We regularly help clients who wish to obtain residency in The Bahamas either by means of an Annual Residence Permit, a Permanent Residence Permit, and a Home Owner's Card. The Annual Residence Permit allows non-Bahamians wishing to reside in The Bahamas to do so on an annual basis while the Permanent Residence Permit allows non-Bahamians to reside permanently in The Bahamas. A Home Owner's Card, issued on an annual basis entitles the owner of a home in The Bahamas, his or her spouse and any minor endorsed on the owner's card, to enter The Bahamas and reside here. It should be noted that residency does not confer citizenship or entitle an applicant to a Bahamian passport. Citizenship entails a more rigorous process and a fairly lengthy residence in the country.
A non-Bahamian may enter The Bahamas as a visitor for an initial period of up to two months. It is during this time the visitor may apply for residency. There are three levels of residency available:
- Annual Residence Permit;
- Permanent Residence Permit; and
- A Home Owner's Card
Generally applicants must be of good character and at least eighteen (18) years of age. However it should be noted that the success of any application is subject to the discretion of the Board of Immigration (the "Board") and in the case of Home Owner's Cards, the Director of Immigration.
ANNUAL RESIDENCE PERMIT
This permit is for non-Bahamians wishing to reside in The Bahamas on an annual basis. The Bahamas Government is responsive to applicants for annual residence, and although it is not a requirement for the applicant to indicate a commitment to the leasing or purchase of a "second home", it is our feeling that such a position is helpful to a successful outcome. The Government Fee for this permit is one thousand Bahamian Dollars (B$1,000. for the head of the household and twenty-five Bahamian Dollars (B$25) for each dependent. Higgs & Johnson's fee for the initial application is two thousand five-hundred Bahamian dollars (B$2,500) (minimum) subject to increase in complex or lengthy cases and payment on account of one thousand five hundred Bahamian Dollars ($1,500) should be made upon our being instructed. The following documents are required:
- Immigration Form completed and notarized with a ten dollar (B$10.00) Bahamian postage stamp affixed thereon;
- Two (2) passport-size photographs with signature on reverse of prints;
- Police certificate covering five (5) years residence;
- Medical certificate dated not earlier than thirty (30) days before this application;
- Two (2) testimonials of good character; Copy of lease or deed (if available);
- Financial reference from a reputable bank verifying economic worth, i.e., citing a figure range;
- Confirmation of whether or not the applicant owns a home or property in The Bahamas, and if yes, the address;
- A statement of net worth stating a figure range and how it is comprised (asset classes);
- Source of income including whether derived from employment, pension, investments, trust funds, etc.;
- Amount of time to be spent in The Bahamas;
- Civic or charitable affiliations;
- Reasons for seeking residence in The Bahamas;
- Ticket evidencing intended departure (if applicable); And
- Processing Fee of one hundred Bahamian dollars (B$100)
Separate application forms must be submitted on behalf of the applicant's spouse and child (children, if more than one). The application must be accompanied by a marriage certificate in the case of a spouse and a birth certificate or any other certificate evidencing the dependence of the subject of the application in the case of a dependent.
PERMANENT RESIDENCE PERMIT
The following persons are among the category of persons who may apply for permanent residence:
- Spouse of a Bahamian after 5 years of marriage; the marriage must be subsisting; and the couple must also be cohabiting as husband and wife
- Persons born legitimately outside of The Bahamas to a married woman, who is a citizen of The Bahamas, and whose husband is not a citizen of The Bahamas
- Financially independent individuals or investors who are legitimate owners of a residence in The Bahamas - please note that persons purchasing a residence for BS$1.5 million or more will get speedy consideration
- Doctors / Medical professionals after having been employed for a minimum of 20 years
- Persons who have held legal status (work or resident permit) for more than 20 consecutive years
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and of good character and must state in the application that he or she intends to reside permanently in The Bahamas.
