U.S. Citizens
U.S. Permanent Residents (Non-citizens)
To enter The Bahamas, U.S. residents who are not citizens need the following documentation:
For visits NOT exceeding 30 days:
- An original Alien Registration Card (Green Card) is required, along with a national passport (passport from country of birth).
For visits exceeding 30 days:
A valid national passport and a Bahamas visa are required for U.S. resident non-citizens wishing to stay longer than 30 days.
Canadian Citizens
Canadian visitors only require a visa if stays exceed more than eight (8) months. The individual, however, must have the following documents:
- A Canadian passport, with an expiry date that is NOT less than 3 months, after leaving The Bahamas (for direct travel) and NOT less than 6 months (if transiting through other countries such as the U.S.)
- A return ticket
Canadian Permanent Residents
Permanent Residents of Canada (formerly known as Landed Immigrants) may stay in The Bahamas for 30 days without a visa. They must travel with the following items:
- A valid passport from your country of origin of which the expiry date, after return from The Bahamas, must NOT be less than 3 months (for direct travel) and NOT less than 6 months (if transiting through other countries such as the U.S.)
- An original Canadian Permanent Resident CARD of which the expiry date must NOT be less than 3 months (for direct travel) and NOT less than 6 months (if transiting through other countries such as the U.S.)
- A return ticket
- For visits exceeding 30 days, contact our nearest Embassy or High Commission.
Latin American Citizens
To enter The Bahamas, citizens from Latin America are required to present a valid passport which must cover the period of intended stay. You are not required to have a Bahamas visa if the stay is less than 3 months. If you are departing The Bahamas for a country that has the passport validity requirement of six (6) months beyond the dates of travel, then that requirement will be enforced. You must also have a return ticket or onward journey ticket, hotel confirmation (if staying at a hotel, or name and address of residence) and, if requested, proof of funds to support your visit.
Visa Waiver Policy For Indian Nationals Holding Canadian, Schengen, USA and UK Visas And Indian Nationals Who Are Permanent Residents In Those Countries - A visa is not required if the following conditions are met: Nationals of India with a visa issued by Canada, United Kingdom, USA or Schengen Member State for a maximum stay of 90 days. Nationals of India with a Permanent Residence Permit issued by the United Kingdom or Schengen Member State for a maximum stay of 90 days. Nationals of India with a Permanent Resident/Resident Alien Card (Form I-551) issued by the USA for a maximum stay of 30 days. Nationals of India with a Permanent Resident Card issued by Canada for a maximum stay of 30 days.
For more detailed information about countries whose citizens can travel without a visa and countries whose citizens require a visa, go to
the following link.
Insurance
As of November 14, 2020, travel health insurance is required for all incoming visitors. The cost for the mandatory insurance is included in the price of the Travel Health Visa that all tourists are required to apply for before entry.
Minimal coverage - 50 000 USD
Apply for an Electronic Extension
An electronic extension on visitors’ stay may be granted to applicants who qualify. Please note that this process in no way nullifies the usual process that requires applicants to be interviewed in person by the extension officer.
To apply, please provide the following for each person in your party to complete the electronic extension process:
1) Biographical data page of your passport
2) Page bearing the entry stamp granted upon arrival into The Bahamas
3) If you previously had an extension on your stay, a copy of the page bearing initial extension(s)
4) The immigration landing card
5) Provide reason for extension of stay
6) Return ticket if traveling via airplane
7) Cruising permit if traveling via sea
8) Evidence of Bahamian Visa if applicable
9) Proof of residency (Permanent Residence Card)
10) Sponsor’s information if applicable (only required for those who initially entered to reside with a resident of The Bahamas or has had to take on a sponsor due to hotel/accommodation closure).
Required sponsor’s information
- Copy of sponsor’s passport
- Address
- Proof of legal status in The Bahamas if the sponsor is a non-Bahamian
- Telephone contact
Please note that the documents should be attached as a portable document format (PDF) or a JPG image to
[email protected]. The subject line of your email should read Electronic Extension and the island on which you are currently on. For example: “Electronic Extension – Grand Bahama.”
Once a decision has been made, applicants will be notified via email.
Visa Requirements
In accordance with official international visa regulation agreements, Bahamas Entry Visa requirements are waived for citizens of countries who wish to visit and remain in The Bahamas for a period not exceeding three (3) months or eight (8) months, as each individual agreement may dictate.
Visitor visa
Foreigners wishing to travel to The Bahamas for vacation and/or for business may require a visa for entry into the country. Any foreigner wishing to travel to The Bahamas is eligible for a Visitors visa.
Application Process
1)
Application form needs to be completed in BLOCK letters (e.g. DOE, JOHN) and in black or blue ink only.
2) Submit the completed Bahamian Visa Application form along with supporting documentation.
3) All applicants must appear in person at the nearest Bahamas Consulate or Embassy. See
web site for address and contact information of Bahamas Missions.
4) Bahamian citizens who wish to sponsor a foreigner to visit with them in The Bahamas must apply for a Bahamian visa in person at the Bahamas Consular Division, Nassau, The Bahamas.
Supporting Documents
Contact the nearest Bahamas Consulate or Embassy for required supporting documents to be submitted with application form supporting documents vary from Mission to Mission.
- Valid Passport - All visa applicants must be in possession of a valid passport, with more than 6 months remaining, and a return ticket.
