BahamasFamily
Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.
The qualifying relationship is marriage to a Bahamian: the spouse of a Bahamian may apply after 5 years of marriage, where the marriage is subsisting and the couple are cohabiting as husband and wife.
The following categories of persons may apply for permanent residence:
Spouse of a Bahamian after 5 years of marriage, and whose marriage is subsisting and the couple cohabiting as husband and wife
The relationship must be with a Bahamian, and the application includes a copy of the spouse's passport biographical data page and a copy of any naturalisation held by the spouse. The page does not describe a formal sponsorship role.
Spouse of a Bahamian after 5 years of marriage, and whose marriage is subsisting and the couple cohabiting as husband and wife
Copy of biographical data page of spouse’s passport (must be signed and readable with two (2) months validity) [if applicable]
Copy of any Naturalization for spouse (if applicable)
The marriage is proved with a certified copy of the marriage certificate, the original birth certificate of the applicant's spouse, a copy of the spouse's passport biographical data page and, where applicable, a death certificate or divorce decree. Documents issued outside The Bahamas must be apostilled or legalised and authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Certified copy of marriage certificate (English translations and Bahamian $10.00 postage stamp affixed thereon; if applicable)
Original birth certificate for applicant’s spouse
Death Certificate/ divorce decree (if applicable)
All documents issued from countries outside The Bahamas must be properly verified (by apostille or Legalization) and have the signature of authentication by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before they can be submitted.
The Immigration Act sets no income, maintenance, accommodation or health-insurance condition for the spouse-of-a-Bahamian permanent residence certificate: section 14 turns on the marriage (married to, or the surviving spouse of, a Bahamian citizen, not living apart under a court decree or deed of separation, and five years' continuous cohabitation) and on the Board's absolute discretion. The Department's prescribed application form (Form IV A) asks for financial references, the employer's name and details of income, but states no minimum amount.
14. Notwithstanding section 13 where a person applies under that section for a permanent residence certificate and that person, at the date of the application —
(a) is married to, or is the surviving spouse of, a citizen of The Bahamas and, in case of a surviving spouse, the marriage was subsisting at the time of death of the other party;
(d) has lived continuously with the other party to the marriage for a period of not less than five years, the Board may, in its absolute discretion, grant a certificate under section 13 to the applicant and where a certificate is granted it shall not contain any condition restricting the right of the holder to engage in gainful employment.
22. Financial references
25. Name of Employer
26. Details of Income
(c) to satisfy him that he is able to maintain himself and his dependants in The Bahamas;
A Certificate of Permanent Residence is issued for the duration of the holder's life unless revoked and gives the right to reside and/or work. The application is made to the Director of Immigration on Form IV(A) with a $200.00 non-refundable processing fee.
A Certificate of Permanent Residence is a document of legal status, which is issued to an individual for the duration of his/her life, unless revoked, and gives him/her the right to reside and/or work.
Permanent Residence for Spouse of Bahamian [Form IV(A)]
$200.00 non-refundable processing fee (payable by credit/debit card, postal/money orders, or bank certified cheque)
Letter of request addressed to the Director of Immigration
These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.
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