Grenada’s Evolving Citizenship by Investment Program

Grenada CBI is set to evolve through a region-wide reform effort with other Eastern Caribbean nations. With Americans comprising a large portion of recent applicants to the Caribbean CBI programs, the region’s ongoing reforms carry particular importance for U.S. citizens.

As Grenada prepares to sign onto this new framework, one constant remains for investors: the continued opportunity to participate in prime real estate projects in Grenada. The real estate route will remain a qualifying investment option under the Grenada CBI program. Many investors choose this path not just for its CBI eligibility, but for the long-term benefits of owning property in a growing Caribbean market. 

Under the new reform, Grenada joins Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Lucia in a harmonised approach to Citizenship by Investment (CBI). This agreement, spearheaded by the creation of the Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority, is designed to make the region's programs more credible, consistent, and transparent and protect their long-term viability amid international pressure and scrutiny.

While investment thresholds are not changing under the reform, some of the applicants’ obligations will become more robust. For instance, successful applicants will be required to spend a minimum of 30 days in Grenada within the first five years of obtaining citizenship. This new requirement strengthens the idea of a genuine link between citizens and country.

New citizens will also be required to participate in cultural orientation and civic education initiatives to build familiarity with Grenadian society. An interview—either face-to-face or via video—will also form part of the CBI process. Grenada already requires interviews in many cases, so this aspect is more of a formal alignment.

Passport validity will also be conditional under the new framework. Initial Grenadian passports issued to CBI recipients will be valid for five years, with renewal tied to compliance with all post-approval obligations. Depending on the discretion of local authorities, not holding these obligations could lead to a penalty of up to 10% of the investment or even citizenship revocation.

Real estate developers stand to be directly affected by the new governance structure. Under Regulatory Authority oversight, developers must pre-qualify to offer CBI-eligible projects. This pre-qualification includes licensing, routine inspections, and strict compliance protocols. Regulatory Authority can potentially revoke developer licenses for misconduct and issue enforceable directives to maintain program integrity.

The goal of these changes is to ensure that only reputable developers with a proven track record participate in the CBI process and adds an extra layer of confidence for investors. It reduces the risk of involvement in substandard or non-compliant projects and protects the value of the property they purchase.

A regional database of applicants will also be introduced under the reform. This centralised system will prevent rejected applicants from applying in another country, a loophole that previously undermined the collective credibility of CBI programs in the region. All five countries will share applicant data to ensure full transparency.

The Regulatory Authority will not only manage compliance but will also introduce an annual cap on how many applications each country can approve. These caps can be used as disciplinary measures too—any country that breaches the reform agreement could have its application quota reduced to zero, effectively suspending the program.

Another important development is that all applicants will be subject to due diligence checks by a regional security and intelligence agency. These reviews are in addition to each country's national due diligence procedures and will be funded by fees paid by the applicant. Grenada, like the other participating states, must adhere to Regulatory Authority's minimum due diligence protocols, which include standardised risk indicators.

These shifts collectively represent a move toward higher accountability and professionalism across the Caribbean CBI landscape. For Grenada, the reforms reinforce its commitment to offering a trusted, long-term citizenship solution backed by real economic and social engagement.

To learn more about how these reforms impact investment strategy and property selection, read this detailed analysis on CBI Reform in the Caribbean by Grenada Golden Passport Advisors, who specialise in Grenada Citizenship by Investment. 

As Grenada positions itself as a leader in sustainable investment migration, the real estate dimension of its CBI program continues to be a cornerstone—now with enhanced credibility and long-term stability.