Grenada Citizenship by Investment: US E-2 Treaty Access

Grenada's citizenship by investment programme occupies a unique position in the investment migration market. It is the only Caribbean CBI programme whose citizens have access to the United States E-2 investor visa treaty. For entrepreneurs and investors who need to live and work in the US without the EB-5's USD 1,050,000 threshold and multi-year processing, the Grenada-E-2 pathway is a compelling alternative.

The E-2 Treaty Advantage

The US E-2 Treaty Investor Visa allows nationals of treaty countries to enter the United States to direct and develop a business in which they have invested a substantial amount of capital. Key features:

• No minimum investment threshold defined by law, though USD 100,000-200,000 is the practical minimum that consulates accept
• Visa validity: Up to 5 years, indefinitely renewable as long as the business continues operating
• Work authorisation: The principal investor and spouse receive work permits
• Dependent children: May attend school in the US
• No path to green card directly, but E-2 holders can transition to other visa categories

The E-2 is not available to nationals of most high-population countries — notably China, India, Brazil, and Russia have no E-2 treaty with the US. For nationals of these countries, Grenadian citizenship opens a door that is otherwise closed.

Programme Structure

Grenada's CBI programme was launched in 2013 under the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Act, No. 15 of 2013. It is administered by the Citizenship by Investment Committee (CBIC).

National Transformation Fund (NTF)

• Single applicant: USD 235,000
• Applicant with spouse: USD 270,000
• Family of four: USD 305,000
• Each additional dependant: USD 25,000 (under 18) or USD 50,000 (18+)

Real Estate Investment

• Minimum investment: USD 270,000 in an approved project (held for 5 years)
• Government fees: USD 50,000 (single), USD 75,000 (family of up to four)
• Approved projects include: hotels, resorts, and tourism developments approved by the CBIC

Total Costs (NTF Route, Single Applicant)

Item	Cost
NTF contribution	USD 235,000
Due diligence fee	USD 5,000
Processing fee	USD 1,500
Passport fee	USD 250
Legal/advisory fees	USD 15,000-25,000
Total	USD 256,750-266,750

Total Costs (NTF Route, Family of Four)

Item	Cost
NTF contribution	USD 305,000
Due diligence fees	USD 14,000
Processing fees	USD 6,000
Passport fees	USD 1,000
Legal/advisory fees	USD 20,000-30,000
Total	USD 346,000-356,000

E-2 Visa Process After Grenadian Citizenship

Obtaining Grenadian citizenship through CBI is only the first step. The E-2 application is a separate process:

1. Obtain Grenadian passport through CBI (4-6 months)
2. Establish or acquire a US business with a substantial capital investment
3. Prepare E-2 application including business plan, proof of investment, and supporting documentation
4. Apply at US Embassy in Grenada (or another US consulate where Grenadian nationals can apply)
5. Interview and adjudication: Typically 2-4 weeks for a decision

The total timeline from CBI application to E-2 visa issuance is typically 8-14 months.

E-2 Application Requirements

• Substantial investment: No statutory minimum, but USD 100,000+ is typical; some consulates expect USD 200,000+
• Investment must be at risk: Funds must be committed to the business and subject to commercial risk
• Active business: The enterprise must be operational or about to commence operations
• Marginal enterprise test: The business must have the capacity to generate income beyond providing a minimal living for the investor
• Investor must direct and develop: The investor must play an active management role

Visa-Free Travel

A Grenadian passport provides access to 148+ countries, including:

• United Kingdom: Visa-free for 6 months
• Schengen Area: Visa-free for 90 days within 180 days
• China: Visa-free for 30 days (one of very few Caribbean passports with Chinese access)
• Singapore: Visa-free for 30 days
• Hong Kong: Visa-free for 90 days
• Russia: Visa-free for 90 days

The China visa-free access is a notable differentiator from other Caribbean programmes.

Due Diligence

Grenada's due diligence process is thorough:

• International criminal database checks
• Sanctions screening (OFAC, EU, UN)
• Third-party verification by independent firms
• Source of funds documentation review
• PEP screening with enhanced scrutiny
• Verification with home country authorities where necessary

The programme maintains a significant rejection rate, reflecting rigorous vetting standards.

Processing Timeline

Standard processing takes 4-6 months:

1. Application preparation: 2-4 weeks
2. CBIC review and due diligence: 8-16 weeks
3. Approval decision: 1-2 weeks
4. Passport issuance: 2-4 weeks after approval and payment

There is no formal accelerated processing option, though well-prepared applications at the lower complexity end may process faster.

Eligible Dependants

• Spouse
• Children under 30 (financially dependent)
• Parents and grandparents over 55 (financially dependent)
• Siblings under 18 (unmarried, childless, financially dependent)

Tax Environment

Grenada does not impose:

• Tax on worldwide income for non-residents
• Capital gains tax
• Wealth tax
• Inheritance tax

Grenada does have a personal income tax for residents (up to 30%) and a corporate tax rate of 28%. However, CBI citizens who do not reside in Grenada and do not earn Grenadian-source income face no tax obligations.

Physical Residency

There is no physical residency requirement. Applicants need not visit Grenada before, during, or after obtaining citizenship. The oath of allegiance can be administered at a Grenadian consulate.

Grenada vs Turkey for US E-2 Access

Both Grenada and Turkey offer E-2 treaty access, but through different investment mechanisms:

Feature	Grenada	Turkey
CBI investment	USD 235,000 (NTF)	USD 400,000 (real estate)
CBI processing	4-6 months	3-6 months
Passport strength	148+ countries	110+ countries
UK visa-free	Yes	No
Schengen visa-free	Yes	No
China visa-free	Yes	No
E-2 treaty	Yes	Yes

For most applicants, Grenada offers superior overall value: lower investment, stronger passport, and better visa-free access.

Strategic Use Cases

Chinese Nationals Seeking US Access

Chinese nationals cannot apply for US E-2 visas. By obtaining Grenadian citizenship, they gain both E-2 access and visa-free entry to China (as Chinese nationals retain the right to enter China regardless of additional citizenships — though China does not formally recognise dual nationality).

Indian Entrepreneurs

Indian nationals also lack E-2 access. Grenadian citizenship provides a pathway to establish and manage US businesses without the EB-5 requirement.

Middle Eastern and CIS Investors

Nationals of countries with restricted travel access gain Schengen, UK, China, and US (via E-2) access through a single Grenadian passport.

Key Takeaways

• Grenada is the only Caribbean CBI programme offering US E-2 investor visa treaty access — a unique and highly valuable feature
• The NTF contribution of USD 235,000 (single applicant) is competitively priced for the access it provides
• The E-2 visa allows investors to live and work in the US on a renewable basis, without the EB-5's USD 1,050,000 threshold
• Grenada also offers visa-free access to China — unusual among Caribbean CBI passports
• Processing takes 4-6 months with no accelerated option
• The combined Grenada CBI + US E-2 pathway typically takes 8-14 months from initial application to US visa issuance
• For nationals of countries without US E-2 treaties (China, India, Russia, Brazil), Grenadian citizenship provides access that cannot be obtained any other way at this price point