Bahamas Residence by Investment

What Is Bahamas Residence by Investment?

The Bahamas Department of Immigration grants a Certificate of Permanent Residence — a document of legal status issued for the holder's lifetime, unless revoked — to several categories of non-Bahamians, including economic investors. This page covers the Economic Permanent Residency route and the Home Owner Resident Permit.

To qualify for economic Permanent Residency status, you must make a minimum investment of BSD 1,000,000, either through real estate or the purchase of Zero Coupon Bonds from the Central Bank of The Bahamas, and hold the asset for a minimum of 10 years. Separately, a Home Owner Resident Permit facilitates entry for non-Bahamians who already own a habitable residence in The Bahamas and a primary residence in their home country, with no minimum property value stated.

Two Ways to Qualify

Economic Permanent Residency is the only route on this page with a published minimum investment amount. Source: immigration.gov.bs (checked on 24 September 2026).

Who Can Apply?

To apply for Bahamas permanent residence, you must:

• Make a minimum investment of BSD 1,000,000 in real estate or Central Bank of The Bahamas Zero Coupon Bonds and hold the asset for at least 10 years, for the Economic Permanent Residency route; or already own a habitable residence in The Bahamas and a primary residence in your home country, for the Home Owner Resident Permit.
• Submit a medical certificate, a police certificate covering your last five years of residence, and the other supporting documents the Immigration Department requires.
• Have any foreign birth, marriage or death certificates verified by apostille or legalisation, with English translations, before submission.
• Trem Global has not found published nationality, age or minimum-stay conditions for these routes on an official source beyond the above — contact us for guidance specific to your situation.

Who Can Be Included?

On family inclusion:

• Under section 16 of the Immigration Act, the Board may, at its discretion, endorse your Certificate of Permanent Residence to cover your spouse and any dependent child ordinarily resident with you, when the certificate is granted or on a later application, for BSD 300 per endorsement. An endorsement may carry conditions, such as not working without a work permit.
• Trem Global has not found a published family-inclusion rule for the Home Owner Resident Permit on an official source — contact us for guidance specific to your situation.

Fees

Costs on top of your chosen route's investment requirement:

• A BSD 200 non-refundable processing fee applies to both the Certificate of Permanent Residence and the Home Owner Resident Permit, payable by credit/debit card, postal or money order, or bank certified cheque. If granted, an Economic Permanent Residence Certificate costs BSD 20,000 without the right to work, or BSD 25,000 with the right to engage in gainful occupation in your own business, plus BSD 300 for each spouse or child endorsement.
• A real estate purchase carries its own conveyancing, stamp duty and other transaction costs, which are not listed on the Immigration Department's portal.

Application Process

1. Choose your route: Economic Permanent Residency (invest BSD 1,000,000 in real estate or Central Bank Zero Coupon Bonds, held 10 years) or the Home Owner Resident Permit (already own a home in The Bahamas and abroad).
2. Submit your application to the Director of Immigration with the required documents — including a medical certificate, a police certificate, passport and civil-status documents, and, for the Home Owner Resident Permit, proof of Real Property Tax payment and your registered deed of conveyance — and pay the BSD 200 non-refundable processing fee.
3. Receive your Certificate of Permanent Residence — valid for your lifetime unless revoked, subject to the 10-year holding requirement — and pay the certificate fee, or receive your Home Owner Resident Permit, which is renewed using the same application form.

Trem Global has not found a published processing time for these routes on an official source — contact us for a current estimate. Source: immigration.gov.bs (checked on 24 September 2026).

Why the Bahamas?

Official source: Bahamas Department of Immigration

This page follows the Bahamas Department of Immigration's published pages (immigration.gov.bs), read on 24 September 2026. Investment amounts, fees and conditions are set by the Bahamian authorities and can change.