Non-Bahamian nationals who are desirous of living and working in the Bahamas must seek authorization from the Department of Immigration to do so. This comes in the form of a Residence Permit. Permanent residence is a status issued to an individual for the duration of his/her life, unless revoked, and gives him/her the right to live and or work, but not the right to vote in The Bahamas.
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 BS$1.5 million 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
- Haitian nationals who are able to provide documentary proof, exclusive of Haitian passports, that the department accepts as evidence under cover of an affidavit from a notary public, of their continuous residence in The Bahamas prior to January 1985
- Persons who have held legal status (work or resident permit) for more than 20 consecutive years
- Fill out appropriate form.
- Attach completed application form to supporting documents.
- Submit to the Department of Immigration, along with fee payment.
Form IV regulation 2, regulation 8, also available at the offices of the Department of Immigration
- 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 Bahamian citizens 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)
- Financial statements from applicant’s financial institution citing a figure range, and verifying economic worth
Once the actual application has been accurately and completely submitted, applicant should contact teh inquiries unit @ 502-0550 within a 3 to 4 week period for an update of the process of the application.
There are no deadlines for this service.
There is a non-refundable processing fee of BS$100.00, payable via cash or bank manager's cheque to the Public Treasury.
New Providence
Department of Immigration
Hawkins Hill
P. O. Box N-831
Nassau
New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 322-7530/9
Fax.(242) 326-0977
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Abaco
Department of Immigration
Marsh Harbour Airport
Abaco
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 361-5000, 367-2536 / 2675, or 365-8604
Fax.(242) 367-4955
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Department of Immigration
Walkers Cay
Abaco
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 352-5252
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Andros
Department of Immigration
Fresh Creek
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 368-2031
Vibe. (242) 225-9382
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Department of Immigration
North Andros
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 329-4466
Vibe. (242) 225-9208
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Bimini
Department of Immigration
Alice Town Office
Alice Town
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 347-3446
Vibe. (242) 225-2406
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Berry Island
Department of Immigration
Great Harbour Cay
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 367-8112 or (242) 368-2031
Fax. (242) 367-8567
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Eleuthera
Department of Immigration
Rock Sound
Eleuthera
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 334-2055
Fax.(242) 335-1858
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Department of Immigration
Government Harbour
Eleuthera
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 332-2576
Vibe. (242) 225-9788
Fax. (242) 332-3771
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Department of Immigration
Airport
Eleuthera
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 332-2604
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Department of Immigration
North Eleuthera
Eleuthera
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 335-1124
Vibe. (242) 225-2408 / 9162
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Exuma
Department of Immigration
Exuma
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 336-2569
Vibe.(242) 225-1349
Fax.(242) 336-3569
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Department of Immigration
Airport
Exuma
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 345-0073
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Grand Bahama
Department of Immigration
Main Office
Freeport
Grand Bahama,
The Bahamas
Tel. (954) 654-7137
Vibe. (242) 225-8768
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Department of Immigration
Airport
Grand Bahama,
The Bahamas
Tel. (954) 654-7052
Vibe. (242) 225-8660
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Inagua
Department of Immigration
Airport
Inagua
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 336-1602
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Department of Immigration
Office
Inagua
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 339-1234
Vibe.(242) 225-9701
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Department of Immigration
Customs
Inagua
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 339-1254
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
San Salvador
Department of Immigration
Office
San Salvador
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 331-2100
Fax.(242) 339-2431 or 331-2431
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Hawkins Hill
P. O. Box N-831
Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas
immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Phone: (242) - 322-8504
322-7530
Fax: (242) - 326-0977