Grenada is an E-2 treaty country, but its passport does not automatically confer an E-2 visa. People who acquired the relevant nationality through financial investment and have not previously held E status under the provision face an additional statutory three-year continuous-domicile condition.[1][2]
Separate applications under separate laws
| Stage | What must be assessed | What it does not establish |
|---|---|---|
| Grenadian citizenship | Route, family eligibility, review, contribution or investment, and documents | Automatic US visa approval |
| US E-2 | Treaty nationality, applicable domicile condition, enterprise, investment and visa eligibility | US permanent residence or citizenship |
The Grenadian application follows IMA’s authorised channels. US law and adjudication govern E-2 independently. Keep the evidence, budgets and decisions for each stage separate.[3][5]
Domicile following citizenship by investment
Under US law, a person who acquired the relevant treaty-country nationality through financial investment and has not previously held status under the E provision must have been domiciled in that country continuously for at least three years at some point before the visa application.[2]
Three years of passport ownership is not the same as three years of domicile. Occasional visits should not be assumed to satisfy the requirement. A qualified US immigration legal professional should assess its applicability and the evidence in light of the applicant’s previous status and actual residence.
The US enterprise and substantial investment
Official US guidance requires substantial funds invested or actively being invested in a real, operating commercial enterprise. The enterprise must not be marginal, and the applicant must develop and direct it. Funds merely held in an account will generally not constitute a qualifying investment.[3]
There is no single dollar minimum applicable to every E-2 business. Substantiality is assessed in relation to the enterprise’s cost, nature and commitment of funds. Grenadian citizenship costs and US business capital therefore require separate budgets.[4]
Recent official updates
IMA’s Circular No. 2, dated 21 August 2026, defers implementation of the new residence requirement and regional obligations until the regulator is operational and participating states formally establish and communicate a common start date. This does not alter the US domicile rule.[6]
The US State Department’s 28 August 2026 update states that the January pause in immigrant-visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries ceased to apply from 21 August. That measure concerned immigrant visas; its ending does not establish approval of an individual E-2 case.[7]
Assessing eligibility before proceeding
Where operating a US business is a principal objective, first assess how nationality was acquired, any previous E status, the applicable domicile condition and whether the proposed enterprise meets E-2 requirements. That assessment should inform the decision to pursue Grenadian citizenship.
Costs should distinguish the Grenadian application, any required domicile, the US enterprise and the visa application. E-2 is a nonimmigrant category, not an automatic substitute for permanent residence. Where the objective does not involve operating a business, the suitability of the category should be reconsidered.[3]
Common questions
Does a Grenadian passport establish E-2 eligibility?
No. Treaty nationality, the applicable domicile requirement, the investment and other visa conditions must be assessed independently by the US authorities.[1][2][3]
Is holding the passport for three years sufficient?
Not by itself. The statute refers to domicile, which cannot be established solely by the passport’s issue date.[2]
Is there a fixed minimum E-2 investment?
There is no universal dollar threshold. Substantiality depends on the cost and nature of the enterprise and the investment commitment.[4]
Sources and verification
This article draws on the official sources below, checked on 24 September 2026. Policies and fees may change; the requirements applicable at the time of an individual application should be confirmed.
Conatus Mobility provides consultation and coordination services and is not a government body. This is general information, not individual legal, tax or investment advice. Services are governed by written agreement; decisions remain with the relevant authorities.
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Discuss the Grenadian application requirements. Individual E-2 eligibility requires assessment by a qualified US immigration legal professional.
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