What E-2 does not do is provide visa-free US entry. Grenadian passport holders still require a visa for tourist or short-stay US travel. The E-2 is specifically for investors with a qualifying US business. If the need is casual US entry rather than business residency, the E-2 pathway is not the right instrument.
Passport Quality and Visa-Free Access
The Grenadian passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 147 countries (Henley Passport Index 2026, rank 27).
Materially important access points:
Schengen Area: Visa-free. Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, and 22 others. Standard 90-day stay within any 180-day period under Schengen rules applies.
United Kingdom: UK Electronic Travel Authorisation required (£20, valid 2 years, multi-entry). The ETA fee increased to £20 on 8 April 2026 (up from £16). The ETA is a pre-travel authorisation, not a full consular visa. Grenada retained meaningful UK access after the 2023-2024 Caribbean CBI review, unlike Dominica, which lost UK visa-free access in July 2023. The ETA regime introduced in January 2025 placed Grenada in a lighter-touch UK access tier than a standard visitor visa, which requires a consular appointment and full documentation.
United States: No visa-free access. E-2 treaty access applies (see above). Tourist and business visits require a non-immigrant US visa through the standard consular process.
China: Visa-free for stays up to 30 days. This is uncommon among Caribbean CBI passports. For investors and executives with mainland China business relationships or travel patterns, this is a practical differentiator.
Singapore: Visa-free. Strong access for the Southeast Asia business corridor.
Hong Kong: Visa-free.
Canada: Visa required. Grenada is not an eTA-eligible country; a full visitor visa is required.
Australia and New Zealand: Visa required.
The gap pattern. The Grenadian passport does not provide access to the US, Canada, or Australia on a visa-free basis. For investors whose primary mobility needs are within the Schengen area, UK, and Asian business corridors, this access profile is sufficient and practically strong. For those needing regular Canadian or Australian access, the Grenada passport requires supplementation with other tools, including maintaining strong ties to a home country passport with broader access to those markets.
For a full comparison across Caribbean CBI programs and their access profiles, the Grenada passport sits second only to St Kitts in the Caribbean CBI tier.
Family Inclusion
The Grenada CBI program allows inclusion of qualifying family members in a single application. The eligible dependent categories are:
- Spouse: Included. No age limit.
- Dependent children: Under age 30.
- Parents and grandparents: Age 55 and over.
- Siblings: Age 18 or over, unmarried, childless, and financially dependent on the main applicant.
The dependent age range for children (up to 30) is broader than some Caribbean peers. Dominica’s program uses a similar upper age limit. The sibling inclusion is a less commonly used but available option for applicants with younger unmarried siblings who qualify under the financial dependency criteria.
Each additional adult applicant carries a separate government due diligence fee. A family of two adults and three children represents a meaningfully different cost profile than a single applicant. Model the per-family cost before comparing headline investment figures.
Family members who obtain citizenship through a principal applicant’s CBI receive the same passport rights as the principal. There is no tiered or secondary citizenship status.
Tax Structure
For Non-Resident Citizens
Grenadian citizenship creates no tax obligation in Grenada for citizens who do not reside there. A Grenadian passport holder who does not physically base themselves in Grenada has no Grenadian filing obligation, no reporting requirement, and no exposure to Grenadian tax on foreign-source income.
The non-resident citizen position covers:
- No personal income tax on foreign-source income
- No capital gains tax
- No wealth tax
- No inheritance tax
- No estate duty
This is structurally identical to how other Caribbean CBI jurisdictions treat non-resident citizens. The tax neutrality is a feature of the jurisdiction’s design, not a special concession to CBI holders.
Tax residency in Grenada is established by physical presence of 183 days or more in a calendar year. Most CBI applicants do not establish Grenadian tax residency. The citizenship without residency structure means the passport travels alone, without the tax implications that residency would carry.
What citizenship does not change: Your tax obligations remain determined by your country of residence and applicable double taxation treaties. A Grenadian citizen living in Singapore continues to pay tax according to Singapore’s rules. A Grenadian citizen living in Germany continues to pay German income tax. Citizenship changes your nationality, not your residency jurisdiction.
Grenada has a limited double taxation treaty network, primarily covering CARICOM member states through the 1996 CARICOM Double Taxation Agreement. There is no comprehensive tax treaty between Grenada and the United States, the United Kingdom, or most major European jurisdictions. For planning that depends on treaty relief between Grenada and a specific jurisdiction, verify current coverage before making assumptions.
For a detailed comparison of tax structures across CBI and RBI programs, see the golden visa tax comparison guide for 2026.
