History
Grenada joined the Caribbean CBI club later than its neighbours: the current program runs under a 2013 act. It carved out a special place thanks to one detail — the investment treaty with the United States (E-2 treaty), in force since 1989. No other Caribbean program has it, and it defines what the Grenadian passport is most often bought for: access to the American investor visa. The second trump card is visa-free China — also unique in this combination for the region. In 2026 Grenada added a third distinction: St George's hosts the headquarters of the regional regulator ECCIRA.
Investment Options
Two routes, plus an invitation-only track. The non-refundable contribution to the National Transformation Fund (NTF) — from US$235,000 for an applicant or a family of up to four; each further dependant from +$25,000 (up to $50,000–75,000 for parents and siblings). Real estate — from $270,000 as a co-investment in an approved project plus a $50,000 government fee; the property is held five years, and its "CBI status" can pass to the next buyer only after that period. Since 2026 there is also an invitation-only route for large capital (in partnership with Arton Capital) with a 3–4-month fast track for investors in priority sectors.
Fees and the All-In Cost
Grenada's fixed fees are among the region's most transparent: application $1,500 per adult ($500 per child), processing $1,500/$500, due diligence $5,000 per person 17+, passport $350/$250, oath $500 each. All-in, a single NTF applicant lands around $244,000, a family of four — about $255,000 plus professional support. Filing goes through a licensed agent only.
Family
The family scope is broad: spouse, dependent children under 30, parents and grandparents of any age if financially dependent, and unmarried, childless siblings 18+. Newborns are added post-approval for a modest fee.
Process and 2026 Timelines
The industry-measured average is about 7 months (range 4–9). The interview is mandatory for everyone 17+, conducted remotely; biometrics are being introduced under the regional rules. The statistics are telling: in 2024 the program processed a record 1,676 files while new applications fell 81% — and by late 2025 intake had recovered (+122% in a quarter), with the rejection rate rising to ~14% against a historical 8%. Vetting has hardened — a clean source of funds decides the outcome more than ever.
The US E-2 Visa
Grenada is the only Caribbean CBI country with a live E-2 treaty with the US (1989). The E-2 visa lets you live in the States and run your own business there for as long as the investment operates, without a separate immigrant status. Historically the Grenadian passport opened the E-2 path almost immediately — the rules are stricter now: under NDAA FY2023, citizens who acquired nationality by investment must have been domiciled in the treaty country for at least three years before applying, and domicile is judged by real ties rather than day counts. The "passport → E-2" route still works, but it is planned with a time buffer and genuine presence in Grenada. The current treaty-country list is maintained by the US State Department.
Equally important is what did not happen to Grenada: the US proclamation of 16 December 2025 (partial visa restrictions over CBI) covered Antigua and Dominica — Grenada stayed off the list and kept ten-year B1/B2 visitor visas.
The Regional Regulator (ECCIRA)
In 2024 the five agreed the $200,000 floor, mandatory interviews and reinforced vetting; in September 2025 the ECCIRA agreement was signed, with headquarters in Grenada's St George's. The authority becomes operational 30 days after the fifth ratification — which, as of July 2026, is still missing (St Lucia's), so the agreed 30-days-in-five-years presence requirement is not yet in force. Once ECCIRA launches, Grenada as host country sits at the centre of the new oversight: common due-diligence standards, escrow, a shared denials database.
Taxes in Grenada
Grenada runs a territorial system: foreign-source income is not taxed; only income earned inside the country is. There is no capital gains, inheritance or wealth tax. Tax residency arises after 183 days of presence; citizenship alone does not create it.
Visa-Free Access
Per the Henley 2026 index the Grenadian passport ranks 27th with about 147 destinations: the UK (with ETA), Schengen (ETIAS from late 2026), China (30 days), Hong Kong, Singapore and Russia. The blend of Western and Asian markets is rare for the Caribbean. The systemic risk is shared: since 30 December 2025 a CBI program is formal grounds for suspending Schengen visa-free access, and in June 2026 the European Commission proposed the five wind down their programs by 1 June 2028. For a second passport as insurance that is an argument against building all mobility on a single document.
Typical Mistakes
- Planning E-2 "right after the passport". Three years of Grenadian domicile is the real-world requirement after NDAA FY2023; the route is built in advance.
- Budgeting without the fees. Application, processing, DD, oath and passport add ~$9,000–20,000 to the headline depending on family size.
- Buying CBI real estate as an investment — the five-year lock-up, the $50,000 government fee and the thin secondary market make it the price of a passport.
- Underestimating the tightening: rejections are up to ~14%, the interview is mandatory from 17, and source-of-funds checks run deep.
- Ignoring the US tax side of an E-2 relocation — US residency means worldwide taxation.
Place in the Flag System
In the Five Flags system this is Flag 1 — citizenship and the second passport — with a visible extension toward Flag 5: E-2 opens legal presence in the US. The passport does not affect tax residency by itself, but moving to the States on E-2 does engage American tax rules — those are calculated in advance.
Primary Sources
This material is prepared for educational purposes and reflects an expert overview, not individual advice. Thresholds, fees and requirements change — verify current rules before applying and engage legal support if necessary.