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Grenada citizenship by investment and the U.S. E-2

Wang Law Firm, LLC · David Wang, Managing Attorney · Attorney-reviewed · Updated October 2026

Information checked: October 2026. Program rules and amounts change often; check the country's current official rules.

Grenada is an Eastern Caribbean island nation that established a Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program in 2013, administered by the Investment Migration Agency Grenada (IMA Grenada). Among the five Caribbean citizenship-by-investment countries, Grenada draws particular attention from investors from non-treaty countries such as China because it is the only one of the five with an E-2 investor treaty with the United States. According to the State Department treaty country list, the U.S.–Grenada E-2 treaty took effect on March 3, 1989 (the E-1 treaty trader visa does not apply to Grenada).

But "buy a Grenadian passport and apply for E-2 right away" stopped working at the end of 2022. U.S. law now requires that a person who acquired treaty-country nationality through a financial investment must have been domiciled in that country continuously for 3 years before applying for an E visa. This article first covers the main rules of the Grenada program, then focuses on what this U.S. law provision means in practice and what evidence is typically needed to establish domicile in Grenada. For a side-by-side comparison of the five countries, see Comparing the five Caribbean citizenship-by-investment programs.

Our firm's role: Wang Law Firm, LLC (Managing Attorney David Wang) provides U.S. immigration legal services only. The firm is not an authorized agent for the Grenada citizenship-by-investment program; it does not sell programs, does not receive program commissions, and does not handle Grenadian citizenship or residence. Grenada applications must be filed through a government-authorized agent and handled by a locally licensed lawyer or authorized agent. Our firm can coordinate documents with them; our work is the later U.S. E-2 planning and application.

1. Program overview

All amounts below are according to 2026 public sources (mainly the official IMA Grenada website); check the Grenadian government's current rules.

Item	National Transformation Fund (NTF) contribution	Government-approved real estate project
Minimum amount	$235,000 (family of up to 4)	The official site lists two tiers, $350,000 and $270,000 ($270,000 generally corresponds to a shared-ownership investment; for when it applies, rely on official sources)
Additional family members	For families of more than 4, each dependent after the third adds $25,000 or $50,000, and each sibling adds $75,000; parents, grandparents and siblings aged 55 and under do not fall under the base amount for a family of 4; for the exact calculation, rely on the official fee schedule	Plus a government fee (listed on the official page as $50,000)
Refundable?	Non-refundable	A real estate investment, but subject to a holding period; whether and at what price it can be resold afterward depends on the project itself
Holding period	Not applicable	According to public sources, it may not be disposed of within 5 years after acquiring citizenship
Main official fees	Application fee, due diligence fee (per person over 17), processing fee, interview fee (per person over 17) and so on, plus passport, oath and other fees; rely on the current official fee schedule

1. National Transformation Fund contribution

The National Transformation Fund (NTF) is a fund the Grenadian government uses for economic projects. According to 2026 public sources, the contribution for a family of up to 4 is $235,000 and is non-refundable. The official page also notes that NTF applicants may choose to apply for permanent residence first and for citizenship later.

The contribution route has the advantage of a simple structure with no property holding or resale issues; the downside is that the money cannot be recovered. From the U.S. E-2 perspective, this contribution has nothing to do with a future investment in the United States and cannot count toward the E-2 investment.

2. Government-approved real estate projects

The real estate route allows purchases only in government-approved projects (Section 11 projects), mostly hotel and resort developments. According to 2026 public sources, the official minimum amounts are listed in two tiers, $350,000 and $270,000 (the latter generally referring to a shared-ownership investment), plus a government fee.

As for the holding period, according to the public text of Grenada's Citizenship by Investment Act as amended, a person who acquires citizenship through a real estate investment may not dispose of the investment within 5 years of acquiring citizenship; if the seller acquired citizenship through the same property, the buyer can use that property for an application only after that 5-year period ends.

Take particular note: the IMA Grenada website also lists projects whose approval has been revoked. The risks of the real estate route lie mainly in the project itself — whether construction will be completed, whether operating returns match the marketing, and whether you can find a buyer after 5 years. None of these is guaranteed by the government, and an independent local lawyer should conduct due diligence.

