Permanent Residency by Investment in The Bahamas

by Lou Jupp

A clear guide to eligibility, conditions and advantages

The Bahamas offers a structured route to long-term residence for foreign investors through its Economic Permanent Residency (EPR) programme. Designed to attract high-quality investment, it provides a stable base in a tax-neutral jurisdiction with a high standard of living.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet core criteria:

Be at least 18 years of age.
Hold a clean police record and demonstrate good character.
Provide evidence of lawful funds.
Make a qualifying investment in The Bahamas.
Be able to support themselves and any dependents without relying on local employment.

A spouse and dependent children may be included under the main applicant.

Investment Requirements

The government currently recognises two qualifying routes:

1. Standard Investment Route — USD 1,000,000 minimum

Real estate or approved financial instruments.
Investment must generally be maintained for 10 years.
Standard processing times vary, often several months depending on due diligence and documentation.

2. Expedited Route — USD 1,500,000 and above

For investments at or above USD 1.5 million, the application is fast-tracked.

Priority handling by the Immigration authorities.
Significantly shorter processing timeline.
Favoured for UHNW applicants seeking predictability and speed.

Other Conditions

Presence requirement: A minimum stay of roughly 90 days per year is expected to maintain residency.
Due diligence: Background checks, financial verification, and source-of-funds vetting are standard.
Documentation: Passport copies, police certificates, proof of investment, financial statements, and family documents (if applicable).

Benefits

The programme offers several material advantages:

Indefinite residence: A long-term right to live in The Bahamas without annual renewals.
Tax neutrality: No personal income tax, wealth tax, capital gains tax or inheritance tax.
Lifestyle and stability: Access to a secure, well-regulated environment with world-class real estate and strong property rights.
Family inclusion: Spouse and dependents enjoy the same residency status.
Future pathway: While not automatic, long-term residents may explore naturalisation under Bahamian nationality law.

Key Considerations

Selling or disposing of the qualifying asset too early may jeopardise the residency status.
Permanent residency does not equate to citizenship; The Bahamas maintains strict nationality rules and does not broadly permit dual citizenship.
International tax planning should always be reviewed with independent advisors.

Summary

The Bahamas’ EPR program remains one of the region’s most attractive residency pathways for international investors. The USD 1.5 million expedited route is especially appealing to UHNW individuals who value efficiency and certainty when relocating or establishing a secondary base.

For clients seeking qualifying properties, our portfolio includes exclusive listings that meet the USD 1.5 million threshold and is therefore eligible for the expedited residency process. Explore here