Moving to The Bahamas
6 ways to move to The Bahamas in our guide: 3 investor routes, 1 work visa, 1 student visa, 1 spouse visa.
No digital nomad visa. Smallest investment: Economic PR · $1M property, BSD 1M+ ≈ $1M. Tax for newcomers: No personal income tax, No personal income tax. Checked against official sources on .
The Bahamas offers a few clear paths for non-Bahamians who want to live here, mostly built around investment or work. The rules are set out in the records, and each route has its own paperwork and conditions.
Investing · 3
Economic PR
Investment needed: BSD 1M+ ≈ $1M
Home Owner permit
Work · 1
Work permit
First stay: 1 yr
Student · 1
Student permit
First stay: 1 yr
Spouse visas · 1
For people married to, or in a partnership with, a citizen or permanent resident.
Free movement and visa-free stays · 1
Visa-free stay (8 months) · Up to 8 months as a visitor
Work not allowed
Open to 3 passports: Canada, United Kingdom, United States.
Tax
The records list no personal income, capital gains, inheritance, withholding, dividend or payroll taxes. Residents pay VAT and National Insurance contributions instead. Because there is no personal income tax, no income tax residence test applies, and National Insurance covers employees, employers and the self-employed. Immigration status and tax are separate questions.
Standard rules
No personal income tax; VAT and National Insurance
No personal income tax
Details
- On: Consumption (VAT) and wages (National Insurance contributions)
The Bahamas Government investment guidance lists personal income, capital gains, inheritance, withholding, dividend and payroll taxes as absent; residents pay VAT and National Insurance contributions instead.
Taxed on
Consumption (VAT) and wages (National Insurance contributions)
Tax residence
No income tax residence test applies because no personal income tax is levied; National Insurance applies to employees, employers and the self-employed.
Visas
Permanent residence and permit holders pay VAT and National Insurance on the same basis.
Other taxes
National Insurance contribution rates rose by 1.5 percentage points from the first Monday of July 2024 (shared by employer and employee), with further 1.5-point rises every two years to 2044. Real property tax applies to owners.
Checked against official sources on , some details partly verifiedChange log
Checked against official sources on Change log
The Bahamas in pictures
Path to permanent residence · 3
- PR after 10 years · Economic Permanent Residence — real estate investment of $1.0 million
- PR after 10 years · Economic Permanent Residence — Zero Coupon Bonds of $1.0 million
- PR after 20 years · Permanent residence — 10 to 20 years of residence with a qualifying work permit
Arriving in The Bahamas: first steps
- Arrange health cover as part of your medical certificates for the application.
- Have proof of your Bahamian address ready, such as a deed or rental agreement.
- Complete police and medical certificates as required by your route.
- For work permits, ensure your employer has the Labour Certificate and advertising in place.
- For students, keep your enrolment letter and financial reference for the Permit to Reside.
Questions people ask
How much do you need to invest for residency in The Bahamas?
The Bahamas has 3 investor routes. Economic PR · $1M property asks for an investment of at least BSD 1,000,000 (≈ $1,000,000). Economic PR · $1M bonds asks for an investment of at least BSD 1,000,000 (≈ $1,000,000). There is also Home Owner permit.
What work visas does The Bahamas offer foreigners?
The Bahamas has 1 work visa. Work permit gives a first stay of 1 year that can be renewed.
How do I get a student visa for The Bahamas?
The Bahamas has 1 student visa. Student permit gives a first stay of 1 year that can be renewed.
Can I join my spouse or partner in The Bahamas?
Yes. The Bahamas has 1 spouse visa. It is Spouse of a citizen.
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≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
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An AI assistant answers from the published records on this page and cites them. It can't assess your personal eligibility. Don't include personal details.