For digital nomads who dream of living in a Caribbean Island, you might want to consider applying for the Grenada digital nomad visa. The visa allows you to live in Grenada for up to year and have the option to extend it for one more year.
Grenada is a gorgeous Caribbean Island home to stunning beaches and luxury resorts, making it an ideal destination for a beach holiday. While it may not be as popular as the other Caribbean countries, it offers numerous things for digital nomads looking to escape to an island paradise.
Also known as the “Spice Island,” Grenada has a thriving spice industry, and you can smell a variety of spices when exploring the Spice Market in the bustling capital of St. George. Indeed, Grenada is an interesting country to explore. And as a digital nomad, you have the opportunity to live here for a year with the introduction of the Grenada digital nomad visa.
But before you pack your bags and travel to Grenada, it’s worth knowing what the visa requirements are and how you apply for it. So, here’s your guide to applying for the Grenada digital nomad visa.
About the Grenada Digital Nomad Visa
To attract more foreign visitors, Grenada joined many other Caribbean Island countries to launch a digital nomad program. Under this program, digital nomads or any professional who can perform work remotely will be allowed to live in the country for up to a year. Officially launched by the Grenadian Parliament in October 2021, the Grenada digital nomad visa was introduced through the “Remote Employment Act.”
Applicants for the Grenada digital nomad visa can bring their spouses and dependents to Grenada under the program. While living in Grenada as a digital nomad, you will be exempted from paying income tax. As a result, you could save thousands of dollars living in Grenada as a digital nomad.
Grenada Digital Nomad Visa Eligibility
Like any visa, you must meet certain qualifications to get approved for the Grenada digital nomad visa. Thankfully, Grenada’s Remote Employment Act is open to all nationalities, which means anyone can apply for the digital nomad visa as long as they can show proof of being able to work remotely. Here are the qualifications:
- Holds a valid passport.
- Must be fully vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus and can show proof of vaccination.
- Have health insurance.
- Earns an annual income of at least $37,000 and can show proof of income.
Documents to Submit When Applying for the Grenada Digital Nomad Visa
The Grenada digital nomad visa is one of the easiest digital nomad visas you can apply. It’s open to all nationalities and doesn’t have too many eligibility requirements. But before you send in your application, there are certain documents you need to submit. It is best to prepare them ahead. Here are the requirements:
- Valid passport – your passport must remain valid for at least six months from the expiration of the Grenada digital nomad visa.
- Passport-sized photos – you need to submit two passport-sized photos that were taken less than three months ago. One of the photos must be certified by the Notary Public.
- Application form – download the application form online and fill it out completely.
- Proof of remote work – you must be able to show proof you are employed and can work remotely in Grenada. If you own a company, you have to show a certificate of your business and it must be based outside of Grenada.
- Proof of income – as stated above, applicants have to earn at least $37,000 per year to be eligible for the Grenada digital nomad visa. You need to show proof that you meet this requirement. This can come in the form of bank statements or pay slips.
- Health insurance – applicants must have health insurance to cover any medical costs incurred while living in Grenada as a digital nomad.
- Covid-19 Vaccination Certificate – Grenada will only allow foreign visitors who are fully vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus. Therefore, you are required to submit a vaccination certificate when applying for the visa.
- Additional requirements for applicants with dependents – if you are bringing your spouse to Grenada under the remote work program, you need to submit marriage certificate as proof of your relationship. If you are sponsoring your kids, you must submit their birth certificate.
Applying for the Grenada Digital Nomad Visa
If you believe you qualify for the Grenada digital nomad visa and you’re ready to apply for it, here are the steps to follow:
1. Gather all the requirements
Unlike other Caribbean countries offering digital nomad visas where you can apply for the visa online, the Grenada digital nomad visa application has to be done by mail. Therefore, the first step is to gather the required documents. Refer to the list of requirements above and have them ready. All documents have to be in English and printed clearly.
2. Fill out the application form
Once you have all the requirements sorted, the next step is to fill out the application form. You can download the form online through this – Grenada Visa Application Form. Print the form and fill it out completely.
