Grenada’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program is one of the most efficient and family-friendly paths to second citizenship in the world.
Whether you’re pursuing greater global mobility, a plan B for your family, or access to U.S. opportunities through the E-2 visa, Grenada offers a fast, legitimate, and respected route, without the need to relocate or renounce your current citizenship.
This guide walks you through the entire Grenada CBI application process step by step, from eligibility and investment options to document requirements, timelines, and final passport issuance.
You’ll also find up-to-date cost breakdowns, government-approved routes, and the common mistakes to avoid, all presented in clear and practical terms.
Whether you're applying solo or with your spouse, children, or parents, you'll find all the information you need to move forward with confidence.
Who Can Apply For Grenada CBI
Grenada’s CBI program is open to a wide range of applicants, not just high-net-worth individuals, but also families seeking long-term security, freedom of movement, and generational benefits.
The eligibility criteria are clear and relatively flexible, but understanding them up front can help you avoid costly delays or rejections later.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify as a main applicant, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have no serious criminal record
- Be in good physical and mental health
- Provide a clear source of funds for your investment
- Pass Grenada’s due diligence and background screening
- Be willing to make the required investment (via donation or real estate)
You do not need to have any prior ties to Grenada.
There are no language, education, or interview requirements beyond standard background checks and a brief virtual interview.
Who You Can Include
Grenada’s program is family-friendly and allows you to include a wide range of dependants under one application:
- Spouse or registered partner
- Children under 18.
- Children aged 18–30 who are financially dependent and enrolled in studies
- Children of any age with physical or mental disabilities
- Parents or grandparents of either spouse (no age minimum, but they must be dependent)
- Unmarried siblings aged 18+ of the main applicant or spouse
Each dependant must meet the same background and health standards.
While there are additional fees per family member, it’s still often more cost-effective than applying separately.
Who Is Not Eligible
You may be disqualified if:
- You have a criminal conviction (especially for serious offences).
- You are on international sanctions or watchlists.
- You were previously denied a visa to a country with visa-free access from Grenada (like the UK or Schengen Zone), unless that visa was later granted.
- You provide false or incomplete information in your application.
- You are considered a security or reputational risk.
Grenada conducts thorough due diligence through international firms, so transparency is critical.
Applicants with minor legal issues in their past may still be eligible depending on the context, so always consult your agent.
Investment Options Explained
Grenada offers two official investment routes for obtaining citizenship: a non-refundable donation to the National Transformation Fund (NTF) or an investment in government-approved real estate.
Both lead to full citizenship with a Grenadian passport, but each path has its own financial structure, timeline, and long-term implications.
Option 1: National Transformation Fund (NTF)
This is the simplest and fastest route.
You make a one-time, non-refundable contribution to a government fund that supports infrastructure, education, and health projects.
- Minimum donation: $235,000 (includes up to 4 family members)
- Additional dependants: $25,000–$75,000 each (depending on age/relationship)
- No property ownership or resale value
- Fastest approvals due to direct-to-government flow
- Lower legal complexity, ideal for single applicants or small families
Option 2: Real Estate Investment
This option involves purchasing a share or unit in a government-approved development project — typically luxury resorts or branded residences.
- Minimum investment: $270,000 (shared real estate, most common) or $350,000 (independent unit)
- Government fee: $50,000 for a family of up to 4
- Hold period: Must retain ownership for at least 5 years
- Resale is possible after a hold, potentially with a return on investment.
- Best for applicants wanting tangible assets or rental income
Main Differences Between the Two
- NTF = Clean, fast, donation-based
- Real Estate = Slower, asset-based, higher upfront fees
Understanding the Investment and Fees
Grenada’s Citizenship by Investment program is designed to be straightforward, but the actual cost structure varies depending on the route you choose and the number of family members you include.
While the NTF donation is direct and all-inclusive, the real estate route involves additional fees, holding requirements, and legal steps.
Below is a breakdown of the key financial options and how they compare. The volume of applications dominates real estate, while NTF offers a more rapid fiscal impact.
Revenue Sources: NTF Donations vs Real Estate Investment
Grenada’s Citizenship by Investment program isn’t just a gateway to a second passport; it’s also a vital source of national revenue.
The government receives funds through two channels: NTF donations, which are deposited directly into state accounts, and real estate investments, which stimulate construction, tourism, and job creation.
While both play important roles, they differ in how and when their value reaches the country’s economy.
The Direct Impact of NTF
The government controls donations to the National Transformation Fund in a clean, fast, and fully transparent manner.
These funds show up in the national accounts almost immediately and can be allocated to infrastructure, healthcare, education, or other public services.
NTF contributions are the most budget-efficient source of CBI revenue, with no delays, escrow processes, or intermediary involvement.
The Real Estate Lag
Real estate contributions generate long-term economic activity, especially in tourism zones, but they often don’t reach the government immediately.
There’s usually a “lag” of 1–3 quarters between when an application is approved and when the real estate transaction is completed, registered, and recognised in official revenue figures.
