Moving to Turks and Caicos Islands: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

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Population

55,926

Population Growth Rate

2.87%

Urban Population

93.800000

Population in Major Urban Areas

GRAND TURK (capital) 7,000

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Age Structure

21.870000

Median Age

31.400000

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

17

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

3.06

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

1.7

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

1.050000

Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population

14.66

Ethnic Groups

black 90%, mixed, European, or North American 10%

Nationality Noun

none

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Literacy - total population

98%

Literacy - male

99%

Literacy - female

98%

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over has ever attended school

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

0.000000

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Life Expectancy at Birth

79.400000

Infant Mortality Rate

11.290000

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

11.290000

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

87.000000

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

81.400000

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Economic Overview

The Turks and Caicos economy is based on tourism, offshore financial services, and fishing.

Most capital goods and food for domestic consumption are imported.

The US is the leading source of tourists, accounting for more than three-quarters of the more than 1 million visitors that arrive annually.

Three-quarters of the visitors come by ship.

Major sources of government revenue also include fees from offshore financial activities and customs receipts.

Industries

tourism, offshore financial services

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$29,100.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

11.2%

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GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$820,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$29,100.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

11.2%

GDP - official exchange rate

$0 (USD)

GDP - official exchange rate note

NA

GDP - composition, by end use

• consumption: 23.4% government
• consumption: 17.2% investment in fixed
• capital: 55.6% investment in
• inventories: 33.8% exports of goods and
• services: 57.4% imports of goods and
• services: -64%

GDP by Sector- agriculture

0.5%

GDP by Sector- Industry

10%

GDP by Sector- services

89.5%

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Inflation Rate

4%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

US dollar (USD)

Currency Name and Code

US Dollar (USD)

Fiscal Year

calendar year

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Labor Force

4,848

Unemployment Rate

10%

Major Industries

tourism, offshore financial services

Agriculture Products

corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), citrus fruits; fish

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Labor Force by Occupation - note

about 33% in government and 20% in agriculture and fishing

significant numbers in tourism, financial, and other services

Labor Force by Occupation - note

about 33% in government and 20% in agriculture and fishing

significant numbers in tourism, financial, and other services

Annual Budget

$47,000,000 (USD)

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Full Country Name

none

Country Name

Turks and Caicos Islands

Abbreviation

TCI

Etymology- history of name

the Turks Islands are named after the Turk's cap cactus (native to the islands and appearing on the flag and coat of arms), while the Caicos Islands derive from the native term "caya hico" meaning "string of islands"

Independence

none (overseas territory of the UK)

National Holiday

Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, usually celebrated the Monday after the second Saturday in June

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Government Type

parliamentary democracy

Constitution

• history: several previous; latest signed 7 August 2012, effective 15 October 2012 (The Turks and Caicos Constitution Order 2011)
• amendments: NA

Legal System:

mixed legal system of English common law and civil law

Executive Branch:

• chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor Dileeni Daniel-SELVARATNAM (since 29 June 2023)
• head of government: Premier Washington MISICK (since 19 February 2021)
• cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor from among members of the House of Assembly
• elections/appointments: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is appointed premier by the governor

Legislative Branch:

• Description: unicameral House of Assembly (21 seats; 15 members in multi-seat constituencies and a single all-islands constituency directly elected by simple majority vote, 1 member nominated by the premier and appointed by the governor, 1 nominated by the opposition party leader and appointed by the governor, and 2 from the Turks and Caicos Islands Civic Society directly appointed by the governor, and 2 ex-officio members; members serve 4-year terms)
• Elections: last held on 19 February 2021 (next to be held in 2025)
• Election Results: percent of vote - NA; seats by party - PNP 14, PDM 1; composition (elected members) as of April 2024 - men 11, women 3, percentage women 27.3%

Judicial Branch:

