Grenada citizenship: 4 ways to obtain a Caribbean passport

The Immigration and Passport Department of Grenada provides four types of passport: ordinary, diplomatic, official, and emergency. Since 2023, Grenada has issued only biometric passports with an embedded electronic microprocessor.

1. An ordinary passport is a standard document granted to citizens of Grenada. It can be obtained by:

• birth;

• descent;

• marriage;

• naturalisation;

• investment.

Grenada citizenship by investment is granted for a contribution of at least $235,000 in the country’s economy. This route does not require applicants to pass language proficiency tests, take history exams, or visit the country.

2. A diplomatic passport is obtained by Grenada diplomats, high-ranking government officials, and their immediate family members travelling for official state business. Diplomatic passports often come with privileges such as diplomatic immunity, expedited processing, and special treatment at customs and border controls.

3. An official or service passport is issued to employees of the Grenada government. The document allows them to travel abroad for work-related purposes. Holders of official passports are not granted full diplomatic immunity.

4. An emergency passport is a temporary travel document issued in urgent situations. For example, when an individual has lost their passport, had it stolen, or cannot wait for a standard passport to be processed. Emergency passports are valid for a limited period.

The Grenada Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program offers foreigners to obtain a passport of the country for a minimum investment of $235,000.

Since its launch in 2013, this option has been increasingly popular. According to Grenada’s Ministry of Finance, 4,794 passports were issued to investors and their family members in 2023 alone. From January to September 2024, the total number of granted passports amounted to 4,861.

The investor needs to be over 18, have no criminal record or serious illnesses, and be capable of proving the legality of the income.

The main applicant can be joined by a spouse, children under 30, parents, grandparents, and unmarried siblings over 18.

1. Non-refundable contribution. The applicant can donate at least $235,000 to the National Transformation Fund (NTF). The fund finances local projects in various industries, including tourism, alternative energy, and agriculture.

The minimum contribution threshold is $235,000 for a single investor and a family of up to 4 people. There are extra contributions if the following family members are included in the application:

• $25,000 per parent or grandparent over 55 or child, starting from a fifth family member;

• $50,000 per parent or grandparent under 55;

• $75,000 per sibling.

2. Real estate purchase. The investor can buy real estate from a government-approved project. They can buy properties in full ownership or shares and return the investment in 5 years.

The minimum investment is $270,000 for buying a share in a real estate tourist project if at least two people jointly invest and their combined investment totals at least $440,000. Otherwise, purchasing approved property requires a minimum investment of $350,000.

The minimum threshold is the same for a single investor and a family, regardless of its size. However, the investor must also pay a state fee of $50,000 for a single investor or a family of up to 4 people. Starting from a fifth family member, it increases by:

• $25,000 — for a parent or grandparent over 55 years old or a child;

• $50,000 — for a parent or grandparent under 55;

• $75,000 — for a sibling.

Additional expenses. Regardless of the investment options chosen by the applicant, the following fees must be paid:

• an application fee — $1,500 per person;

• a Due Diligence fee — $5,000 per person over 17;

• an interview fee — $1,000 per person over 17;

• a processing fee — $1,500 per adult, $500 per child;

• a passport fee — $350 per adult, $250 per child;

• a courier fee — $150+, depending on the investor’s location.

Real estate buyers also pay a share registration fee. Its amount depends on the project but is about $11,000.

Grenadian nationality can be obtained both by birth in Grenada and by birth abroad to at least one parent with a Grenadian passport.

A child adopted by a Grenada passport holder also becomes eligible for citizenship in the country. The same can be applied even to people born upon aircraft or ships registered in Grenada.

If the Grenada citizenship is a child’s second citizenship, they must submit the following documents to apply:

• birth certificates of the child and the Grenadian parent;

• passport photos;

• a medical certificate;

• a completed government form signed by a Justice of the Peace or Notary Public;

• a reference letter from a reputable person in the community for an applicant over 18;

• a police certificate for an applicant over 18.

The process of obtaining citizenship usually takes between 4 and 6 weeks. The applicant pays an agent fee of $5,000, covering the application and processing expenses.

A foreigner who marries a Grenadian citizen is eligible to apply for citizenship, regardless of the way their spouse has obtained the passport.

The following documents must be submitted:

• birth certificates of both spouses;

• a marriage certificate;

• a full passport of the applicant;

• passport photos;

• a citizenship by marriage application signed by a Justice of the Peace or Notary Public;

• a letter of content from the Grenadian spouse;

• a police certificate;

• a medical certificate.

The process of obtaining Grenada citizenship by marriage can take between one month and one year, depending on the workload of the relevant entity. The applicant pays an agent fee of $6,500 for the application and processing fees.

