Grenada citizenship; US access via E2 Visa

Benefits and Requirements of the E2 Visa

Dr. Antoine Saliba Haig | 10 मार्च 2017

Grenada Access To Live And Invest In The Us

Citizens of Grenada have the right to access the U.S. market. In this regard, in 1989, Grenada has signed the E2 investor treaty with the U.S. allowing Grenadians to be admitted to the US upon investing a substantial amount of capital in a U.S. business.Nationals of states which are not parties to the E2 Treaty may still gain an E2 Visa by acquiring a Grenadian passport through the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Programme. This is considered as a major benefit which distinguishes Grenada’s programme from other programmes offered by other Caribbean States.  

Understanding the E2 visa

Once you hold a Grenada passport, you may apply for the E2 Visa. One must understand that the E2 Investor Visa is not the equivalent of a green card or U.S. citizenship. Rather, it is a non-immigrant visa that grants particular benefits, especially created for those who would like to visit the US anytime for business. Further to this, Grenadians may also opt to live in the U.S. together with their family members. The Visa is valid for periods of five years and can be renewed with 2 year extensions, provided that you are still operating your business. After a short 60 day processing time, successful investors will be granted an E2 Visa.

When compared to other visas offered by the U.S., such as the E5 visa, the E2 visa imposes less onerous requirements. There is no minimum investment ceiling, thus allowing a Grenadian investor to invest as much as he or she chooses, provided that it satisfies the below requirements. Secondly, there is no need to employ or create jobs, making this progamme much less stringent than others. Moreover, Grenadian investors may benefit from a number of ways which will allow them to legally avoid paying US taxes on worldwide income, making this visa ideal for those seeking to engage their business in a highly fast-paced, yet lucrative business environment.

There following are the requirements which every applicant must fulfil before obtaining an E2 Visa.

1.      As a citizen of Grenada, you must be coming to the US to invest in a new or existing enterprise

To fulfil this requirement, an investor must place capital, including funds and other assets, at a commercial risk with the objective of generating a profit. There are different ways how you may go about this; you may purchase or establish a new business venture, purchase a pre-existing business or invest in a joint-venture. Either way, you must demonstrate that the capital you are investing is substantial. However, no minimum capital requirement is imposed.

2.      The investment must be a bona fide enterprise and may not be marginal

The enterprise of an investor under this programme must be a real, active commercial or entrepreneurial undertaking which produces services or goods for profit, and which generates enough income to provide a minimal living for the investor and his family or which makes a significant economic contribution.

3.       You must be in possession of the funds you will invest and the funds must be committed to your business

It is crucial to demonstrate that the capital invested shall be irrevocably committed to the enterprise and subject to partial or total loss in the event that the business fails. The funds which you invest must also be your own. The invested funds must be substantial enough vis-a-vis the total cost of either purchasing an established enterprise or creating the type of enterprise you are considering.

4.      Proving your source of funding

To be able to obtain an E2 Visa, you must show a definite and legitimate path of the source of capital you are investing.

5.      Enter the US with the intention to develop and direct the enterprise

It is important to show that you will develop and direct the investment enterprise. You must own at least 50% of the enterprise, or possess operational control through a managerial position or other corporate device.


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Dr Priscilla Mifsud Parker

Advocate, Tax Consultant, Licenced Agent, Malta

+356 22056422

Dr Antoine Saliba Haig

Advocate, Malta

+356 22056446

Claudia Cilia Buhagiar

Senior Private Client Advisor  

+356 22056124

Julia Tirazona

Advisor

+356 2205 6409

Pauline Gouder

Residency & Citizenship Manager

+356 22056105

Roberta Anastasi

Senior Private Clients Advisor

+356 22056105