Bahamas Permanent Residence by Investment

Economic permanent residence is a Certificate of Permanent Residence granted under section 17A of the Immigration Act to people who make a qualifying investment in The Bahamas. A certificate is issued for life unless revoked and gives the right to reside, and in some cases to work (Department of Immigration).

• Investment: at least $1,000,000 in Bahamian real estate or in zero-coupon bonds from the Central Bank of The Bahamas
• Holding period: the asset is held for at least 10 years
• Validity: For life, unless revoked.
• Certificate fee: $20,000 without the right to work, or $25,000 with the right to work in the holder's own business (fee scale)

Remote workers who want a one-year permit instead can use BEATS. Visitor rules are in the Bahamas country guide.

The Department of Immigration sets the investment test (Department of Immigration):

• A minimum investment of $1,000,000, either in real estate or in Central Bank zero-coupon bonds
• The asset held for at least 10 years
• A medical certificate, a police certificate and two character references, which together show health and good standing

The official page sets no income test for this route; the investment is the qualifying condition.

Family: Yes. Family members are added to the certificate by endorsement, at $300 for each person (fee scale).

The Department of Immigration's document list (Department of Immigration):

• A letter of request addressed to the Director of Immigration
• The application form, completed, notarized and with a Bahamian $10 postage stamp attached
• An original medical certificate dated no earlier than 30 days before submission, for every applicant
• An original police certificate issued within the past six months and covering five years of residence, for applicants 14 and older
• Two passport photos, 2 by 2 inches, on a white background, taken within the past six months
• A signed copy of the passport data page with at least two months' validity, plus the same for a spouse and children if included
• The applicant's original birth certificate, and a certified marriage certificate if applicable
• Two character references with phone numbers, email addresses and copies of their passport data pages
• Proof of the qualifying investment

Documents from outside The Bahamas must be verified by apostille or legalization and authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Each foreign document needs a certified English translation.

Government fees (fee scale, Department of Immigration):

• Processing fee: $200, non-refundable
• Certificate without the right to work: $20,000
• Certificate with the right to work in the holder's own business: $25,000
• Each endorsement, such as a spouse or child: $300

The investment itself, at least $1,000,000 held for 10 years, is separate from the fees. Medical and police certificates, apostilles, translations and legal help add costs that vary by country.

Paper application to the Bahamas Department of Immigration: a notarized form with a BSD 10 postage stamp, plus apostilled or legalized documents (medical certificate, police certificate, passport copies, references, proof of investment).

1. Make the qualifying investment in real estate or Central Bank zero-coupon bonds.
2. Collect the documents and have foreign ones apostilled or legalized, then translated if they are not in English.
3. File the application with the Department of Immigration and pay the $200 processing fee by credit or debit card, postal or money order or certified bank check (Department of Immigration).
4. If the certificate is granted, the certificate fee on the official fee scale applies.

The Department publishes no processing time for this route.

It is permanent residence: a lifetime certificate unless revoked. There is no renewal cycle (Department of Immigration).

The qualifying asset must stay in place for at least 10 years. Permanent residence is a separate status from citizenship.

Economic permanent residence carries no special tax regime. The Bahamas levies no personal income tax, capital gains tax or inheritance tax. (PwC tax summaries)

Value added tax applies to most goods and services at 10% (Department of Inland Revenue). Property owners should check real property tax and stamp duty with the Department of Inland Revenue before buying.

Residence in The Bahamas does not by itself end tax obligations in another country; that depends on the other country's rules.