The Government of Grenada finds it imperative to maintain and preserve the Grenadian Citizenship by Investment (CBI) initiatives. Therefore, visitors and applicants are advised to maintain precaution as the CBI programme is protected by law. 

An application can be made by accepting an invitation. Each individual application is evaluated and approved by the Government of Grenada that requires citizenship aspirants and all associated friends, families, business partners and members to go through a detailed process to confirm eligibility for the programme’s incentives. The diligence and effort put into each application has made the Grenada CBI programme one of the most sought after and rewarding Citizenship programmes in the Caribbean. 

A Brief History of the Award-Winning Citizenship Investment Program (CIP)

Grenada initiated an investment program giving foreigners an opportunity to obtain Grenadian citizenship by (i) investment in property and (ii) investment in development of Grenada sometime in 2007. It further enabled applicants to obtain Grenadian passports in no time through an Act that was passed in 2013. The Grenada Citizenship by Investment Act (No. 15/2013) updated the programme to allow aspirants to obtain passports within just two months. 

Over 1,300 applications from foreign investors have been approved by the Government of Grenada since the programme was first launched. The programme is high on popularity charts and its reputation is only growing. Figures show that the number of CIP applications increased by 300% (an equivalent of 189 applications) between January to June 2017 when compared to the same six-month period last year (62 applications). The rejection rate has also reduced from 13% (8 applications out of 62 were rejected) in the first half of 2016 when compared to the % of rejections in the first half of 2017. Only 8%, i.e., 15 applications out of 189 were rejected in the following year.

It is no wonder that Grenada’s passport programme was recognized for being the “World’s Best Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP)” by the Russian Global Citizen Awards in the year 2016.

Grenadian Citizenship: Comparing Real Estate and Donation Investments

Firstly, both real estate investment and donation are touted as safe routes to invest in citizenship in Grenada. It is incumbent upon the buyer to hold a property in Grenada for 5 years after citizenship. While this may seem restrictive to some, the flip side is stability and security for a while in a new country. Donations for the transformation of Grenada are non-refundable but guarantee a place in the country through law. Benefits of a donation can be seen in the infrastructure and development of Grenada directly, even if an applicant is uncertain how the investment would be useful to him/her. 

Secondly, the amount of investment begins at USD 220,000 for real estate and USD 150,000 for donations. There is a marginal difference between these kinds of investments and it is left up to the applicant to align his/her personal goals with the choices available for citizenship in Grenada. Additional costs may be incurred for administrative purposes while buying real estate in Grenada. 

And thirdly, both the routes are eligible for obtaining an E2 visa for the United States to expand business interests, especially for countries with no bilateral arrangements with the United States. A second passport for Grenada with an E2 visa opens up possibilities of business exchanges and ease of travel restrictions with the United States. 

The real estate route seems to offer more possibilities for those looking to make Grenada their home. Expenditure and investments, however, are the key to the door to a much sought-after citizenship of a beautiful country with bright prospects. However, a non-refundable donation could guarantee more peace of mind and personal security as well. 

The bottom line remains the same. What are you looking for in Grenada and how much can you do to claim its highly attractive citizenship? You can find your home in the lap of beauty and expand your business interests overseas. All you need is to invest in Grenada and enjoy your newly found citizenship.