Last updated: February 2026 · Verified against RBI, FEMA, and Bahamas Immigration sources
Bahamas Permanent Residency for Indian Investors
Indian citizens who purchase Bahamas real estate valued at $1,000,000 or more can apply for Economic Permanent Residency (EPR). EPR grants the right to reside in The Bahamas indefinitely. Fund through the RBI's Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) with family pooling. Zero Bahamas income tax, zero capital gains tax, zero inheritance tax. Spouse and dependents included.
Glenn Ferguson handles both the property purchase and EPR application - one relationship from property search through residency approval. He works with your Indian CA and authorised dealer bank for LRS-compliant fund transfer.
Bahamas Residency for Indian Investors - At a Glance
Eligibility: Indian citizens who purchase Bahamas real estate valued at $1,000,000+ (increased January 2025).
Program: Economic Permanent Residency (EPR) - lifetime validity, 10-year property hold, 90 days/year presence.
Funding: RBI Liberalised Remittance Scheme - USD $250,000 per person per financial year (April-March). Family pooling permitted with co-ownership.
TCS: 20% on LRS remittances above INR 10 lakh (from April 2025). Creditable against ITR.
Tax advantage: Bahamas charges 0% income tax, 0% capital gains, 0% inheritance tax. No India-Bahamas DTAA.
Visa entry: Indians with US/UK/Canada/Schengen visa enter without a Bahamas visa. Others need eVisa (7-10 days).
Citizenship: Eligible to apply for naturalisation after 10 years EPR + 6 years de facto residence (discretionary).
Contact: Glenn Ferguson, BREA #1247, Residency Consultant - handles property purchase and EPR filing. +1-242-395-8495.
Why Bahamas Residency
Why Indian HNIs Are Choosing Bahamas Residency
0% Income Tax
No personal income tax, no corporate tax, no capital gains tax, no dividend tax, no inheritance tax, no wealth tax. Rental income from your property is untaxed by The Bahamas.
USD-Pegged Currency
The Bahamian Dollar is pegged 1:1 to the US Dollar. Zero currency risk against USD. A natural hedge for Indian investors diversifying away from INR volatility.
Full Freehold Ownership
Foreign nationals purchase property with identical freehold rights as Bahamian citizens. No leasehold, no time limit, no foreign ownership restrictions on residential property.
Lifetime Residency
EPR remains valid for life unless revoked. Includes spouse and dependent children under 18. File a simple confirmation every 10 years.
English Common Law
Legal system based on English common law. Strong property rights, transparent land registry, and established conveyancing procedures familiar to Indian legal professionals.
Citizenship Pathway
After 10 years of EPR (with 6 years de facto residence), you may apply for Bahamian citizenship through naturalisation. Decision is discretionary.
Entry Requirements
Bahamas Visa Rules for Indian Nationals
Visa-exempt entry (no Bahamas visa needed): Indian nationals with a valid visa issued by the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, or any Schengen Member State can enter The Bahamas without a separate visa. Indian nationals who hold permanent residency in any of these countries are also exempt. Present your valid visa or permanent resident card alongside your Indian passport at Bahamas immigration.
eVisa required (all other Indians): Indian nationals without a qualifying visa must apply for a Bahamas Electronic Entry Visa (eVisa) online before travel. The eVisa is a single-entry permit valid for 3 months. Standard processing is 7-10 business days. Documents required include a valid Indian passport (6+ months validity), passport photo, bank reference letter, employment/business letter, accommodation proof, and return ticket.
After EPR approval: Once Economic Permanent Residency is granted, you receive a Certificate of Permanent Residence. This allows unrestricted entry and exit to The Bahamas without visa requirements. Your passport must still be valid for at least 6 months.
"Most of my Indian clients hold a US B1/B2 visa, which makes Bahamas entry seamless. I've arranged property viewing trips for investors from Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore - typically a 2-3 day visit via Miami (45 minutes to Nassau). I coordinate viewings, attorney introductions, and area tours so you see everything in one trip."
Economic Permanent Residency
The EPR Program - Complete Details
What EPR provides: The right to reside in The Bahamas indefinitely, open local bank accounts, and enter and exit freely. EPR does not include the right to work - a separate work permit is required for employment or business. However, EPR holders can invest in businesses and receive passive income (rental, dividends, interest) without restriction.
Family inclusion: Spouse and dependent children under 18 can be endorsed on the EPR certificate for $300 per person. An endorsement for a dependent remains valid until they cease to be a dependent. Note: under current Bahamian law, if the EPR holder is female, she cannot apply to endorse her husband - this is a gender-specific restriction in the existing legislation.