If You Relocate to Grenada
For applicants who actually move to Grenada, personal income tax applies on Grenada-source income at progressive rates up to 30%. No capital gains tax even for residents. No wealth tax. No inheritance tax. Property transfer tax at 5% for non-citizens and 1% for citizens on real estate transactions. Corporate income tax at 28%.
The overwhelming majority of CBI applicants do not relocate to Grenada.
Due Diligence Standards
Grenada operates under the CARICOM enhanced due diligence framework, which was tightened substantially in 2023-2024 following regional and international pressure on Caribbean CBI programs.
What the process involves:
Third-party due diligence firms commissioned by the CBIC conduct background checks covering criminal history across all countries of residence, financial crime indicators, sanctions list screening (OFAC, EU, UN, UK), adverse media, and politically exposed person (PEP) screening for all adult applicants.
The 2024 reforms added mandatory interviews for all applicants. These are typically conducted by licensed agents or designated interview facilities in key markets, not exclusively in Grenada itself. Biometric collection is now standard across all applicants.
Disclosure requirements are strict. Criminal history, tax proceedings, regulatory investigations, and civil litigation must be disclosed. Failure to disclose material information is grounds for rejection and, after citizenship is granted, potential revocation. The standard is more rigorous than it was pre-2022, and the third-party firms involved have reputational incentives to flag anything that creates future political exposure for the program.
Publication of program statistics. Grenada publishes aggregate application data including approvals, rejections, and total citizenship grants. Quarterly and annual data from the Investment Migration Agency confirm ongoing publication, with 2024 full-year and Q3 2025 statistics publicly available. This is a transparency indicator that not all CBI programs match.
For a program-by-program comparison of due diligence depth across Caribbean CBI programs, see the Caribbean CBI enhanced due diligence comparison.
Dual Citizenship
Grenada permits dual nationality. There is no renunciation requirement from the Grenadian side. Whether you can hold both your existing nationality and a Grenadian citizenship depends entirely on your home country’s rules.
Europeans: Most EU and EEA member states permit dual citizenship. UK, French, German, Dutch, and Romanian nationals can generally hold Grenadian citizenship alongside their home nationality. Germany fully removed its renunciation requirement in June 2024. France generally permits dual nationality. Spain is a notable exception: Spanish law typically requires renunciation of prior nationality upon naturalisation for nationals of non-treaty countries; Grenada is not a treaty partner, so Spanish nationals considering Grenada CBI should verify their position with Spanish legal counsel.
Indians: India does not permit dual citizenship. Indian nationals who naturalise as Grenadian citizens are expected under Indian law to surrender their Indian passport. The practical enforcement of this rule varies, but the legal position is clear.
Chinese nationals: China does not legally recognise dual citizenship. The legal position is unambiguous even where individual enforcement situations vary in practice.
Americans: The US does not prohibit dual citizenship. US citizens who naturalise in Grenada are not required to renounce their US citizenship by US law. US nationals holding dual citizenship must use a US passport to enter and leave the United States.
For a broader discussion of dual citizenship rules across the main sending countries and receiving jurisdictions, see the dual citizenship country rules guide.
How Grenada Compares to Caribbean Peers
Grenada vs Dominica
The direct cost alternative. Dominica’s EDF donation starts at $200,000 for a single applicant, $35,000 less than Grenada’s NTF. Dominica’s real estate hold is three years against Grenada’s five. Dominica lost UK visa-free access in July 2023 and now requires a full Standard Visitor visa from Dominican passport holders. Grenada passport holders use the UK ETA (lighter burden, no consular appointment).
On Schengen and Singapore access, the two programs are equivalent. On US access, they are categorically different: Grenada has the E-2 treaty; Dominica does not.
The decision framework is binary. If the US E-2 pathway is relevant to your situation now or in the foreseeable future, Grenada is the only Caribbean option and the cheapest available route to E-2 eligibility. If US access is not a factor and UK access is managed through another passport, Dominica delivers comparable Schengen and Asian corridor access at a lower price.
For a detailed head-to-head, see the Dominica vs Grenada CBI guide. For Dominica’s complete program structure, see the Dominica CBI guide.
Grenada vs St Kitts and Nevis
St Kitts and Nevis is the premium Caribbean CBI product. The Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF) donation minimum is $250,000 for a single applicant, $15,000 more than Grenada’s NTF. The real estate route requires $400,000 with a seven-year hold period. St Kitts provides the widest visa-free access in the Caribbean at approximately 155 countries (Henley Passport Index 2026, rank 23). It offers a 45-day accelerated processing track. St Kitts does not have a US E-2 treaty.
