Ordinary naturalisation and residence permission

Permit and final twelve months

The 2012 amendment requires the applicant to hold a permit of residence issued by the Minister responsible for immigration and to have resided in Grenada throughout the twelve months immediately before applying. The text says a residence permit; it does not label this as a specified number of years of permanent residence.

Five years within the earlier seven-year window

During the seven years before that final twelve-month period, the applicant must have at least five years in aggregate of Grenadian residence, government service, or a combination. Government service can include service abroad. This earlier period and the final twelve months are separate requirements, not a five-year total residence shortcut.

Adult capacity, character and English

The applicant must be at least 18, of full capacity and good character, and have adequate knowledge of English. The cited Act does not assign a CEFR level or establish a particular examination format or general exemption. The Minister must be satisfied that these conditions are met.

Future intention, discretion and oath

The applicant must intend to reside in Grenada or enter or continue government service. Section 7 provides ministerial discretion to adjust residence periods and a separately prescribed exceptional route requiring both Houses' approval. The ordinary grant requires an oath; citizenship begins on the certificate date, with the oath or permitted affirmation attested by a magistrate.

Voluntary renunciation has a registration step

An adult of full capacity who is or is about to become another country's citizen can make a prescribed declaration renouncing Grenadian citizenship. Loss occurs upon registration; wartime withholding of registration is possible. This provision is not, by itself, proof of every foreign-nationality retention condition on initial naturalisation.