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The Grenada digital nomad visa gives remote workers and freelancers an opportunity to reside in this pristine island nation located in the West Indies in the Caribbean Sea at the southern tip of the Grenadines island chain.

Known as the “spice island”, Grenada formed as a result of volcanic activity and is an island of exquisite beauty and fertile soils famous for the production of spices, cocoa and coffee beans. It is among the most stunning islands in the Caribbean with diverse flora and fauna making it a sought after getaway destination for the digital nomad. 

Launching its own remote work visa allowing digital nomads to live and work for extended periods, Grenada has cemented itself in this niche of nations taking advantage of this new type of worker.

Is a Visa Required To Work in Grenada?

As with the majority of the countries in the world, those who wish to live and work in this island nation will need to have an approved work visa to engage in employment. Nevertheless, all members of the E.U., U.S., U.K. and over 80 countries can enter Grenada without a visa and remain there for periods ranging from 1-6 months. ¹

This should be plenty of time to scout the island nation and see if it’s a perfect fit as a short term destination, especially if you are still contemplating and wondering how to become a digital nomad. Fortunately, the good news is that if Grenada is what you’re looking at as a place to enjoy your workcation, then the island nation offers a digital nomad visa that is valid for one year—with an option to extend it for another year.

What Is the Grenada Digital Nomad Visa? (Grenada Remote Employment Act)

The Grenada digital nomad visa, officially known as the Grenada Remote Employment Act was introduced to bolster the country’s economy similarly to many other countries in the Caribbean by attracting remote workers to live and work for extended periods of time. ²

Launched by the Grenadian parliament in 2021, the visa allows remote workers, freelancers or entrepreneurs and their families to live and work on the Spice Island for up to 2 years without paying a single cent on income tax!

What Are the Requirements To Obtain a Grenada Digital Nomad Visa?

This digital nomad visa rolled out due to the Grenada Remote Employment Act is open to all nationalities as long as they meet the requirements set forth by the Grenada government. Some of these requirements are:

• Valid Passport—The applicant must hold a valid passport that expires at least 6 months before the visa expires.
• Income—Applicants must earn a minimum of $37,000 annually.
• Remote Work— The income threshold above must be derived from remote work, freelancing or an online business and not by working on the island nation itself.
• No Criminal Records—Applicants should have a clean criminal record.
• Covid 19 Vaccination—Holder of the visa must be fully vaccinated against Covid 19.
• Health Insurance—Applicants of the visa must carry health insurance.

Documents Needed To Apply for a Grenada Digital Nomad Visa

It is best to have all the documents compiled and needed for the successful application of the visa. Among these documents needed are proof of financial income, proof of health insurance and valid passports.

1. Valid Passport—Valid passport with the validity outlined earlier; the applicant should also have copies of the passport.
2. Photos—Two passport sized photos are needed which should have been taken less than 3 months before the application is lodged. One photo must be notarized by either a lawyer or a notary.
3. Health Insurance—Proof of health insurance policy which should be able to amply cover any medical expenses that may be incurred while on the island. This insurance needs to specifically cover the territory of Grenada
4. Covid 19 Certificate—Only foreigners who are vaccinated against Covid 19 are allowed into the country and applicants must prove this.
5. Proof of Remote Work—This is one of the most important documentation required. The applicant must show that they generate revenue online whether it be through freelancing, remote work or having a business. Letter from employers or a certificate proving that the applicant owns a business will suffice.
6. Proof of Income—The government of Grenada needs to see that the applicant can conformably live in the island nation without being a burden to the state. Therefore bank statements, slips and certificates will need to be gathered to demonstrate financial eligibility. Statements printed online must have an official stamp from the bank.
7. Accommodation Arrangements—Proof of accommodation during the stay in Grenada. This can include hotel reservation or any proof of planned living arrangement such as rentals agreements.
8. Information on Dependents—If the applicant wants to bring dependents with them during their stay, then they will need to submit proof of relations such as marriage and birth certificates for spouses and children respectively.