This lag is due to:
- Construction schedules
- Title transfers
- Escrow release timing
- Developer-side processing
Even though real estate dominates application volume, NTF still tends to outperform in real-time budget impact.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Document Checklist
Every Grenada CBI applicant must prepare a set of official documents – notarised, translated, and often apostilled – before submission.
The list varies slightly by family composition, but the following are required for nearly all cases.
Application Timeline & Common Delays
While Grenada’s CBI process is one of the fastest in the Caribbean, the timeline still depends on how efficiently you gather documents and how smoothly due diligence proceeds.
Below is a breakdown of typical phases and where delays might happen:
Application Timeline Explained
Grenada’s Citizenship by Investment programme is widely regarded for its efficiency, but even the fastest-track passport takes careful preparation and legal precision.
Whether you're applying via donation or real estate, the following phases outline exactly what you'll go through, and how long each typically takes.
1. Pre-Check & Agent Onboarding (1–5 days)
Your journey starts with a private consultation with an authorised agent.
They’ll verify your basic eligibility (checking for any disqualifying issues, like prior visa denials or criminal records) and advise you on the best route (donation or real estate).
You’ll sign a client retainer, provide scanned passports and IDs, and receive your custom document checklist.
This early review prevents wasted time and ensures the entire application is structured correctly from the outset. At this stage, nothing is submitted to the government yet.
2. Document Collection & Certification (2–6 weeks)
This is where most delays happen, and it's not because of Grenada, but because gathering documents can take time.
You’ll need to obtain long-form birth certificates, marriage or divorce records, police clearance certificates from every country you’ve lived in since age 16, a medical certificate, bank references, and proof of income or source of funds.
These documents must be apostilled or legalised and translated into English if issued in another language.
Applicants often underestimate how long it takes to get older records or to correct name mismatches across documents.
If you’re applying with family members, each dependant must also submit documentation (including school enrolment letters for older children or custody proof if divorced).
3. File Assembly & Official Submission (5–7 days)
Once all paperwork is in, your agent prepares Grenada’s official application forms, ensures everything complies with CIU (Citizenship by Investment Unit) requirements, and submits the complete file.
This includes Forms 1–7, statutory declarations, coloured passport photos, and proof of fee payments.
At this point, you’ll also pay your due diligence and application processing fees.
For real estate applicants, a property reservation or escrow deposit may be required simultaneously.
4. Due Diligence & Mandatory Interview (6–8 weeks)
This is the core of the review process. Grenada conducts one of the strictest due diligence screenings in the Caribbean.
Specialised international firms like S-RM or Exiger will verify your background, financial history, and travel records. They’ll also cross-check against sanctions, watchlists, and media databases.
Since 2023, every applicant aged 17 or older must also complete a live video interview.
This typically lasts 20–30 minutes and covers your personal background, motivation for seeking Grenadian citizenship, and future intentions.
Any red flags such as unexplained wealth, incomplete disclosures, or previous refusals will prolong this stage or even lead to refusal.
5. Approval in Principle (~2 months after submission)
If you clear due diligence and pass the interview, Grenada’s CIU will issue an “Approval in Principle”. This is your conditional green light: you are approved, provided you now complete the financial commitment.
For donation applicants, this means wiring your $150,000+ contribution to Grenada’s National Transformation Fund. Real estate investors must finalise their property purchase, submit a signed Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA), and verify title transfer.
Note: Funds must come from your personal account or via a source already disclosed in your file. Grenada strictly vets the origin and flow of all investment funds.
6. Investment Verification & Naturalisation (~1–2 weeks)
Once your payment is received and confirmed, Grenada will prepare and issue your Certificate of Naturalisation.
This is the legal confirmation that you are now a Grenadian citizen. For real estate investors, this phase may take slightly longer, especially if additional escrow or developer paperwork is required.
7. Passport Issuance & Delivery (2–3 weeks)
With your naturalisation certificate in hand, your agent will request your Grenadian passport.
These are printed and processed quickly (usually within 10 business days) and sent to your nominated delivery address or the agent’s office via secure courier.
From start to finish, the average application timeline is about 3–4 months for a straightforward donation case and 4–6 months for real estate.
Complex family cases, document issues, or diligence flags may stretch this further.
FAQs
Conclusion
Grenada’s Citizenship by Investment program stands out as a streamlined, flexible, and globally respected route to second citizenship.
Whether you're aiming for enhanced mobility, future business expansion, or greater lifestyle freedom, Grenada offers a rare combination of speed, minimal residency obligations, and strong international partnerships, including access to the U.S. E-2 visa.
From donation and real estate to family inclusion and visa-free travel to 140+ countries, the program is designed to serve a wide range of applicants.
Still, success hinges on proper preparation: choosing the right route, gathering the correct documentation, and understanding each step from due diligence to passport delivery.
If you’re ready to take the next step, working with a licensed advisor ensures compliance, transparency, and peace of mind throughout the process.
Grenadian citizenship is more than a passport - it’s a long-term asset in an increasingly uncertain world.
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