- 2 passport photos on white background
- A job letter/business license
- An original bank reference letter/statement
- Police report
- Hotel/Cruise itinerary
- Flight itinerary/ticket copy
- Copy of conference/invitation letter
- Copies of previously held visas
- Copy of Children’s Birth Certificate to prove parental relations
-Copy of a valid work permit (for Companies applying for a foreigner to take up employment in The Bahamas)
-All foreign marriage, birth, and death certificate submitted in support of a visa application must be legalized/Apostilled in the country of origin before submission
-Valid US visa (for Foreigners who wish to visit The Bahamas via cruise ship from the USA)
Turn-around time
The Visa is usually processed in two weeks.Visa applications should be submitted at least two weeks before travel. Applicants applying for a visa at a British Embassy must submit the application at least four weeks prior to travel.
The following fees apply for visas obtained at The Bahamas’ Embassies and Consulates. Prices may vary for Bahamian visas obtained at the British Embassies.
The following fees are payable and non-refundable when applying for a visa without biometric data features –
(a) Multiple Entry Visa-110$
- 3 months -110$
- 6 month-110$
- 1 year-110$
- 3 years-500$
(b) Single Entry Visa-100$
(c) Seaman's Visa-110$
(d) Diplomatic Visa-NIL
The following fees are payable and non-refundable when applying for a visa with biometric data and features –
(a) Multiple Entry Visa-250$
- 3 month-250$
- 6 month-250$
- 1 year-250$
- 3 years-500$
(b) Single Entry Visa-160$
(c) Transit Visa-100$
(d) Seaman's Visa-160$
Visa processing fees are non-refundable and Bahamian visas are not guaranteed.
Dog Permit
A dog permit allows persons to import and export dogs.
Eligibility
There are no eligibility criteria for this service.
Process
- Applicant completes and submits Application to Import Domestic Animal Form.
- Applicant pays the relevant fees.
- After approval, the applicant is issued with the Dog Permit.
- The applicant will be given a Veterinarian Form (AGR/VS/1A Form) which must be completed by a registered Veterinarian 24 hours prior to travel.
- Applicant submits the Dog Permit and Completed Veterinarian Form to an Agricultural Officer and Customs Officer at the port of entry or departure.
Application form
This service can be accessed at the following location:
Department of Agriculture
Darville‘s Business Complex
Gladstone and Munnings Roads
P.O. Box N3028
Nassau, New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 397-7450/325-7438
Fax. (242) 325-3960
E-mail: [email protected]
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Related Fee(s)
USD/BSD $10.00 per permit PLUS 12% VAT of processing fee. Total cost $11.20.
Note: For persons outside of The Bahamas, money order or draft can be sent via courier service.
Personal cheques will not be accepted.
Cat Permit
This service is intended to allow persons to import and export cats.
Eligibility
There are no eligibility criteria for this service.
Process
- Applicant completes and submits the Application to Import Domestic Animals.
- Applicant pays the relevant fee for the permit.
- The applicant will be given a Veterinarian Form (AGR/VS/1A Form) which must be completed by a registered veterinarian 24 hours prior to travel.
- The applicant is issued with permit.
- Applicant submits the Veterinarian Form from the country of origin and the Cat Permit to an Agricultural Officer and Customs Officer at the port of entry or departure.
Application form.
Department of Agriculture
Darville‘s Business Complex
Gladstone and Munnings Roads
P.O. Box N3028
Nassau, New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 397-7450/325-7438
Fax. (242) 325-3960
E-mail: [email protected]
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Related Fee(s)
USD/BSD $10.00 per permit PLUS 12% VAT of processing fee. Total cost $11.20
USD/BSD $5.00 fax fee, if required.
The following are the main requirements on the import as it applies to dogs and cats:
- The animal must be 6 month of age or older
- The animal must be accompanied by valid health records which substantiates that it has been:
1. Vaccinated against rabies within not less than one (1)month and not more than ten(10) months prior to important for the one (1) year vaccine. For the three (3) year vaccine it must be within no less than one (1) month and not more than thirty-four (34) months prior to importation into the Bahamas.
2. The dog (s) has/have adequate levels of immunity conferred by being actively immunized against the following diseases: Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Leptospirosis, Adenovirus (Coronavirus can be administered within a combination vaccine)
OR
3. The cat(s) has/have adequate levels of immunity conferred by being actively immunized against the following diseases: Feline Leukemia, Feline Rhinotracheitis, Feline Calicivirus, Feline Panleukopenia and Feline Pneumonitis.
- The animals should be declared free from external and internal parasites
- The animal MUST be accompanied by a Veterinary Health Certificate from the country of origin must be presented within 48 hours of arrival in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas to a licensed Veterinarian for an examination.
- Animals MUST be microchipped (Avid, Trovan, HomeAgain etc.)
- The IMP1(B) form should be signed within 48 hours prior to arrival by a Licensed Veterinarian ensuring all import requirements are met.
- Animals not meeting Import Requirements will not be allowed to enter The Commonwealth of the Bahamas and subjected to penalties according to the legislation of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
- The Permit is valid for one(1) Entry only within one (1) year from the date of issue unless otherwise reflected on the Import Permit.
- Requirements for the entry for all animals not mentioned above may be obtained from the Department of Agriculture , Veterinary Services Unit, Nassau, N.P. The Bahamas.
- Applications should state the kind of animal (species), breed, age(year/month), sex, countries the animal(s) visited within the immediate 6 months prior to arrival in The Bahamas , iseland(s) visiting while in The Bahamas, any expected in-transit countries and country of origin.
The following pure breed dogs and their and their mixes listed below are not allowed entry in The Bahamas:
- Pitbull
- Presa Canario
- Cane Corso
- American Bully
- Staffordshire Terrier
- Dogo Argentino
The following pure breed cats and their mixes listed below are not allowed entry in The Bahamas:
- Savannah Cat
- Bengal Cat
- Chausie