Application Process for the Grenada Digital Nomad Visa (How to Apply for the Grenada Visa)

Applying for the Grenada digital nomad visa is a straightforward process—however, unlike many of the other Caribbean countries, the visa application must be completed via mail and cannot be done online—it is recommended to apply for the visa 6 weeks before planned travel to allow ample processing time for the visa. ³

To initiate the process of visa application:

1. Gather together all the documents outlined above.
2. Download, print and sign the Grenada digital nomad visa application.
3. Application fee breakdown for the Grenada digital nomad visa payable in check or money order is as follows:

• Individual applicant—US $1,500
• Applicant and up to 4 dependents—US $2,000
• Each additional dependent—$200
• Postage fee (if visa needs to be mailed back)—US $20.00 and US $60.00 for express mail within the U.S and international respectively.

4. Place the form, payment and all required documentation in an envelope and mail to the nearest Grenada embassy or consulate. ⁴
5. Processing time is 10 business days.

“Digital nomads stand to gain from working in Grenada from a financial point of view—this is because the island county does not tax remote workers on their income because they don’t source their revenue from Grenada.”

Life in Grenada as a Digital Nomad 

After having made a decision to move to Grenada for your digital nomad voyage, it is important to have an idea what life will be like for the next 12 months should you choose to complete the tenure of the visa. This Caribbean island has always been a popular destination for tourists with many cruises opting to set anchor to allow their passengers to enjoy the beauty of this island nation. 

With white sandy pristine beaches and lush greenery, Grenada won’t fail to disappoint any digital nomad looking to call this place home. There is plenty to do here: hiking, snorkeling, swimming, surfing, even bird watching. What’s more, Grenadians are very welcoming and as English is the official language, there should be no problem with communicating with the locals—a problem that often plagues travelers.

The island nation is also safe for those who may be concerned about crime—the U.S. Department of State’s travel rating of Grenada places it at a level-one which is denoted as “Exercise normal precautions.” ⁵ However, this does not mean that you should let your guard down completely as it is wise to look out for petty crimes.

Granada has a fairly well developed infrastructure to support the technical needs of remote workers who have not only come to this island to play, but to work as well. Amenities such as banking, internet and health care are well developed allowing Grenada to provide the perfect work-life balance for any would-be nomad.

Digital Nomad Amenities in Grenada (Banking, Health Care, Internet Connectivity, Coworking Spaces)

While enjoying visiting a beautiful island in the middle of the Caribbean Sea is a fascinating thought, living and working here is another ball game. For the digital nomad lifestyle to work, there must be supporting infrastructure that allows the remote worker to continue making a living and closely mimic the lifestyle they are accustomed to.

Fortunately, Grenada lives up to this and can amply support the digital nomad community which is only set to grow with the launch of this visa. This has the implication that amenities will only improve to support the growing digital nomad population.

Internet Connectivity in Grenada

Internet connectivity is by the far the most important amenity that a digital nomad would be looking for when choosing a location—Grenada offers ample internet capacity considering its remote location. The country ranks 57^nd in terms of internet speed worldwide with average fixed broadband download speeds of 78.91 Mbps. ⁶ In fact, data from the World Bank notes that 78% of the Grenadian population as of 2021 use the internet. ⁷

Wi-Fi access is easily available at most restaurants, cafes and coworking spaces.

Coworking Spaces in Grenada

Coworking spaces are growing in popularity among digital nomad communities as they provide plenty of amenities that a typical office would provide such as Wi-Fi, reception services and ergonomic working spaces. Grenada is not fully developed in this respect and currently has only these known coworking spaces:

• LaunchPad Grenada
• CARICOM Corporate Services Inc.
• Streamline Networks

To obtain more information on this, please contact the Grenada Tourism Authority:

Grenada Tourism Authority
Post Office Box 293
St. George, Grenada

Telephone: +1 (473) 440 2279/2001
Fax: +1 (473) 440 6637
Email: info@puregrenada.com

Digital Nomad Hotspots in Grenada

Other than coworking spaces, Grenada has plenty of hotspots for digital nomads with most of these located in the capital St. George’s—these include cafes and restaurants that are conducive to remote workers offering amenities such as free Wi-Fi. Some of these digital nomad hotspots include:

