1,166 new citizens under the CBI from January to September

by Linda Straker

• Citizens from 55 countries approved as citizens of Grenada during third quarter of 2025
• Nigeria, China, Iraq, the United States of America, Pakistan and Egypt represent 51% of approved new citizens
• No approvals during August 2025 because Cabinet of Ministers was in recess

Citizens from 55 countries were approved as citizens of Grenada during the third quarter of 2025 according to the latest statistics published by the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Unit, rebranded the Investment Migration Agency (IMA).

Topping the list are citizens from Nigeria, China, Iraq, the United States of America, Pakistan and Egypt. Together, these 6 jurisdictions represent 51% of the approved 135 new citizens for the third quarter of 2025, i.e. from July to September. Citizens from Nigeria accounted for 15%, while those from China accounted for 13%.

However, the total number of approved new citizens by the Cabinet of Ministers for the period January to September was 1,166. A review of the data shows that there was no approval during the month of August 2025. There was no approval because the Cabinet was in recess, and as a result, there were no cabinet meetings. Since the CBI programme began in 2014, more than 20,000 people have gained Grenadian citizenship.

In the 2026 budget statement, which was presented in the Lower House of Parliament on 1 December, Finance Minister Dennis Cornwall said that the Citizenship By-Investment Programme continues to evolve. “It is now a noteworthy contributor to government revenues, tourism, and job creation. Our Programme continues to be one of the best with deeply entrenched, robust due diligence processes,” he said while describing the 11-year programme as innovative.

“We have listened to the genuine advocacy of local businessmen and women for their participation in the programme. While there are already a few local developers who have successfully developed and marketed their projects, the years ahead would witness a ramping up of such projects,” he said. Cornwall disclosed that in the coming weeks, the Government will pass amended regulations to reduce by 70% all fees that are to be paid by local Grenadian developers with new projects, in any priority economic sector under the CBI Programme.

Cornwall said that for 2025, the revenue from the IMA was higher than the forecasted EC$165.9 as projected in the 2025 budget. The Ministry of Finance has projected that the IMA revenue will be EC$173,973,807 for 2026.