Grenada Citizenship for Nigerian Investors: A Step-by-Step Guide
Grenada is one of the most requested programs we handle, and the route is more structured than many applicants expect. Every application follows the same steps set by the Investment Migration Agency (IMA), and Nigerian applicants follow them too, with a few extra points to prepare for. This guide walks through each step, from your first conversation with an agent to receiving your passport.
Grenada citizenship takes ten steps, from choosing an authorised agent to collecting your passport, and most complete applications take three to six months. Nigerian nationals can apply, because Nigeria is not on the IMA's list of ineligible countries. The contribution starts at $235,000 for a family of up to four.
The ten steps at a glance
In short: check you qualify, choose an authorised agent, pick your route and family, gather documents, submit, attend the interview, wait for due diligence and approval, pay, receive your certificate and passport, then plan your first years as a citizen. The sections below take each step in turn.
Before you apply
Step 1: Check that you qualify
The main applicant must be at least 18, in good health and able to show sufficient legal funds for the investment. Nigerian nationals can apply: the IMA's list of countries whose nationals are ineligible, in its March 2024 circular, does not include Nigeria. The list can change, so confirm it with your agent. If you are a Nigerian citizen by birth you keep your Nigerian citizenship, because Section 28 of the Nigerian Constitution protects dual citizenship for citizens by birth.
Step 2: Choose an authorised agent
The IMA does not accept applications directly. Every file goes through an Authorised International Marketing Agent, who works with an Authorised Local Agent in Grenada, and the contribution itself is paid through the local agent rather than in person. Ask any agent to show their authorisation before you pay anything.
Step 3: Choose your route and who to include
The National Transformation Fund (NTF) donation is $235,000 for a family of up to four. The real estate route starts at $270,000 when at least two investors buy into the same approved project, or $350,000 for a single investor, plus a $50,000 government contribution. Family members beyond four cost extra, so decide who is on the application at the start and ask your agent for the exact figure for your family.
Preparing the application
Step 4: Gather your documents
The IMA application has six forms: personal information, fingerprints, particulars for the Office of Home Affairs, a medical form, a form covering employment status, wealth and business, and an investment confirmation. On top of the forms you need a medical certificate from a practitioner confirming you are free of communicable diseases, police certificates, and, for the real estate route, the sale and purchase agreement. Everything must be in English and properly legalised.
For Nigerian applicants, the police certificate from Nigeria is the document to start on first, because it depends on a government office and cannot be rushed. The wealth form is the other long task, and it needs evidence behind every statement.
Step 5: Submit through your agent
Your local agent submits the complete file to the Citizenship by Investment Committee's executive office, together with the fees. The IMA lists these on its application guide for the NTF route.
| IMA fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $1,500 per person |
| Processing fee | $1,500 per person ($500 for under 17s) |
| Interview fee | $1,000 per person |
| Due diligence | $5,000 per person (no fee for dependent children aged 0–16) |
These are government fees and come on top of the contribution. Passport fees, and your agent's and lawyers' fees, are separate.
Review and approval
Step 6: Interview and biometrics
The IMA has a mandatory interview requirement, and the regional rules agreed in 2025 add biometric data collection for new applicants at the time of interview. Expect questions about your family, your business and how you built your wealth, and make sure your answers match your forms.
Step 7: Due diligence and approval
The government runs a full background check through an authorised due diligence firm. The Citizenship by Investment Committee then makes a recommendation, and final approval rests with the Minister responsible for citizenship. Most complete applications take three to six months. Delays almost always come from missing evidence, so a well-prepared file moves faster.
After approval
Step 8: Make the contribution or complete the purchase
Once approved, you are instructed to make the NTF contribution or complete your real estate purchase, through your authorised local agent. Proof of payment goes to the Committee before anything is issued. Speak to your bank before approval so that an international transfer of this size is not held up by questions about its purpose.
Step 9: Receive your certificate and passport
After proof of payment, the Committee issues a certificate of registration, which establishes that you are a Grenadian citizen. Your agent then uses the certificate to apply for your Grenadian passport on your behalf.
Step 10: Plan your first years as a citizen
Under the 2026 amendments, new citizens must spend at least 30 days in Grenada during their first five years. If the US E-2 visa is your reason for choosing Grenada, remember that anyone who gained citizenship by investment must show three continuous years of domicile in Grenada before applying, and that Nigerian passport holders have no E-2 route of their own.
What can sink an application
The IMA states that it will refuse applicants who put false information on their forms, who have a previous conviction carrying more than six months in prison (unless pardoned), who are under active criminal investigation, who pose a national security risk, or who have been involved in disreputable activities. It also lists a previous visa refusal from one of Grenada's visa-free travel partners, without a later approval, as a ground for refusal. If you have ever been refused a visa, tell your agent at the start so the position can be explained properly rather than discovered.
Ready to see how this applies to your situation? Ask the Imperial Citizenship team for a confidential review of your eligibility, documents and timeline before you commit.
Request a free quoteFrequently asked questions
Can Nigerians apply for Grenada citizenship?
Yes. Nigeria is not on the IMA's list of ineligible countries, and Nigerian investors apply through an authorised agent like any other nationality, subject to due diligence.
Can I apply for Grenada citizenship without an agent?
No. The IMA does not accept direct applications. Every application must go through an Authorised International Marketing Agent working with an Authorised Local Agent.
How long does Grenada citizenship take?
Most complete applications take three to six months. The timeline depends mainly on how quickly your documents and source-of-funds evidence are assembled and on the due diligence review.
Do I need to travel to Grenada to apply?
You do not need to travel to Grenada during the application, although the new rules add an interview and biometrics. The 30-day stay applies after citizenship is granted.
Can I keep my Nigerian citizenship?
If you are a Nigerian citizen by birth, yes. Section 28 of the Constitution does not strip citizens by birth of their citizenship when they acquire another. If you became Nigerian by registration or naturalisation, take legal advice first.
Sources
IMA Grenada application guide; IMA Circular No. 1 of 2024; OECS announcement on regional CBI standards.
About Imperial Citizenship
Imperial Citizenship helps investors and families obtain second citizenship through government-approved citizenship by investment programs in the Caribbean and beyond. Led by CEO Zaid Al Hindi, the team works closely with program units, attends official CIU and IMA events, and has hosted industry events in Dubai and Lagos in partnership with Grenada's IMA and the Consulate of Grenada in Dubai.
Disclaimer: Figures and procedures are indicative as of October 2026 and can change without notice. Fees are those published by the Investment Migration Agency Grenada for the NTF route and exclude agent, legal, translation, passport and courier costs. Confirm current requirements with the IMA or with Imperial Citizenship before applying. This article is not legal or financial advice.