Commonwealth of The Bahamas · residence general
Bahamas Homeowner Residence Card
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
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.
- Processing time
- Indicative only - confirm current timelines on the official Bahamas Department of Immigration page.
- Government fees
- Indicative only - an application fee applies; confirm current amounts on the official page.
- Typical duration
- Valid while the qualifying property is owned and the card is kept current; it is tied to home ownership and does not by itself lead to permanent residence. Confirm current terms on the official page.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
Overview
The Bahamas Homeowner Residence Card (home-owner identification) is issued to foreign nationals who own a residence in the country, giving the owner and their immediate family the facility to enter, reside and travel in and out while they keep the property. Good to know: it is tied to owning the home and is a facilitation card rather than a settlement document - it does not by itself confer permanent residence, which is a separate, investment-based process. The Department of Immigration issues it.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓The applicant owns a qualifying residence in The Bahamas.Commonwealth of The Bahamas Department of Immigration ↗
- ✓Ownership of the property is evidenced by the conveyance or title documents.Commonwealth of The Bahamas Department of Immigration ↗
- ✓A valid passport and the documents the Department requires are presented.Commonwealth of The Bahamas Department of Immigration ↗
- ✓Immediate family members included are evidenced by civil-status documents.Commonwealth of The Bahamas Department of Immigration ↗
Common blockers
- !Not actually owning the qualifying residence (e.g. renting rather than owning).Commonwealth of The Bahamas Department of Immigration ↗
- !Selling or losing the property, which affects the card tied to ownership.Commonwealth of The Bahamas Department of Immigration ↗
- !Expecting the card to confer permanent residence or the right to work - it does neither by itself.Commonwealth of The Bahamas Department of Immigration ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Conveyance or title documents proving ownership of the Bahamian residence.Commonwealth of The Bahamas Department of Immigration ↗
- ·Valid passport and recent passport photographs.Commonwealth of The Bahamas Department of Immigration ↗
- ·Civil-status documents for immediate family members included.Commonwealth of The Bahamas Department of Immigration ↗
- ·Any character or financial documents the Department requests.Commonwealth of The Bahamas Department of Immigration ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Confirm on the official Bahamas Department of Immigration page that home ownership qualifies and which family members can be included.
Build the evidence pack
Gather the conveyance or title documents, passports and civil-status documents for the family.
Submit through the official channel
Submit the home-owner identification application to the Department of Immigration through the official channel.
After approval
Once issued, use the card while you own the home; consider permanent residence separately if you wish to settle.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicantUse official Bahamas Homeowner Residence Card route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Bahamas Homeowner Residence Card.
Commonwealth of The Bahamas Department of Immigration · verified
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Related routes
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Does owning a home in The Bahamas give me permanent residence?+
Not by itself. The homeowner residence card facilitates entry and residence while you own the property, but it is not the same as permanent residence, which is a separate, investment-based process (and a substantial real-estate investment can qualify for that route). Confirm the distinction on the official page.
Can my family be included on the Bahamas homeowner card?+
The card is generally extended to the owner and immediate family, evidenced by civil-status documents. Confirm exactly who can be included and the current requirements on the official Department of Immigration page.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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