BusinessGrenada.com Issue: 7 2016 -2017 | Page 24

Customs & Immigration Customs & Immigration GEORGE’S. No other hospital laboratory tests results will be accepted. Customs & IMMIGRATION CUSTOMS A department of the Ministry of Finance. Their aim is to protect and collect revenue on dutiable goods. For the speedy clearance of imports, it is recommended to employ the services of a Customs Broker who will be well versed in the procedures and relevant paperwork required. Grenada Customs has implemented the globally recognized Automated System for Customs Data, more widely known as ASYCUDA. CONCESSIONS All necessary paperwork regarding concessions should be completed before the importation of goods. It must be noted that even when a company has been granted a Duty Free concession, they are still subject to: • The Environment Levy, which must be paid on white goods coming into the country at a rate of 1% • A custom’s service charge of 5% on the CIF. All concessionaires must provide Customs with : • A licence / company registration, proving the right to operate their business in Grenada • A copy of the concession letter of approval by the GIDC accompanied by the list of items being imported. A BOND For more convenient clearance of containers on your own premises or site, businesses must enter into a bond, to the value of EC$100,000.00. This must be done through a local bank so therefore requires that the business has an account with a local bank. CREATING A BOND Follows the same steps as a regular import declaration. In “Document Library” of ASYCUDA, select the following path; ASYCUDA - Goods Clearance Declaration - Detailed Declaration, then right click and select “NEW” from the drop-down menu. 24 1. Complete Detailed Declaration (SAD) and the six forms 2. Verify for consistency all mandatory fields have been entered on all the necessary forms, this action also calculates the duty liability. 3. After Validation, the system will display: ‘A Declarant Reference Number’, a ‘Customs Reference Number’, and an ‘Assessment Reference Number’. 4. Proceed to cashier to make payment. WAREHOUSING Businesses often enter into an agreement with customs to have goods stored in a warehouse under the supervision of two warehouse registrars and a Customs Broker. This enables goods in the warehouse to be sold to a third party and the duty paid to Customs at the time of each sale instead of paying to clear the whole container at one time. CONCESSIONS PEN DING APPROVAL In some cases qualifying investment projects can obtain exemption from duties pending cabinet approval. This process can be facilitated by GIDC. BROKER’S FEES By Customs Brokers may vary. Generally Brokers fees are charged based on the value of the impoted item. IMMIGRATION ENTRY Persons entering the country are required to produce a passport valid for at least six months at the time of arrival and an immigration card along with a valid return travel ticket at the immigration desk. It is a requirement that all items such as fruits, drugs and vegetables are declared at the customs desk before been allowed into the country. Any attempt to smuggle items illegally through customs will result in the confiscation of these items and the person(s) guilty of this offence will be arrested and made to await a preliminary inquiry in a Magistrate’s court. At the expiration of a visitor’s visa, should additional stay time be needed, one should www.businessgrenada.com seek legal counsel or go directly to the head immigration department at the Botanical Gardens. Diplomats, Dignitaries, and Ambassadors are granted specials immunities and are required to receive clearance at the immigration desk. RESIDENCY & CITIZENSHIP A person can apply for permanent residency after residing in Grenada a minimum of two years. The procedure is as follows: Completion and submission of permanent residency application forms, accompanied with the following supporting documents: • Reference letter from a reputable person in the country of residence and Grenada • Bank statement from a financial institution • Police certificates of character from the country of origin and Grenada. • Four passport size photographs certified by a Justice of the Peace or a Notary Public. • Original and one photocopy of birth certificate. (Original Affidavit if name does not appear on the birth certificate) • Letter stating the date of arrival in Grenada, purpose of visit, activities engaged in and reason why applicant would like to acquire permanent residence status. • A medical certificate from a registered practitioner, accompanied by results of the following tests: Chest X-ray, Malaria blood smear, Serum creatinine, RPR, VDRL, or other serologic test for Syphilis, Stool for culture and microscopic examination. HIV antibody test, Update immunization status including measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus and hepatitis B. The immunization card which is signed and dated by a registered practitioner. Application forms are available from the Prime Ministers Ministry in the Ministerial Complex and must be signed by a Justice of the Peace or a Notary Public on completion. All tests MUST be conducted within six months of the date