Bahamas investor visa (economic permanent residence)

To qualify for economic permanent residency, individuals must make a minimum investment of BSD 1.0 million, either through real estate or by purchasing zero coupon bonds from the Central Bank of The Bahamas. In both cases the asset must be held for at least ten years.

Separately, foreign owners of a habitable residence in The Bahamas who also own their primary home abroad can apply for a Home Owner Resident Permit under the International Persons Landholding Act, which is a residence permit rather than permanent residence.

Most Department of Immigration applications share a core: a letter of request to the Director of Immigration; the BSD 200 non-refundable processing fee, paid by card, postal money order or certified cheque; the notarised application form with a BSD 10 Bahamian postage stamp; an original medical certificate dated no more than 30 days before submission; an original police certificate issued within six months covering five years of residence (from age 14); two 2 x 2 inch photos taken within six months; and a copy of the passport bio-data page with at least two months' validity.

Foreign documents must be apostilled or legalised and authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and certified English translations must carry a BSD 10 postage stamp. People applying for status for the first time should not be in The Bahamas while the application is processed.

Under the Immigration Fee Scale, an Economic Permanent Residence Certificate granted under section 17A of the Act costs BSD 25,000 with the right to engage in gainful occupation in one's own business, or BSD 20,000 without that right. Each endorsement of a family member on the certificate costs BSD 300, and the BSD 200 processing fee applies to the application.

Use Form IV for economic permanent residence. Besides the standard documents, add the applicant's apostilled original birth certificate with English translation, two character references from people of good standing with their contact details and passport pages, the spouse's and children's passport pages and birth certificates, the marriage certificate, proof of current immigration status, a conveyance for residential property owned in The Bahamas and proof of payment of Real Property Tax where applicable.