For maximum global mobility and fast processing, St Kitts is the premium instrument. For applicants where US operational access is the primary objective, Grenada is the correct choice regardless of the modest cost difference. For St Kitts’ complete program structure, see the St Kitts CBI guide.
Grenada vs St Lucia
St Lucia’s National Economic Fund (NEF) donation starts at $240,000 for a single applicant, $5,000 more than Grenada. St Lucia retained UK access after the 2023-2024 review. St Lucia does not have a US E-2 treaty. At comparable prices and with similar UK access, Grenada’s E-2 eligibility is the deciding variable. For applicants with no US angle and no E-2 need, St Lucia is worth examining at a similar price point. For St Lucia’s complete program structure, see the St Lucia CBI guide.
Grenada vs Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua requires a minimum 5-day physical presence within the five years following citizenship grant. Grenada has no presence requirement at any stage. Antigua’s NDF donation is $230,000 for a single applicant, $5,000 less than Grenada. Antigua does not have a US E-2 treaty. For zero-presence citizenship with the US angle, Grenada’s small premium over Antigua is offset by the E-2 eligibility, UK ETA access, and China visa-free benefit. For Antigua’s complete program structure, see the Antigua CBI guide.
Caribbean CBI Comparison Table
| Program | Single Donation Min | All-In Single (Est.) | UK Access | US E-2 Treaty | Schengen | China VF | Visa-Free Countries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grenada | $235,000 | $258,000-$272,000 | ETA (£20, 2yr) | Yes | Yes | Yes (30d) | ~147 |
| Dominica | $200,000 | ~$225,000-$235,000 | No (visa required) | No | Yes | No | ~140-145 |
| St Lucia | $240,000 | ~$270,000-$285,000 | Yes | No | Yes | No | ~145-146 |
| St Kitts and Nevis | $250,000 | ~$285,000-$300,000 | Yes | No | Yes | No | ~155 |
| Antigua and Barbuda | $230,000 | ~$265,000-$280,000 | Yes | No | Yes | No | ~150-153 |
For a full multi-program comparison across the Caribbean market, see the Caribbean CBI programs comparison and the cheapest citizenship by investment guide.
Grenada vs Malta
Malta’s former Citizenship by Exceptional Services (MEIN) program, which offered EU citizenship through investment, was ruled illegal by the EU Court of Justice in April 2025 and formally closed in July 2025. Malta no longer accepts investment-based citizenship applications. A merit-based discretionary naturalisation process replaced it, but it has no published investment minimums or guaranteed timeline. For investors seeking EU citizenship specifically, the relevant instrument in 2026 is Portugal’s Golden Visa leading to naturalisation after five years, not a direct citizenship-by-investment route. If the objective is US E-2 eligibility with Caribbean citizenship at the Caribbean price point, there is no meaningful overlap with any EU citizenship programme regardless of cost.
Common Misunderstandings
E-2 eligibility as E-2 approval. Grenada citizenship is the eligibility condition, not the visa. The US consulate evaluates every E-2 application on the merits of the underlying business. A credible plan with substantial capital at risk produces an E-2. A weak or undercapitalised business does not.
The two-stage cost. The Grenada CBI runs $258,000-$272,000 all-in for a single applicant. The US E-2 business investment is additional and separate, typically $100,000-$500,000 or more. Anyone planning the full E-2 pathway needs to model both stages together.
Real estate route exit optimism. The five-year hold ends with a thin secondary market. Exit liquidity depends on finding another CBI applicant who wants that specific approved property. The NTF donation avoids this entirely.
Headline NTF figure as total cost. The $235,000 is the contribution. Due diligence fees, processing fees, and agent costs add $20,000-$40,000 for a single applicant. These are non-negotiable regardless of outcome.
Citizenship creating Grenadian tax residency. It does not. Non-resident Grenadian citizens have no Grenadian tax obligations on foreign income.
Who This Program Suits
Strong Fit
HNW professionals with US business interests. A founder, executive, or investor who needs operational US business presence without the EB-5 minimum or its processing timeline. Grenada CBI followed by an E-2 application is the fastest cost-efficient structure for reaching legal US business residency for non-US nationals. The combined cost of both stages remains materially below the EB-5 minimum.
Asia-based expats with US client bases or board roles. A senior professional in Singapore, Malaysia, or Hong Kong who has a US client relationship, board position, or business requiring regular extended US presence. E-2 status provides multi-year US residency on a renewable basis and removes the biennial visa interview cycle.
Founders building US businesses from a non-US base. A technology or professional services founder who wants to establish and actively operate a US entity without immediately triggering US tax residency through the green card route. E-2 provides the operational basis for US presence while the business scales.
