Bahamas Permanent Residence Permit

The Bahamas' key investor route is an Economic Permanent Residence style permit, designed for high-net-worth applicants who want the right to live in The Bahamas on a long-term basis.

The commonly cited qualifying investments are BSD 1.0M in residential real estate (purchase or build) or BSD 1.0M in Bahamas Central Bank zero-coupon bonds, with program guidance noting the investment must be maintained for 10 years.

Permanent residence does not provide Schengen-style travel rights. The core benefit is lifestyle access to The Bahamas together with a very simple personal tax environment. Third-party program summaries commonly cite an expectation of spending around 90 days per year in The Bahamas to maintain status, although applicants should confirm the exact rule applied to their permit class.

For those pursuing citizenship, official guidance indicates a route via naturalization after holding legal permanent resident status for 10 years, including residence in The Bahamas for at least 6 years and the 12 months immediately preceding the application.

Processing times vary in practice. Practitioner commentary suggests a wide range, from several months to over a year depending on vetting and workflow, so applicants should plan conservatively and treat shorter timelines as best case.