Grenada E2 Visa: Two-Stage Route to a US Business and Residency in 2026

The Grenada E-2 Visa offered by the United States of America is one of the most sought-after investor visas. In exchange for a significant investment in the US economy, this program permits individuals and their family members to reside and work in the United States.

As a treaty investor, you’re a national of a country that has signed the E-2 Treaty with the US, which requires establishing a business or investing in a business in the US to apply for the investor visa.

Under the E-2 treaty between Grenada and the United States of America, Grenadian citizens through investment who have lived in Grenada for at least three years can apply for an E-2 Visa. Grenadian investors must invest or be in the process of investing a substantial sum to apply for an E-2 nonimmigrant visa.

Global Citizen Solutions has produced this guide to explain the qualifying criteria to apply for the E-2 Visa, including the minimum residency period, language requirements, and requirements for family members of the treaty investor.

The E-2 is a business visa under the E-2 Treaty, which is designed for foreign nationals who want to establish or invest in a business in the United States. Grenada citizens may be eligible to apply for an E-2 Treaty Investor Visa to gain US residency, provided they meet the visa requirements outlined by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

An E-2 Visa is valid for five years, and the holder can apply to renew it, provided the investment remains in operation, and they meet the renewal requirements.

Applicants for the E-2 Visa must note that this visa is nonimmigrant-based, which means the time spent holding it and living in the US does not count toward the residency period required to apply for a US green card (permanent residency) or citizenship. However, qualifying holders can apply to renew the visa indefinitely every two years.

An advantage of the E-2 Business Visa is that its holders are eligible to live in the United States and apply for the EB-5 Immigrant Visa. The EB-5 Visa is a program designed for immigrant investors and provides a route to US permanent residency and citizenship.

Below is a comparison between the business visas offered by the United States: The EB-5, the L-1, and the E-2 Visa.

Thanks to a treaty between the United States and Grenada, citizens of Grenada may be eligible to apply for the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa, which means they are permitted to move to the US under a qualifying business investment.

The E-2 Visa treaty between Grenada and the United States of America was signed in 1989. The treaty allows Grenadian citizens to reside and work in the United States.

For those comparing Grenada and St Kitts and Nevis citizenship, while St Kitts and Nevis offers the longest-standing program, an advantage of Grenada’s citizenship program is that it is the only option in the Caribbean that allows qualified applicants to apply for an E-2 Visa.

Minimum residency

A primary requirement to apply for the E-2 Visa is that after acquiring Grenada Citizenship by Investment, the investor must have lived in Grenada for a minimum of three years to be eligible to apply.

E-2 Visa Countries

The United States Department of State provides a list of all E-1 and E-2 Treaty Countries.

The Grenada Citizenship by Investment program offers a gateway to applying for the US E-2 Visa. The island has steadily developed into a hotspot for foreign investors as it is the only Caribbean country that offers a citizenship by investment with the possibility of applying for an E-2 Visa to the US.

Investment options to apply for Grenadian citizenship include:

• A non-refundable contribution to the National Transformation Fund (NTF) of $235,000.
• A real estate investment valued at least $270,000 for shared ownership and $350,000 for full ownership.

• Be 18 years old or older
• Not have a criminal record
• Be in good health
• Clear a background check successfully
• Proof of income
• Spouse of the applicant
• Children below the age of 18
• Dependent children (18-29 years of age) dependent on the primary applicant or his/her spouse for educational support
• Specially abled children of 18 years of age or above
• Supported parents or grandparents of the primary applicant or their spouse
• Unmarried and dependent siblings of the primary applicant or their spouse

Required documents for Grenada citizenship

If you are applying for Grenadian citizenship, you need to submit the following documents. Application forms must be obtained from a licensed agent.

Main forms:

• Client Facilitator Agreement
• Interview Application Form
• Form 1 specifying your personal data and information
• Form 2 highlighting your fingerprint, submitted in front of a licensed officer
• Form 3 that mentions the Particulars for the Office of Home Affairs
• Form 4 a valid medical certificate
• Form 5 highlighting your employment, wealth, business, and other similar details
• Form 6 investment confirmation documentation
• Citizenship by investment applicants aged 16 or to submit the Thomson Reuters consent form
• Copies of purchase and sale documents, or escrow agreement and letter of engagement with a local agent
• Complete application form for your passport
• Oath of Allegiance (this is required for each family member who is above the age of 18)
• Sworn Affidavit that verifies and confirms the applicant’s parents’ names

Alongside forms, the general documents required include:

• Two copies of your birth certificate
• Copy of your current passport showcasing your name, photo, citizenship/nationality, date, place of issue, expiry date, passport number, and issuing country
• A recent 35x45mm digital passport photo in a plain, light-colored background uploaded to IMA’s platform in JPEG/JPG or PNG format
• Two copies of the applicant’s Marriage or divorce certificates
• Copy of the applicant’s National ID or Social Security
• Proof of the applicant’s permanent residence
• Copy of the applicant’s military service card if he/she has been associated with military services
• Affidavit from spouse or ex-spouse with regard to children
• Affidavit of support from dependents

1. Select an Authorized Agent to submit your application. The registered agency will guide you in collecting and preparing all the documents that you require for your application.
2. Complete all application documentation provided by your agent, ensuring your paperwork is legal.
3. Once you submit your application form, the Investment Migration Agency (IMA) Grenada will evaluate your application and initiate your background check.
4. You need to invest in Grenada through the NTF fund or real estate. Pay the required amount and submit proof of investment to the IMA.
5. Once your payment is received by the IMA, a certificate of registration will be issued. After this, you will be granted Grenada citizenship and a second passport.

