Bahamas

About The Bahamas Citizenship and Residency

Bahamas offers citizenship by investment programs.  The processing time is very fast within 1-2 months. 

Investment options available to acquire the citizenship and passport of Bahamas. 

• Certificate of Permanent Residence

– It is a document of legal status, which is issued to an individual for the duration of his/her life, unless revoked, and gives him/her the right to reside and/or work

–  One can get this by investing in residential real estate on the islands or by Investing in the Bahamian economy, such as in priority sectors for the country – tourism, marina construction, information technology, and medicine.

– A combination of both investment options is also possible: an investor can buy housing and finance a business in the Bahamas at the same time.

– The investor also submits a declaration to the Bahamas Migration Service every 10 years. The declaration should confirm that the information on the Permanent Residence application is still up-to-date.

– If the investor’s circumstances have changed, such as his or her annual earnings or the amount of investment in the Bahamian economy, the investor will attach an affidavit to the declaration – a legal opinion of exactly what has changed and how. The affidavit also confirms that the investor still meets the legal requirements and is entitled to retain his or her residency.

– The Fees that would be levied during this process is USD 10,000 as the Government Fee and USD 100 as processing fee.

Residency

– The investor’s spouse and other relatives can receive a Permanent Residence Permit together with the investor if they permanently live together with the investor or are financially dependent on the investor.

– The period for obtaining a permanent residence by investment is not more than three months from the date of application to the Migration Service of the Bahamas.

– It is mandatory to live in the Bahamas to maintain permanent residency status. By law, Permanent Resident Card Holders must spend at least 90 days per year in the country.

– Permanent residency can be revoked if an investor violates the terms of the program, such as selling a home before the ten-year holding period has expired. 

– The investor is deprived of permanent residency if he lived outside the Bahamas for more than three years or will be convicted in any country for a term of imprisonment of one year or more.

– The investor’s relatives will lose their permanent residency if they cease to be financially dependent on the principal applicant.

– Annual Permit allows a non-Bahamian wishing to reside in The Bahamas to do so on an annual basis. According to the government policy, a non-Bahamian may enter The Bahamas as a visitor for an initial period of up to two months, and during this period the visitor may apply for residency. Fees during this process would be:

• Government fee: USD 1,000 p.a.
• Processing fee: USD 100 p.a.

– Non-Bahamians who own second homes in The Bahamas may apply for an annual homeowner’s residence card. This card is renewable annually and intended to facilitate entry into The Bahamas with minimal formalities. The holder is entitled to visit The Bahamas for a stay of up to one year. Fees during this process would be:

• Government fee: USD 250.00 p.a.

– After 10 years of permanent residency, 7 if married with a Bahamian citizen, one will be eligible to become a citizen, provided that the permanent resident has resided in The Bahamas for a minimum of 6 years.

Benefits Of The Bahamas Permanent Residency

There are many advantages to becoming a resident of The Bahamas.

• You can reside in The Bahamas legally, in some cases with the right to work and conduct business, without having to renew any permits.
• Permanent residents of The Bahamas enjoy the same rights as Bahamian citizens, except for the right to vote.
• You can enjoy tax benefits such as no inheritance tax, no income tax, and no capital gains tax.
• Cosmopolitan destination offering a wonderful lifestyle and very high standard of living surrounded by some of the best beaches in the world and waters perfect for sailing, fishing, diving, and water sports.
• Proximity to the USA – Easily accessible destination via short flights from the USA, Canada, UK, and many other locations.
• Pathway to applying for Citizenship of Bahamas after meeting residency requirements.

Bahamas Residency Requirements And Qualifications

The following categories of individuals are eligible to apply for citizenship in The Bahamas:

• An individual who has had legal permanent resident status in The Bahamas for 10 years, including the 12 months immediately before making the application, and who has been resident in The Bahamas for at least 6 years immediately before the 12 months mentioned above,
• A female spouse of a citizen of The Bahamas,
• An individual born in The Bahamas after 9th July 1973 to Non-Bahamian parents,
• A child (adopted or biological) with at least one Bahamian parent (Naturalised or otherwise),
• A child born in the Bahamas to non-Bahamian parents.

Steps And Timeline

• STEP #1: Making the investment in company or real estate scheme
• STEP #2: Submission of the application after acceptance of investment
• STEP #3: Processing of application by the Immigration Department

One must first make the investment before applying for permanent residence. If you’re planning to invest in a company, you’ll need to get your business plan approved by the appropriate authority. If you want to apply for the real estate scheme, you must first buy the property and then apply for a landholding license. The Housing Department typically takes 30 days to issue your Land Holding License.

One can submit their application for permanent residence along with the supporting documentation . Once the investment has been accepted and you have documentary proof. One can go to the Public Treasury, and pay the required fee.

The Immigration Department will process your application. It usually takes 3 to 4 weeks for a decision to be made. You can get your permanent residency permit once you’ve been accepted.

The total timeline takes between 1-2 months.

Our Services

Privacy World offers its services to anyone, not only looking to obtain residency and/or citizenship processes but our experts figure out legal ways to:

• Find the best solution for your needs.
• Identify and deploy a strategy to help you accomplish your goals.
• Activate our network of people in the country where you need help without having you search for the best solution or lawyer. We only work with licensed people in every country whom we carefully vet and pass our guidelines and principles of privacy we stand for.
• Focus on cutting through the red tape and to expedite your process.
• Provide proper communication with you about your case.
  …. and above all: Offer you legal strategies to provide additional layers of privacy for your identity, while obtaining your residency or citizenship!

Privacy World can also help you with incorporating your company in the Bahamas, assisting in getting you settled in the country and coordinating with you so that this experience will be less of a hassle.

Want Privacy World to handle your case? Have any questions? Contact us!

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