Bahamas - Apply for Permanent Residence Card

ProcedureEdit

Apply In-Person:

Non-Bahamian nationals who are desirous of living and working in the Bahamas must seek authorization from the Department of Immigration to do so. Contact Link
Visit the office. Collect and fill out appropriate form for Permanent Residence. Link to Download Application Form Or Link to Download Application For Spouse of a Bahamian
Attach completed application form to supporting documents as mention in the “Required Documents” section below.
Submit to the Department of Immigration, along with fee payment. Refer the “Fees” section for more details.
Once the application has been accurately and completely filled and submitted, applicant should contact the inquiries unit @ 502-0550 within a 3 to 4 week period for an update of the process of the application.

Required DocumentsEdit

Letter of request addressed to the Director of Immigration
Duly completed application form with Bahamian $10.00 postage stamp affixed thereon (legible & notarized)
Applicant’s original medical certificate (dated not earlier than 30 days before submission of the application. Required for every applicant)
Applicant’s original police certificate (issued not earlier than six (6) months and must cover five years of residence; required of applicants 14 years old and older)
Two (2) current passport photographs of applicant on white background with name printed on back of photo (captured within six (6) months of application date; photo size must be 2 X 2 inches)
Copy of the biographical data page of applicant’s current passport (must be signed and readable with minimum of two (2) months validity)
Copy of biographical data page of spouse’s passport (must be signed and readable with two (2) months validity) [if applicable]
Copy of biographical data page of child(ren)’s passport (must be signed and readable with two (2) months validity) [if applicable]
Original birth certificate of applicant (English translations and Bahamian $10.00 postage stamps affixed thereon) with the verification by the Consulate and authentication of signature by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Two (2) character references from reputable persons or persons of good standing in applicant’s community (please provide telephone contacts and email addresses along biographical page of passport)
Original birth certificate for applicant’s spouse
Original birth certificates for applicant’s children (if applicable)
Certified copy of marriage certificate (English translations and Bahamian $10.00 postage stamp affixed thereon; if applicable)
Copy of any Naturalization for spouse (if applicable)
Deed Poll (if applicable) (registered at Registrar General’s Office)
Proof of current immigration status (Work Permit/Permit to Reside etc.)
Death Certificate/ divorce decree (if applicable)
Documentary proof of payment of Real Property Tax (if applicable)
Copy of conveyance for residential property(ies) owned by applicant in The Bahamas (if applicable)
School letters (where applicable)
Documentary proof of Adoption (registered at Registrar General’s Department) [if applicable]

Office Locations & ContactsEdit

Bahamas Immigration Department
Lynden Pindling International Airport
Tel. (242) 604-0199/ 604-0201
Email: [email protected]

Bahamas Immigration Department
Prince George Wharf Office
Tel. (242) 604-0203/ 604-0204
Email: [email protected]

Bahamas Immigration Department
Detention Center
Tel. (242) 604-0182
Website Link
Contact Link
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.

Note:
On islands where there are no immigration presence, Bahamas Customs or the Administrator’s office perform agency duties on the Department’s behalf

Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.
Note: On islands where there are no immigration presence, Bahamas Customs or the Administrator’s office perform agency duties on the Department’s behalf.

EligibilityEdit

The following categories of persons may apply for permanent residence:

Spouse of a Bahamian after 5 years of marriage, and whose marriage is subsisting and the couple 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 BSD $750,000.00 or more will get speedy consideration
Police and Prison Officers employed in the Government Service for a minimum of 10 years
Teachers employed in the Government Service or by charitable or religious institutions for a minimum of 10 years
Nurses employed in the Government Service or with private hospitals and healthcare facilities for a minimum of 10 years
Ministers of Religion / Priests after having been employed for a minimum of 20 years
Doctors / Medical professionals after having been employed for a minimum of 20 years
Persons who have held legal work permit status for more than twenty (20) consecutive years.
Person who resided in the country for at least 10 and less than 20 years and who held a work permit in any of the scales 5 to 8.

FeesEdit

$200.00 non-refundable processing fee (payable by cash, credit/debit card, postal/money orders or bank certified cheque)

ValidityEdit

The certificate is valid for lifetime, unless revoked.

Documents to UseEdit

Application Form
Link to Download
Or Link to Download Application for Spouse of a Bahamian

Sample DocumentsEdit

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing TimeEdit

Within a 3 to 4 week period after submission of the application.

InstructionsEdit

Please note that:

All documents issued from countries outside The Bahamas must be properly verified (by apostille or Legalization) and have signature of authentication by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before they can be submitted. An apostille is required for all birth, marriage and death certificates issued by countries that are members of The Hague Apostille Convention. For a complete list of Hague Apostille Convention countries please visit Hague signatories
Certified translations in English are required for each foreign document submitted and should have a Bahamian $10.00 postage stamp affixed thereto.
Translations must be prepared by someone proficient in the relevant foreign language.

Required InformationEdit

Date of first arrival in The Bahamas
Date of arrival in relation to Permanent Residence
Name in full (in block letters)
Nationality
Nationality at birth
Religious Denomination
Place and date of birth
If naturalized, state when and where
Nationality of father and mother
Name of wife (or husband)
Nationality of wife (or husband)
Particulars of children
Passport number, date and place of issue
Date passport expires
Present domicile
Present immigration status of applicant (state whether Work Permit holder, Annual Resident, Visitor)
Details of periods of residence in The Bahamas
Other places of residence during the past five years
Present address
Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offence? (If so, give details)
Education at home and /or abroad
Character references (Names and addresses of at least two)
Financial references
Present Occupation
Normal Occupation (if not as above)
Does the applicant own his own home in The Bahamas? (Note: It is immaterial whether or not subject to mortgage)
If the answer to No. 26 is in the negative, does the applicant intend to build a home in The Bahamas?
Financial Enquiry (for those seeking employment in Bahamas)
Training and experience
Location
Signature
Date

Need for the DocumentEdit

A Certificate of Permanent Residence 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.

Information which might helpEdit

Persons who obtained Permanent Residence status by virtue of marriage to a Bahamian citizen will be asked to submit a copy of the Bahamian spouse’s passport and marriage certificate.

External LinksEdit

Link

OthersEdit

More information which might help people.