grenada e2 visa
Grenada citizenship and the US E-2 visa
Grenada is the only Caribbean citizenship by investment country that holds a US E-2 treaty, which is why investors pair a Grenadian passport with a plan to run a business in the United States. But the E-2 visa is a separate, non-automatic application with its own rules, and Grenada expects a period of domicile before you qualify.
Why Grenada is linked to the E-2 visa
The United States runs an E-2 treaty investor visa for nationals of countries that hold a qualifying treaty with the US. Grenada has held such a treaty since 1989, and it is the only Caribbean citizenship by investment country on the E-2 treaty list. St Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and St Lucia do not have an E-2 treaty.
This is the whole reason Grenada is marketed to entrepreneurs who want to live in the US by running a business there. A Grenadian passport can make you eligible to apply for the E-2, which most CBI passports cannot.
Step 1: the Grenada citizenship cost
Grenada offers two routes. The National Transformation Fund (NTF) donation starts around 235,000 US dollars for a family of up to four, with roughly 25,000 US dollars for each additional dependent. The real estate route starts around 270,000 US dollars for a qualifying fractional share, or about 350,000 US dollars for sole ownership, with a five-year holding period.
On top of the qualifying amount you should budget for due diligence, government, processing, and professional fees. As always, treat these as planning ranges and ask a licensed agent to quote your exact file against current official figures.
Step 2: the domicile requirement most guides skip
Becoming a Grenadian citizen does not make you E-2 eligible overnight. In practice, applicants are generally expected to establish and maintain domicile in Grenada for a continuous period, commonly cited as about three years, before using the passport for an E-2 application.
This detail is easy to miss in marketing material, and it changes the timeline significantly. If your plan depends on the E-2, factor the domicile period into your schedule and confirm the current expectation with qualified US immigration counsel.
Step 3: what an E-2 investment actually requires
The E-2 is not bought with the passport. It requires a substantial, at-risk investment in a real, operating US business that you direct and develop. There is no fixed statutory minimum, but the investment must be sufficient to establish or run the enterprise, and it cannot be a passive or marginal venture.
The E-2 is a non-immigrant visa, not a green card. It can be renewed while the business qualifies, but it does not by itself grant permanent residence. Treat the Grenada passport as a key that lets you knock on the E-2 door, not as approval.
Cost and caveats to plan for
Budget for two separate costs: the Grenada citizenship investment and fees, and then the US business capital, legal fees, and business-plan work for the E-2 itself. These are independent, and the second is usually the larger commitment.
No advisor can guarantee E-2 approval, a timeline, or a route to a green card. Verify the treaty status and E-2 rules on official US government sources, verify Grenada's programme details with the Investment Migration Agency, and take qualified US immigration advice before relying on this pathway.
Common questions
Is Grenada the only Caribbean country with a US E-2 treaty?
Among the Caribbean citizenship by investment countries, yes. Grenada holds an E-2 treaty; St Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and St Lucia do not.
Does a Grenada passport automatically give me an E-2 visa?
No. The passport can make you eligible to apply. The E-2 is a separate application with its own investment and business requirements, and approval is decided by US authorities.
How long must I hold Grenada citizenship before applying for an E-2?
Applicants are generally expected to maintain domicile in Grenada for a continuous period, commonly cited as about three years, before using the passport for an E-2. Confirm the current expectation with US immigration counsel.
How much does the Grenada citizenship cost?
The NTF donation starts around 235,000 US dollars for a family of up to four, and the real estate route starts around 270,000 US dollars for a qualifying share, plus due diligence, government, and professional fees.
How much do I need to invest for the E-2 itself?
There is no fixed minimum, but the investment must be substantial and sufficient to run a real US business. It is separate from, and usually larger than, the Grenada citizenship cost.
Is the E-2 a green card?
No. The E-2 is a non-immigrant visa that can be renewed while the business qualifies. It does not by itself grant US permanent residence.
Official sources to verify
- Citizenship by InvestmentGrenada Citizenship by Investment Unit
- Investment Migration Agency (IMA) GrenadaGovernment of Grenada
- E-2 Treaty InvestorsU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
- Treaty Trader and Treaty Investor VisasU.S. Department of State
- Treaty CountriesU.S. Department of State
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