What the International Persons Landholding Act actually requires — registration, permits, and the line between owning property and gaining immigration status.
Under the International Persons Landholding Act (IPLA), some acquisitions by non-Bahamians only require registration after purchase; others require a permit from the Investments Board before you may proceed. Which applies depends on the property type, its size, and its intended use.
| Property type | Typical treatment* |
|---|---|
| A residence for owner-occupation (up to the statutory acreage) | Generally registration after acquisition |
| A condominium unit | Generally registration after acquisition |
| A single vacant residential lot up to the statutory size | Generally registration after acquisition |
| Undeveloped land over the statutory acreage, or multiple adjoining lots | Prior permit generally required |
| Property intended for development | Prior permit generally required |
| Property for commercial or non-owner-occupied/rental use | Prior permit generally required |
*This table summarizes general categories from the Act and public guidance. Every acquisition must be checked against the current IPLA text and confirmed with your attorney — the statutory acreage thresholds and category boundaries are exactly the kind of figures that must be verified at the time of your transaction, not assumed from this table.
Buying through a company or other entity controlled by non-Bahamians does not avoid IPLA — it changes how the Act applies. Your attorney needs to know your intended structure before you make an offer, not after.
KYC and application-support items
The Central Bank has liberalized much of the exchange control regime for foreign-currency real estate purchases by non-residents, particularly for non-residential and mixed-use property. Development projects, multi-residential projects, and any Bahamian-dollar-financed transaction generally still require Central Bank involvement. Confirm current treatment directly with the Central Bank and your bank before funding a transaction.
Say this out loud before you buy
Do I need government permission to buy?
Sometimes registration after purchase is enough; other property types require a permit before you acquire. Your attorney determines which applies to your specific purchase.
What is the difference between registration and a permit?
Registration is a post-acquisition filing; a permit is prior approval you must obtain before you may acquire the property.
Can I buy through an offshore company?
You can structure ownership through an entity, but IPLA, beneficial-ownership, and AML/CFT rules still apply, and the analysis is different from a personal purchase — discuss structure with your attorney before you make an offer.
Does buying property get me residency?
No. Ownership and immigration status are governed by separate legislation and separate applications.
Discuss your acquisition before you make an offer.
This guide provides general information and was reviewed as of 9 August 2026. Bahamian laws, taxes, fees, government procedures, lending criteria, planning requirements, and immigration policies may change. Property facts and approval requirements vary by island, parcel, ownership structure, intended use, and project scope. All buyers and sellers must retain a licensed Bahamian attorney for legal and title-transfer advice. Obtain independent advice from a licensed Bahamian attorney and the relevant qualified tax, financial, planning, engineering, environmental, appraisal, insurance, and immigration professionals before acting.
SeaStone Homes Bahamas Ltd. · Jonathan Dean, Principal Broker · BREA License #29 · Kay Davis, BREA License #593 · Nassau, The Bahamas · 242-556-1278