Globally mobile professionals needing UK, Schengen, and China access. The combination of UK ETA eligibility, Schengen access, and China visa-free in a single Caribbean passport is uncommon. For professionals operating across European and East Asian business corridors, the Grenada access profile is practically useful even without the E-2 consideration.
Plan B citizenship seekers who value US optionality. The standard second nationality use case (political insurance, mobility diversification, global optionality) that applies to any Caribbean program applies here, with the added structural optionality of the E-2 pathway if circumstances change and US access becomes relevant in future years.
Weak Fit
Applicants with no US business angle. If US access is not a planning consideration, Dominica delivers comparable Schengen and Asian corridor access at $35,000 less on the donation. The Grenada premium has no rational basis for applicants who will not use the E-2 pathway.
Anyone seeking EU free movement. Grenada provides Schengen visitor access, not EU free movement. The right to live and work across EU member states requires EU citizenship. Portugal’s golden visa, leading to naturalisation after five years and then EU citizenship, is the relevant instrument for that objective. See the CBI vs RBI decision guide for how to frame this choice.
Applicants who need the fastest available processing. At four to six months standard with no accelerated lane, Grenada is not the fastest Caribbean option. St Kitts offers a 45-day accelerated track. For applicants where timeline is the binding constraint, factor processing speed into the program selection. See fastest second passport routes in 2026 for options that prioritise speed.
Investors seeking capital-appreciating real estate. The approved CBI developments in Grenada are resort assets in a small tourism economy. They are not a vehicle for capital appreciation or rental income at commercial returns. The NTF donation is the more honest structure if the underlying objective is citizenship, not property exposure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the US E-2 visa automatic once I hold a Grenada passport?
No. Grenada citizenship makes you eligible to apply for the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa at a US consulate. The consulate evaluates the application on the merits of the underlying business: substantial capital at risk, a real operating enterprise, and evidence you are directing it. Grenada citizenship is the eligibility condition, not the approval. Budget for a US immigration attorney to prepare and file the E-2 application as a separate stage after citizenship is confirmed.
Why does Grenada cost more than Dominica?
The premium reflects three things Dominica does not offer: E-2 treaty access, UK ETA eligibility (versus Dominica’s full Standard Visitor visa), and China visa-free access. If E-2 access is in your planning horizon, the $35,000 premium is the cheapest available entry point to that structure globally.
Does the Grenada passport give visa-free access to China?
Yes. Grenadian citizens can enter mainland China visa-free for stays of up to 30 days. Uncommon among Caribbean CBI passports and useful for professionals with mainland China business relationships.
How long does the process take?
Four to six months from a complete application submission to citizenship approval. From initial engagement to passport in hand, plan six to nine months. There is no accelerated processing option.
Do I need to visit or live in Grenada?
No. There is no physical presence requirement at any stage of the application or after citizenship is granted. The entire process is completed remotely through a licensed agent.
Can I include my adult children?
Dependent children up to age 30 can be included. Each additional adult applicant carries separate government due diligence fees. The age cutoff applies at the time of application.
What does the Grenada passport not provide?
Three material gaps: US visa-free entry (the E-2 treaty creates investor visa eligibility, not tourist access); EU free movement (Schengen access is visitor-level, 90 days in 180); and Canadian visa-free access. See the second passport rankings for a broader program comparison.
The Decision
Grenada sits at a premium over Dominica and slightly below St Kitts in the Caribbean CBI market. The premium over Dominica is structurally justified by one asset: the E-2 treaty with the United States. For investors with a genuine US business use case or realistic US business plans, that $35,000 premium is the cheapest available entry point to E-2 eligibility anywhere in the world.
For investors with no US angle, the calculus changes. UK ETA access and China visa-free are useful but not worth $35,000 over Dominica for most applicants. Dominica is the more cost-efficient instrument for Schengen and Asian corridor access without the US premium.
The program sits in the second tier of affordability within Caribbean CBI (see the cheapest CBI programs guide) but in the top tier of structural utility. For the investor profile it is designed for, the combination of E-2 eligibility, UK ETA access, Schengen, China, and a clean tax position for non-residents is a practically complete international mobility and business structure at the Caribbean price point.
For a direct side-by-side with other Caribbean programs, see Grenada vs Dominica, Grenada vs St Kitts, Grenada vs Antigua, and Grenada vs St Lucia, or use the compare tool for a custom comparison. For all five Caribbean programs in a single view, see Caribbean CBI programs compared. Not sure whether the E-2 premium is worth it for your situation? The program finder quiz helps match objectives to the right program.
The Grenada country profile has the full program data and comparison tools. For the broader Caribbean CBI regional picture, see the Caribbean region overview.