GrenadaNaturalisation

Naturalisation and permanent residence in Grenada

Grenada offers two statuses to foreign nationals: naturalisation (full citizenship) and permanent residence. Naturalisation is open to Commonwealth citizens, CARICOM citizens and other foreign nationals after a set period of lawful residence. Permanent residence is arranged as an alternative route that does not require naturalisation. Both routes are considered by the Department of Home Affairs in the Prime Minister's Office of Grenada.

Source: Embassy of Grenada — Applying for Citizenship

Routes to obtaining status

Grenada offers several routes for foreign nationals depending on their nationality and circumstances.

Commonwealth citizens

Citizens of the United Kingdom, India and other Commonwealth countries
Naturalisation after 5 years of residence
The option of registration without full naturalisation

CARICOM citizens

Citizens of Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and other CARICOM countries
Naturalisation after 4 years of residence
Reduced government fees for permanent residence

Nationals of other countries

Citizens of countries outside the Commonwealth and CARICOM
Naturalisation after 7 years of residence
Permanent residence is available as an intermediate status

When the programme will not suit you

There is no time for a long period of residence

The Citizenship by Investment programme

A work visa is needed as quickly as possible

A work visa or a digital nomad visa

You need to stay in the country for a short period

A visitor visa or a tourist visa

What it costs

Naturalisation (foreign national or citizen from outside the Commonwealth)Roughly XCD 7500 at the rate of 2.71 XCD to the USD	2 775 USD
Permanent residence (basic security check)XCD 275 at the rate of 2.71 XCD to the USD	102 USD
Permanent residence (CARICOM citizen)XCD 1000 at the rate of 2.71	369 USD
Permanent residence (non-CARICOM citizen)XCD 5000 at the rate of 2.71	1 846 USD
Translation of documentsRoughly XCD 5-10 per translation depending on the volume	+2 USD
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table. “Translation of documents” adds 2 USD; the “Permanent residence (CARICOM citizen)” branch replaces the “Permanent residence (basic security check)” line — 3 144 USD; the “Permanent residence (non-CARICOM citizen)” branch replaces the “Permanent residence (basic security check)” line — 4 621 USD. Charges with no official price list are in the list below.	2,877–2 879 USD

Paid separately

Consular services at an embassy — Applications are processed only by the Department of Home Affairs in Grenada, not at embassies abroad
Immigration lawyer's fees — Not required, but advisable in complex cases

Documents to gather

A complete set of documents is required for naturalisation and permanent residence. All foreign documents must be translated into English and notarised.

Application for naturalisation (for naturalisation) or application for permanent residence (for permanent residence)
Valid passport (original and copy)
Birth certificate showing the parents' details (original and copy)
Criminal-record certificate from the country of birth (issued no more than 6 months ago)
Criminal-record certificate from Grenada, from the Royal Grenada Police Force
Criminal-record certificates from every country where the applicant has lived for more than 12 months over the past 10 years
Letter stating the date of arrival in Grenada, the purpose of the visit, the activities undertaken and the reasons for wishing to obtain citizenship
Reference letters from two people of standing (in the country of birth or residence and in Grenada)
Bank statements for the past 12 months (if required)
Medical report from the laboratory of Grenada's General Hospital (if required)
Four certified passport-size photographs (for permanent residence)

How the process runs

Obtaining naturalisation or permanent residence involves several stages.

1
Preparing the complete set of documents
1–4 weeks
Collect all the necessary documents, including criminal-record certificates, translations and notarisations. All documents must be legalised with an apostille where this is required.
2
Filing the application with the Department of Home Affairs
1 day
Send the completed application with the full set of documents to the Department of Home Affairs in the Prime Minister's Office of Grenada at Sir Eric Matthew Gairy Botanical Gardens, St George's, or through an authorised agent. Payment is sent by money order or bank draft made out to “Government of Grenada”.
3
Initial check of the application
2–4 weeks
The Department of Home Affairs checks that the documentation is complete and may request further details. An interview may be arranged if necessary.
4
Character and security check
4–8 weeks
The applicant's background, criminal history and good standing are checked. At this stage a bank statement and a medical report may be requested (the tests are taken at the General Hospital within 6 months).
5
Approval or refusal
2–4 weeks
The Prime Minister's Office takes the final decision. If approved, a certificate of naturalisation or a permanent residence certificate (valid for 5 years) is issued. If refused, written reasons are sent.