3. Mail your application
Place the application form and documents in an envelope and mail them to the embassy of Grenada near you. Take note that there is an application fee for the Grenada digital nomad visa. It will cost $1,500 for individual applications and $2,000 for a family of up to four members. If there are more than four members in your family, you will be charged $200 for each additional dependent. You can pay for this via money order or check made to the Embassy of Grenada.
If you want the visa to be mailed back to you instead of picking it up yourself, include a separate money order for the postage cost. It will cost $20 for express service mail within the United States and $60 for international.
4. Wait for the processing of your application
After mailing your application for the Grenada digital nomad visa, all you will do is wait while the embassy processes your application, which will take up to ten business days. Send your application at least six weeks before your travel date to Grenada to give the embassy enough time to process the application.
Paying Taxes in Grenada as a Digital Nomad
Income tax is only payable in Grenada if the income is sourced from within the country. Therefore, as a digital nomad in Grenada, you will not be required to pay the local income tax. However, you must be able to show proof that your income is from outside the country.
There are two income tax rates in Grenada, 10% and 28%m depending on the amount of income. Companies based in Grenada are obliged to pay corporate tax of 28% and VAT at the standard rate of 15%. The annual property tax will be 0.8% of the property’s market value.
Living as a Digital Nomad in Grenada
There are many reasons digital nomads will love living in Grenada. It’s a gorgeous paradise, home to many beautiful beaches. If you want to be surrounded by lush greenery with various opportunities to explore the outdoors, consider moving to Grenada.
While living as a digital nomad in Grenada, you could find yourself hanging out at the beach when you’re not busy working. Grand Anse, the island’s most famous beach, boasts more than two miles of white sand and has crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming and snorkelling. You’ll also find many shaded areas and beachside cafes to take up work if you feel like working outdoors.
Aside from enjoying the fresh air, you can guarantee a healthy work-life balance while living in Grenada since there are plenty of things to do when you’re not at work. You can take up water sports like surfing, snorkelling, and kayaking.
If you’re into hiking, you’ll find many scenic hikes to conquer around the island. For instance, you can hike through Grand Etang National Park, which has a crater lake in an extinct volcano. Bird lovers will especially enjoy exploring this park, as it’s home to hundred different bird species. Other sites worth exploring on a hike are Mt. Hartman Dove Sanctuary and the Levera National Park. But if you’d rather relax during your work breaks, you can go to Levera beach, a much quieter beach, where you can relax and work on your tan.
Internet is pretty decent in Grenada, especially in St. George’s, the capital city. And while there are not too many co-working spaces, you will find many cafes, bars, and restaurants that offer free Wi-Fi.
Digital nomads will not have a hard time adjusting to life in Grenada. English is the island’s official language, so you can easily communicate with the locals. Furthermore, the locals are friendly and welcoming to foreign visitors, so you can always ask for help when needed. And now that the Grenada digital nomad visa is here, the community of digital nomads in the country will continue to grow, making it easier to network and connect with other nomads.
FAQs on the Grenada Digital Nomad Visa
How Much Will It Cost to Apply for the Grenada Digital Nomad Visa?
The cost for applying for a Grenada digital nomad visa is $1,500. If you’re a family of up to four members, it will cost you $2,000. If there are more than four members in your family, you will be charged $200 for each additional dependent.
How Long Can I Stay in Grenada while Holding the Digital Nomad Visa?
The Grenada digital nomad visa will let you stay in the country for up to a year. If you want to continue living in the country after a year, you can apply for an extension of the visa for another year.
How Long is the Processing Time for the Grenada Digital Nomad Visa?
It will take up to ten business days for the Grenada Embassy to process the application for the digital nomad visa.
What Other Caribbean Countries offer Digital Nomad Visas?
Nomad Girl has written an extensive article that is being kept up to date on all the countries offering Digital Nomad visas or programs. So far the following other Caribbean destinations are on the list:
- Anguilla – Work From Anguilla
- Dominica – Work in Nature
- Antigua & Barbuda – Antigua Nomad Digital Residence
- Bermuda – Work From Bermuda
- Cayman Islands – Global Citizen Concierge Program
- Montserrat – Montserrat Remote Work Stamp
- The Bahamas – Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay
- Curaçao – @Home in Curaçao
- Barbados – Barbados Welcome Stamp
- St Lucia – Live It