Residency · Caribbean
Residency · CaribbeanThe Bahamas Permanent Residence
Permanent residence in The Bahamas for investors who place at least $1.0 million in real estate or Central Bank zero-coupon bonds, held for at least 10 years.
Decision summary
- What do you obtain?
- The Bahamas Permanent ResidenceRoute to citizenshipNot a route to citizenship.
- What does your family invest?
- $1.0 million (Bahamian dollars, at par with USD) in real estate or Central Bank zero-coupon bonds, held for at least 10 years.
- What is additional?
- Government fees$200 non-refundable processing fee for the Certificate of Permanent Residence application.
- How long does it take?
- About 6 to 18 months.
- Must you travel or live there?
- No minimum stay or physical presence required.
- What is the main drawback?
- Approval is discretionary; permanent residence does not automatically allow work.
- Family inclusion
- Spouse, Children · conditions apply
- Program status
- Operational
Overview
The Bahamas Department of Immigration lists economic permanent residence for a minimum investment of $1.0 million, in real estate or Central Bank of The Bahamas zero-coupon bonds.
The investment must be held for at least 10 years. Amounts are in Bahamian dollars, which are at par with the US dollar.
Permanent residence does not give an automatic right to work or to citizenship.
Path to citizenship
Who this program may not suit
Taken from the facts recorded on this page. It may not suit you if:
- Your budget is below USD 1,000,000, the minimum recorded investment, before fees and costs.
- You may need the money back before the holding period ends: At least 10 years.
- You want a second passport: this residence does not lead to citizenship by itself.
Investment pathways
- Investment pathway
- Purchase of real estate in The Bahamas, or zero-coupon bonds issued by the Central Bank of The Bahamas.
- Minimum investment
- $1.0 million (Bahamian dollars, at par with USD) in real estate or Central Bank zero-coupon bonds, held for at least 10 years.
Checked against official programme sources
Family inclusion
Spouse
Named in the rule
Children
Named in the rule
Parents
Not named in the rule
Siblings
Not named in the rule
Ages, dependency and other conditions are in the rule below; confirm them for each family member.
- Eligible dependents
- Spouse and dependent children.
Checked against official programme sources
Application process
- 1The applicant first completes the qualifying investment, typically buying a Bahamian home; a law firm advises that proof of ownership, or completion if building, is needed before applying.
- 2The applicant prepares the notarised permanent residence form with a medical certificate under 30 days old, a recent police certificate, references, an authenticated birth certificate and financial statements.
- 3The file is submitted to the Department of Immigration, in person or through its online portal, with a non-refundable processing fee.
- 4The Department vets the applicant; according to a Nassau law firm it typically holds an in-person interview 2–3 months after filing, and processing commonly takes 6 to 18 months.
- 5If approved, the applicant pays the government grant fee (reported as $20,000, plus $300 per endorsed spouse or dependant) and receives the residence certificate.
- 6The investment must be kept for at least 10 years, and the law firm reports that holders file a declaration every 10 years confirming no material change.
Steps and timings can change; your advisor confirms the current process before you apply.
Indicative timelines
- Indicative processing timeframe
- About 6 to 18 months.
Checked against official programme sources
Investment and fees
Qualifying investment amounts and government fees are always shown separately. We do not publish single "total price" figures, as the total depends on family composition and circumstances.
Estimate for your family
- Investment for your family
- USD 1,000,000
- Real estate or Central Bank bonds (from)
- Known total so far
- USD 1,000,000
- 6 cost items not yet included
Children are counted as 10 and parents as 60 unless you enter ages in the calculator. Full breakdown and ages
Qualifying investment
- Real estate or Central Bank bonds (from)
- USD 1,000,000
- Government fees
- $200 non-refundable processing fee for the Certificate of Permanent Residence application.
- Estimated additional costs
- A USD 20,000 government fee on approval, plus USD 300 to endorse a spouse or each dependant.
- Investment holding period
- At least 10 years.
- To be confirmed
- Due diligence fees
Checked against official programme sources
Residence requirements
At least 10 years, as recorded: At least 10 years.
- Residence requirements
- No minimum stay or physical presence required.
- Renewal requirements
- Lifetime permanent residence; no renewal is needed.
- Potential route to citizenship
- Not a route to citizenship.
Checked against official programme sources
Due diligence and documentation
Applicants and included dependants undergo background and source-of-funds checks by the relevant authority. Documentation requirements are confirmed during preparation — no documents are needed for an initial consultation.
Considerations, limitations and risks
Important restrictions
Approval is discretionary; permanent residence does not automatically allow work.
- Published entry thresholds are not comprehensive costs; taxes, professional fees and dependent charges may apply.
- Immigration law, visa access and naturalisation rules can change without notice.
- Individual eligibility depends on nationality, financial background, due diligence and program-specific criteria.
Status and authority
- Operational status
- Operational
- Official government authority
- Department of Immigration, The Bahamas
- To be confirmed
- Legal basis · Nationality restrictions
Programme rules change; your advisor confirms every figure before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to invest for Bahamas residence?
At least $1.0 million (Bahamian dollars, at par with the US dollar) in real estate or Central Bank zero-coupon bonds, held for at least 10 years.
What is the minimum investment for The Bahamas Permanent Residence?
$1.0 million (Bahamian dollars, at par with USD) in real estate or Central Bank zero-coupon bonds, held for at least 10 years.
Can my family be included?
Spouse and dependent children.
Is there a minimum stay requirement for The Bahamas Permanent Residence?
No minimum stay or physical presence required.
How long does the process take?
About 6 to 18 months.
Does The Bahamas Permanent Residence lead to citizenship?
Not a route to citizenship.
Is approval guaranteed?
No. Every application is decided by the government concerned after due diligence, and requirements can change.
Discuss The Bahamas with an advisor.
Share your objectives in confidence. An advisor will outline the options that may be relevant to your family and circumstances.