Nationals of other countries who intend to work, reside or visit the Turks and Caicos Islands will be subjected to some type of immigration control. There are several types of immigration documents governing residency and work in the Turks and Caicos Islands. They are:

WORK PERMITS

Turks and Caicos Islands work permits authorize individuals to remain in the Islands and engage in gainful occupation for the period specified in the permit. At the end of that period an application may be made for its renewal or extension. Generally, work permits fall under two categories, employed persons and self employed persons. The Immigration Ordinance also provides for the issuance of temporary or short-term work permits.

It should also be noted that Owners, Directors and Officers of companies who are not Belongers, but wish to reside in the Turks and Caicos Islands and take an active role in the day to day operation of their companies may require a work permit in order to do so.

Turks and Caicos Islands Work Permits are the most common forms of immigration document utilized by nationals of other countries for residency and employment in the Turks and Caicos Islands . For the past ten years the number of Turks and Caicos Islands work permits issued have shown a steady increase. This trend is expected to be more pronounced as economic development in the Islands continues to expand.

Ashanti International Services is well experienced in the areas of work permit applications and renewals. We are also quite capable of conducting appeals in cases where applications have been refused.

TEMPORARY RESIDENCE PERMITS

Upon arrival to the Turks and Caicos Islands tourists are granted an automatic 30 days period to visit. This period may be extended for an additional 30 days or so after an application has been made.

Ashanti International Services will be happy to assist individuals who wish to extend their stay in our Beautiful Islands .

PERMANENT RESIDENCE CERTIFICATE (PRC)

The process involved in acquiring a Turks and Caicos Islands Permanent Residence Certificate is two-fold. One part caters to those individuals who have paid a minimum of 5 – 11 work permits depending on the category under which they fall. That is, whether they are self-employed persons, skilled persons or unskilled workers. Usually the right to work will follow under this category.

The other part applies more to investors and retired persons. It provides for an individual to apply for the grant of a PRC having made the required minimum investment in the Turks and Caicos Islands, be it in a home, business or the likes. The minimum investment requirement varies among islands. In the Island of Providenciales the minimum investment is set at $500,000.00, while in the islands of Grand Turk, Salt Cay, South Caicos, Middle and North Caicos it is $125,000.00. The holder of such a PRC may not be permitted to engage in gainful occupation in the Islands.

A PRC entitles the holder to reside in the Turks and Caicos Islands for the rest of his natural life. The spouse and dependent children ordinarily resident with the holder may be endorsed on the certificate. If the holder of a PRC predeceases the spouse, then the spouse may apply for the grant of a PRC. Dependent children residing with him may also be endorsed on the said certificate. At the age of majority the children can apply for their own PRC.

Ashanti International Services is actively involved in the PRC application process on behalf of a number of clients.

RESIDENCE PERMITS

There are basically two types of Turks and Caicos Islands residence permits. They are commonly referred to as Annual Residence Permit and Belonger Residence Permit.

The former entitles individuals to reside in the Islands for a period of one year. Holders of this type of residence permit may not engage in gainful occupation in the Islands . This permit may be renewed at the end of its expiration date.

The latter may be granted to spouses of Belongers. This permit allows the holder to reside in the Turks and Caicos Islands and engage in gainful occupation. The life of this permit is for a period of five years after which the holder may make an application for it to be renewed or apply for Belonger Status.

Ashanti International Services is familiar with this application process and can assist individuals along this line upon proper instructions.

NATURALIZATION AS B.O.T.C.

The British Nationality Act 1981 allows for individuals to be naturalized as British Overseas Territory Citizens. The Act also provides for children under the age of 18 years to be registered as B.O.T.C. Naturalization or Registration as a B.O.T.C. comes with the right to a British Passport. This form of citizenship gives individuals freer movement to and from the Islands, and Britain.

The criteria for being naturalized or registered as a B.O.T.C., varies from birth rights, marriages and crown service to residency in the Islands .

Ashanti International Services will receive instructions for the processing and registration of individual as B.O.T.C.

BELONGER STATUS CERTIFICATES

Only persons with Belonger Status can vote at General Elections in the Turks and Caicos Islands. This status gives individuals the absolute right to reside and work in the Islands without any type of immigration control. Further only Belongers may be considered for certain official offices.

Belonger Status is passed on to individuals depending on the immigration status of their parents or spouses. In other circumstances Belonger Status may be bestowed upon an individual as a direct result of a worthwhile investment or other significant contributions to the Islands.

Ashanti International Services provides professional services and is capable of handling applications relating to this subject matter.