Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS)

Status as of mid-2026: official application channel unavailable — program status unresolved. The BEATS online application portal (portal.immigration.gov.bs) has been decommissioned and no longer resolves, and BEATS does not appear among the Department of Immigration's current list of permit categories. The Ministry of Tourism marketing site (bahamasbeats.com) is still online and continues to present the program as active with the terms below, but the program has neither been officially reinstated nor officially confirmed as discontinued — it sits in administrative limbo. The details below reflect the last-published terms. Do not pay any fee or rely on this program without first confirming its current status directly with the Bahamas Department of Immigration.

The Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS) is a one-year residency permit that allows foreign professionals and students to live in The Bahamas while working or studying remotely for employers, clients, or institutions located outside the country. Launched in October 2020 by the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation, the program targets remote workers and remote students who want to enjoy island life while maintaining their careers abroad. Holders are prohibited from engaging in any local employment.

• Must be a remote worker employed by a company outside The Bahamas, a self-employed professional working remotely, or a student enrolled in an accredited institution studying remotely
• Must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support yourself and any dependants (no specific minimum income threshold is set)
• Cannot engage in any gainful employment within The Bahamas
• Citizens of the USA, Canada, EU member states, and Britain do not require a separate travel visa to enter
• Nationals of other countries should confirm entry requirements with the nearest Bahamas consulate

• Valid passport (colour copy of data page for applicant and all dependants)
• Proof of medical/health insurance covering The Bahamas
• For remote workers: Job letter from current employer or proof of self-employment
• For remote students: Student ID or evidence of enrolment in an accredited institution, plus proof of sufficient funds for living expenses and return travel

Under the last-published terms, the BEATS permit is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. It could be renewed annually, with a maximum total stay of up to 3 years. Renewal required submitting a new application.

Spouse and children may be included in the BEATS application. Each dependant requires:

• A valid passport and proof of medical/health insurance
• USD 25 application fee and USD 500 permit fee per dependant (USD 525 total)
• Dependants are subject to the same prohibition on local employment

Married couples where both partners work remotely must each submit separate BEATS applications. Only one spouse needs to apply on behalf of shared dependants (children).

The Bahamas has no personal income tax, no capital gains tax, no inheritance tax, and no wealth tax. Foreign-sourced income earned by BEATS holders is not taxed in The Bahamas. Standard Value Added Tax (VAT) at 10% applies on local purchases of goods and services. Holders remain subject to the tax obligations of their home country.

The fees below are the last-published terms; the application channel needed to pay them is currently unavailable (see the status note above).

| Category | Application Fee | Permit Fee | Total | |---|---|---|---| | Remote worker (individual) | USD 25 | USD 1,000 | USD 1,025 | | Remote worker (each dependant) | USD 25 | USD 500 | USD 525 | | Remote student (individual) | USD 25 | USD 500 | USD 525 |

All fees are denominated in Bahamian dollars (BSD), pegged 1:1 to the US dollar.

The last-published process was entirely online and followed four steps:

1. Complete the online BEATS application form and pay the USD 25 application fee per person
2. A Department of Immigration officer reviews the application within approximately 5 business days
3. Upon approval, you receive an email with payment instructions for the permit fee
4. After payment is processed, you receive an electronic QR code confirmation to present upon arrival in The Bahamas

Note: The online application portal referenced in the official materials no longer resolves, so this process is not currently operational. Confirm the program's status with the Department of Immigration before attempting to apply.

The BEATS permit does not lead to permanent residency or citizenship. Permanent residency requires a separate application with a minimum investment.