How To Apply For Bahamas Permanent Residency: Process, Documents & Timeline

Pitt Property Group is a Bahamian real estate brokerage based in Nassau, The Bahamas. We have a dedicated focus on Bahamas Permanent Residency through Economic Investment via real estate purchase. Because we are local and on the ground in The Bahamas, we track changes to government requirements more closely and more accurately than any non-Bahamian advisory service can. This page is written by Sheldon Pitt, Principal Broker at Pitt Property Group, with over 30 years of Bahamas real estate experience and direct knowledge of the EPR application process. Always verify current requirements directly with the official Bahamas Government website and with your licensed Bahamian immigration attorney, as requirements change periodically.

The Single Most Important Piece of Advice Before Starting

Engage a licensed Bahamian immigration attorney before you do anything else.

Sheldon Pitt, Principal Broker at Pitt Property Group, is direct on this point with every buyer he works with. Some buyers attempt to navigate the EPR application process independently. It is always recommended to work with a good, experienced Bahamian immigration attorney. The application involves a precise set of documents, strict authentication requirements, government form completion standards, and a process that moves significantly faster and more smoothly when it is in the hands of someone who does this regularly.

The cost of qualified legal representation is marginal relative to a $1,000,000 or above qualifying investment and the lifetime value of the status being sought. It is not a place to cut costs. Pitt Property Group works regularly with experienced Bahamian immigration attorneys and can provide introductions on request.

Everything on this page provides a clear overview of the process. For the specific details of your individual application  including document requirements, holding structure, family inclusion, and timeline  speak with your attorney.

Overview - The Four Stages of the EPR Application

The Bahamas Economic Permanent Residency application process follows four broad stages. Each stage has its own requirements and its own timeline, and the overall process moves at the pace of the slowest stage.

Stage 1: The Qualifying Property Purchase

Stage one is the qualifying property purchase. The property must be fully and completely conveyed to the purchaser before the EPR application can be submitted. This means the purchase must be concluded, the conveyance completed, and title transferred before the application is opened. Off-plan properties and properties under construction do not qualify until conveyance is complete.

Stage 2: Application Assembly 

Stage two is assembling the application. Once the property is conveyed, the buyer and their attorney compile the full document package required by the Bahamas Department of Immigration. This stage requires obtaining original documents, arranging apostilles on foreign-issued documents, scheduling medical and police certificate appointments, and ensuring every component of the application meets the Department's standards.

Stage 3: Application Submission & Review

Stage three is submission and review. The completed application is submitted to the Bahamas Department of Immigration by the applicant's attorney, along with the required government fees. The Department then reviews the application on either the standard track or the accelerated track depending on the investment level.

Stage 4: Approval & Certificate Issuasance 

Stage four is approval and certificate issuance. Upon approval, the EPR certificate is issued. Your attorney will guide you through the specific steps involved in receiving your certificate and any associated documentation. Speak with your attorney for the details of what happens at this stage and what to expect.

The Official Application Form: Form IV

The official application form for Bahamas Economic Permanent Residency is Form IV: Permanent Residence (Economic). This form is issued by the Bahamas Department of Immigration and is the formal document on which the application is based.

The form must be duly completed, legible, notarised, and have a Bahamian $10.00 postage stamp affixed to it before submission. Your attorney will handle the preparation and notarisation of the form as part of the application assembly process.

There is also a separate Electronic Permanent Residence Card application form. Your attorney will advise on the current requirements and process for the Electronic PR Card as part of the overall application. Speak with your attorney for the current details on both forms.

Always verify that you are using the current version of Form IV directly with your attorney or the official Bahamas Department of Immigration website, as forms are updated periodically.

The Government Fees

The non-refundable processing fee for a Bahamas EPR application is $200.00, payable by credit or debit card, postal or money order, or bank certified cheque, as confirmed by the official Bahamas Department of Immigration requirements. This fee is separate from the government EPR certificate fee.

The government EPR certificate fee is currently $20,000 USD for standard EPR without right to work, or $25,000 USD for EPR with the right to work in your own business. The family endorsement fee is currently $300 per endorsed family member spouse and each dependent child included in the application.

All government fee figures carry a caveat: fee schedules are set by the Government of The Bahamas and are subject to revision. Confirm all current government fees with your licensed Bahamian immigration attorney at the time of application. Do not plan your budget around figures from online sources that may be out of date.

The Complete Document Checklist

The following document requirements are confirmed by the official Bahamas Department of Immigration Certificate of Permanent Residence application requirements. This is the complete official list. Your attorney will advise on any additional documents required for your specific circumstances and on the current authentication standards applicable to documents from your country of origin.

The $200.00 non-refundable processing fee. A letter of request addressed to the Director of Immigration. Your attorney drafts this letter based on your specific circumstances and application. The duly completed Form IV with Bahamian $10.00 postage stamp affixed, legible and notarized.

An original medical certificate dated no earlier than 30 days before the date of application submission. This is required for every applicant without exception. The 30-day window is strict: a certificate that is more than 30 days old at the time of submission will not be accepted.

