What Grenada's CBI program is
Grenada launched its Citizenship by Investment program in 2013. It offers full citizenship and a Grenadian passport in exchange for a qualifying investment. It is administered by the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CBIU). Applications must go through a CBIU-authorized agent — self-filing is not permitted. Grenada allows dual citizenship.
What makes Grenada unique — and what the marketing skips
- Only Caribbean CBI program with a US E-2 treaty investor visa pathway
- ~148 visa-free destinations including Schengen, UK, and China
- Broad family inclusion — adult children to 30, parents, grandparents, siblings
- NTF minimum of $235,000 — mid-range in the Caribbean CBI market
Investment options and what you'll actually pay
National Transformation Fund (NTF) donation — $235,000
Non-refundable contribution to a government development fund. The simpler path — defined cost, no asset to manage. Approximately 40% of applicants choose this route.
Government-approved real estate — $270,000+
Purchase of qualifying real estate in approved resort or development projects. 5-year holding period before sale. Some properties generate rental income (~4% annually) during the hold. Most qualifying properties list at $300,000–$400,000. Approximately 60% of applicants choose this route.
Realistic all-in costs (2026)
| Cost item | Single applicant | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| NTF investment | $235,000 | $235,000 |
| Due diligence fee (post-2026 rate) | $7,500–$8,000 | $15,000–$16,000 |
| Application and processing fee | $1,500 | $4,500 |
| Passport fee | $300 | $1,200 |
| Authorized agent fee | $10,000–$20,000 | $12,000–$25,000 |
| Legal and document preparation | $2,000–$5,000 | $3,000–$7,000 |
| Realistic all-in total | ~$257,000–$272,000 | ~$272,000–$290,000 |
Family inclusion costs
| Dependent | Approx. government fees |
|---|---|
| Spouse | $12,000–$14,000 |
| Child under 18 | $3,000–$4,000 |
| Child 18–30 | $6,000–$8,000 |
| Parent or grandparent | $12,000–$14,000 |
| Sibling (18+, unmarried) | $12,000–$14,000 |
What a Grenada passport provides
Visa-free access
The Grenadian passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to approximately 148 countries, including the full Schengen Area (27 EU countries, 90 days per 180-day period), the United Kingdom (up to 180 days), China (visa on arrival, 30 days), Singapore, UAE, Hong Kong, and Macau.
What this means for restricted passport holders
A Turkish passport currently provides no Schengen visa-free access, no UK visa-free access, and no visa-free access to China. A Grenadian passport opens all three. For many Turkish professionals evaluating Grenada CBI, passport mobility — not the E-2 — is the primary value proposition.
| Destination | Turkish passport | Grenada passport |
|---|---|---|
| Schengen Area (27 countries) | Visa required | Visa-free |
| United Kingdom | Visa required | Visa-free |
| China | Visa required | Visa on arrival |
| Singapore | Visa-free | Visa-free |
| United States | Visa required | Visa required (E-2 treaty — see below) |
The US E-2 visa angle: what Grenada's treaty actually means
What an E-2 treaty investor visa is
The E-2 is a US non-immigrant visa allowing nationals of treaty countries to enter the US to develop and direct a business in which they've made a substantial investment. It's renewable in two-year increments and can effectively be held indefinitely. It does not lead to a green card on its own, but allows an investor to live and operate a business in the US on an ongoing basis.
The AMIGOS Act: the three-year domicile requirement
In late 2022, the US passed the AMIGOS Act. To apply for an E-2 visa based on Grenada citizenship obtained through the CBI program, the applicant must establish genuine, continuous domicile in Grenada for three years prior to the E-2 application. "Domicile" means your primary home and center of life — more than occasional visits.
The spousal E-2 workaround
There is a legitimate legal strategy that significantly changes this timeline. If the primary CBI applicant obtains Grenada citizenship via the NTF route, their spouse can subsequently obtain Grenada citizenship by registration — as the spouse of a Grenadian citizen. Citizenship obtained through marriage to a Grenadian citizen is not subject to the AMIGOS Act's three-year domicile requirement.
The spouse can then apply for a US E-2 visa, and the original CBI applicant can join as a dependent. Total timeline: approximately 12–14 months from CBI application to E-2 — compared to four years via the standard route.
Who the E-2 angle makes sense for
- Nationals of countries without their own US E-2 treaty who have a credible, investable US business plan
- Applicants prepared for the three-year domicile commitment or the spousal registration strategy with proper legal support
- Entrepreneurs who can demonstrate a substantial, at-risk US business investment (generally $100,000+ for service businesses)
The 2026 rule changes you need to know
Several changes to Grenada's CBI program take effect in the first half of 2026. Most published guides predate these announcements.
New residency requirement
The main applicant must spend at least 5 days in Grenada within 12 months of receiving their passport. All family members on the application must collectively accumulate 30 days in Grenada over the first 5 years. This is entirely new — previously no physical presence was required after citizenship was granted.
Other 2026 changes
- Passport validity — initial passport issued for 5 years (previously 10)
- Biometric data collection now required as part of the application process
- Due diligence fee increase — approximately $2,500–$3,000 per adult; confirm exact current figure with your agent
- Passport renewal — a cultural and historical education module will be required at renewal (details still being finalized)
Application process
Engage a CBIU-authorized agent
Verify authorization status on Grenada's official CBIU website before signing anything. Only engage CBIU-authorized agents — unlicensed intermediaries are a documented fraud risk in the Caribbean CBI market.
Prepare documentation
Certified passport copies, birth and marriage certificates, police clearances from all countries of residence for the past 10 years, source-of-funds documentation, medical examination results, and professional references.
Submit and make the investment
Once the application passes initial review, the NTF transfer or real estate purchase is completed.
Approval and oath
Remote video oath has been permitted since 2020. No in-person visit to Grenada is required during the application process.
Passport issuance
Document processing typically takes 2–4 weeks after the oath. Total timeline: 4–6 months from complete application submission.
Grenada vs. the other Caribbean CBI programs
| Program | Fund minimum | Real estate min. | Processing | Visa-free | E-2 treaty | Residency req. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grenada | $235,000 | $270,000 | 4–6 months | ~148 | Yes (3-yr rule) | 30 days / 5 yrs |
| St. Kitts & Nevis | $250,000 | $400,000+ | 4–6 months | ~157–167 | No | 30 days / 5 yrs |
| Dominica | $100,000 | $200,000 | 3–5 months | ~145 | No | None |
| Antigua & Barbuda | $230,000 | $300,000 | 4–6 months | ~150–165 | No | 5 days / 5 yrs |
Decision framework
- Choose Grenada if E-2 access is a medium-term goal (3–5 years), or Schengen/UK/China mobility is the priority with broad family inclusion
- Choose Dominica if budget is the binding constraint and E-2 access isn't relevant
- Choose Antigua if you have siblings or a large extended family to include in the application
- Choose St. Kitts if maximum passport strength is the primary goal
Who should look elsewhere
- You need US E-2 access within 12–18 months — the AMIGOS Act three-year domicile applies unless you execute the spousal strategy with proper legal support
- Your budget is below $250,000 all-in — Dominica's NTF route is significantly cheaper at comparable Schengen coverage
- You're a US citizen — a Grenada passport adds limited benefit over a US passport, and US tax obligations on worldwide income remain regardless
- You're treating CBI primarily as a tax planning tool — citizenship alone does not change your tax residency; that requires genuine physical presence in another jurisdiction
- You have a complex background — Caribbean CBI due diligence is rigorous; application fees are non-refundable on denial