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Bahamas Visa Entry Requirements

January 2007: US Return Entry/Return Requirements
Passport Required to Enter or Return to the U.S. from the Bahamas

The U.S. Department of State has initiated new Travel Document Requirements under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). Following is an excerpt of the new requirements:

"The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) will require all travelers to and from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda to present a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer's identity and nationality to enter or re-enter the United States. The goal is to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for U.S. citizens and legitimate international travelers.

"In the proposed implementation plan, the initiative will be implemented in two phases. The proposed timeline will be as follows:

"January 23, 2007 – Passports, Merchant Mariner Documents (MMDs) or NEXUS Air cards would be required for all air travel, and most commercial sea travel, from within the Western Hemisphere for citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda. This is a change from the previously scheduled date of January 1, in order to accommodate holiday travel.

"January 1, 2008 – The statutory deadline for all Western Hemisphere travel, including land border travel. The specific requirements for the land border crossing will be addressed in a separate rulemaking in advance of this date."

Visit the U.S. Department of State's website for more information.
For more information about new passport rules that apply to U.S. citizens as well as to citizens of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, click on the links below.
 
For U.S. Citizens:
For Canadian Citizens:
For Mexican Citizens:
(Citizens of other Caribbean countries should contact their national government officials.)

NOTE: Please contact the Bahamas Consular office for the latest Bahamas information.


Bahamas Entry Requirements

A. Entry Requirements For US/Canadian Citizens

Proof of citizenship is as follows:
US/CANADIAN CITIZENS need one of the following documents, along with a return or onward journey ticket (if using an electronic ticket, please show Immigration a copy of the travel itinerary & ticket number) and proof of funds to support visit (Stays not to exceed 8 months):

1) PASSPORT (current or expired up to 5 years maximum)

OR

2) OFFICIAL BIRTH CERTIFICATE (original/official (govt-issued only), or court-certified copy (raised or ink seal) + OFFICIAL PHOTO ID issued by the US Govt. [can be expired], (i.e. driver's licence, county ID etc.) for persons 16 years and over. (Persons over 16 CANNOT use a student photo ID alone as adequate documentation). Persons 16 and under, on the other hand, only require a Birth Certificate, and if they possess a Student ID, should carry it along as this would facilitate their being processed by BAH Immigration. Persons under 16 years traveling alone will require a notarized Parental Letter of Consent. In the case of organized group travel, a letter is not necessary since it is assumed that the chaperone would have obtained prior permission. Note: Laminated credit card-sized birth certificate is acceptable, as long as it is an original, or certified copy (raised or ink seal).

OR

3) ORIGINAL NATURALIZATION/CITIZENSHIP CERTIFICATE (original only) + recent photo if photo on naturalization paper is not recent. NOTE: Persons are advised to purchase return tickets (and seek reimbursement upon returning home for the unused ticket), even though they are certain to return via a private boat – the chance of an airline/cruise line ticket agent allowing travel on a single ticket is very slim. If, however, the person gets to the point of Bahamas Immigration on a single ticket, the Captain of the boat would have to present himself and the cruising permit. However, a copy of the cruising permit will be permitted for crew members, who may be arriving by plane and returning by boat as their names will appear on the manifest. A letter will not suffice!
 

B. Entry Requirements For US/Canadian Residents

  • US RESIDENTS (not citizens) need the following: ALIEN REGISTRATION CARD (also referred to as a GREEN CARD), without a Bahamas Visa for visits not exceeding 30 days. Though not required, a national passport (passport from country of origin) is additionally recommended to facilitate processing. US/Alien Residents wishing to stay longer than 30 days will require a valid national passport along with a Bahamas Visa.
  • CANADIAN RESIDENTS/LANDED CANADIAN IMMIGRANTS (not citizens) need the following: VALID NATIONAL PASSPORT + CANADIAN IMMIGRATION RECORD FORM 1000, without a visa, for visits not exceeding 30 days. Note: Persons are advised to purchase return tickets (and seek reimbursement upon returning home for the unused ticket), even though they are certain to return via a private boat – the chance of an airline/cruise line ticket agent allowing travel on a single ticket is very slim. If, however, the person gets to the point of Bahamas Immigration on a single ticket, the Captain of the boat would have to present himself and the cruising permit. However, a copy of the cruising permit will be permitted for crew members, who may be arriving by plane and returning by boat as their names will appear on the manifest. A letter will not suffice!
     