• Savvy’s Café
• Café de la Place
• Petit Anse
• Mocha Spoke Coffee Shop
• The Heights
• Spice Isle Coffee Company
• Spice Island Beach Resort

Healthcare in Grenada

As was mentioned earlier, one of the stipulations that the Grenada government mandates before issuing the digital nomad visa is that applicants carry health insurance—therefore, this may not be too much of a concern. However, digital nomads would be pleased to know that Grenada has one of the best healthcare systems in the Caribbean according to a 2000 World Health Organization report. ⁸

What’s more impressive is that there is a healthcare provider within 3 miles of every household in Grenada—the Grenadian healthcare system consists of: ⁹

• Eight hospitals (4 are private)
• Six health centers
• Thirty medical stations

Grenada’s main medical facility is the St. George’s General Hospital. ¹⁰

Banking in Grenada

The banking system is well developed in Grenada with a total of 18 banks with 3 major ones that are renowned and more trustworthy—these are: ¹¹

• FirstCaribbean International Bank
• Grenada Co-Operative Bank
• Republic Bank

Other banks include:

• ACB Grenada bank
• CIBC Bank
• RBC bank
• Bank of Asia
• Bancorp South bank
• Development bank

Banks in Grenada serve citizens, residents and foreigners. They also provide banking services to both individuals and businesses offering amenities such as internet banking and remote account opening. Debit cards (Visa/Mastercard) are accepted at all banks, at most restaurants and grocery stores.

The official currency of Grenada is the East Caribbean dollar (EC$/XCD) shared with 5 other Caribbean nations including St. Lucia, Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Anguilla. It is pegged with the US dollar at 37 US cents. Accounts are generally opened with the XCD, but foreign currency accounts exist.

It is relatively easy to open an account for residents, however unlike Grenadians, they must provide additional documentation such as a letter of good standing and a bank reference from the current financial institution.

What Is the Cost of Living in Grenada?

The cost of living in Grenada is fairly low when compared to industrialized nations such as the U.S, Germany, Canada or the U.K. with monthly expenses hovering between US $1000 – $1500 including housing for one person. Grenada is ranked 76th out of 197 countries on the globe in terms of cost of living. Here is an approximate breakdown of monthly expenses for one person in Grenada:

• One bedroomed apartment— US $300 – $500 outside the capital. However, these can go up to US $1200 for bigger units.
• Food monthly expenses—US $450
• Internet plan (subscription)—US $60
• Transport costs—US $50
• Utilities—US $117

The cost of eating out is about the same as one would expect in the United States with a meal in an average restaurant for one person costing US $8.00 or a 3 course meal for two people costing US $75.00 in a higher end establishment.

Groceries are easily available in supermarkets and fresh produce from local markets such as the St. George’s Market Square is abundant. ¹² To get to some idea of cost of the groceries, see the list below:

• One lbs. of beef round—US $ 6.50
• One lbs. of chicken filet— US $4
• One lbs. of white rice—US $0.70
• One gallon of milk (regular)—US $5.00
• One loaf of white bread—US $1.45

Tourist Attractions in Grenada

Grenada is nicknamed the “Spice Island“ due its notable production of cloves, ginger, nutmeg, mace and cinnamon—however, this is not all what it is famous—it has plenty of rugged mountains clothed with lush rainforests and waterfalls and an indented coastline with protected bays making for ideal  and secluded beaches. ¹³

As a result, Grenada has taken its place as the one of the go-to islands in the Caribbean among the usual staple choices such as Bahamas, Grand Cayman and Jamaica. In addition to its classic Caribbean beauty, Grenada is an island with rich history and culture with its capital St. George boasting awe inspiring architecture.

All this combined with a warm and English speaking people places Grenada among the top choices for remote workers who want to bring their work with them and unwind on its white pristine beaches. Here are some of the attractions that await digital nomads in Grenada. ¹⁴

White, Sandy and Pristine Beaches:

This is the prime reason many tourists and cruise ships dock in this island nation—Grenada has miles of secluded beaches with crystal clear waters. Many of these are lined with beach café’s that remote workers can work off while enjoying the warm sea breeze. There are also plenty of high end luxury resorts in case you’d like to treat yourself to a weekend getaway while living in Grenada.

