Compare jurisdictions, side by side.

Bahamian residency routes:

• Economic Permanent Residence - qualifying property investment
• Annual residence permits for HNW
• Work permits - employer-sponsored
• Family routes

Estonian residency routes:

• Start-up visa - for founders of qualifying start-ups
• Digital nomad visa - for eligible remote workers
• Work permit - employer-sponsored
• Family routes - spouse / dependants

Note: e-Residency is NOT a residence permit - it is a digital identity for managing an Estonian company remotely.

Cayman Islands residency routes:

• Certificate of Permanent Residence for Persons of Independent Means - qualifying investment
• Residency Certificate (Substantial Business Presence) - operating a qualifying business
• Work permits for employer-sponsored roles
• Family routes

IBCs (International Business Companies) are widely used; substance and reporting are now real. Funds and family-office structures are common.

OÜ (private limited) is the standard structure, formed online via e-Residency or in person. Reporting obligations are real but proportionate; accounting partners are widely available.

Exempted Companies, LLCs, and partnerships are widely used in fund and holding structures. Economic substance rules apply to relevant activities.

Banking is selective and source-of-funds focused. Bordercase coordinates introductions through current partners.

Estonian banks have tightened KYC for non-resident e-residents; many international founders rely on EMIs (Wise, Revolut Business, Payoneer, etc.) for day-to-day banking. Local bank accounts typically require strong substance evidence.

Banking is mature but selective. Source-of-funds documentation is central. Bordercase coordinates introductions through current partners.

Family inclusion is supported on most routes. International schools are concentrated on New Providence.

Family relocation is supported on the work and start-up visa routes; schooling and healthcare access follow the main applicant's residency.

Family inclusion is supported on most residency routes. International schools are concentrated on Grand Cayman.

Risks Bordercase watches for in the Bahamas:

• Economic substance reporting
• Property due diligence
• Reputational handling around offshore structures

Common pitfalls Bordercase watches for:

• Confusing e-Residency with physical residency
• Banking-only setups without substance - likely flagged
• Crypto, gambling, and other regulated industries face additional friction
• Tax residence triggered by 183 days even without a residence permit

Risks Bordercase watches for in the Cayman Islands:

• Economic substance reporting and audit
• Reputational handling around offshore structures
• KYC tightening across the industry

Typical Bahamian documents:

• Passport
• Source-of-funds evidence
• Health and police clearances
• Apostilled foreign documents

For e-Residency:

• Passport
• Application form
• Biometric collection at the chosen Estonian embassy or pickup point

For physical residency:

• Passport
• Criminal record certificate
• Proof of income
• Accommodation evidence
• Health insurance
• Business plan (start-up visa)

Typical Cayman documents:

• Passport
• Source-of-funds evidence
• Health and police clearances
• Apostilled foreign documents
• Family certificates for dependents