Burgess made his debut for Bath in November after helping South Sydney Rabbitohs win the NRL Grand Final.
He struggled to cement a spot at inside-centre for Bath but the big Englishman was a surprise inclusion in England's World Cup squad after earning two caps against France and Ireland.
He is expected to make his World Cup debut for England from the bench in the opening game of the tournament with Fiji on Friday.
Despite his rise through the England ranks, speculation the 26-year-old will return to the Rabbitohs after the World Cup continues to intensify.
But Ford says Burgess has given him every indication he is staying in rugby union and England.
"I had lunch with him in between the France and Ireland games and all I can say is that Sam is very happy staying in rugby union," Ford said.
"He is loving his England spell at the moment and he is looking forward to coming back after the World Cup and playing for us and progressing his rugby union career.
"I will be hoping that he is at Bath for a very long time, even going into the next World Cup (in 2019).
"We are very happy with Sam, and Sam is very happy with Bath. We want him to stay and I think he wants to stay for the long term, through to the next World Cup for example and he won't be going anywhere in the meantime."