• office: Supreme Court and Appeals Court judges appointed by the governor in accordance with the Judicial Service Commission, a 3-member body of high-level judicial officials; Supreme Court judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 65, but terms can be extended to age 70; Appeals Court judge tenure determined by individual terms of appointment
• subordinate courts: magistrates' courts

Regions or States:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Political Parties and Leaders:

• People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Edwin ASTWOOD]
• Progressive National Party or PNP [Washington MISICK]

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship Criteria:

see United Kingdom

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Capital Name

Grand Turk (Cockburn Town)

Capital - geographic coordinate

21 28 N, 71 08 W

Capital Time Difference

UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Daylight Savings Time

+1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November

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International Organization Participation:

Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), UPU

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Embassy: none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• none (overseas territory of the UK)

Dependency Status

overseas territory of the UK

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Geographic Location

The Caribbean

Geographic Coordinates

21 45 N, 71 35 W

Total Area

366 Square Miles 948 Square Kilometers

Land Area

366 Square Miles 948 Square Kilometers

Coastline

242 Miles 389 Kilometers

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Terrain

low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps

Highest Point

49 Meters

Highest Point Location

Blue Hills 49 m

Lowest Point Location

Caribbean Sea 0 m

Natural Resources

spiny lobster, conch

Time Zone

UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Daylight saving time

+1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November

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Climate

tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry

Terrain

low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps

Location

two island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas, north of Haiti

Total Area

366 Square Miles 948 Square Kilometers

Environment - Current Issues

limited natural fresh water resources, private cisterns collect rainwater

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Exports

$169,200,000 (USD)

Imports

$175,600,000 (USD)

Major Exports

lobster, dried and fresh conch, conch shells

Major Imports

food and beverages, tobacco, clothing, manufactures, construction materials

Top Export Partners

US, UK

Top Import Partners

US, UK

Export Partners

US, UK

Import Partners

US, UK

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Country Description

The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCIS) are a British Overseas Territory comprising a small archipelago of eight major islands in two groups, with numerous uninhabited keys.

Theyform the southeastern extremity of the Bahamas chain and lie 90 miles north of Haiti and the Dominican Republic and 575 miles southeast of Miami.

Tourist facilities are split between resorts, which are located on the island of Providenciales, or "Provo", predominantly on Grace Bay, and the cruise ship port, which is located on Grand Turk Island.

The U.S. dollar is the official currency.

Larger hotels and shops accept most credit and debit cards.

The U.S.

Embassy in Nassau, Bahamas has jurisdiction for consular matters in the Turks and Caicos and a Consular Agent in Providenciales supports American citizen interests.

Safety & Security

The threat of terrorism is low, but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including places frequented by travelers.

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Crime

The overall crime rate in the Turks and Caicos Islands is relatively low.

Crimes typically involve opportunistic petty theft.

However, more serious robberies have been reported, and there were a string of armed robberies in Providenciales about which the Embassy issued a security message in March 2013.

The crime level is highest on Providenciales, the territory’s economic hub and larger city.

The U.S.

Embassy has received a few reports of more serious crimes, including vacation home invasions, armed robberies, assaults and boat thefts.

Most visits to the Turks and Caicos Islands are trouble free, but you should nonetheless take sensible precautions against theft.

Exercise caution when walking after dark or in isolated areas, such as deserted beaches, and avoid placing yourself in vulnerable situations.

Never leave valuables unattended, especially on beaches.

Hotel guests should always lock their doors and never open their hotel room door without first verifying the identity of the person knocking.

Hotel guests should consider storing passports/identity documents, airline tickets, credit cards, and extra cash in hotel safes, but remember to take your passport with you when debarking your cruise ship.

It is best to keep your passport on your person and not in a handbag in case of theft.

Automated teller machines (ATMs) are available; however, visitors should try not to frequent them, especially after dark.

Visitors are advised to report crime to the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force as quickly as possible.

Early reports frequently improve the likelihood of identifying and apprehending suspected perpetrators.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available.

Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, you may be breaking local law which could lead to arrest or detainment.

The same is true for illicit drugs.

Vendors often tell visitors that marijuana is legal.

Please note this is not true and the purchase of any amount of drugs is a crime that could lead to arrest and jail time.

There is nobody better at protecting you than yourself.

Beware of your surroundings at all times.

The U.S.

Embassy reports that victims of crime are often those who have let their guard down to individuals who appeared overly friendly or became victims after criminals targeted them as easy prey due to the visitor appearing drunk or unaware.

Take some time before travel to improve your personal security—things are not the same everywhere as they are in the United States.

Criminal Penalties

While traveling in another country, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own.

In some places, you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you.

In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings.

In some places, driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail.

These criminal penalties will vary from country to country.

There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States.

You can be prosecuted under U.S. law upon return to the U.S. if you buy pirated goods overseas.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

If you break local laws in Turks and Caicos, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution and the nearest U.S.

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Medical Facilities

Medical facilities in the Turks and Caicos Islands have improved with two new hospital facilities on Providenciales and Grand Turk managed by Inter Health Canada.

Most extreme medical problems do require medical evacuation by air from the Turks and Caicos to the United States or Nassau in The Bahamas if a suitable doctor, surgeon or specialist is not on island.

For this reason, it is strongly recommended to purchase medevac insurance before departing.

Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747 ) or via the CDC website.

For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the infectious diseases section of the World Health Organization (WHO) website.

The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.

The TCIS has had cases of dengue fever in the past year.

Traffic Safety

Driving in the Turks and Caicos Islands is on the left.

The terrain is flat and subject to flooding during or after storms.

Primary roads are generally good in both urban and rural areas.

Secondary roads are often unpaved and contain ruts and potholes.

Road signs are not prevalent, but navigating with a tourist map is possible as there are few roads on the island.

Hazards such as blind intersections, road work, changes in road conditions which are unmarked, and a lack of familiarity with roundabouts and other intersections are often the main cause of problems while driving.

At a roundabout, drivers are required to give way to those on their immediate right and those who enter the roundabout first.

Wild donkeys are a common sight on the island of Grand Turk and occasionally walk into the roads, presenting a hazard to drivers, especially at night.

Temporary visitors wishing to drive in the Turks and Caicos require a valid driver's license from their country of residence or an International Driving License which is good for up to a month, after which a local license from the Department of Road Safety is required.

You should observe the speed limits (20 mph in town, 40 mph elsewhere).

Driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal, and drivers convicted of the offense may face fines, detention, or both.

Use seat belts at all times as you could face possible fines.

Accidents are on the increase on the Leeward Highway (Providenciales) and are often fatal.

Roadside assistance in the event of a breakdown is generally not available.

For emergencies, drivers may call 999 or 911 for police, fire, or medical assistance.

Visitors should take care to ride only in taxis with seatbelts.

Most car and motor scooter rental agencies will not rent to anyone under the age of 21.

A government tax is levied on all car and motor scooter rentals (insurance is extra).

Public transportation is available in the Turks and Caicos and is generally safe.

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Airports - total

8

Airports with Paved Runways

6

Roadways- total

75 Miles 121 Kilometers

Roadways- paved

15 Miles 24 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

Grand Turk, Providenciales

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Telephones

3,700

Cell Phones

1,700

Internet Country Code

.tc

Internet Hosts

8,969

Broadcast Media

no local terrestrial TV stations, broadcasts from the Bahamas can be received and multi-channel cable and satellite TV services are available; government-run radio network operates alongside private broadcasters with a total of about 15 stations

Telephone System

• assessment: fully digital system with international direct dialing
• domestic: full range of services available; GSM wireless service available
• international: country code - 1-649; the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber optic telecommunications submarine cable provides connectivity to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

11,160,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

10,000,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

999

Anthem History

the islands are a British overseas territory.