Grenada is a pretty unique citizenship by investment program in the island. What makes Grenada different standing out from other CBI programs in the Caribbean?
The Grenada Citizenship by Investment (GCBI)
The Caribbean island of Grenada introduced its Grenada Citizenship by Investment Programme by the passing of the Citizenship by Investment Act 15 of 2013. The Grenadian citizen by investment scheme requires USD 150,000 (donation) or USD 200,000 (real estate) investments to be granted fast track citizenship to qualifying applicants and their family members.
Grenada received a surge in applications received for real estate during Covid. It was also a highly successful and most popular CBI program unaffected by Coronavirus pandemic. Close to 4000 passports issued by Grenada for CBI investors.
Take a look at the exclusive benefits by becoming a citizen of Grenada.
1. Grenada History
About 38 million years ago, in the Eocene era, the area of what is nowadays Grenada emerged from a shallow sea as a submarine volcano. Today, volcanic activity has been non-existent, except for some of its hot springs. The earliest human settlement in Grenada goes back to beginning ~3600 BC
In 1498, Christopher Columbus sighted Grenada and named it “La Concepción” in honour of the Virgin Mary. The origin of the name “Grenada” is unknown, but it is likely that Spanish sailors named the island for the Andalusian city of Granada
2. Isle of Spice
Grenada is also known as the “Island of Spice” due to its production of nutmeg and mace crops. The island has an array of spices, including cinnamon, cloves, turmeric and saffron.
3. The American Dream
The combination of Grenada citizenship + E-2 visa is a perfect model to realize your american dream (work, live and settle in America).
Grenada has E-2 investment visa treaty with United States. E-2 visas are cheaper, faster and easier to apply compared to the EB-5 immigrant investor program ($900K)
To qualify for E-2 visa, first you must be a national of a country which has a treaty. Here is a list of countries that have no E-2 treaty with United States.
First you become a citizen of Grenada, then apply for E-2 visa to US from any US consulate where you live. You should be looking at $150,000 plus fees for Grenada citizenship and on top of that invest $100,000 in US businesses to move to America. This is way cheaper option compared to $900,000 EB-5 investment. The whole process can be completed within 8 months without making any trip to Grenada.
You should not confuse between EB-5 and E-2 visa programs. The EB-5 is a ‘Golden visa’ permanent resident program which leads to direct Green card, whereas the E-2 visa program is a ‘investor visa’ program (non-immigrant visa)
4. China
Grenada and China have mutual visa waiver agreement signed between two countries. This important agreement was signed on 2015 to allow free movement of nationals of both countries for short stays.
It is important to that Grenada is the only CBI program has this visa waiver perk with China (no other Caribbean CIP has this)
The friendly relations between the People’s Republic of China and Grenada grew steadily since 2013. The two countries maintained high-level exchanges and deepened political mutual trust. Grenada has mutual treaty on criminal cooperation and extraditions. Both countries have diplomatic representations.
5. Commonwealth
Grenada joined the Commonwealth in 1974 and is the most southerly of the Windwards in the Eastern Caribbean. Grenadian citizens are also commonwealth citizens
6. Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
Grenada is a part of Caribbean community of member states, issues Caricom passports to its citizens, who benefit from free movement with the states.
7. Diplomatic Representations
Grenada has good list of embassies and consulates worldwide (Europe, UAE, USA, UK), to serve its citizens providing consular services.
8. Real Estate
The Real estate market in Grenada has grown steadily over the years due to increase in increase in international visitors and cruise ship arrivals. The CBI program has also contributed to the demand for investments in five star hotels and resorts.
9. A Complete CBI Program
The Grenadian Citizenship by investment is a complete citizenship package. It comes with all citizen benefits, voting rights, work for government or public offices and engage in political affairs. The citizenship can also passed down to all family generations. You will not find this with other CBI programs in the Caribbean. There is no business citizenship by investment scheme in Grenada.
This make Grenada most trusted and highly respected CBI in the World.
10. Permanent Residence Card
Grenada also offers permanent residence document, along with passport and citizenship certificate for an additional fee. This is another unique benefit with Grenada, not available with other CBI programs.
11. No.1 CBI program for 2020
Grenada scored first spot in Best citizenship by investment for 2020. Our PBS scoring model looked into 30 important CBI benefits such as pricing, citizenship and passport benefits, considered by clients to rank Grenada in the top spot.
12. Education
Grenada has excellent schools and world famous St George university for medicine. Education in Grenada is free and compulsory between the ages of 6 and 14 years.
The St George university founded in 1976 is a top medical school of international education, drawing students and faculty from 140 countries to the island of Grenada. The University’s over 22,000 graduates include physicians, veterinarians, scientists, and public health and business professionals across the world.
13. Powerful Passport
Grenada passport is a respected and powerful passports in the Caribbean. Holders of Grenadian passport can enjoy visa free travel to United Kingdom, Schengen Area, Russia, China, Indonesia, Brazil, Israel, Serbia, South Korea etc. (144 countries and territories).
The full list of countries is available here
14. Flight connections
Grenada is an important flight hub in the Caribbean for international airlines, connecting to US, UK, Canada and UK mainlands. The borders are open during Covid with quarantine conditions.
- JetBlue Airways operates a daily non-stop service from JFK, New York.
- American Airlines operates a daily non-stop service from Miami.
- Delta Air Lines operates a weekly non-stop service from Atlanta.
- Caribbean Airlines: Toronto connecting through Trinidad.
- British Airways and Virgin Atlantic offer twice-weekly direct flights from London, Gatwick Airport.
- Air Canada Vacations operates a twice-weekly non-stop service from Toronto to Grenada.
- Condor operates a non-stop weekly flight from Frankfurt Germany to Grenada in the Winter season.
15. Family Friendly
Grenada’s Citizenship by Investment Programme allows an applicant to include his/her spouse; biological or adopted children under age 30; parents/grandparents of any age; and biological or adopted sibling(s), who are 18 years or older, childless, and single — of both the applicant and the spouse — all on one application.
Children on family applications must be less than 30 years old, unless they are physically or mentally challenged, living with and fully supported by the main applicant, or his or her spouse.
Children of the main applicant and his/her spouse, who come from previous relationships or marriages can be included on family applications. However, whenever a child from a previous marriage is under age 18, an affidavit of consent from the ex-spouse, as well as a notarised copy of a photo ID from the ex-spouse is required for the child to be processed for citizenship.
Grenada does not recognise polygamous marriages and married or gainfully employed children cannot be included,
Parents/grandparents of any age can be included on family applications.
16. Application Forms
The Sample format of application forms are freely available for download, so that you can familiarize yourself with the application process and documentation. You will need to make important declarations in the application disclosing all information.
17. Licensed Agents
Grenada Government has appointed two layers of licensed agents (authorized agents and marketing agents) to accept applications. The local authorized agent can only submit application directly to CBI unit by quoting the marketing agent. The client files must pass through marketing agent to local agent and then to CBI unit.
Grenada might be your lucky fortune cookie for 2021.