Country Bahamas Entry Requirements
United States (1) Passport (current or expired up to 5 years maximum - for visits up to 8 months)
OR

(2) Original/official (government issued only) Birth Certificate + Photo ID
OR

(3) Original Naturalization Certificate, for visits up to 8 months.
Note: US Residents, however, require an Alien Registration Card/Green Card
Canada Passport (current or expired up to 5 years maximum) OR Original/Certified official (govt-issued only) OR Birth Certificate + official Photo OR Original Naturalization Cerificate, for visits up to 21 days. Note: Landed Canadian Immigrants (Canadian Residents) require a valid National Passport + a Canadian Immigration Record Form 1000/No Visa for visits not exceeding 30 days.


C. Entry Requirements For NON-US/Canadian Residents

CITIZENS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES (other than US or Canada) require the following, along with a return or onward journey ticket (if using an electronic ticket, please show Immigration a copy of the travel itinerary & ticket number) and proof of funds to support visit. (Note: Unless otherwise stated (US & Canada only), passports need to be current/valid).

PASSPORT refers to a valid passport from the individual's country of birth; VISA refers to a Bahamas Visa only.
 If a person is born in one country and resident in another (other than US or Canada), the documentation required is based upon the country of birth. Nationals holding official or diplomatic passports (not ordinary passports) do not require visas.


Visa Requirements For Foreign Visitors To The Bahamas By Country

Current as of 14 January 2009

VISA FORM (Outside Link to Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Country

Document Requirement

Visa Requirement

Visit Period

Afghanistan, Republic Of

Passport 

Yes

 

Albania, Republic Of

Passport 

Yes

 

Algeria, Dem. & Pop Republic Of

Passport 

Yes

 

Andorra, Principality Of

Passport 

Yes

 

Angola, Republic Of

Passport 

Yes

 

Antigua And Barbuda

Passport 

No

 

Argentina (Argentine Republic)

Passport 

No

2 Weeks

Armenia, Republic Of

Passport 

Yes

 

Aruba (Dutch Autonomous State)

Passport 

No

 

Australia, Commonwealth Of

Passport 

No

 

Austria, Republic Of

Passport 

No

  3 Months

Azerbaijan, Republic Of

Passport 

Yes

 

Azores (Portuguese

Passport 

No

 

Bahrain, State Of

Passport 

Yes

 

Bangladesh, People's Rep. Of

Passport 

No

 

Barbados

Passport 

No

 

Belarus, Republic

Passport 

Yes

 

Belgium, Kingdom Of

Passport 

No

8 Months

Belize

Passport 

No

 

Benin, Republic Of

Passport 

Yes

 

Bermuda (Uk Dependency

Passport 

No

 

Bhutan, Kingdom

Passport 

Yes

 

Bolivia, Republic Of

Passport 

No

2 Weeks

Bosnia &Herzegovina, Rep. Of

Passport 

Yes

 

Botswana, Republic Of

Passport 

No

 

Brazil, Federative Republic Of

Passport 

No

  2 Weeks

Brunei Darussalam, State Of

Passport 

Yes

 

Bulgaria, Republic Of

Passport 

Yes

 

Burkina Faso

Passport 

Yes

 

Burundi, Republic Of

Passport 

Yes

 

Cambodia

Passport 

Yes

 

Cameroon, Republic

Passport 

Yes

 

Canada

Passport  Or Bc/Photo Id

No

 

Cape Verde, Republic

Passport 

  Yes

 

Cayman            (Uk Dependency

Passport 

No

 

Central African Republic

Passport 

Yes

 

Ceylon (See Sri Lanka

 

 

 

Chad, Republic Of

Passport 

Yes 

 

Chile, Republic Of

Passport 

  No

3 Months

China, People's Republic Of

Passport 

Yes

 

Colombia, Republic

Passport 

Yes

 

Comoros, Fed. & Islamic Rep. Of

Passport 

Yes

 

Congo, Dem. Pop. Rep. Of (Zaire

Passport 

Yes

 

Congo, Republic Of

Passport 

Yes

 

Cook Islands, The

Passport 

No

 

Costa Rica, Republic

Passport 

No

2 Weeks

Cote D’ivoire, Republic Of

Passport 

Yes

 

Country

Document Requirements

Visa Requirements

Visit Period

Croatia

Passport

  Yes

 

Cuba

Passport

Yes

 

Curacao (Netherlands Antilles

Passport

 

No

 

Cyprus, Republic Of

Passport

No

 

Czech Republic

Passport

Yes

 

Denmark, Kingdom Of

Passport

No

3 Months

Djibouti, Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Dominica, Commonwealth Of

Passport

 

No

 

Dominican Republic

Passport

Yes

 

Ecuador, Republic Of

Passport

No

2 Weeks

Egypt, Arab Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

El Salvador, Republic Of

Passport

No

2 Weeks

Equatorial Guinea, Republic Of

Passport

 

Yes

 

Eritrea, State Of

Passport

Yes

 

Estonia, Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Ethiopia

Passport

Yes

 

Fiji, Republic Of

Passport

No

 

Finland, Republic Of

Passport

No

3 Months

France (French Republic

Passport

No

3 Months

French Guiana (D.O.M.

