Commonwealth of The Bahamas visas
The Bahamas issues work permits and residence through its Department of Immigration, with an Economic Permanent Residence route for property investors and the BEATS programme for remote workers and online students. The Bahamas levies no personal income tax. BEATS is a temporary permit and does not lead to permanent residence; the Economic Permanent Residence investment minimum was raised on 1 January 2025.
5 routes · 4 without a sponsor · 1 lead to settlement
Official portal
Primary source
Department of Immigration ↗ · Department of Immigration (The Bahamas)
Link last verified:
Regulators of immigration advice
- The Bahamas Bar Association (Bahamas Bar) — Professional body of attorneys in The Bahamas. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed attorneys.
Visa routes (5)
Bahamas Work Permit
If a Bahamian employer wants to hire you, this is the permit that lets you work for them. The employer applies, usually after first advertising the role locally.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 10 July 2026
Bahamas Economic Permanent Residence
If you can invest substantially in The Bahamas - typically in real estate - economic permanent residence gives you the right to live there permanently, without the right to work.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 1 June 2026
Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS)
If you work or study remotely, BEATS is the permit that lets you do it from any of the Bahamian islands for up to a year - without taking a local job.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 10 July 2026
Bahamas Annual Residence Permit
If you want to live in The Bahamas without working there - for example as a retiree or person of means - the annual residence permit lets you reside for a year at a time, renewably.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 10 July 2026
Bahamas Homeowner Residence Card
If you own a home in The Bahamas, the homeowner residence card gives you and your immediate family a smoother right to come and go and reside while you keep that property.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 10 July 2026
Planning life after your move?
Organise documents, arrival money, housing and the practical steps after visa approval. Your route conditions remain the starting point.
Frequently asked questions
How many visa routes does Commonwealth of The Bahamas have?+
We cover 5 Commonwealth of The Bahamas visa routes in these categories: sponsored work, general residence, and digital nomad. Each one links to its primary government source and carries a last-reviewed date.
Which Commonwealth of The Bahamas visas do not need an employer sponsor?+
4 of the 5 Commonwealth of The Bahamas routes we cover can be pursued without an employer sponsor, which helps if you do not have a job offer yet. The remaining 1 are employer-sponsored.
Which Commonwealth of The Bahamas visas lead to permanent residence?+
1 of the 5 routes can lead to settlement or permanent residence; the others are temporary. Open each route for its settlement detail and qualifying period.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in The Bahamas