Conditions for maintaining EPR: The property must be held for a minimum of 10 years. The EPR holder must file a declaration every 10 years confirming no material changes to the information in the original application. The property purchase must be completed (title transferred) before the EPR application can be submitted.
Investment options: EPR can be obtained through purchase of residential real estate ($1,000,000+) or through Central Bank Zero-Coupon Bonds ($1,000,000+). Most Indian investors choose real estate for the dual benefit of residency and property appreciation/rental income.
| EPR Cost Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Government fee (if approved) | $20,000 |
| Spouse endorsement | $300 |
| Each dependent child endorsement | $300 |
| Legal fees (attorney) | Typically 1-2.5% of property value |
| VAT on conveyance (buyer share) | ~5% of property value |
| Title insurance | ~0.5-1% of property value |
| Annual property tax | 1% on value above $500K (owner-occupied) |
Funding from India
LRS Compliance and Family Pooling
Family pooling for EPR: A family of four (two parents, two adult children) can each remit USD 250,000, totalling $1,000,000 in a single financial year - meeting the EPR minimum. Each contributing family member must be listed as a co-owner on the property. Timing remittances across two financial years (March + April) can provide up to USD 500,000 per individual within a short window.
Documentation: Your authorised dealer bank requires Form A2, valid PAN, KYC documents, the Sale and Purchase Agreement, and a declaration confirming you are within the USD 250,000 annual limit. The SPA must clearly reference the property details. Using the wrong purpose code can create FEMA compliance issues.
Co-ownership structure: Glenn coordinates with your Bahamian attorney to structure co-ownership in the conveyance documents to align with both FEMA requirements and Bahamas property law. The EPR application references the property ownership - correct structuring from the outset is essential.
Remittances for overseas property must use purpose code S0005. The property purchase must be completed (title transferred) before the EPR application is filed. Glenn aligns the purchase timeline with your LRS remittance schedule so closing and EPR filing happen in the correct sequence.
Ready to Explore Bahamas Residency?
Glenn identifies qualifying properties and manages the full EPR process.
Tax Planning
TCS, Indian Tax Obligations and Bahamas Tax Benefits
TCS (from April 2025): The Budget 2025 increased the TCS-free threshold to INR 10 lakh per financial year (up from INR 7 lakh). Above this threshold, TCS is 20% for overseas property investment. TCS is not a final tax - it is collected by your bank and claimed as credit against your total tax liability when filing your ITR. Distribute remittances across family members to optimise TCS impact.
No DTAA: India does not have a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement with The Bahamas. Since The Bahamas does not levy income tax, there is no double taxation in practice. Indian residents must declare the foreign property in Schedule FA of their ITR and report any rental income as worldwide income under the Income Tax Act, 1961.
Schedule FA disclosure: Resident and Ordinarily Resident (ROR) taxpayers must disclose foreign immovable property in Schedule FA, including address, acquisition cost, ownership share, and income derived. Non-disclosure attracts penalties under the Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015.
Indian tax residency impact: If you spend fewer than 182 days in India in a financial year (or meet other conditions under Section 6 of the Income Tax Act), your residential status may change. This has significant tax implications. Consult a qualified Indian CA before altering your residency patterns.
This page provides general information only and is not tax or legal advice. Indian tax law is complex and subject to change. Always consult a qualified Indian Chartered Accountant and cross-border tax adviser before making overseas property investments. Glenn Ferguson is not a tax adviser.
Qualifying Properties
EPR-Qualifying Properties for Indian Investors
Luxury Condos
Beachfront condominiums in Nassau, Cable Beach, and Paradise Island. Turnkey, professionally managed, optional rental programs. From ~$1M-$11M+. Ideal for absentee owners who want rental income between visits.
Gated Community Homes
Single-family homes in exclusive gated communities like Ocean Club Estates, Albany, Lyford Cay, and Old Fort Bay. From ~$2M-$30M+. Maximum privacy, marina access, golf, and world-class amenities.
Beachfront Villas
Standalone beachfront or waterfront villas across New Providence, Paradise Island, and the Out Islands. From ~$1M-$20M+. Direct beach access, private docks, and custom construction options.
Featured community for Indian investors: Aqualina Cable Beach is a 27-unit, 11-story ultra-luxury beachfront development adjacent to the $3.5 billion Baha Mar Resort. All units exceed the EPR threshold. Optional rental program with no blackout periods. From approximately $2.65M. Built by Aristo Development ($250M+ track record).
Other EPR-qualifying communities: Ocean Club Estates (Paradise Island), Albany (South Ocean), Goldwynn (Cable Beach), The Residences at Baha Mar, ONE Cable Beach, Lyford Cay, and Old Fort Bay. Glenn provides current availability, pricing, and comparable analysis across all qualifying communities.