Passport

No

 

Gabon (Gabonese) Republic

Passport

 

Yes

 

Galapagos Islands

Passport

No

 

Gambia, Republic Of The

Passport

No

3 Months

Georgia, Republic

Passport

Yes

 

Germany, Federal Republic Of

Passport

 

No

3 Months

Ghana, Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Gibraltar (Uk Dependency

Passport

No

 

Greece (Hellenic Republic

Passport

No

8 Months

Greenland (Denmark Territory

Passport

 

No

8 Months

Grenada, State Of

Passport

No

 

Guadeloupe (French D. O. M.

Passport

No

 

Guatemala, Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Guinea, Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Guinea-Bissau, Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Guyana, Co-Operative Republic Of

Passport

 

No

 

Haiti, Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Holy See (See Vatican City)

Passport

No

 

Honduras, Republic Of

Passport

  No

  2 Weeks

Hong Kong (Territory Of The People's Republic Of China)

Hksar Passport

No

 

Hong Kong (Territory Of The People's Republic Of China) 

Hk Cof I

Yes

 

Hungary, Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Iceland, Republic Of

Passport

No

8 Months

India, Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Indonesia, Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Iraq, Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Country

Document Requirement

Visa Requirement

Visit Period

Ireland

Passport

No

3 Months

Israel, State Of

Passport

No

3months

Italy, Republic Of

Passport

No

8 Months

Ivory Coast-See Cote D’ivoire

 

 

 

Jamaica

Passport

No

 

Japan

Passport

No

3 Months

Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom Of

Passport

Yes

 

Kazakhstan, Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Kenya, Republic Of

Passport

No

 

Kiribati, Republic Of

Passport

No

 

Korea-North, Dem Peo. Rep.Of

Passport

Yes

 

Korea-South, Republic Of

Passport

No

  3 Months

Kuwait, State Of

Passport

Yes

 

Kyrgystan (The Kyrgyz Republic)

Passport

Yes

 

Laos (Lao People’s Dem. Republic)

Passport

Yes

 

Latvia, Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Lebanon, Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Lesotho, Kingdom Of

Passport

No

 

Liberia Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Libya

Passport

Yes

 

Liechtenstein, Principality Of

Passport

No

 8 Months

Lithuania, Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Luxembourg, Grand Duchy Of

Passport

No

  8 Months

Macau (Chinese Overseas Territory)

Chinese Passport

Yes/No

 

Macedonia

Passport

Yes

 

Madagascar, Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Malawi, Republic Of

Passport

No

 

Malaysia

Passport

No

 

Maldives, Republic Of

Passport

No

 

Mali, Republic

Passport

No

 

Malta

Passport

No

 

Marshall Islands, Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Martinique (French D.O.M.

Passport

No

3 Months

Mauritania, Islamic Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Mauritius, Republic Of

Passport

No

 

Mexico (United Mexican Republic

Passport

No

3 Months

Micronesia, Federated States Of

Passport

Yes

 

Moldova, Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Monaco, Principality Of

Passport

No

 

Mongolia

Passport

Yes

 

Morocco, Kingdom Of

Passport

Yes

 

Mozambique, Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Myanmar

Passport

Yes

 

Namibia, Republic Of

Passport

No

 

Nauru, Republic Of

Passport

No

 

Country

Document Requirement

Visa Requirement 

Visit Period

Nepal, Kingdom Of

Passport

Yes

 

Netherlands, Kingdom Of The

Passport

No

8 Months

Netherlands, Antilles

Passport

No

 

New Zealand

Passport

No

 

Nicaragua, Republic Of

Passport

No

2 Weeks

Niger, Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Nigeria, Federal Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Norfolk Islands

Passport

No

3 Months

Norway, Kingdom Of

Passport

No

8 Months

Oman, Sultanate Of

Passport

Yes

 

Pakistan, Islamic Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Palau, Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Palestine

Passport

Yes

 

Panama, Republic Of

Passport

No

2 Weeks

 Papua New Guinea

Passport

No

 

Paraguay, Republic Of

Passport

No

2 Weeks

Peru, Republic Of

Passport

No

2weeks

Philippines Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Poland, Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Portugal, Republic Of

Passport

No

3 Months 

Qatar, State Of

Passport

Yes

 

Reunion (French D.O.M.

Passport

No

 

Romania, Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Russia (Russian Federation

Passport

Yes

 

Rwanda, Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Saint Kitts &Nevis, Federation Of

Passport

No

 

Saint Lucia

Passport

No

 

Saint Martin (French D.O.M.