2. Eligible family members

Grenada's definition of family members is relatively broad among the five Caribbean countries. Under the definition of "dependant" in the public text of Grenada's Citizenship by Investment Act and its amendments, those who can usually apply together with the main applicant include:

Spouse;
Children under 18;
Children aged 18 or older and under 30, who must be supported by the main applicant or spouse;
Parents and grandparents (of the main applicant or spouse): the law sets separate rules for those over 55 and those 55 and under, and they must be supported by the main applicant or spouse; the contribution amount is higher for those 55 and under;
Siblings (biological or adopted): must be at least 18, single and without children.

These definitions come from the statutory text; the official website and various agents' materials do not describe them in exactly the same way, and there are specific requirements for proving "support." Whether a particular family member can be included should be based on Grenada's current law and the authorized agent's written opinion.

Another often overlooked point: Grenada's family member coverage is much broader than the U.S. E-2's. E-2 dependents are limited to a spouse and unmarried children under 21. Parents, siblings and children over 21 cannot accompany you as E-2 dependents even if they obtain Grenadian nationality; each needs a separate basis for a U.S. visa.

3. Interviews and due diligence

Interview: The IMA Grenada website states that an interview is mandatory, with the interview fee charged per person over 17. An amendment considered by the Grenadian Parliament in 2026 would require interviews for applicants and dependents aged 18 and over, and as young as 12 for dependents with due diligence concerns.
Due diligence: The government conducts a background check on every application; the results go to the Citizenship by Investment Committee, which makes a recommendation, and the responsible minister makes the final decision.
Document requirements: Documents must be in English or accompanied by an English translation and properly certified, including a police clearance certificate, a medical certificate, proof of source of funds and so on. For translating and certifying Chinese-language documents, you can refer to the general principles in Translation requirements, but Grenada's specific requirements are whatever the authorized agent tells you.

4. Application process

According to the IMA Grenada website, the process is roughly as follows (specific arrangements may differ between agents):

Choose an authorized agent. Applicants must enter the process through an Authorised International Marketing Agent, with the application filed by an Authorised Local Agent; you cannot file directly with the government.
Prepare documents. Complete the official forms, get a medical exam and prepare certified documents; for the real estate route, sign a purchase agreement to reserve a unit.
File. The local agent files with the Executive Office of the Citizenship by Investment Committee and handles follow-up communications.
Review and decision. Due diligence and interview; the committee makes a recommendation and the minister decides.
Payment and certificate. After approval, complete the contribution or property purchase, obtain the certificate of registration as a citizen, and then apply for a passport.

Processing times vary widely between countries, and this article makes no commitment about timing.

5. The new 30-day residence rule and passport validity

In September 2025, Grenada and the other four citizenship-by-investment countries signed an agreement establishing a regional regulator, ECCIRA, headquartered in Grenada. To implement the agreement, the Grenadian Parliament considered a Citizenship by Investment (Amendment) Bill in July 2026, whose main provisions include:

In the first 5 calendar years after naturalization, the family must spend a combined 30 days physically in Grenada; several people present on the same day count as 1 day;
Each person included in the application must spend at least 5 days there within the first 12 months after naturalization;
A mandatory accompanying "integration program";
The first passport is valid for 5 years, and a 10-year passport is issued only after certification that the residence and integration requirements have been met; failure to meet them without a reasonable excuse may trigger revocation proceedings;
The minister may decide to apply the new rules to applications still pending.

Current status: The requirement was originally set to begin on August 31, 2026, but IMA Grenada Notice No. 2 of 2026 announced a postponement until the regional regulator is actually operating and the participating countries jointly set a start date. As of the date checked, we found no new start date and no announcement that the amendment has formally taken effect.

These 30 days are a condition for keeping Grenadian nationality and renewing the passport; they are a separate matter from the U.S. E-2 3-year continuous domicile requirement, explained in detail below.