An original police certificate issued no earlier than six months before submission and covering five years of residence. This is required for all applicants aged 14 years and older. The police certificate is one of the most commonly cited sources of delay in EPR applications:it can take several weeks to obtain in some jurisdictions, it has a strict six-month validity window, and it must cover five years of residence. If you have lived in multiple countries in the last five years, speak with your attorney about which jurisdictions require a certificate, the answer depends on your specific residential history and your attorney's guidance.

Two current passport photographs of the applicant on a white background, with the applicant's name printed on the back. Photographs must be 2 x 2 inches in size and captured within six months of the application date. A copy of the biographical data page of the applicant's current passport, signed and readable, with a minimum of two months validity remaining. A copy of the biographical data page of the spouse's passport, signed and readable, with a minimum of two months validity remaining, where applicable. A copy of the biographical data page of each child's passport, signed and readable, with a minimum of two months validity remaining, where applicable.

The original birth certificate of the applicant, with English translations where required and a Bahamian $10.00 postage stamp affixed, verified by the relevant Consulate and authenticated by the Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs. An original birth certificate for the applicant's spouse, where applicable. Original birth certificates for each of the applicant's children, where applicable.

Two character references from reputable persons or persons of good standing in the applicant's community. References must include telephone contacts and email addresses, along with a copy of the referee's passport biographical page. In practice, buyers use a range of reputable individuals for this purpose — lawyers, doctors, accountants, bankers, or close personal friends of good standing are all appropriate. Speak with your attorney about the most suitable references for your specific application.

A certified copy of the marriage certificate with English translations where required and a Bahamian $10.00 postage stamp affixed, where applicable. A copy of any naturalization documentation for the spouse, where applicable. A Deed Poll, where applicable, registered at the Registrar General's Office. Proof of current immigration status: work permit, permit to reside, or equivalent documentation.

A death certificate or divorce decree, where applicable. Documentary proof of payment of real property tax, where applicable. A copy of the conveyance for residential property owned by the applicant in The Bahamas. School letters, where applicable. Documentary proof of adoption, registered at the Registrar General's Department, where applicable.

The Apostille & Authentication Requirement 

This is one of the most technically demanding aspects of the EPR application and one of the most common causes of delays when it is not handled correctly from the outset.

All documents issued from countries outside The Bahamas must be properly verified either by apostille or by legalization, and must have the signature of authentication by the Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs before they can be submitted with the application.

An apostille is required for all birth, marriage, and death certificates issued by countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. For documents from countries that are not Hague Convention members, legalisation through the relevant embassy or consulate is required instead. Your attorney will advise on the specific requirements applicable to documents from your country or countries of origin.

Certified English translations are required for every foreign-language document submitted. Translations must be prepared by someone proficient in the relevant foreign language and each translated document must have a Bahamian $10.00 postage stamp affixed.

Sheldon Pitt's consistent advice is to begin the apostille and authentication process for all foreign documents as early as possible, well before the property purchase is completed because the turnaround time for apostilles and Ministry of Foreign Affairs authentication can add weeks to the document assembly timeline, and certificates with validity windows like the medical certificate and police certificate cannot be obtained too far in advance.

Processing Timelines: The Honest Picture

Processing timelines for Bahamas Economic Permanent Residency applications are one of the most commonly asked questions Sheldon Pitt receives, and the honest answer is that no fixed timeline can be guaranteed.

The factors that influence how long an EPR application takes are numerous, and many are outside the applicant's direct control.

On the Applicants' Side

On the applicant's side, the completeness and accuracy of the application is the single biggest controllable factor. An incomplete application missing documents, incorrectly completed forms, expired certificates, absent apostilles, or incomplete dependent documentation will cause delays. An application that arrives fully assembled, correctly authenticated, and properly documented moves through the process significantly faster than one that requires follow-up or resubmission.

On the Government's Side

On the government's side, processing time is influenced by the Department of Immigration's current workload and backlog at the time of submission, the time of year and proximity to public holidays, whether The Bahamas is in a general election period, whether a hurricane or major weather event has disrupted government operations, and the volume of applications being processed simultaneously. None of these factors are predictable in advance and all of them have a real impact on processing time.

The Applicant's Attorney

The pace of the applicant's attorney also matters. An experienced, well-organized attorney who submits a complete application promptly and follows up appropriately moves the process forward. Delays on the attorney's side add avoidable time to an already variable process.

The Accelerated Track 

Buyers investing $1,500,000 USD or above access the accelerated review track, which provides priority handling and a meaningfully shorter processing timeframe. For buyers with firm planning deadlines, selecting a qualifying property at the $1,500,000 level or above is the most effective way to improve processing speed.

Sheldon Pitt's Advice

Sheldon Pitt's standing advice to all EPR applicants is to begin the process as early as possible, engage a qualified attorney from the outset, avoid building irrevocable plans around a specific approval date, and always confirm current processing expectations directly with your attorney and the official Bahamas Government website.

What Happens After EPR is Approved

Upon approval of the EPR application, the EPR certificate is issued. In most cases the applicant receives their certificate and that is the conclusion of the formal process. Your attorney will guide you through the specific steps involved in receiving your documentation and any associated requirements at the point of approval.