Passport

No

 

Saint Marten (Dutch

Passport

No

 

Saint Vincent &Grenadines

Passport

No

 

San Marino, Most Serene Rep. Of

Passport

No

8 Months

Sao Tome & Principe, Dem. Rep. Of

Passport

Yes

 

Saudi Arabia, Kingdom Of

Passport

Yes

 

Scotland (Uk

Passport

No

 

Senegal, Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Seychelles, Republic Of

Passport

No

 

Sierra Leone Republic Of

Passport

No

 

Singapore, Republic Of

Passport

No

 

Slovakia (Slovak Republic

Passport

Yes

 

Slovenia Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Solomon Islands

Passport

No

 

Somalia (Somali Democratic Rep.

Passport

Yes

 

South Africa, Republic

Passport

No

 

Spain, Kingdom Of

Passport

No

3 Months

Sri Lanka, Dem. Soc. Rep. Of

Passport

No

 

Sudan, Republic Of The

Passport

Yes

 

Country

Document Requirements

Visa Requirements

Visit Period

Suriname, Republic Of

Passport

No

 

Swaziland, Kingdom Of

Passport

No

 

Sweden, Kingdom Of

Passport

No

3 Months

Switzerland

Passport

No

8 Months

Syria (Syrian Arab Republic)

Passport

Yes

 

Tahiti (French D.O.M.

Passport

  No

 

Taiwan ( Territory Of The People's  Republic Of China)

Passport

Yes

 

Tanzania, United Republic Of

Passport

No

 

Thailand, Kingdom Of

Passport

Yes

 

Togo, Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Tonga, Kingdom Of

Passport

No

 

Trinidad &Tobago, Republic Of

Passport

No

 

Tunisia, Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Turkey, Republic Of

Passport

No

8 Months

Turkmenistan, Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Turks & Caiocs (Uk Dependency Tuvalu

Passport

No

 

Uganda, Republic Of

Passport

No

 

Ukraine

Passport

Yes

 

United Arab Emirates

Passport

Yes

 

United Kingdom

Passport

No

8 Months

United States Of America

Passport Or Bc/Photo Id

No

8 Months

Uruguay, Oriental Republic Of

Passport

No

3 Months

Uzbekistan, Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Vanuatu, Republic Of

Passport

No

 

Vatican City State

Passport

No

 

Venezuela, Republic Of

Passport

No

2 Weeks 

Vietnam, Socialist Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Western Samoa, Ind. State Of

Passport

No

 

West Indies-British

 

No

 

West Indies-French

Passport

No

 

Yemen, Republic Of

Passport

Yes

 

Yugoslavia

Passport

Yes

 

Zaire (See Congo, De,. Rep. Of

Passport

Yes

 

Zambia, Republic Of

Passport

No

 

Zimbabwe, Republic Of

Passport

No

 

 

Visa Offices

Individuals can apply for a visa to enter the Bahamas at any of the following offices:

Bahamas
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Consular Section
Norfolk House, Frederick Street
P.O. Box N-3746
Nassau, Bahamas
Phone: 242-323-5578/5565  Fax: 242-326-6186

Canada
Bahamas High Commission Metropolitan Life Centre
50 O'Connor Suite 1313
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1P 6L2
Phone: 613-232-1724 Fax: 613-232-0097
E-mail: ottawa-mission@bahighco.com

England
Bahamas High Commission
No. 10 Chesterfield Street
London W1J 5JL, England
Phone: 011-44-207-408-4488  Fax: 011-44-207-499-9937
E-mail: information@bahamashclondon.com

Haiti
Embassy of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas
P.O. Box 15611 - 12 Rue Goulard
Place Boyer, Petion-Ville, Port-Au Prince, Haiti
Phone: 011-509-2571-448 Fax: 011-509-256-5729

Hong Kong
Bahamas Consulate General
Suite 704-7054 Sino Plaza
255-257 Glouster Road
Causeway Bay Hong Kong
Phone: 852-2147-0202 Fax: 852-2893-3917
E-mail: bahacghk@netvigator.com

USA/Miami
Bahamas Consulate General
25 S.E. Second Avenue, Ingraham Bldg. Suite 818
Miami, FL 33131
Phone: 305-373-6295 Fax: 305-373-6312 Telex: 203-807849
E-mail:bcgmia@bellsouth.net

USA/New York
Bahamas Consulate General
231 East 46th Street
New York, NY 10017
Phone: 212-421-6420 Fax: 212-688-5926 Telex: 2343-2580
E-mail: bhsun@undp.org

USA/Washington, D.C.
Embassy of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas
2220 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20008
Phone: 202-319-2667 Fax: 202-319-2668

 

 

 

 

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