Timelines and rights

Work

A Grenadian citizen works without a work permit — it is only needed by foreign employees.

Who you can bring with you

Family members of a foreign national who has obtained naturalisation or permanent residence have certain registration options.

Spouse of the foreign national

May obtain permanent residence after three years of marriage to a Grenadian citizen, or may naturalise separately under the general rules

Children under 18

May be registered as Grenadian citizens provided one of the parents obtains naturalisation; a separate application is not required

Children over 18

Must file a separate application for naturalisation under the general rules, meeting the residence and character requirements

Parents and grandparents

Do not acquire status automatically; they must file a separate application and meet the prescribed requirements

Renewal and the grace period

Citizenship by naturalisation is granted for life and does not need to be renewed. The permanent residence certificate is valid for 5 years and must be renewed before it expires. To renew, a renewal application must be filed with the Department of Home Affairs together with evidence that the applicant still meets the residence conditions (being in the country for at least 3 months a year).

How it differs from the routes next to it

The comparison is built from the official terms of the routes themselves — the source links sit on their own pages.

	Naturalisation and permanent residence	Work permit	Citizenship by descent
Visa term	Citizenship by naturalisation is granted for life	The renewal application is filed three months before the current permit expires	Citizenship is granted for life
Money	Naturalisation — XCD 7500 plus XCD 5.10 for translation; from the United States USD 2791.90 is paid	Application fee USD 100	Fee of XCD 250 plus XCD 5.10 for translation
Work	A Grenadian citizen works without a work permit — it is only needed by foreign employees	Gives the right to work for a specific employer	A Grenadian citizen works without a work permit — it is only needed by foreign employees

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

Permanent residence is arranged at the same Prime Minister's Office. The form is certified by a Justice of the Peace or a notary and is accompanied by criminal-record certificates from the country of origin and from Grenada, four certified photographs, the original birth certificate with a copy and a letter on the purpose of the visit.

Route to citizenship

The decision is taken by the Prime Minister's Office. The bank statement and the medical report are requested only after the applicant has been checked; the tests are taken at the laboratory of the General Hospital within six months of the ministry's request.

Frequently asked questions about Naturalisation and permanent residence

How many years do you have to live in Grenada before naturalisation?

A foreign national must live in Grenada for 12 months continuously before filing the application, and for at least 5 years in total out of the previous 7 years. Once permanent resident status has been obtained, the last 2 years of residence must be in that status. Commonwealth citizens may naturalise after 5 years of residence.

Can I work in Grenada with permanent residence?

Grenadian citizens can work without a work visa. Permanent residents generally need a work visa in order to work, unless they are self-employed in certain fields or have been specifically approved.

In which currency are naturalisation and permanent residence paid for?

The fees are stated in East Caribbean dollars (XCD/EC$) but may be paid in US dollars (USD). The exchange rate is approximately 2.71 XCD to 1 USD. Payment is accepted only by money order or bank draft made out to “Government of Grenada”.

Can a Grenadian citizen hold dual citizenship?

Yes, Grenada allows dual citizenship. Foreign nationals who obtain naturalisation may keep their original citizenship and are not required to renounce it. This applies both to Commonwealth citizens and to other foreign nationals.

What happens if I do not live in Grenada after obtaining permanent residence?

Permanent resident status requires physical presence in Grenada for at least 3 consecutive months each year. Absence for more than 2 years or a criminal conviction may lead to the status being revoked.

Which criminal-record documents are needed?

A criminal-record certificate must be obtained from the country of birth and from every country where the applicant has lived for more than 12 months over the past 10 years. A certificate is treated as valid if it was issued no more than 6 months ago. A certificate from Grenada (from the Royal Grenada Police Force) is also required.

Who considers naturalisation applications?

All applications for naturalisation and permanent residence are considered by the Department of Home Affairs in the Prime Minister's Office of Grenada, not by embassies or consulates abroad. Embassies and consulates only help with obtaining forms and information.

How long does the naturalisation process take?

The process usually takes from several months to a year depending on the complexity of the case and the completeness of the documentation. The initial check may take 2–4 weeks, the security check 4–8 weeks and the final decision 2–4 weeks.

Other ways to move to Grenada

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Grenada.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.