Main types of permits
Obtaining a residence permit in the Bahamas is the first step towards legal residence on the islands, regardless of whether you are planning a short-term stay or seeking permanent status.
1. Annual Residence Permit
This document is issued in the form of a residence permit, also known as an annual permit.
Who it is suitable for:
- Foreigners who want to live in the Bahamas for longer than the usual tourist period.
- Retirees, entrepreneurs, or freelancers who have income outside the country.
- Those who want to “test” living on the islands before investing in permanent residence.
Advantages:
- Legal residence for up to 1 year.
- Possibility of renewal every year.
2. Home Owner Resident Card
This is a special type of residence permit granted in accordance with the International Persons Land Holding Act, Chapter 140.
Who it is suitable for:
- For citizens of other countries who have a home in their own country (main place of residence).
- For those who have purchased or own residential property in the Bahamas that is suitable for permanent residence.
What advantages it offers:
- Simplified entry into the Bahamas.
- The right to legally reside in the country as a homeowner.
- Additional guarantees of resident status related to property ownership.
3. Permanent Residence
A document confirming a person's legal status, issued for life (unless revoked) and granting the right to live and/or work.
Who it is suitable for:
- Foreigners who wish to settle in the Bahamas on a permanent basis.
- Property owners, investors, or individuals with close family and social ties in the country.
Benefits:
- Permanent status — the document is valid for life.
- The right to legally reside in the Bahamas.
- The right to work officially without the need to obtain additional permits.
- Greater stability and protection compared to temporary permits.
4. Spouse Permit
This permit grants a person married to a Bahamian citizen the right to legally reside and work on the islands.
Who it is suitable for:
- Foreigners who are married to a citizen of the Bahamas.
- Those who live with their Bahamian husband or wife.
- Married couples whose marriage has lasted less than 5 years at the time of application.
Advantages:
- The right to legally reside in the Bahamas.
- The right to officially work in the country without a separate work permit.
- After 5 years of marriage, the opportunity to apply for:
- Renewal of the Resident Spouse Permit.
5. Dependent Permit to Reside
Who is it suitable for:
- For family members (dependents) of a person who has the right to reside in the Bahamas.
- Spouses, children under 18 years of age.
Advantages:
- The right to legally reside with the main applicant.
- Simplified access for children to schools and colleges in the Bahamas.
💡Important
- All documents issued outside the Bahamas must be duly certified (by apostille or legalization) and bear the signature of authenticity from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before submission.
- All birth, marriage, and death certificates issued by countries that are parties to the Hague Convention on Apostilles must have an apostille.
- Each foreign document must have a certified English translation with a $10 Bahamian postage stamp affixed.
- The translation must be done by a specialist who is fluent in the relevant foreign language.
General documents for applying for a residence permit (for all applicants)
The items listed below are required for almost all categories of permits and must be prepared by each applicant:
- a letter of application addressed to the Director of the Immigration Department;
- a non-refundable processing fee of $200 (credit card/money order/certified bank check);
- the appropriate application form (First Schedule Form 1 / Form 1A / Form 1B depending on the type of permit) with a Bahamian B$10 postage stamp affixed; the form must be clearly completed and notarized;
- Original medical certificate issued no earlier than 30 days prior to submission (for each applicant);
- Original certificate of no criminal record covering 5 years of residence and issued no later than 6 months prior to submission (mandatory from the age of 14);
- 2 photos 2×2 inches on a white background (taken within the last 6 months, with the surname on the back);
- a copy of the biographical page of the applicant's passport (signed, legible, valid for at least 2 months).
Notes: All foreign documents must be apostilled/legalized (according to the rules of the Hague Convention or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs), have a certified English translation and a Bahamian B$10 postage stamp on the translation.
Additional documents depending on the type of permit
Annual Residence Permit:
- copy of the sponsor's passport (if available; signature/validity ≥ 2 months);
- 2 letters of recommendation from reputable individuals with contacts;
- certificate from a financial institution (range of funds) and/or CPA report (for adult/independent applicants);
- completed annual application form for renewal;
- approximate fees: B$100 for the main applicant + B$25 for each dependent.
Home Owner Resident Card (for homeowners):
- correctly completed Home Owner Resident Card form + B$10 stamp (notarized);
- receipt for payment of $200;
- confirmation of property tax payment (current);
- registered deed of sale in the Bahamas (conveyance);
- International Landholding Certificate;
- proof of primary residence outside the Bahamas (insurance policy, mortgage, tax documents);
- approximate cost of the card: B$250/year.
Permanent Residence:
- birth certificates of the applicant/spouse/children (originals; English translation; B$10 stamp; consular verification + legalization by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs);
- copy of passport of spouse (if available) and passports of children;
- certified copy of marriage certificate (English translation; B$10 stamp; if available);
- copy of documents on naturalization/registration of spouse (if any);
- Deed Poll (name change; if available; registered with the Registrar General's Office);
- confirmation of current immigration status (Work Permit / Permit to Reside, etc.);
- death certificate / court decision on divorce (if available);
- documents regarding real estate in the Bahamas (ownership) and, if necessary, confirmation of payment of real estate tax;
- school certificates (if there are children in school);
- adoption/guardianship documents (if available);
- 2 recommendations from persons of good standing with contacts.
Spouse Permit (for spouses of Bahamian citizens):
- Passport of a Bahamian citizen (copy of bio page; signature/validity ≥ 2 months);
- Certified copy of marriage certificate (English translation; B$10 stamp);
- birth certificates of children born in wedlock (under 18 years of age), as well as children of the applicant who were not born in wedlock (under 18 years of age) — certified copies;
- birth certificate of the applicant (if necessary: translation + B$10 stamp; consular verification/legalization);
- death/divorce certificate of previous spouse (if applicable);
- adoption/guardianship documents (if available);
- letter from employer regarding employment of Bahamian husband/wife;
- letter from the employer of the applicant (if employed);
- for dependents, a separate application for a Permit to Reside must be submitted.
Dependent Permit to Reside (for dependents):
- copies of parents' passports (biometric page; signature/validity ≥ 2 months);
- certified copy of parents' marriage certificate (English translation; B$10 stamp; if available);
- certified copies of parents' birth certificates (English translation; B$10 stamp; if necessary);
- Original birth certificate of the child (translated into English; B$10 stamp; consular verification/legalization — if necessary);
- Proof of parents' immigration status;
- Immunization Card (for minors);
- National Insurance Card (if available);
- Parent’s/Guardian’s Information Sheet;
- school records/transcripts;
- proof of legal guardianship / court order for guardianship (if the child has a guardian);
- in the event of the parents' death — certified death certificates (if issued in the Bahamas — certified by the Registrar General’s Department).
Additionally, for children in the homeschooling system: registration with the Ministry of Education + confirmation of such registration.
Mailing address
Director of Immigration
P.O. Box N-831
Nassau, Bahamas
Application processing time
Standard guideline — 8–12 weeks from the date of complete submission of the package of documents (when all forms, translations, apostilles/legalization are accepted and the fee is paid).
Factors affecting the processing time:
- incomplete package or errors in the application/translations (count from the moment of completion);
- additional checks (certificate of no criminal record, finances, confirmation of guardianship, etc.);
- seasonal workload of the department (summer, holidays).
💡 After submitting your application for status confirmation, contact the Consultation Unit at 604-0241 within 8–12 weeks.
Important details
- Working with these permits (except for specially permitted cases in the Permanent Residence category) is prohibited.
- Most permits require recent documents: a medical certificate valid for no more than 30 days, a police certificate valid for no more than 6 months.
- The application is processed through the Bahamas Immigration Department.