of application at the GENERAL HOSPITAL, ST. APPLICABLE FEES Persons from OECS - US$348 Other countries - US$1873 GRENADIAN CITIZENSHIP A person can apply for Grenadian Citizenship under the following three circumstances AS AN INDIVIDUAL OF GRENADIAN PARENTS Completion and submission of Grenadian Citizenship application forms which must be accompanied with the following supporting documents: Four passport size photographs certified by a Justice of the Peace or a Notary Public. Medical certificate from a registered practitioner. Original and one photocopy of birth certificate. (Original Affidavit if name does not appear on the birth certificate) A fee of US$94 is applicable. AS AN INDIVIDUAL MARRIED TO A GRENADIAN Completion and submission of Grenadian Citizenship application forms which must be accompanied with the following supporting documents: Reference letter from a reputable person from country of residence, Bank statement, Police certificates of character from the country of origin, Four passport size photographs certified by a Justice of the Peace or a Notary Public. Original and one photocopy of birth certificate. (Original Affidavit if name does not appear on the birth certificate). Original and one photocopy of birth certificate of Grenadian spouse. Original and one photocopy of marriage certificate. Letter of concurrence from spouse (if spouse is deceased, the death certificate must be provided) APPLICABLE FEES If Spouse is a Grenadian by birth - US$750 If Spouse is a Grenadian by acquisition of citizenship US$937 AS A PERMANENT RESIDENT OF GRENADA RESIDING IN THE COUNTRY FOR A MINIMUM OF 5 YEARS. Completion and submission of relevant application forms which must be accompanied with the following supporting documents: reference letter from a reputable person in Grenada. Bank statement, Police certificate of character from Grenada. Four passport size photographs certified by a Justice of the Peace or a Notary Public. Original and one photocopy of birth certificate; (Original Affidavit if name does not appear on the birth certificate). Letter stating the date of arrival in Grenada, purpose of visit, the activities engaged in and reason why applicant would like to acquire permanent residence status. A medical certificate from a registered practitioner. All citizenship application forms are available from the Prime Minister’s Ministry in the Ministerial Complex. APPLICABLE FEES Commonwealth Citizen - US$1124 Citizen of Cuba - US$1124 Caricom Citizen - US$1124 British Subjects - US$1124 Others - US$2809 VISA THROUGH A GRENADA CONSULATE OFFICE Foreign applicants should have a valid passport or an approved travel document to be submitted with VISA application form. Documents should be submitted by ‘Registered Mail’ unless delivered in person. The fee for a Visitor’s Visa is US$100.00 (single entry) or US$250.00 (multiple entries). Application for a VISA should be made at least three (3) clear weeks before the intended date of departure. Holders of Visitor’s Visas may not take up employment in Grenada unless authorised to do so by the local Ministry of Labour. Application forms must be accompanied by your current passport and two passport size photographs of the applicant. PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING A GRENADA PASSPORT Sign and complete all pages of the application form. Provide two identical passport photos taken within the last 3 months. Have the application form and one photo signed by an ‘eligible recommender’. Provide original proof of Grenadian Citizenship (Birth Certificate/ Citizenship Certificate). Provide current Grenadian Passport. Other supporting www.businessgrenada.com documents as required. Pay the appropriate passport fee. Regular (32 page) - EC$125.00 EMPLOYING CARICOM SKILLED WORKERS CARICOM Nationals, who are University Graduates are allowed to move freely in the Region for work purposes, thereby eliminating the need for work permits in any of the 12 participating CSME member states. SKILLED WORKERS ARE DEFINED AS: Media Persons, Artists, Musicians, Sportspersons, Registered Nurses, Teachers, Managerial Staff, Technical Staff, Artisans, Skilled Workers or Craftsmen. Persons who have obtained at least a Bachelor’s Degree or Associate Degree or equivalent from a recognized university or college. More details from The Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A Fee of EC$250.00 is charged per application. THE RIGHT OF ESTABLISHMENT pertains to business providers and the following supporting document should accompany the application: Proof of nationality (birth certificate, copy of biographical page from passport with photo ID), Birth Certificate, a valid passport, Police certificate of character, Business Name Registration/Certificate of Incorporation, Bank statement/source of financial resources and documents to demonstrate that the person will be or is engaged in business. APPLICATION PROCEDURE FOR SERVICE PROVIDERS The following is required at the point of entry: A valid passport, return ticket, a copy of Contract for the services to be provided. A six month stay is usually given and an extension of stay can be granted if the services are still being provided. BG 25