6. Connecting to the U.S. E-2: the 3-year continuous domicile requirement

1. What the statute says

Section 5902 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117-263), signed December 23, 2022, incorporated the AMIGOS Act and amended section 101(a)(15)(E) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The amended provision states that for a foreign national who acquired the relevant nationality through a financial investment and has never previously been granted E status, the country on which their E visa is based must be a country of which they are a national and in which they "have been domiciled for a continuous period of not less than 3 years at any point before applying for" an E nonimmigrant visa.

Broken down, the key points are:

Who it applies to: People who acquired nationality through a financial investment. Naturalizing through Grenada's CBI clearly falls into this category; people who acquired nationality by birth, descent and so on are not covered.
Exception: People who have previously been granted E status are not covered.
"Continuous" 3 years: The statute requires continuous, not cumulative, time. Neither the law nor public guidance says how long or what kind of absence breaks continuity, so long absences carry risk.
"Domiciled," not "visiting": Domicile usually means a person's genuine, settled, principal place of life, with the intent to remain there long term. This is a much higher standard than "having a residence" or "having visited several times."
"At any point before applying": The statute does not require the 3 years to immediately precede the application, nor does it say clearly whether residence before acquiring nationality counts. Lawyers read these questions differently, and they need case-by-case analysis.

The State Department has implementation guidance for E visas in the Foreign Affairs Manual (9 FAM 402.9), but as of the date checked the public text still says little about the specific standards for finding domicile, and consular officers will decide based on the evidence in each case. Actual practice follows the State Department's current guidance.

2. What it means in practice

For an investor currently living and working in China, for example, this provision means that after obtaining a Grenadian passport, you would need to genuinely move the center of your life to Grenada and live there continuously for at least 3 years before you could apply for E-2 as a Grenadian national. Holding a Grenadian passport while still living in China or another country — even if you visit Grenada several times a year or have bought property there — will usually not be considered domicile.

Several related situations need case-by-case analysis:

People who had lived in Grenada long term for many years before naturalizing through investment;
How the rule applies when a spouse and children accompany you as E-2 dependents;
People applying for E-2 employee status as Grenadian nationals;
Cases where you first obtain residence in another country and then naturalize (for example, the European or Panama routes); see Applying for E-2 through a third-country nationality.

3. Common evidence of domicile in Grenada

The law does not list a fixed set of evidence. Based on the general understanding of domicile and practice, the following materials usually help show that you genuinely live in Grenada:

Housing: A long-term lease or property registration, with utility and internet bills in your own name;
Entry and exit records: Passport entry and exit stamps and flight records showing continuous life there, with short absences that have reasonable explanations;
Local bank account: With everyday income and spending, not just an empty account;
Work or business: Local employment, a business license, business records; work permits or related registrations obtained under local law;
Tax and social insurance: Tax registration and tax returns under Grenadian law, and social insurance contribution records where applicable;
Family life: Records of children's enrollment in local schools, proof that family members live with you, medical registration;
Social ties: A local driver's license, involvement in community, religious or charitable activities;
Relationship to your former place of residence: Evidence that it is no longer the center of your life, such as moving your belongings or ending the lease on your former home.

These materials should be records that arise naturally from real life. Fabricating or "packaging" residence evidence is misrepresentation; it can lead to an E-2 refusal and may cause the applicant to be found permanently inadmissible for seeking a visa by fraud. For local Grenadian law questions such as tax, labor and residence, please consult a lawyer licensed in Grenada.

4. The E-2's own requirements still apply

Meeting the 3-year residence requirement only "gets you in the door"; the other E-2 requirements apply as usual: at least 50% of the U.S. business must be owned by Grenadian nationals, the investment must be "substantial" and at risk, the business cannot be marginal, the applicant must develop and direct the business, and the funds must come from lawful, traceable sources. See the E-2 hub and E-2 business plan. For E-2 visa validity, fees and processing times, check the State Department's current announcements.

7. A timeline measured in years (illustrative)

Stage	Main tasks	Who handles it
Before deciding	U.S. E-2 feasibility assessment: industry, amount, source of funds, family arrangements, what 3 years of residence means for you	U.S. immigration attorney
Citizenship application	Choosing an authorized agent, due diligence, interview, contribution or property purchase, acquiring nationality	Grenada authorized agent, local lawyer
Living in Grenada	Completing local residence, work, tax and other formalities; living there continuously for at least 3 years while keeping evidence	The applicant, Grenadian local lawyer
Preparing the U.S. business	Business plan, forming or acquiring a company, actually committing the funds	U.S. immigration attorney, business lawyer, accountant
E-2 application	DS-160, filing documents, consular interview	U.S. immigration attorney

The length of each stage varies by person; this article makes no commitment about timing.

