Summary
Grenada has announced upcoming changes to its citizenship by investment program. Investors and their families will be required to spend at least 30 days in the country within the first 5 years, and to provide biometric data. The new requirements will come into force in April—June 2026.
Lyle Julien, investment programs expert at Immigrant Invest, has reviewed the forthcoming changes and explained how they will affect investors.
What is going to change in the Caribbean CBI programs?
The Investment Migration Agency IMA Grenada has confirmed the creation of a single regional regulator that will oversee citizenship by investment programs in the Caribbean states of Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and St Lucia.
Once the regional regulator is launched, some of the conditions for obtaining citizenship for investors will change. For example, there will be new requirements for mandatory residence in the country and for the submission of biometric data.
The new rules are expected to take effect in April—June 2026.
5 key changes to Grenada citizenship by investment
In a letter to licensed agents, IMA Grenada has announced changes to the program that will take effect in 2026. Some of them will tighten the process of obtaining citizenship by investment, while others will make it more attractive for investors[1].
1. Residence requirement
Investors and their family members will need to spend at least 30 days in Grenada within 5 years after obtaining citizenship.
The main applicant must travel to the country for at least 5 days within 12 months of receiving the passport. The remaining 25 days can be shared between family members over the following 4 years.
Trips to Grenada can be combined with holidays, study, medical treatment or business visits.
2. Increased fees
The fees for Due Diligence checks will rise by $2,500–3,000.
Until the changes come into force, investors pay $5,000 for each applicant aged over 17.
3. Mandatory biometrics
To obtain Grenada citizenship by investment, applicants will be required to provide biometric data. The exact procedure for collecting biometrics has not yet been specified.
The new rule will apply to all citizens of Grenada, not only investors. Biometric data will be embedded in all passports.
4. Education obligations
Citizenship applicants will have to study Grenada’s culture, politics, and history. This will become one of the mandatory requirements when renewing the passport.
It is not yet known what format the learning will take: IMA Grenada has not specified the duration of the program, how it will be delivered, or how knowledge will be assessed.
5. Passport validity
The first passport will now be issued for 5 years instead of 10.
When renewed, the next passport will be valid for 10 years. To obtain it, investors will need to meet the requirements on residence, biometrics, and completion of the educational module on Grenada.
Lyle Julien,
Investment programs expert
If you are planning to obtain Grenada citizenship by investment, it is advisable to act as soon as possible. Investors who submit their applications before the changes take effect will be able to lock in more favourable terms.
Despite the significance of the upcoming changes, Grenada’s new rules remain more flexible and achievable than those in other jurisdictions.
3 changes that will make Grenada citizenship easier to obtain
Not all of the upcoming changes are about tightening the rules. Some are aimed at simplifying and modernising the program.
1. Simplified proof of investment
To confirm the investment, it will be sufficient to provide proof of payment to the agent or developer. An additional source of funds verification will not be required at this stage.
This change will speed up the process of obtaining a Grenada passport, while the main Due Diligence and source of funds checks will remain in place.
2. Full digitalisation of the process
Grenada will fully automate the issuance of citizenship certificates — from the agent submitting the application to its approval by the Prime Minister. This will help to speed up the process and make it more transparent.
Citizenship certificates will be generated automatically based on the data in the system.
The launch of a digital portal providing access to legislation and amendments is expected next week.
3. New real estate projects
Grenada will launch the Enhanced Local Developer Program, aimed at encouraging more citizens to participate in CBI projects.
The new terms will reduce equity and fee requirements for local developers and provide assistance in creating professional project proposals to meet international standards.
Lyle Julien,
Investment programs expert
Lower capital and fee thresholds for local developers may lead to the emergence of new, more affordable or niche local projects on the Grenada property market. For investors, this means a wider choice of properties in terms of both price and format.
We recommend keeping a close eye on new opportunities in Grenada in order to add promising projects to the investment portfolio.
How to obtain Grenada citizenship by investment?
Grenada offers investors two options to choose from:
-
Make a non-refundable contribution of at least $235,000 to the National Transformation Fund.
-
Purchase a share in a government-approved tourism project for $270,000, where at least two investors together invest $440,000 or more. In all other cases, the minimum real estate investment is $350,000.
Real estate can generate passive rental income for investors of around 4% per annum. The property may be sold and the invested capital recovered after 5 years.
Capital contributed to the fund cannot be recovered.
Together with the main investor, the following family members are eligible to obtain Grenada citizenship:
-
spouse;
-
children up to 30 years of age;
-
parents, grandparents;
-
brothers and sisters.
The process of obtaining a Grenada passport usually takes about 8 months.
Trusted by 5000+ investors
