Permanent Residence Certificate

What is Permanent Residence Status?

Permanent Residence status is an immigration status in the Islands that allows the person named on a Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC) to reside without restrictions on the length of time he or she can remain in the islands, and in some instances to work.

The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and its people welcomes individuals who bring benefits to the islands and who are willing to assimilate and identify as fellow residents espousing to a common purpose of protecting our environment, preserving our culture, championing peace, safety, security and civil liberties, and developing a prosperous and growing economy that is undergirded by our Christian values and beliefs.Q

How is Permanent Residence status acquired?

There are several ways or routes to acquire permanent residency. Please click on the one that is of interest to you for further information regarding requirements and fees.

OTHER THAN INVESTMENT ROUTES

Please click here for a diagram outlining the application process for Other Than Investment Routes.

INVESTMENT ROUTES

With Undertaking

Please click here for a diagram outlining the application process for Investment Routes

I would like for my spouse and child to live in the islands along with me. How can this be facilitated?

Your spouse and children may be endorsed on your Permanent Residence Certificate, if they qualify. It should be noted however that an endorsement does not permit your spouse to work in the Islands unless he or she acquires a work permit or his or her own Permanent Residence Certificate.

You/Your child may be required to do a DNA test to confirm paternity. You are advised not to take arrange to undergo this tests without specific directions from caseworkers as these will not be accepted.

Children adopted outside the Islands and step children may not be endorsed on their adopted parent/stepparent’s Permanent Residence Certificate.

A person who fails to disclose a dependent on his initial application for a PRC shall not be able to have that dependent endorsed in any subsequent applications for endorsements.

Can other relatives such as parents, nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts and grandparents be endorsed?

Can I apply for naturalization as a British Overseas Territory Citizen of the Turks and Caicos Islands after the grant of a Permanent Residence Certificate?

You may qualify to apply for naturalization twelve (12) months after obtaining a PRC. Given that there are additional criteria for naturalization, you should read the following document carefully before submitting an application – Do I need to Naturalise? Naturalisation fees are non-refundable.

Will my spouse and dependents qualify to apply for naturalization as a British Overseas Territory Citizen of the Turks and Caicos Islands while they are endorsed on my Permanent Residence Certificate?

No. In order to qualify to apply, your spouse and children will need to acquire his or her own Permanent Residence Certificate before doing so.

Is there an expiration date for endorsements on a Permanent Residence Certificate?

Yes. The endorsement of a child expires upon attaining the age of 19.

With respect to a spouse, the endorsement is valid for eleven (11) years which may be renewed as necessary.

What happens if my spouse who is the Permanent Resident Certificate holder dies?

In instances when the Permanent Resident holder predeceases the endorsed spouse, the surviving spouse has twelve (12) months from the death of the Permanent Resident Certificate holder to apply for his or her own certificate which, when issue, is free of cost.

Can a Permanent Residence Certificate be revoked?

Yes. Please refer to the following reasons.

The application for the Certificate was false in a material particular or failed to disclose a material fact.
The person to whom the Certificate was granted has been convicted in the Islands of an offence (other than an offence under the Road Traffic Ordinance which does not involve death or injury.
The person to whom the Certificate was granted has been convicted of a criminal offence in any other country and sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than twelve months.
The person to whom the Certificate was granted has become unable to support himself and his dependents.
The person to whom the Certificate was granted has a mental illness or disorder that makes him a danger to society and the Governor considers it to be in the public interest to revoke.
The person to whom the Certificate was granted has a communicable disease that makes him a danger to society and the Governor considers it to be in the public interest to revoke.
The person to whom the Certificate was granted has breached a condition endorsed on his Certificate requiring him to take up residence in the Islands within a certain period of time.
Except where authorised by an endorsement on his Certificate, the person has, subsequent to the grant of the Certificate, ordinarily resided outside the Islands for a continuous period of five years or more.
Having been granted a Certificate containing an endorsement prohibiting him from engaging in any gainful occupation, the person has engaged in a gainful occupation.
For any other reason the Governor considers that it is not in the public interest that the person continues to reside on the Islands.

How can I apply for a Permanent Residence Certificate?

Persons interested in applying for a Permanent Residence Certificate may do so by completing the application form, and paying the relevant fees. Please click here for a copy of the application form.

Customer Service Agents are available at the Customer Service Centres on the islands of Providenciales (Sam’s Building) or Grand Turk (Three Degrees), or the Immigration Department in North Caicos and South Caicos, to assist you.

How long will the application take to process?

Provided applications are properly completed and all the supporting documents are attached, the process normally takes eight to ten weeks.