A practical sequence for someone actually moving, rather than considering it.
Before you go
- Establish your legal basis — citizenship, residence permit, work permit or student status; each has different requirements
- Arrange health insurance including overseas treatment and medical evacuation
- Obtain a police certificate from your home country if a permit application requires it
- Gather documents — birth, marriage, qualifications — legalised as required
- Decide on shipping — a container is expensive; buying locally is expensive too, so price both
Point five deserves thought: import duties are significant, and the calculation of shipping versus buying locally is not obvious. Check duty rates on the categories you care about before deciding.
First month
- Somewhere temporary to stay — do not commit to a long lease before seeing areas in person
- Open a bank account — expect documentation requirements and some delay
- Obtain a local driving permit — required for visitors and new residents
- Register with authorities as your status requires
- Set up utilities — electricity, water, internet
Banking is the item that most often takes longer than expected. Small-jurisdiction banks apply thorough know-your-customer procedures, and arriving with a complete document set saves repeated visits.
Housing
Rent before buying. Two additional reasons here beyond the usual ones:
- Micro-climates differ sharply — a house on a windward slope is a different proposition from one in a sheltered bay
- Storm exposure varies by location, and it is worth understanding before committing capital
If buying, note the alien landholding licence requirement for non-nationals, which adds fees and time.
Vehicles
Most residents need one. Importing carries duty; buying locally means a limited market at prices reflecting that duty. Either way, budget more than you would expect for the equivalent vehicle at home.
Schooling
Options include public schools, private and church schools, and an international school. Places at preferred schools can be limited — enquire before arriving, not after.
Things that take longer than expected
- Bank account opening
- Utility connections
- Any permit involving multiple offices
- Customs clearance of shipped goods
- Anything during a public holiday period
The general rule that experienced residents offer: build in more time than seems necessary, and treat delay as normal rather than as a problem to escalate. Patience is more effective than pressure here.
Frequently asked questions
Should you ship belongings or buy locally?
Price both — import duties are significant and local prices reflect them, so the answer is not obvious.
What takes longest on arrival?
Opening a bank account — small-jurisdiction banks apply thorough procedures, so arrive with complete documentation.
Why rent before buying here specifically?
Micro-climates and storm exposure vary sharply by location, and both are worth understanding before committing capital.
Do foreigners need a licence to buy land?
Yes — an alien landholding licence, which adds fees and time to a purchase.
Need a tailored roadmap?
Viking Global Group walks with you from paperwork to settlement. Call +849.219.219.88 or email [email protected] for a free consultation.
Related articles
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this relate to the Grenada guide?
The article links the Grenada guide to living.
Information is for reference and may change under the latest official policy. Please contact us for current regulations.
