Moving to Grenada: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

4 facts — expand for details.

Population

113,094

Population Growth Rate

0.52%

Urban Population

39.100000

Population in Major Urban Areas

SAINT GEORGE'S (capital) 41,000

8 facts — expand for details.

Age Structure

24.150000

Median Age

29.300000

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

17

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

8.01

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

2.12

Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49

54.3%

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49

54.3%

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

1.100000

Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population

-3.34

Ethnic Groups

Black 82%, mixed black and European 13%, European and East Indian 5% , and trace of Arawak/Carib Amerindian

Nationality Noun

Grenadian(s)

4 facts — expand for details.

Literacy - total population

96%

Literacy Definition

Age 15 and over can read and write

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP

3.9%

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

16.000000

10 facts — expand for details.

Life Expectancy at Birth

73.550000

Infant Mortality Rate

10.810000

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

10.810000

Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births

24

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

.66

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

3.5

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

6.2%

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

22.5%

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

99.000000

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

97.500000

4 facts — expand for details.

Economic Overview

Grenada relies on tourism and revenue generated by St.

George’s University - a private university offering degrees in medicine, veterinary medicine, public health, the health sciences, nursing, arts and sciences, and business - as its main source of foreign exchange.

In the past two years the country expanded its sources of revenue, including from selling passports under its citizenship by investment program.

These projects produced a resurgence in the construction and manufacturing sectors of the economy.

In 2017, Grenada experienced its fifth consecutive year of growth and the government successfully marked the completion of its five-year structural adjustment program that included among other things austerity measures, increased tax revenue and debt restructuring.

Public debt-to-GDP was reduced from 100% of GDP in 2013 to 71.8% in 2017.

Industries

Food and beverages, textiles, light assembly operations, tourism, construction

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$13,000.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

3.4%

8 facts — expand for details.

GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$1,700,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$13,000.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

3.4%

GDP - official exchange rate

$957,000,000 (USD)

GDP - composition, by end use

• consumption: 93% Government
• consumption: 15.2% Investment in fixed
• capital: 16.1% Investment in
• inventories: -0.1% Exports of goods and
• services: 16.9% Imports of goods and
• services: -41.1%

GDP by Sector- agriculture

6.2%

GDP by Sector- Industry

14.3%

GDP by Sector- services

79.5%

5 facts — expand for details.

Inflation Rate

3.7%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

East Caribbean dollar (XCD)

Currency Name and Code

East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)

Fiscal Year

Calendar year

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

9.4%

5 facts — expand for details.

Labor Force

42,300

Unemployment Rate

12.5%

Major Industries

Food and beverages, textiles, light assembly operations, tourism, construction

Agriculture Products

Bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, mace, citrus, avocados, root crops, sugarcane, corn, vegetables

Population Below Poverty Line

32%

3 facts — expand for details.

Labor Force By Occupation- agriculture

11%

Labor Force By Occupation- industry

20%

Labor Force By Occupation- services

69%

Annual Budget

$175,300,000 (USD)

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

-4.1%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

20.1%

5 facts — expand for details.

Full Country Name

None

Country Name

Grenada

Etymology- history of name

• Derivation of the name remains obscure
• some sources attribute the designation to Spanish influence (most likely named for the Spanish city of Granada), with subsequent French and English interpretations resulting in the present-day Grenada
• in Spanish "granada" means "pomegranate"

Independence

7 February 1974 (from the UK)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 7 February (1974)

10 facts — expand for details.

Government Type

Parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Constitution

• History: Previous 1967; latest presented 19 December 1973, effective 7 February 1974, suspended 1979 following a revolution but restored in 1983
• Amendments: Proposed by either house of Parliament; passage requires a two-thirds majority vote by the membership in both houses and assent of the governor-general; passage of amendments to constitutional sections, such as personal rights and freedoms, the structure, authorities, and procedures of the branches of government, the delimitation of electoral constituencies, or the procedure for amending the constitution, also requires two-thirds majority approval in a referendum; amended 1991, 1992

Legal System:

Common law based on English model

Executive Branch:

• Chief of State: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General Cecile LA GRENADE (since 7 May 2013) Previous
• Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
• Head of Government: Prime Minister Dickon MITCHELL (since 24 June 2022)
• Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister
• Elections/Appointments: The monarchy is hereditary; the governor general is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general

Legislative Branch:

• Description: Bicameral Parliament consists of: Senate (13 seats; members appointed by the governor general - 10 on the advice of the prime minister and 3 on the advice of the leader of the opposition party; members serve 5-year terms) House of Representatives (15 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms)
• Elections: Senate - last appointments on 3 August 2022 (next to be held no later than 2027) House of Representatives - last held on 23 June 2022 (next to be held no later than 2027)
• Election Results: - Senate - percent by party - NA; seats by party - NDC 7, NNP 3, independents 3 House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NDC 51.8%; NNP 47.8%; other 0.4%; seats by party - NDC 9; NNP 6

Judicial Branch:

