Moving to the Turks & Caicos
The incredible beaches, weather, and marine environment of the Turks and Caicos is very alluring, and many regular visitors think about making the leap to living in this beautiful archipelago. The initial step in planning a move to the Turks and Caicos is understanding and obtaining legal residency status.
Residency and Work Permits
Obtaining residency status for work, retirement, and investment is a subject with many complexities.
A simplified outline is that it is a relatively straightforward process for those who have a viable route to a Turks and Caicos work permit, those who make a significant investment (such as through business), and in some cases those who want to retire. Such routes would typically result in either work permits or residency permits. For more information, see Living and Working, Starting a Business, and Retiring in Turks and Caicos.
After sufficient residency time, a permanent residence certificate (PRC) could be pursued, and then British Overseas Territory Citizenship (Turks and Caicos Citizenship).
It is extremely difficult for foreigners to obtain Turks and Caicos Islander Status (commonly referred to as ‘Belongership’), which is the status that grants the right to vote, hold political office, and own many types of businesses.
Real Estate and Accommodation
There’s a wide selection of rental homes, condos, villas, and properties for sale in the Turks and Caicos. For those who would prefer to build, vacant land—both beachfront and inland—can be found across all the main islands. The island of Providenciales is home to a very robust range of construction companies, architects, and material suppliers.
Moving and Logistics
Moving personal effects internationally into Turks and Caicos may appear to be a daunting task, yet in most cases, it isn’t as difficult as it may initially appear, especially for those moving from the United States. It is relatively easy to send full container loads from Miami or Fort Lauderdale to Turks and Caicos via one of the ocean freight lines that provide service to the islands, and less than container loads (LCL) can be arranged with many of the shippers and freight forwarders that operate in the islands.
Another streamlined option is KR Logistics & Services, which is the primary moving and relocation service provider in the Turks and Caicos and works with global networks of accredited movers. They are happy to work with both residential and commercial clients, and offer services that range from all-inclusive moving that includes packing and unpacking at both the destination and origin to simply assistance with ocean freight, customs clearance, and transport within Turks and Caicos.
Cars and Transport
In the past, Jeeps and other 4x4s were always a top vehicle choice due to the many unpaved and poor quality roads in the Turks and Caicos, and many persons who moved to the islands would bring in a car. Times have changed, however. More roads are paved, and there are several car dealerships on Providenciales that provide a broader range of options now.
In most cases, a Jeep or SUV is still a great choice, as it will be more capable when exploring unpaved roads and during flooding. However, a range of vehicle types are driven by residents today, from hybrids and high-end Tesla and Porsche sports cars to compact cars.
If you’d like to bring in your own vehicle, some of the local freight and logistics businesses can assist. Customs duty, which is calculated as a variable percentage of value based on the type and engine displacement size, will be due upon import.
Additional Considerations
Banking
Scotiabank, CIBC Caribbean, and Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) have branches on the island of Providenciales. In addition, there are several investment banks and wealth management institutions.
Setting up a personal account at a local bank can take several weeks to a month and service can be poor. Lines to talk to an agent are almost always long. Corporate bank accounts can take between 2–6 months to set up, and it's recommended to hire a local lawyer to help you do this.
ATMs can be found at several locations on Providenciales, yet machines are often dysfunctional. Very few ATMs are found on the other islands. See Turks and Caicos Money for information on currency, ATM locations, and more.
Charities
Want to help improve the Turks and Caicos? There are several great charities operating in the Turks and Caicos, with missions ranging from social and health issues to animal welfare and environmental protection.
