The Grenada Investment Migration Agency (IMA)

The Grenada Investment Migration Agency (IMA) is the state body responsible for managing and operating Grenada’s Citizenship by Investment Programme. It is the sole legal channel through which every citizenship-by-investment application must be processed.

The IMA’s existence is not merely administrative; it also reflects the Government of Grenada’s commitment to maintaining the transparency, integrity and reputation of the Grenadian passport internationally.

A detailed article on theGrenada citizenship by investment.

The official website of the Grenada Investment Migration Agency (IMA).

The history of its establishment and development

The Grenada Investment Migration Agency, formerly known as the Citizenship by Investment Unit, was created in August 2013 when the Parliament of Grenada passed Act No. 15 of 2013, also known as the “Grenada Citizenship by Investment Act 2013”. The programme formally began operating in February 2014.

In March 2024, the body was renamed the Investment Migration Agency (IMA), marking a rebranding and an upgrading of its management apparatus to more modern international standards. This change of name was not merely symbolic, but came with strengthened compliance measures and an upgraded application vetting process.

Since the programme launched in 2014, revenue from it has passed the mark of 1 billion East Caribbean dollars, and more than 20,000 people from many countries around the world, including the United States, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, India, Russia and Turkey, have been granted citizenship. This is clear evidence of the scale and influence of the Grenada IMA in the global investment migration field.

A detailed article onthe country of Grenada.

The functions and duties of the Grenada IMA

The Grenada IMA exercises comprehensive management of the Citizenship by Investment Programme, comprising 4 main groups of duties.

• First, the IMA has the function of receiving and co-ordinating applications. Every citizenship application must be filed through authorised International Marketing Agents; candidates are not permitted to file applications directly with the IMA or the Citizenship by Investment Committee. This mandatory agent mechanism ensures that applications are accurate and complete before entering the formal vetting process.
• Second, the IMA has the function of vetting applications and carrying out background checks. After receiving a complete application, the IMA carries out due diligence. Processing may take from 3 to 6 months. During this stage, the IMA may request further documents or clarification. Investors and family members aged 17 or over must also attend an interview as part of the process.
• Third, the IMA performs the function of managing the agent network. The IMA maintains the official list of authorised agents on the website imagrenada.gd, and recent enforcement measures demonstrate the government’s commitment to protecting the programme’s integrity. The agency also has the power to suspend the operations of agents in breach of the rules.
• Fourth, the IMA is responsible for protecting the reputation of Grenadian citizenship. The Grenada IMA is designed to attract foreign direct investment while protecting the value of Grenadian citizenship and the country’s reputation worldwide. This is the core philosophy governing every decision the agency makes.

The organisational structure of the Grenada IMA

The Grenada IMA operates on a 3-tier organisational model, comprising the management team, the vetting committee and the agent network.

The Management Team

The Management Team is the administrative body responsible for the IMA’s day-to-day operations. It ensures that policies, procedures and directives are implemented in line with the agency’s mandate and the government’s overall objectives. Members are appointed by and report directly to the Minister.

The current management members are Mr Thomas Anthony, Ms Karline Purcell and Ms Claudette James, who hold respected professional qualifications in business administration and international project management.

The Citizenship by Investment Committee (CBIC)

The Citizenship by Investment Committee (CBIC) is the government body responsible for overseeing the processing of applications for citizenship through investment or residence. The Committee assesses each application under the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Act 2013, then makes a recommendation to the Minister, who has the final say on whether to approve, refuse or defer the grant of Grenadian citizenship.

The CBIC has 7 members with diverse professional backgrounds in law, finance, commerce and public administration. Notable members include Mr Richard W. Duncan (Chairman), Mr Deon D. Moses, Dr Stephen Fletcher and Dr Wayne Sandiford.

The authorised agent network

Grenada’s agent system comprises 2 tiers operating in parallel. The first tier is the International Marketing Agents, licensed to promote the Grenadian citizenship programme globally and to provide initial advice.

The second tier is the Local Agents in Grenada, who have the exclusive authority to file applications directly with the IMA. This 2-tier structure ensures both broad coverage of the global market and local accountability.

The investment routes within the IMA’s remit

The Grenada IMA currently administers 2 valid investment routes to citizenship.

The first route is a contribution to the National Transformation Fund (NTF). The National Transformation Fund is the government fund responsible for financing projects benefiting Grenada’s economy and contributing to economic diversification.

Candidates choosing this route must make a one-off contribution to the fund, and must do so through an authorised Local Agent; they cannot contribute directly. The current minimum contribution is USD 235,000 for an individual.

The second route is investment in approved property. Approved property projects are mainly upmarket tourist developments, resorts and villas on the island of Grenada. The approval process for a project begins with the Citizenship by Investment Committee, then goes to the Minister for a formal decision and publication in the Gazette.

Due diligence standards and the trend towards enhanced compliance

One of the factors distinguishing the Grenada IMA from many other citizenship-by-investment programmes is the rigour of its vetting process. Candidates must meet the personal requirements set out in the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Act 2013, including: being at least 18, having no criminal record, being in good health and having sufficient lawful funds to make the investment.

From 10/11/2025, the IMA applies enhanced compliance measures to all candidates, including an investment verification process aligned with international anti-money laundering standards. This step shows Grenada actively meeting the increasingly demanding requirements of the international financial community.

The IMA’s role in the Caribbean investment migration landscape

Grenada is one of 5 Caribbean countries operating a citizenship-by-investment programme. Since its establishment in February 2014, the Grenada IMA has led the investment migration field, helping thousands of individuals and families from around the world achieve the goal of a second citizenship through investment.

What sets the Grenadian programme apart from other Caribbean countries is the E-2 trade treaty between Grenada and the United States. This is the only mechanism in the region allowing Grenadian citizens to apply for an E-2 visa to the United States to invest in a business, opening up access to the United States market without needing a green card. This is why many Asian and Middle Eastern investors choose Grenada as a strategic stepping stone.

Overall, the Grenada Investment Migration Agency (IMA) is not merely an administrative machine granting citizenship. The agency is the legal and governance pillar of Grenada’s entire investment migration ecosystem, playing a key role in balancing 2 parallel objectives: attracting foreign investment flows into the country and protecting the long-term value of the Grenadian passport in the eyes of the international community.