Naturalisation in special circumstances (discretionary)
Citizenship in Grenada
- Eligibility
- Minister may, in special circumstances and subject to the approval of both Houses of Parliament, grant a certificate of naturalisation to an alien/British protected person of full age and capacity, dispensing with the ordinary residence conditions (Citizenship Act Cap 54 s.7(3)).
- Timeline
- variable
Overview
Minister may, in special circumstances and subject to the approval of both Houses of Parliament, grant a certificate of naturalisation to an alien/British protected person of full age and capacity, dispensing with the ordinary residence conditions (Citizenship Act Cap 54 s.7(3)).
Who qualifies
- Special-circumstances discretionary naturalisation: notwithstanding s.7(1) and s.7(2), the Minister may, in such special circumstances as he/she may prescribe and SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT, grant a certificate of naturalisation to an alien or British protected person of full age and capacity [Cap 54 s.7(3)]. This is a distinct discretionary route from ordinary s.7(1) naturalisation and requires bicameral parliamentary approval. - No statutory minimum age below 'full age' (18) and no separate civics or language test beyond 'adequate knowledge of English' [Cap 54 s.5(1)(b)] applies to naturalisation. 'Full age' = attaining 18 years; 'full capacity' = not of unsound mind [Cap 54 s.2(2)]. 'Alien' means a person who is not a Commonwealth citizen, a British protected person, nor a citizen of the Republic of Ireland [Cap 54 s.2(1)].
Legal basis
Primary statute: Citizenship Act Cap 54 s.7(3). Operative 1976-11-05–present. Authority: Minister; both Houses of Parliament.
Example scenarios
Potentially eligible under the discretionary special-circumstances naturalisation, s.7(3) — but only with the approval of both Houses of Parliament.
Cap 54 s.7(3) lets the Minister, in special circumstances and subject to the approval of BOTH Houses of Parliament, grant a certificate of naturalisation to an alien or British protected person of full age and capacity, dispensing with the ordinary s.7(1) residence conditions. A nationally important surgeon could fit 'special circumstances', but the route is highly discretionary, requires bicameral parliamentary approval, and is not an entitlement.
Not eligible — s.7(3) is reserved for genuine special circumstances and needs both Houses' approval; it is not a routine shortcut.
s.7(3) requires (i) 'special circumstances' in the Minister's judgment and (ii) the approval of both Houses of Parliament. It is a rare, high-bar discretionary mechanism, not a generally available express lane. An ordinary applicant lacking an exceptional, nationally significant justification should use ordinary naturalisation (s.7(1)) or, if seeking speed without residence, the CBI investment routes (GD-INV-01/02).
Informational summary compiled from primary legal sources — not legal advice. Citizenship law changes; verify with the competent authority before acting. Last verified 2026-06-14.
Track changes to this route
Descent and naturalization rules change. We'll email you in plain English when anything affecting Grenada updates — no spam.