• office: Chief justice of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed by Her Majesty, Queen ELIZABETH II; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, and independent body of judicial officials; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 65; High Court judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 62
• Subordinate courts: Magistrates' courts; Court of Magisterial Appeals

Regions or States:

6 parishes and 1 dependency*; Carriacou and Petite Martinique*, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick

Political Parties and Leaders:

• National Democratic Congress or NDC [Dickon MITCHELL]
• New National Party or NNP [Keith MITCHELL]

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship Criteria:

• birth: Yes Citizenship by descent
• only: Yes Dual citizenship
• recognized: Yes Residency requirement for
• naturalization: 7 years for persons from a non-Caribbean state and 4 years for a person from a Caribbean state

Capital Name

Saint George's

Capital - geographic coordinate

12 03 N, 61 45 W

Capital Time Difference

UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

4 facts — expand for details.

International Organization Participation:

• ACP
• AOSIS
• CARIFORUM
• CARIBCAN
• Caricom
• CBI
• CDB
• CELAC
• CSME
• ECCU
• EPA
• FAO
• G-77
• IBRD
• ICAO
• ICCt (signatory)
• ICRM
• IDA
• IFAD
• IFC
• IFRCS
• ILO
• IMF
• IMO
• Interpol
• IOC
• ITU
• ITUC
• LAES
• MIGA
• NAM
• OAS
• OECS
• OPANAL
• OPCW
• Petrocaribe
• UN
• UNCTAD
• UNESCO
• UNIDO
• UPU
• WHO
• WIPO
• WTO

International Law Organization Participation:

Has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Chief of Mission: The US does not have an official embassy in Grenada; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Grenada
• Embassy: Lance-aux-Epines, Saint George's
• Mailing Address: 3180 Grenada Place, Washington DC 20521-3180
• Telephone: [1] (473) 444-1173
• FAX: [1] (473) 444-4820
• Email: StgeorgesACS@state.gov
• Website: https://bb.usembassy.gov/embassy/grenada/

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Tarlie FRANCIS (since 15 September 2023)
• Chancery: 1701 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
• Telephone: [1] (202) 265-2561
• FAX: [1] (202) 265-2468 e\EMmail address and website: embassy@grenadaembassyusa.org https://grenadaembassyusa.org/
• Consulate(s) General: Miami, New York

5 facts — expand for details.

Geographic Location

The Caribbean

Geographic Coordinates

12 07 N, 61 40 W

Total Area

133 Square Miles 344 Square Kilometers

Land Area

133 Square Miles 344 Square Kilometers

Coastline

75 Miles 121 Kilometers

6 facts — expand for details.

Terrain

Volcanic in origin with central mountains

Highest Point

840 Meters

Highest Point Location

Mount Saint Catherine 840 m

Lowest Point Location

Caribbean Sea 0 m

Natural Resources

Timber, tropical fruit, deepwater harbors

Irrigated Land

1 Square Miles 2 Square Kilometers

Time Zone

UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

4 facts — expand for details.

Climate

Grenada’s climate is sunny and tropical, averaging 80°F, with dry and rainy seasons.

The dry season, January through May, is more comfortable; with cooling trade winds and occasional showers.

The rainy season, June through December, has a more humid climate and moderate-to-heavy rainfall, which varies considerably each year.

Temperatures drop in the evening, making it pleasantly cool.

Sunrise is at 6:30 am and dusk varies between 6 and 6:30 pm, according to the time of year.

The wet season is characterized by heavy rains, high wind, and hurricanes, but the last hurricane to actually hit Grenada was Hurricane Janet in 1955.

Terrain

Volcanic in origin with central mountains

Location

Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago

Total Area

133 Square Miles 344 Square Kilometers

Environment - Current Issues

NA

Environment - International Agreements

Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling Signed, but not ratified: None of the selected agreements

4 facts — expand for details.

Exports

$38,000,000 (USD)

Imports

$343,000,000 (USD)

Major Exports

Bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, fruit and vegetables, clothing, mace

Major Imports

Food, manufactured goods, machinery, chemicals, fuel

Top Export Partners

US 15.2%, Germany 13%, Bangladesh 10.9%, Netherlands 8.7%, Saint Lucia 6.5%, Antigua and Barbuda 4.3%, Dominica 4.3%, France 4.3%, Saint Kitts and Nevis 4.3%, Trinidad and Tobago 4.3%, UK 4.3%

Top Import Partners

US 29.8%, Trinidad and Tobago 26.9%, UK 4.3%

Export Partners

US 15.2%, Germany 13%, Bangladesh 10.9%, Netherlands 8.7%, Saint Lucia 6.5%, Antigua and Barbuda 4.3%, Dominica 4.3%, France 4.3%, Saint Kitts and Nevis 4.3%, Trinidad and Tobago 4.3%, UK 4.3%

Import Partners

US 29.8%, Trinidad and Tobago 26.9%, UK 4.3%

Country Description

Grenada is a developing Caribbean island nation. The capital is St. George’s. Tourism facilities vary, according to price and area.