"In 24 years of working with international buyers, I've seen which properties hold value and which don't. For Indian investors visiting 2-4 times a year, I recommend managed condos with proven rental programs - they generate income when you're not in residence. I provide actual rental yield data, recent comparable sales, and developer track records for every property I recommend, so you're making a decision based on numbers, not brochures."
Long-Term Pathway
From EPR to Bahamas Citizenship
Naturalisation requirements: 10 years of Economic Permanent Residency, with at least 6 years of de facto residence (physical presence) in The Bahamas. The application is submitted to the Department of Immigration. Citizenship is granted at the discretion of the government - it is not automatic.
Indian dual citizenship: India does not recognise dual citizenship under the Citizenship Act, 1955. Acquiring Bahamian citizenship may require renouncing Indian citizenship. However, India offers Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) status to former citizens, which provides lifelong visa-free travel to India and certain rights. Consult an Indian immigration lawyer before pursuing naturalisation.
Alternative: retain EPR indefinitely. Many Indian investors choose to maintain EPR without pursuing citizenship. EPR provides all the practical benefits of Bahamas residency - tax-neutral environment, banking access, free entry/exit - without affecting Indian citizenship status.
Step-by-Step Process
How Indian Investors Obtain Bahamas Residency
Contact Glenn
Discuss goals, budget, and timeline. Receive EPR-qualifying property options with pricing, rental data, and area analysis.
Plan LRS Funding
Work with your CA and AD bank. Determine family pooling structure, FY timing, TCS optimisation, and FEMA documentation (Form A2, S0005).
Visit Nassau
Glenn arranges viewings, attorney introductions, and area tours. Most Indian clients fly via Miami (45 min to Nassau). Visa-free if holding US/UK/Schengen visa.
Reserve & Sign SPA
Glenn coordinates offer, negotiation, and Sale and Purchase Agreement. SPA must be in place before AD bank processes LRS remittance.
Remit Funds
AD bank processes LRS remittance to Bahamas attorney's escrow. May be staged across financial years for amounts exceeding single-year family pooling capacity.
Close & Register
Attorney conducts title search, prepares conveyance with correct co-ownership structure. Pay VAT on conveyance, legal fees. Property registered.
File EPR
Glenn files your Economic Permanent Residency application with the Department of Immigration. Proof of ownership required. $20,000 government fee + $300 per dependent.
Receive Certificate
EPR certificate issued. Spouse and dependents endorsed. Enter and exit The Bahamas freely. Report property in Schedule FA of your Indian ITR.
"Over 24 years, I've learned that the sequence matters more than anything for Indian buyers. I've seen transactions stall because the LRS remittance arrived after the closing deadline, or because the EPR was filed before the title transferred. I manage the entire timeline so your remittance schedule, property closing, and EPR filing all align perfectly. One relationship from first call through residency certificate."
Enquire Now
Bahamas Residency Enquiry for Indian Investors
Tell Glenn your requirements - investment budget, residency goals, family size, LRS timeline - and receive a personalised property and residency roadmap.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Indian Investors Bahamas Residency FAQ
Can Indian citizens get permanent residency in The Bahamas?
Do Indian citizens need a visa to visit The Bahamas?
How do I fund a $1M+ purchase with a $250K annual LRS limit?
What are the EPR government fees?
Does EPR grant the right to work?
Can Bahamas EPR lead to citizenship?
What TCS applies to LRS remittances for Bahamas property?
How do I start the Bahamas residency process from India?
Your Residency Consultant
About Glenn Ferguson
Glenn Ferguson
BREA Licensed #1247 · Bahamas MLS · Residency Consultant · 24+ Years
Glenn Ferguson is a licensed Bahamas real estate agent (BREA #1247) and authorised residency consultant based in Nassau, New Providence. Over 24 years, he has guided foreign buyers through property acquisition and residency applications across all major Bahamas communities. For Indian investors specifically, Glenn coordinates the entire process - from identifying EPR-qualifying properties and structuring co-ownership for FEMA-compliant LRS family pooling, through attorney coordination, closing, and EPR filing with the Department of Immigration. He works alongside your Indian CA and authorised dealer bank to ensure the purchase timeline aligns with your remittance schedule. Glenn holds WPIC wedding planning certification and is a licensed Marriage Officer, reflecting his deep integration into Bahamas professional life.
View Glenn's full profile and credentialsReady for Bahamas Residency?
Glenn Ferguson - EPR-qualifying properties, LRS-aligned timelines, and full residency application management from India to Nassau.