The most famous beach is that at Grand Anse which is popular with cruise ship passengers and is littered with almond trees, grape fruits and coconut trees. Not too far is also the spice market and the Grande Anse Craft where nomads can shop for high quality spices that Grenada is known for. 

There are also quieter beaches for those who prefer a more peaceful and serene environment; one of these is Levera beach. Morne Rouge Bay is also a quieter alternative to Grand Anse and is considered the safest beach for swimming in Grenada.

There are plenty of water sports available in the beaches including scuba diving and snorkeling.

Moliniere Bay & the Underwater Sculpture Park:

A unique feature of Grenada is this Underwater Sculpture Park which is in Moliniere Bay and not too far from St. George’s. As the name implies, this is a submerged work of art created by Jason deCaires Taylor and serves as a gallery which doubles up as an artificial reef. 

Accessible by glass bottom boats, scuba diving and snorkeling, these 75 works are spread over an area of 800 square meters at depths of 5-8 meters. The park is listed as one of the 25 wonders of the world by National Geographic.

St. George’s & Fort George:

St. George’s, the capital of Grenada is a must visit if the digital nomad doesn’t choose to live there. It is a city of magnificent beauty with colored buildings that have an aesthetic appeal easily making it one of the most striking cities in the Caribbean. Many boaters are anchored in St. George’s and the harbor is always awash with activity. 

Fort George is another attraction that is famous in the city. It is a French built fort put up in the early part of the 18^th century as a prison and a barracks. Nowadays, it provides magnificent views of St. George’s and the ocean—it also serves as a museum displaying several historical items such as Carib and Arawak artifacts and those from Grenada’s sugar and whaling industries.

House of Chocolate Grenada Museum:

Grenada is not only a cacao producer but also turns this bean into fine chocolate making it one the few places in the world to do so—the House of Chocolate Grenada Museum is a unique boutique located in St. George’s that is a sort of mini museum and portrays the history of chocolate in Grenada. It consists of a small café which produces chocolates onsite making it an absolute visit and  delight for chocolate lovers.

Grand Etang National Park and Forest Reserve:

For those desiring a break from the beach or simply want to enjoy nature, Grenada will not disappoint as the island has a dedicated national park known as the Grand Etang National Park and the Annandale Forest. ¹⁵ This protected area in the interior and south central part of the island has acres of lush forest perfect for hiking with plenty of trails. The park is also home to exotic plants and animals. 

The flora consists of lofty mahogany and towering gommier trees as well as a throng of tropical ferns, and flowers. Bird lovers will not be disappointed here as there are hundreds of species of birds. The seven sisters’ falls are a must visit when in the park. Whether you are looking for a quick 20 minute trail or a grueling expedition lasting hours, the park can accommodate all tastes.

This list by no means exhaustive and digital nomads can look up other attractions and activities to do in Grenada which include:

• La Sagesse
• Carriacou
• Levera National Park
• Spice Tours & Tastings
• Petite Martinique
• Annandale Falls
• Belmont Estate Grenada
• Carenage
• St. George’s Market Square
• Palm Tree Gardens Botanical Garden
• Fort Frederick
• Morne Rouge Bay

Are There Any Tax Benefits of Living in Grenada?

Digital nomads stand to gain from working in Grenada from a financial point of view—this is because the island county does not tax remote workers on their income because they don’t source their revenue from Grenada. ¹⁶ Since digital nomad visa applicants must prove that their income comes from a foreign county, they automatically become eligible for this tax benefit.

Alternative Digital Nomad Visas From Other Caribbean Countries 

For digital nomads that want to hop from one Caribbean destination to another, there are several countries in this part of the world that offer digital nomad visas including St. Lucia, Bermuda and the Bahamas. These programs are valid for one year on average. 