Safety & Security

Many parts of Grenada have no sidewalks and few streetlights, forcing pedestrians to walk in the road.

Visitors should take care if walking along the road after dark and wear light, reflective clothing.

2 facts — expand for details.

Crime

Crime in Grenada is mostly opportunistic.

Tourists have been the victims of robbery, especially in isolated areas, and thieves frequently steal credit cards, jewelry, cameras, U.S. passports, and money.

Muggings, purse snatchings, and other robberies may occur in areas near hotels, beaches and restaurants, particularly after dark.

Travelers should endeavor to stay in well lit areas, and avoid walking alone whenever possible, and hotel rooms should remain locked at all times.

Recently, the St.

George’s main market square and the Grand Anse area known as Wall Street have experienced decreases in crime since the vendors have been working as a team and now have employed security in the area.

Visitors should exercise appropriate caution when walking after dark or when using the local bus system or taxis hired on the road.

It is advisable to hire taxis to and from restaurants and to ask whether the driver is a member of the Grenada Taxi Association (GTA).

Members of the GTA are required to pass additional driving tests and receive training from the Grenada Tourism Board.

They are generally reliable and knowledgeable about the country and its attractions.

In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available.

Transactions involving such products may be illegal under local law.

In addition, bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Grenada, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own.

If you break local laws in Grenada, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States.

Persons violating Grenada laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.

Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Grenada are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Please note that a person can be prosecuted for using foul language in the presence of an officer of the law.

If you are arrested in Grenada, authorities of Grenada are required to notify the nearest U.S.

2 facts — expand for details.

Medical Facilities

Medical care is limited.

U.S. citizens requiringmedical treatment may contact the U.S Embassy in St.

George’s for a list of local doctors, dentists, pharmacies and hospitals.

Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the U.S. can cost thousands of dollars.

Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.

Ambulance service is available but response times vary greatly.

Pharmacies are usually well stocked and prescription medicine is available.

They periodically suffer shortages when deliveries from abroad are delayed, though most pharmacies will check with others in the area to see if they can get what is needed.

Travelers are advised to bring with them sufficient prescription medicine for the length of their stay.

Grenada chlorinates its water, making it generally safe to drink.

However, during especially heavy rains, quality control can slip, particularly in the city of St.

George’s.

It is recommended that visitors to Grenada request bottled water, which is widely available and relatively inexpensive.

Malaria is not found in Grenada, but there are low levels of dengue fever.

The government periodically fogs public areas to reduce the mosquito population.

Traffic Safety

While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

The information below concerning Grenada is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Traffic moves on the left in Grenada; the majority of vehicles are right-hand drive.

Grenada’s roads, paved and unpaved, are mostly narrow and winding, with many blind corners, narrow or no shoulders, and steep drops into the many ravines found on Grenada’s three islands.

There are few sidewalks, and cars vie with pedestrians for road space.

Road lighting varies on all three islands, which compounds the dangers at night.

Road surfaces often deteriorate, especially during the rainy season (June–November) before maintenance work begins.

Driving conditions in Grenada, including road conditions, increasing numbers of vehicles, and sometimes aggressive minibus drivers all require caution and reduced speed for safety.

The Government of Grenada has a seat belt law; drivers and passengers found not wearing seat belts are subject to a fine of EC$1,000 (US$400).

Before you drive in Grenada, a local temporary driver’s license, based on a valid U.S. driver’s license and costing EC$30 (US$12), is highly recommended.

In the event of an accident, not having a valid local driver’s license will result in a fine, regardless of who is at fault.

Rental vehicle companies are available; most of them will assist in applying for temporary driver’s licenses.

The adequacy of road signage varies, but is generally poor to nonexistent.

5 facts — expand for details.

Airports - total

3

Airports with Paved Runways

3

Roadways- total

700 Miles 1,127 Kilometers

Roadways- paved

427 Miles 687 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

Grenville, Saint George's

7 facts — expand for details.

Telephones

28,600

Cell Phones

46,200

Internet Users

23,000

Internet Country Code

.gd

Internet Hosts

52

Broadcast Media

• The Grenada Broadcasting Network, jointly owned by the government and the Caribbean Communications Network of Trinidad and Tobago, operates a TV station and 2 radio stations
• multi-channel cable TV subscription service is available
• a dozen private radio stations also broadcast

Telephone System

• assessment: Automatic, island-wide telephone system
• Domestic: Interisland VHF and UHF radiotelephone links
• International: Country code - 1-473; landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber Optic System (ECFS) submarine cable with links to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad; SHF radiotelephone links to Trinidad and Tobago and Saint Vincent; VHF and UHF radio links to Trinidad

Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

155,700,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

178,700,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

2,803

Anthem Lyrics English

Hail! Grenada, land of ours, We pledge ourselves to thee, Heads, hearts and hands in unity To reach our destiny. Ever conscious of God, Being proud of our heritage, May we with faith and courage Aspire, build, advance As one people, one family. God bless our nation.