A long-term resident of Grenada can become a citizen if they have resided in Grenada for 12 continuous months before applying. Before the 12 months, they must reside in Grenada for 7 years. For a citizen of another Caribbean country, that period is 4 years.

The applicant submits the following documents:

• a birth certificate;

• passport photos;

• a medical certificate;

• completed government forms;

• a reference letter from a reputable person from the applicant’s country of birth or residence and Grenada;

• a police certificate from the applicant’s country of birth or residence and Grenada;

• a bank statement;

• a letter explaining the applicant’s motivation to become a citizen of Grenada.

Grenada allows dual citizenship, meaning that an individual is not required to give up the first nationality, provided that their current country of citizenship allows it as well.

Dual citizens can enjoy the benefits of both passports. They have the same rights and obligations as any other citizen of Grenada. They are entitled to the same protections and benefits, such as the right to vote and run for public office.

They can use their Grenadian passport to travel to 148 countries without a visa and their other passport to travel elsewhere, depending on the entry requirement.

For the freedom of travel, Grenada is ranked 59th out of 193 countries in the Immigrant Invest Passport Index.

Citizens of Grenada travel visa-free to over 140 countries, including the Schengen Area, the UK, China, and Malaysia.

As a "Plan B" country, Grenada holds the 43rd position in the same ranking, placing it ahead of Greece, Italy, and the UAE.

As a Commonwealth member, Grenada provides a secure legal framework, strong international ties, and safety from military conflicts or geopolitical tensions.

For the quality of life in the Immigrant Invest Passport Index, Grenada is ranked 72nd, leaving behind China, Seychelles, and Vanuatu.

In most parts of Grenada, medical services are accessible within a five-kilometre radius, including both public hospitals and private clinics.

The education system in Grenada is modelled on the British one. Students can enrol in prestigious universities within the country, such as St George’s University of Medicine, or study in the UK and the USA under preferential terms.

1. Safe haven in the Caribbean. Grenada citizens can enter the country at any moment, even if the borders are closed. They can spend an indefinite amount of time there, enjoying life by the sea in a warm Caribbean climate.

2. Visas to the United States. Grenada citizens can qualify for an E‑2 visa to the USA, allowing them to live and work there, as well as establish or buy a business. Usually, a minimum investment of $100,000 is required to obtain the visa.

Grenada passport holders can get a 10-year B‑1/B‑2 Visitor Visa if they want to travel to the United States as tourists. The visa allows them to spend up to 180 days a year in the country.

3. Freedom of travel. Grenada citizens can visit 140+ countries without a visa, including the UK, the Schengen Area states, China, and Australia.

They can spend 90 out of 180 days in the Schengen Area countries. In the UK, the visa-free period is 180 days a year.

Travellers with a Grenadian passport can also spend up to 30 days without a visa in China and Singapore.

To visit Australia, they can apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) which is both faster and cheaper to obtain than a regular visa.

4. Business and banking opportunities. Investors can register international companies in Grenada to reduce tax payments and avoid currency control restrictions in transactions with foreign partners.

In addition, it is also easier for them to open accounts in European or American banks. That allows them to keep their money in hard currency and pay lower commissions for international transfers.

5. Tax optimisation. Grenada doesn’t tax individuals on income earned outside the country. Residents of the country also don’t pay taxes on interest, royalties, and dividends. There are no taxes on inheritance, capital gains, and stamp duty, either.

If individuals receive income from a local Grenadian source, the tax rate is 10% on the first EC$24,000, or $8,900, and 28% on income exceeding this amount.

6. No need to renounce the first passport. Grenada recognises dual citizenship, meaning that if a foreigner wants to obtain a Grenadian passport, they can do that without renouncing their current nationality — unless the other country does not allow dual citizenship.

7. Chance to study abroad. Grenada citizens can receive education on preferential terms in the UK and the US due to close historical ties with those countries.

Even if they choose to receive higher education in Grenada, students can benefit from interactions with universities in the UK and the US.

1. There are multiple ways to obtain Grenada citizenship as a foreigner, including by birth or descent, by marriage, and by naturalisation.

2. Grenada citizenship by investment is an opportunity for individuals and their families to become citizens of Grenada for a minimum contribution of $235,000.

3. The most popular investment option is purchasing real estate for at least $270,000 from a list of state-approved projects. The money can be returned in 5 years.

4. Holders of a Grenadian passport can travel to over 145 countries visa-free and obtain business and tourist visas to the United States.

5. The benefits of Grenada citizenship extend beyond travel: it opens opportunities to optimise taxes, start a new business and open bank accounts in European or American banks.