For the details of what happens at the approval and issuance stage including the Electronic Permanent Residence Card process: speak directly with your attorney. The specifics can vary depending on individual circumstances and current Department of Immigration procedures.

Once EPR is in hand, the ongoing requirements are straightforward. You must be present in The Bahamas for a minimum of 90 days per year to maintain your residency status. You must maintain the qualifying investment for the full 10-year period from the date of EPR approval. And you must file the 10-year declaration confirming no material changes to your circumstances at the appropriate point.

After 10 years of holding EPR status and meeting the physical presence and character requirements, you may apply for Bahamian citizenship through naturalization. Citizenship is not automatic, it is subject to government approval but the statutory pathway is clear for EPR holders who have maintained genuine connection to The Bahamas over the qualifying period.

The official Bahamas Department of Immigration requirements confirm that each endorsed family member requires their own supporting documentation within the application including copies of passport biographical pages, original birth certificates for children, and a certified copy of the marriage certificate for a spouse. The government endorsement fee is currently $300 per family member, subject to change: confirm the current figure with your Bahamian immigration attorney at the time of application.

How Pitt Property Group Supports The Application Process

Pitt Property Group's role in the EPR application process is specific. We identify qualifying properties, guide buyers through the local real estate purchase process, and connect buyers with experienced Bahamian immigration attorneys for the formal application.

We do not prepare or submit EPR applications. We do not provide immigration or legal advice. Our expertise is the real estate — knowing the qualifying developments, understanding the local market, and completing the property purchase that is the foundation of the entire EPR process.

What we do that non-Bahamian advisory services cannot is give buyers current, on-the-ground knowledge of the qualifying property market, the local purchase process, and the current state of the programme as it operates in practice. We are here. We work in this market every day. And because the EPR programme is a specific focus area within Pitt Property Group not a general add-on. Buyers working with us get the depth of knowledge that comes from genuine specialization.

To begin the conversation about qualifying properties and the EPR process, contact Sheldon directly.

Sheldon Pitt Principal Broker Pitt Property Group, Nassau sheldon@pittpropertygroup.com +1 (242) 544-7509

How To Get Started

To start the conversation about EPR, contact Sheldon directly.

Sheldon Pitt Principal Broker Pitt Property Group, Nassau sheldon@pittpropertygroup.com +1 (242) 544-7509

Frequently Asked Questions: How To Apply For Bahamas Permanent Residency

Do I need a lawyer to apply for Bahamas permanent residency?

While a licensed attorney is not a legal requirement, engaging a qualified Bahamian immigration attorney is always recommended and in practical terms essential for international buyers. Sheldon Pitt, Principal Broker at Pitt Property Group, is direct on this: some buyers attempt to navigate the process independently but it is always recommended to work with a good, experienced Bahamian immigration attorney. The application involves precise document standards, strict authentication requirements, and a process that moves significantly faster when handled by someone who does this regularly. Pitt Property Group can provide introductions to experienced local counsel on request.

What is Form IV and where do I get it?

Form IV is the official Permanent Residence (Economic) application form issued by the Bahamas Department of Immigration. It is the formal document on which the EPR application is based. The form must be duly completed, legible, notarized, and have a Bahamian $10.00 postage stamp affixed before submission. Your attorney will handle the preparation and notarization of the form as part of the application process. Always confirm you are using the current version of the form with your attorney or directly with the official Bahamas Department of Immigration website.

How strict is the medical certificate requirement?

The medical certificate must be an original, dated no earlier than 30 days before the date of application submission, and is required for every applicant without exception. The 30-day window is strict. A certificate that is more than 30 days old at the time of submission will not be accepted. Buyers should schedule their medical examination as close to the intended submission date as practically possible, after all other documents are assembled and ready.

What is the apostille requirement and does it apply to my documents?

All documents issued outside The Bahamas must be verified by apostille or legalization and authenticated by the Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs before submission. An apostille is required for birth, marriage, and death certificates from countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. For non-Hague countries, legalization through the relevant embassy or consulate is required. All foreign-language documents require certified English translations with a Bahamian $10.00 postage stamp affixed. Begin the apostille and authentication process early: turnaround times vary significantly by country and can add weeks to the document assembly timeline.

Can I submit my EPR application from outside the Bahamas?

Yes. Physical presence in The Bahamas at the point of EPR application submission is not required. The application can be submitted through a licensed Bahamian immigration attorney acting on the applicant's behalf. The majority of Pitt Property Group's international buyers complete both the property purchase and the EPR application process with their Bahamian attorney managing the submission in-country while the buyers coordinate from their home country. The property purchase itself can also be completed remotely through a power of attorney arrangement.

Important Notice

The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes by Pitt Property Group, a licensed Bahamian real estate brokerage based in Nassau, The Bahamas. Pitt Property Group specialises in Bahamas Permanent Residency through Economic Investment via real estate purchase. We are not immigration lawyers, tax advisers, or financial advisers.

Bahamas government requirements, qualifying thresholds, document requirements, fees, and programme terms change periodically. Always verify current requirements directly with the official Bahamas Department of Immigration website, the official Bahamas Government website, and your licensed Bahamian immigration attorney.