Permanent Residence has become very popular and accelerated consideration of application is given to major international investors and owners of residences valued at five hundred thousand Bahamian dollars (B$500,000) or more. Should the investment in The Bahamas or residence be valued at one million, five hundred thousand Bahamian dollars (B$1.5 million) or more, a response from the Immigration Department is guaranteed within twenty one days of submission of a complete application. The government fee for this is a one-time fee of ten thousand Bahamian dollars (B$10,000) and one hundred Bahamian dollars (B$100) for an applicant's spouse and dependent minors. Higgs & Johnson's fee for the initial application for the primary applicant is three thousand Bahamian dollars (B$3,000) (minimum) subject to increase in complex and lengthy cases and payment on account of one thousand five hundred Bahamian dollars (B$1,500) should be made upon our being instructed. Although our experience has been positive, as mentioned above, the grant of permanent residency is in the absolute discretion of the Board. In addition to paying the B$100 processing fee the following documents are required:
- A copy of the bio-data page of the applicant's passport;
- 2 passport-sized identical colour photographs of the applicant, with the applicant's name printed on the reverse side (photographs must not be more than 6 months old);
- An original police certificate of character (issued not more than six months prior to the submission of the application;
- Original birth certificate (In the case of certificates that are written in languages other than English, an English translation should be submitted, sealed by the appropriate Consular Office where applicable, with a BS$10 Bahamian postage stamp affixed to it;
- An original medical certificate dated not more than 30 days prior to the submission of the application;
- 2 original character references, written by persons known to the applicant for at least 5 years;
- Parents' birth certificate;
- Parents' marriage certificate;
- Marriage certificate (married persons);
- Spouse's death certificate (widowed persons);
- Divorce decree (divorcees); and
- Financial statements from applicant's financial institution citing a figure range, and verifying economic worth
Upon approval of the application, the applicant must pay an additional B$250.00 before he receives permanent residency.
A person holding a certificate of permanent residence who wishes to include his wife, or dependent child under the age of eighteen (18) and ordinarily resident in his household, may have them endorsed on the certificate at the time of his original application or at a subsequent date, subject to such conditions as might be laid down by the Board.
All international persons owning residences in The Bahamas are eligible to receive, upon application to the Director of Immigration, an annual "Home Owners Card". This card facilitates entry into The Bahamas and entitles the owner, his/her spouse and minor children to multiple entries to The Bahamas and the ability to remain in The Bahamas for the duration of the validity of the card.
HOMEOWNER'S CARD
Non-Bahamians who own homes in The Bahamas may apply to the Director of Immigration for an annual home owner's resident card (the "Home Owner's Card") that bears the holder's picture. This card entitles the owner, spouse and any minor endorsed on the owner's card, to enter The Bahamas and reside here for as long as the validity of the card. The government fee for this is two hundred and fifty Bahamian dollars (B$250) per annum. Higgs & Johnson's fees for the initial application is one thousand Bahamian dollars (B$1,000) minimum subject to increase in complex or lengthy cases and payment on account of five hundred Bahamian dollars (B$500) should be made upon our being instructed. The intended purpose is to facilitate entry into The Bahamas with minimal formalities. There is no need for a return ticket and the Home Owner's Card entitles the holder to stay up to one year. The following documents are required:
- Immigration Form duly completed and notarized with a ten dollar (B$10.00) Bahamian postage stamp affixed thereon;
- Two (2) passport size photographs with signature on reverse of prints;
- Police certificate covering five (5) years of residence or where these are not issued, a sworn affidavit in lieu of same;
- Certificate from The Bahamas Investment Authority
- Copy of valid passport
- Proof of ownership of property and/or investment in The Bahamas in the form of copies of conveyances, deeds or contracts; and
- Processing fee of one hundred Bahamian dollars (B$100)
Although the form does not have to be completed and submitted until after the applicant's arrival, please note that there are documents to be submitted with the application which would be appropriate to obtain or request prior to the applicant's departure for The Bahamas.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.