Bahamas Country Profile

Passport
For more details visit Bahamas Passport Ranking
  • Passport Grade
    A-
  • Passport Ranking
    46/198
  • Passport Score
    165.5/198
  • Visa-free Countries
    132
  • Visa-required Countries
    66
  • Access to the World's GDP
    83%
  • Access to the World's Surface Area
    48%
  • Access to the World's Population
    52%
  • Access to the Unesco Sites
    75%
Citizenship and Naturalization
Birthright citizenship (Jus Soli)
  • Birthright citizenship (Jus Soli)
    No
    No provisions
Naturalization - Standard Conditions
  • Minimum residency period
    7 years
  • Physical presence requirement
  • Language test
    Yes, English
  • Need to renounce original citizenship?
    Yes
  • Can minor children naturalize?
  • Can naturalized parents pass citizenship to a child born abroad?
    Restricted
    No restrictions apply to children born to a Bahamian father (naturalized or not). A child born abroad to a female citizen will inherit citizenship only if the child is born out of wedlock. If born in wedlock, the child can register for citizenship between the ages of 18 and 21.
  • Can you lose naturalization due to prolonged absence/ naturalization elsewhere?
Naturalization - Your Spouse is a Citizen
  • Living IN the country: Residency/marriage requirement
    0 years / 0 years*
    Only females married to male citizens may apply immediately. No special provisons for male applicants.
  • Living ABROAD: Marriage requirement
    N/A
  • Language test
    No
  • Need to renounce original citizenship?
    Yes
Naturalization - Other Beneficial Provisions
  • Your child is a citizen
  • Citizens of specific countries
"–": The provision has not been analysed.
Taxation
For more details visit Cost of Living
  • Taxation Type
    No personal income tax
The country generally imposes no taxation on personal income, whether it was generated within its territory or abroad.
Schiff Sovereign's Take on Bahamas
In a few words, the Bahamas is “America-lite”. 

This statement is normally used when describing Canada, and rightfully so. Canada isn’t really “foreign” to Americans. It’s hard for an American to feel as if they’re traveling “abroad” in Canada… except perhaps when hockey comes up in conversation. 

The Bahamas, on the other hand, is a tropical paradise that feels much more “foreign”, but is still situated extremely close to the US, with all the attendant amenities. English is the country’s official language, although it is spoken with a strong accent.

The country is very well developed, and if you really like the lifestyle you get in the United States, but still want to travel “slightly” overseas, the Bahamas could be a great choice. Think of the Bahamas as training wheels for more “serious” international living.

And it certainly doesn't hurt that the Bahamas has no personal income tax. Consequently, it is favored by many (non-American) celebrities who get to save a fortune in taxes by residing there. 

(Note that US citizens won't be able to benefit from the Bahamas’ no-tax policy, seeing as they are always taxed by Uncle Sam no matter where they live. US citizens can generally only use the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) and Foreign Housing Deduction to lower their IRS tax bill.)

While obtaining residency in the Bahamas is possible, it is not exactly cheap. You will generally need to purchase a property there worth at least $500,000 to qualify.

One major upside of the country that appeals to retirees, in particular, is its signature Caribbean vibe. It is a very relaxed and easygoing place. This also appeals to tourists, who drive up prices on pretty much everything, and make the place uncomfortably crowded during the high season.

Thus, the Bahamas is not the best place if you are looking for cheap living. It also tends to be rather dangerous outside of the touristy areas.

Sovereign Global Explorer

Benefiting from over a decade of our team’s boots-on-the-ground experience, Global Explorer is where your international journey begins.
Bahamas Overview
  • Region
    North and South America
  • Capital City
    Nassau
  • Largest City
    Nassau
  • Currency
    Bahamian dollar
  • Languages
    English
  • Population
    393.5 thousand (175th)
  • Life Expectancy
    76.1 years (106th)
  • GDP (Nominal)
    $12.7 billion (146th)
  • GDP/Capita
    $32,261 (40th)
Useful Data
For more details visit Cost of Living
  • Cost of Living
    Extreme (7/7)
  • Climate
    Comfortable (2/5)
  • Safety
    Very Dangerous (6/7)
  • Pollution
    Average (3/5)
  • English Proficiency
    Native

Sovereign Global Explorer

Benefiting from over a decade of our team’s boots-on-the-ground experience, Global Explorer is where your international journey begins.

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