Among the real-estate projects approved by the Government of Grenada for its Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme, Grenada National Resort — developed by HSG International — is the largest. This article covers what the project is, the two ways to invest in it, and the points worth checking before you commit.
Where it is and how big
The development spans more than 400 acres in the Levera region of northern Grenada, along a stretch of coastline widely regarded as the island's finest.
The masterplan has four main components:
- A flagship hotel with 500 ocean-view suites
- Private apartments and rainforest villas offered for ownership
- Grenada's first 18-hole golf course, designed by Robert Trent Jones II — among the most recognised names in golf course architecture
- A fully serviced marina, a casino complex, and a family amusement park
HSG International has been the official developer since 2019. The operating entity is Singapore Heng Sheng (Grenada) Development Pte Ltd, based on Lucas Street, St. George's, Grenada.
Construction status: the first hotel tower has topped out
This is the detail that separates GNR from much of the Caribbean CBI field, where projects are frequently sold from renderings alone.
The first hotel tower has topped out, marked by a ceremony attended by Grenada's Prime Minister and representatives of the Investment Migration Agency (IMA).
For a CBI applicant, build progress matters more than renderings: an application is only processed while the project remains approved, and invested capital is only recoverable once the resort is operating.
Two routes: shares or property
Grenada allows foreign investors to obtain citizenship through a qualifying investment in an approved real-estate project. GNR offers two options, and they differ in what you actually end up owning.
1. Resort share — from USD 270,000
The minimum is USD 270,000. Per the developer's published terms, the share pays a return each year for five years, beginning the year after the resort starts operating.
Provided the IMA Grenada requirements in force are met, the share can be resold, allowing the investor to recover a portion of the cost. That resale right is set out in the CBI Act.
This route suits applicants whose priority is the lowest qualifying entry cost, with the passport as the main objective.
2. Real estate — apartment or villa
Purchase of an apartment or villa with 100% permanent ownership, eligible for a citizenship application, with flexible income arrangements and resale permitted once IMA conditions are met.
This route suits buyers who want to hold a real asset in the Caribbean and accept a higher outlay in exchange for outright ownership.
Programme requirements
Grenada's CBI programme sets these baseline conditions:
- Main applicant aged 18 or over
- A clean criminal record
- Passing due diligence
Applications may include a spouse, children, and dependent parents or grandparents.
Grenada permits dual citizenship, so applicants keep their existing nationality.
Why investors choose Grenada over other Caribbean programmes
Grenada holds one advantage none of the other four Caribbean CBI countries can offer: a treaty with the United States under which eligible Grenadian citizens may apply for the E-2 Investor Visa, subject to U.S. requirements and approval.
For many applicants this is the entire point — a lawful route to live and run a business in the United States without the queue and capital demands of EB-5.
Grenada also levies no wealth, inheritance, or capital gains taxes.
Read this carefully: the E-2 is a non-immigrant visa. It requires a genuine operating business and periodic renewal, and it is not a green card. Anyone whose goal is permanent U.S. residence should evaluate EB-5 alongside it.
Relationship with the host government
The project works directly with Grenada's Prime Minister's Office, the Investment Migration Agency (IMA), and the Planning and Development Authority.
For a CBI applicant this is not a formality. If a project loses its approval, pending applications stall. Caribbean CBI rules have tightened considerably over the past four years, so a project tightly integrated with the regulator is a genuine layer of protection.
Environment
Levera Beach, adjacent to the site, is the principal nesting ground of the leatherback turtle, the largest sea turtle in the world. The project has published conservation commitments for the area.
Before you commit
This article describes the project; it is not investment advice. Four things to ask about directly:
- The five-year return is a developer commitment, contingent on the resort opening and operating to plan. Get the contractual terms in writing.
- Resale conditions are set by the IMA and can change. The conditions when you buy are not guaranteed to be the conditions when you sell.
- Programme terms are set by the Government of Grenada and may be revised — minimum thresholds across the Caribbean have risen over the past two years.
- Tax: take independent advice on your obligations at home for holding foreign assets and receiving foreign income.
Viking Global Group (ARB Vietnam) is a strategic distribution partner for Grenada National Resort.
For a side-by-side comparison of the two routes against your family's circumstances, or for current construction updates, contact the advisory team for a free assessment.