Residence by investment in the BahamasOverview
Economic permanent residence is one of the categories under which the Department of Immigration may grant a Certificate of Permanent Residence, a status document that allows the holder to live in the Bahamas indefinitely and, depending on its terms, to work or run a business. The investment route requires a minimum of US$1 million, placed either in Bahamian real estate or in zero-coupon bonds of the Central Bank of the Bahamas, and the asset must be retained for at least ten years from approval. Disposal before then may lead the Immigration Board to revoke the certificate.
The official fee scale distinguishes between an economic permanent residence certificate without business rights, at US$20,000, and one carrying the right to run one's own business, at US$25,000, in addition to a non-refundable processing fee of US$200. Applications are made by a letter of request to the Director of Immigration, supported by a notarised application form, medical and police certificates, character references, civil documents and proof of the investment. Foreign documents must be apostilled or legalised and authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Approval is discretionary, and processing commonly takes several months.
For those who are not ready to invest at the permanent residence level, the Bahamas also issues annual residence permits, at US$3,000 a year for the principal, with lower annual fees for dependants. Property owners may apply for a Home Owner Resident Permit, which facilitates entry and stays for owners and their families. These permits do not confer the security of permanent status but are a common first step for families who spend part of the year in the islands.
The Bahamas levies no personal income tax, capital gains tax or inheritance tax, relying instead on value added tax, customs duties, stamp duty and real property tax. That makes residence attractive for internationally mobile families, although the effect on tax residence elsewhere must be considered carefully, particularly for US citizens and residents of countries with exit or long-arm rules. Permanent residence does not by itself lead to citizenship; naturalisation is discretionary and follows a long period of residence.
Key benefits
- Certificate of Permanent Residence issued for life unless revoked
- Choice between real estate and Central Bank zero-coupon bonds
- No personal income, capital gains or inheritance tax
- No minimum stay requirement to retain status
- Optional right to run one's own business in the Bahamas
- Spouse and dependent children may be included
- Proximity to the United States and a US dollar-linked currency
Requirements
- Investment of at least US$1 million in Bahamian real estate or Central Bank zero-coupon bonds
- Retention of the investment for at least ten years from approval
- Letter of request to the Director of Immigration and notarised application form
- Original medical certificate dated within 30 days of submission
- Police certificate issued within six months, covering five years of residence, for applicants aged 14 and over
- Two character references with contact details
- Apostilled or legalised civil documents, authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Proof of real property tax payment and conveyance where the investment is in property
- Source-of-funds evidence acceptable to the bank, attorney and authorities
Investment options
Economic permanent residence (real estate)
US$1,000,000
Purchase of Bahamian real estate held for at least ten years. The certificate fee is US$20,000, or US$25,000 with the right to run one's own business.
Economic permanent residence (bonds)
US$1,000,000
Zero-coupon bonds purchased through the Central Bank of the Bahamas and held for at least ten years, for those who prefer not to own property.
Annual residence permit
US$3,000 per year
Renewable annual permission to reside, with lower annual fees for dependants. Suitable as an interim or part-year arrangement.
Home Owner Resident Permit
Property ownership
Permit for owners of residential property that facilitates entry and stays for the owner and family, without conferring permanent status.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Structuring review
We assess whether property or bonds suit the family, how the asset should be held and what the move means for tax residence elsewhere.
- 2
Acquire the investment
The property purchase is completed through a Bahamian attorney with title checks, or the bond purchase is arranged through the Central Bank.
- 3
Assemble the application
Medical and police certificates, references, civil documents and proof of investment are prepared, authenticated and stamped.
- 4
File with the Department of Immigration
The application and processing fee are submitted to the Director of Immigration for consideration by the Immigration Board.
- 5
Approval and certificate fee
On approval, the certificate fee is paid and the Certificate of Permanent Residence is issued, with dependants endorsed.
- 6
Ongoing compliance
The investment is retained for at least ten years and property taxes are kept current.
Typical documents
- Letter of request addressed to the Director of Immigration
- Notarised application form bearing the required stamp
- Passport biographical pages for the applicant, spouse and children
- Birth certificates and certified marriage certificate
- Medical certificate and police certificate
- Two character references
- Two recent passport photographs
- Conveyance and real property tax receipts, or bond purchase confirmation
- Evidence of the source of funds
How Legal Wealth helps
Legal Wealth helps clients weigh Bahamian permanent residence against annual permits and other jurisdictions, considering family mobility, tax residence and estate planning together. We coordinate independent Bahamian attorneys on title, conveyancing and the immigration filing, prepare a source-of-funds file that stands up to scrutiny, and consider how the property or bonds should be held within the family's succession arrangements. Each mandate is handled discreetly and to the client's own requirements.
Enquire with Legal WealthFrequently asked questions
What is the minimum investment?
The Department of Immigration lists a minimum of US$1 million in real estate or Central Bank zero-coupon bonds, retained for at least ten years.
What are the government fees?
A US$200 processing fee on application and, on approval, US$20,000 for an economic permanent residence certificate, or US$25,000 with the right to run one's own business.
Do I need to live in the Bahamas?
No minimum stay is required to keep permanent residence, although genuine residence matters if you later wish to pursue naturalisation.
Is there income tax in the Bahamas?
No. The Bahamas does not levy personal income, capital gains or inheritance tax. VAT, stamp duty and real property tax apply.
Can my family be included?
Yes. A spouse and dependent children can be included, with their civil and identity documents submitted alongside the main application.
Is there a lower-cost alternative?
Annual residence permits are available at US$3,000 a year for the principal, and property owners can apply for a Home Owner Resident Permit, although neither gives permanent status.
Last reviewed: 2026-10. Requirements, fees and timelines change. Information is general, reviewed on the date shown, and is not legal or tax advice.