8. Main risks

Policy changes: U.S. E visa rules, Schengen visa-free access (the EU, citing visa-free treatment, has called on Caribbean citizenship-by-investment countries to phase out their programs; according to a letter made public by the government of Antigua and Barbuda, the deadline is June 2028), and the new regional residence rules may all change while your case is in progress. Grenada is not listed in U.S. Proclamation 10998, but the State Department may adjust its policies, so keep monitoring.
Retroactive application of new rules: Grenada's amendment bill would allow the minister to apply the residence requirement to pending applications; specific transition arrangements have not been published.
Real estate project risk: A project's approval may be revoked, construction may be delayed, and resale after 5 years may be difficult.
Revocation of nationality: Misrepresentation in the application, or later failure to meet legal conditions, may lead to revocation of nationality and passport.
Being unable to actually complete the "3 years": If your family, work and children's education can't really move to Grenada, you ultimately won't meet the U.S. domicile requirement and the E-2 goal falls through.
Chinese nationality: Article 3 of the Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China provides that "the People's Republic of China does not recognize dual nationality for any Chinese national"; Article 9 provides that "any Chinese national who has settled abroad and who has been naturalized as a foreign national or has acquired foreign nationality of his own free will shall automatically lose Chinese nationality." Acquiring foreign nationality may affect your household registration (hukou), use of a Chinese passport, assets in China, inheritance and other matters; we recommend consulting a professional in Chinese law before deciding.
Unauthorized intermediaries: The government states clearly that applications may be made only through authorized agents. Be very wary of quotes well below the official minimum or requests to pay money into non-official accounts.

Frequently asked questions

What's the minimum cost of Grenada citizenship by investment?

According to 2026 public sources, the National Transformation Fund contribution is $235,000 for a family of up to 4; government-approved real estate projects are $270,000 (shared ownership) or $350,000, plus a government fee. There are also due diligence, application, processing, interview and other fees. Check the Grenadian government's current rules.

Can I apply for E-1 as a Grenadian national?

No. According to the State Department treaty country list, Grenada qualifies only for the E-2 investor visa, not the E-1 trader visa.

How soon after getting a Grenadian passport can I apply for E-2?

People who acquired nationality through investment and have never been granted E status must be domiciled in Grenada continuously for at least 3 years before applying. These 3 years require a genuine center of life, not years of holding the passport. Whether residence before acquiring nationality counts requires case-by-case analysis.

If I meet Grenada's 30-day residence requirement, does that count toward the U.S. 3 years?

No. The 30 days are Grenada's condition for keeping nationality and renewing the passport (currently postponed); the U.S. requires 3 continuous years with Grenada as the center of your life. One does not substitute for the other in any way.

If my parents and siblings get Grenadian nationality, can they come to the U.S. with me?

Not as E-2 dependents. E-2 dependents include only a spouse and unmarried children under 21. Parents and siblings who want to come to the U.S. must each qualify under another visa category, such as a B-1/B-2 visitor visa.

Can the Grenada contribution count toward the E-2 investment?

No. The E-2 investment means funds put into a U.S. business and at risk. The citizenship contribution or money spent on Grenadian property has nothing to do with a U.S. business.

Can you recommend a Grenada authorized agent? Can you handle the citizenship application for me?

Our firm is not an authorized agent for the Grenada citizenship-by-investment program, does not handle citizenship applications, and does not receive program commissions. The IMA Grenada website publishes relevant information, and you can verify an authorized agent's credentials yourself. Once you have engaged an authorized agent or local lawyer on your own, we can advise on the U.S. E-2 side and coordinate documents.

Can E-2 lead to a green card?

E-2 is a nonimmigrant visa and cannot convert directly into a green card. If your long-term goal is a green card, we can discuss paths such as EB-5 during the assessment.