Ask anyone who has bought land in Grenada as a foreigner what took longest, and the answer is almost always the wait for the Alien Landholding Licence. Approval commonly takes around three months, sometimes more, and during that time the buyer has signed, paid a deposit and cannot yet call the land theirs.
The wait is easier to manage when you know what is happening and what you can do in the meantime. Much of the work that otherwise delays completion, from money transfers to planning conversations, can be done in parallel.
This article lays out a typical sequence month by month. Every case is different, and timings depend on the completeness of the file, the land and the government's workload, so treat the months as a guide and ask your Grenadian attorney for an estimate for your case.
Before month one: getting the file ready
The licence clock does not start until an application is lodged, and an application cannot be lodged until there is a signed sale agreement. But much of the preparation can begin earlier. As soon as you are serious about buying, ask your attorney what documents the application will need, and start gathering those that take time.
A police certificate of character from your country of residence is a frequent bottleneck: in some countries it takes weeks to obtain, and it needs to be recent enough to be accepted. Bank references and character references also take time to arrange. Make sure passport copies are clear and current. If you are buying with a spouse or through a company, gather their documents too.
At the same stage, your attorney carries out title searches and a surveyor checks the boundaries. When both come back satisfactorily, the sale agreement is signed, including a condition that completion depends on the licence being granted and a long-stop date if it is not. The deposit is paid to an attorney's client account. With the agreement signed, the application can go in.
Months one to three: the application under consideration
Lodging the application. Your attorney submits the application with the supporting documents, the sale agreement and the survey description of the land. A complete file at this point is the single biggest factor you control.
Government review. The application is considered by government rather than issued over the counter. Officials may check the applicant's background and the land, and decisions are made at a senior level.
Requests for information. If something is missing or unclear, the application may be sent back with questions. Each round adds time, which is why complete files matter.
What affects speed. Large, vacant, agricultural or coastal land tends to take longer than a finished home. Holidays and busy periods can also slow things.
Keeping in touch. Your attorney can follow up on progress, but there is limited scope to accelerate a decision. Patience is part of the process.
What to do while you wait
The waiting period is valuable time. Buyers who use it well complete faster and start building sooner. Consider working through these tasks:
- Arrange the transfer of funds and prepare source-of-funds documentation for your bank and attorney; compliance checks can take weeks.
- Ask your attorney for a draft completion statement showing the licence fee, taxes, fees and balance due, so there are no surprises.
- Obtain estimates from NAWASA and GRENLEC for utility connections if the land is not already served.
- Meet an architect or draughtsperson and start outline designs, but hold off on anything that depends on owning the land.
- Have an informal conversation with the Physical Planning Unit about what is likely to be approved on the site.
- Prepare a power of attorney if you will not be in Grenada at completion.
- Stay off the land as far as work is concerned: no clearing, fencing or building until completion and registration.
Grant, payment and completion
When the licence is approved, your attorney is notified and the licence fee, commonly stated as 10% of the value of the property, becomes payable to the government. Once it is paid and the licence issued, the condition in the sale agreement is satisfied, and completion can be arranged.
Completion usually follows within a short period of the licence being granted, as set out in the sale agreement. The deed of conveyance is signed, the balance of the price is paid through the attorneys, and the seller hands over the title documents. If the funds are already in place and the completion statement agreed, this stage can move quickly. If money is still in transit, it becomes the new bottleneck.
Read the licence itself carefully with your attorney. It will identify the land and the licensee, and may include conditions about use or development. Keep the original with your deed: you will need it when you sell, and it may be asked for in connection with planning, banking or insurance.
After completion: registration and the first year
After completion, the deed is stamped and registered at the Deeds and Land Registry in St George's. Registration can take some time; your attorney will confirm when it is done and provide certified copies. Until then, keep your copies of the signed deed, licence and receipts somewhere safe.
Transfer the property tax account into your name, and diarise any licence conditions, such as a period within which development should begin. If you plan to build, the planning application can now go in formally, with the confidence that the land is yours.
Seen as a whole, a typical foreign land purchase in Grenada often runs from about four to six months between signing the agreement and holding a registered deed, and longer where title needs work or the licence takes extra time. Building that reality into your plans from the start, rather than hoping for a fast track, makes the process far less stressful.
Things that stretch the timeline
If the process is taking much longer than expected, one of these is usually the reason:
- An incomplete application, or documents that expired before submission.
- Questions about the intended use of vacant, large or sensitive land.
- Title problems that emerge late, such as missing probate or a boundary dispute.
- Funds delayed by international bank compliance checks.
- A power of attorney that was not executed or recorded correctly.
- Holiday periods and changes in government workload.
- A long-stop date in the agreement that is too short, forcing renegotiation while the application is still pending.
- Changes in the buyer's details, such as adding a co-purchaser or switching to a company, after the application has been lodged.
- Slow replies from the buyer when the attorney asks for further information or signatures.
Keeping the seller on side during the wait
While the licence is pending, the seller is waiting too, with the land off the market and the balance of the price still unpaid. Sellers who are unfamiliar with the licence process can grow anxious, especially family sellers with relatives asking when the money will arrive. Ask your attorney to explain the process and expected timing to the seller's attorney at the outset, and to share progress updates when there is news.
Small courtesies help. Respond quickly when documents are requested, confirm when funds have arrived in Grenada, and avoid asking for changes to the agreement unless they are necessary. If the long-stop date is approaching and the licence has not yet been granted, raise an extension early and in writing rather than waiting for the deadline. A seller who trusts that the buyer is serious and organised is far more likely to agree an extension without trying to renegotiate the price.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Alien Landholding Licence take?
Approval commonly takes around three months, though it can be longer, particularly for large, vacant or sensitive land or where an application needs more information. A complete file helps. Your Grenadian attorney can give an estimate based on current experience and the specifics of your purchase.
Can the licence application be submitted before signing a sale agreement?
Generally the application relates to a specific purchase and is lodged after the sale agreement is signed, because the agreement and description of the land form part of the file. You can, however, gather supporting documents such as police certificates and references beforehand.
Is there a way to speed up the licence?
There is limited scope to accelerate a government decision. The practical way to avoid delays is to submit a complete, accurate application, respond quickly to any questions and ensure your funds and documents for completion are ready by the time the licence is granted.
When is the licence fee paid?
The fee is generally paid once the licence has been approved and before completion. Your attorney will include it in the completion statement. Make sure the funds are in Grenada in good time so payment does not delay completion after approval.
What happens if the long-stop date passes before the licence is granted?
That depends on the sale agreement. Usually either party may withdraw and the deposit is returned, or the parties agree to extend the date. Choose a realistic long-stop date at the outset and discuss extension options with your attorney before it becomes urgent.