Antigua & Barbuda — Antigua Nomad Digital Residence is one of the lengthier programs with a visa valid for 2 years and costs US $1,500, US $2,000 for a couple and US $3,000 for a family consisting of 3 or more members.

Barbados — The Barbados Welcome Stamp is valid for a 1 year and costs US $2,000 and US $3,000 for a spouse and/or children.

Bermuda —Work from Bermuda has a cheaper costing visa setting back the applicant US $263 and is valid for 1 year. Despite high living costs and slower internet, it offers stunning beaches and attractions for remote workers interested in a Bermuda digital nomad visa.

The Cayman Islands — The Cayman Islands’ Global Citizen Concierge Program is a costly visa with a fee of US $1,469, but is nevertheless valid for 2 years.

Anguilla — Anguilla’s digital nomad visa is valid for 1 year and is among the most expensive to acquire costing US $2,000.

Montserrat — The Monserrat Remote Work Stamp costs US $500 for a single applicant and US $750 for a family of up to 3; it is valid for 1 year. This island nation offers Montserrat digital nomad visa holders a one-year stay on an island with stunning beaches and lush forests.

Dominica — Among the cheapest Caribbean locations in terms of cost of living, Dominica’s Work in Nature (WIN) digital nomad visa costs US $800 for a single applicant and US $1,200 for a family. It is valid for 18 months which makes it a good deal.

St. Lucia — The St. Lucia Digital Nomad Visa costs US $75 for a single applicant and is valid for 1 year making the St. Lucia Digital Nomad Visa the cheapest option to attain in the Caribbean.

The Bahamas — This famous Caribbean destination launched a digital nomad visa named Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS) and costs US $1,000 for a single applicant and an additional US $500 for each dependent.

Curaçao — Curaçao’s digital nomad visa dubbed the @ HOME in Curaçao costs US $294 and allows the holder only 6 months residence on this beautiful Caribbean island.

The Grenada digital nomad visa has provided a gateway for remote workers and their families to live and work in this exclusive Caribbean Island while paying zero taxes—it is valid for one year, but if digital nomads have enjoyed their stay which is highly likely, then they have the option of extending it for another 12 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Possible To Extend the Grenada Digital Nomad Visa?

Yes, it is possible to extend the visa. The Grenada digital nomad visa is typically valid for one year and can be extended for an additional 12 months. Remote workers simply need to re-apply for the visa by contacting the immigration department or the Grenada embassy.

What Are the Benefits of the Grenada Digital Nomad Visa?

This visa allows applicants to bring in their dependents, whether it is a spouse or children. The visa allows the applicant to live in Grenada for a year with an option to extend it for another 12 months. Holders of the visa are not required to pay any tax.

What Is the Most Affordable Digital Nomad Visa?

This all depends on what continent the remote worker is looking to visit and if affordability pertains to cost of the visa or minimum income requirements. In terms of visa costs, the cheapest digital nomad visa that is offered is the Mauritius digital nomad visa as it costs nothing to apply; the Uruguay visa is also low at $11.00. In terms of income requirements, several countries don’t have one including Curaçao, Bermuda and Uruguay.

Which European Country Has a High Approval Rate for a Digital Nomad Visa?

Portugal is one of the most welcoming countries for digital nomads and even makes it possible to eventually obtain permanent residency and citizenship. The Georgia digital nomad visa also had a relatively high approval rate.

What Is the Grenada Remote Employment Act?

The Grenada Remote Employment Act is a law passed by the Grenadian government in 2021 that gave the rise to the Grenada digital nomad visa to bolster the economy by allowing remote workers to live and work on the island for up to 2 years.

What Is the St. Lucia Digital Nomad Visa?

Similar to other Caribbean countries that allow remote workers to live and work in their countries, the island nation of St. Lucia offers digital nomads the right to apply for a visa that will permit them to live and work on the island for a year. Their income however must be from a foreign source.

Are There Any Nationalities That Don’t Require a Visa To Visit Grenada?

Yes, all members of the E.U., U.S., U.K. and over 80 countries can enter Grenada without a visa and remain there for periods ranging from 1-6 months.

References

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