Take a look at our Comprehensive Guide to the Grenada Citizenship Program

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• You can travel to 154 countries without a regular visa requirement, including Schengen Area countries, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, China, and Saudi Arabia.
• Open a bank account in the United States or Europe hassle-free.
• As a Grenadian citizen who has lived there for three years, you can apply for an E-2 Visa in the United States.
• The Grenada citizenship processing time is generally fast, with applicants typically receiving approval in about seven months.
• There is currently no requirement to visit or stay in Grenada during the citizenship application process.
• Grenada allows dual citizenship, permitting new citizens to maintain their original citizenship after obtaining a Grenada passport.
• Grenada is the only Caribbean country offering a citizenship program that allows citizens to apply for an E-2 Visa.

Investors seeking an E-2 Visa need to meet the following US visa requirements as Grenadian citizens:

• Investors should not invest in a passive business; they must ensure the investment is substantial and in an active business operating in the United States.
• The investor should be a 50% shareholder in the business.
• The business should generate enough profit to sustain the investor and their family in the United States.
• The investor must complete at least three years of qualifying residence in Grenada after obtaining citizenship.

Under Executive Order 14286, E-2 Treaty Investors applying for jobs that involve operating commercial motor vehicles must prove that they meet the required English-language proficiency standard. This can include proof of passing a standardized English test or a signed statement confirming that they have the required level of English.

• The E-2 Visa eligibility extends to the main investor’s spouse and unmarried children under 21.
• An investor can renew their visa indefinitely, provided that the registered E-2 organization adheres to all E-2 Visa rules and regulations.
• The investor’s spouse can apply for work authorization in the United States once they’re in valid E-2S status, documented by their I-94.
• US public schools offer free education, and dependent children of E-2 Visa holders under 21 are not subject to paying the same tuition fees as other foreign students studying in the US.
• With an E-2 Visa, individuals are permitted to enter and exit the United States freely.
• An E-2 Visa does not lead to a Green Card, but holders can qualify to apply for the E-B5 Visa, which provides a path to Green Card status and US citizenship.

1. After obtaining Grenada citizenship, you must live there for at least three years.
2. Applicants must meet all E-2 criteria specified by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
3. Fill out and complete the procedures of the DS-160 Form.
4. Submit the application fees and book an appointment with the US Embassy in n Bridgetown, Barbados.
5. Attend an interview at the Bridgetown Embassy. Before attending, collect all the required documents.

Required documents

• Completed DS-160 application
• A valid passport
• Two photographs of the applicant adhering to the US Embassy rules and guidelines
• Receipt of the visa application payment
• Grenada citizenship proof – can be established through property investment papers
• Investment proof in a valid and active business in the US
• Bank statements of your business
• Tax return statements
• Organizational structure of your company
• Registration documentation of your business
• Licenses of your company
• Contractual agreements with employees
• Contractual agreements with clients
• Bank statements of your personal and business bank accounts
• Your business plan

US E-2 Visa interview

To obtain the E-2 Visa, applicants must attend an E-2 Visa interview at the US Embassy in Grenada. Note that this is the final stage, and the processing time can range from several weeks to several months.

• Individuals can invest in any sector without having business management experience. In this case, the applicant needs to present a detailed business plan to the relevant authority. Additionally, they need to showcase the returns the investment is expected to generate. Although there are no rules regarding the number of jobs a business must create, the suggested number is at least five.
• The applicant must prove they are financially stable to support their family members in the US for at least one year after obtaining the visa.
• This visa is only applicable to citizens of specific nations that have a treaty with the United States.
• An E-2 employee must generally hold the same citizenship as the main treaty investor to qualify. Qualifying employment is based on performing executive or supervisory duties or working in a specialized area. The same visa rules apply, including a requirement of three years of residency in the treaty country.

Grenada citizens can qualify to apply for an E-2 Treaty Investor Visa valid for up to five years, allowing the individual, their spouse, and children under 21 years old to live in the USA. You can travel freely with your Grenada passport while living in the USA. Once a person completes the initial two years, they can apply for an extension every two years. Note that a person can apply for E-2 Visa extensions for an indefinite period. Should E-2 Visa holders wish to apply for a Green Card (permanent residency), they must apply for immigration visa, such as the EB-5 Visa.