IMMIGRATION LAW IN THE BAHAMAS

IMMIGRATION LAW IN THE BAHAMAS

PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS

All persons except the following require passports valid for at least 6 months from date of entry into the Bahamas to enter the Bahamas:

• Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies, and Canadian citizens on temporary visit not exceeding 3 weeks, provided they are holding a birth certificate, a citizenship card or a voter's card together with a photo ID. However, passports are required for re-entry into the United Kingdom.

As per the earlier position, citizens of the United States entering the Bahamas as bona fide visitors for a period not exceeding 8 months and having possession of proof of nationality did not require a passport to enter into the Bahamas. However, starting January 23rd, 2007 all United States citizens must be in possession of a valid US passport to enter Bahamas.

VISA REQUIREMENTS

Countries Requiring Visas:

All persons entering the Bahamas, except the following require visas:

• Citizens of EU countries for up to 3 months stay (8 months for citizens of Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and the UK), except citizens of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia;
• Citizens of Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, Turkey and the USA for up to 8 months stay;
• Citizens of Commonwealth countries for up to 8 months stay, except citizens of Brunei, Cameroon, Ghana, India, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Tuvalu and Uganda;
• Citizens of Chile, Israel, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Martinique, Mexico and Uruguay for up to 3 months stay;
• Citizens of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Venezuela for up to 14 days stay;
• Citizens of French, Dutch, Portuguese and Ecuadorian overseas territories, and of Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Cook Islands, Curaçao, Gibraltar, Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region), Macau (Portuguese passport), Monaco, St Martaan, Tahiti, Turks & Caicos, Ukraine, Vatican City and Zimbabwe (they should contact the Consulate to find out the maximum length of visit without a visa);
• Transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or next connecting aircraft within 3 days, provided they are in possession of confirmed onward documentation and passport.

This exemption does not apply to citizens of Haiti and the Dominican Republic who must always possess visas even in direct transit by air.

Types of Visa, Validity and Cost:

1.    Single Entry Visa:

(3 months): $26.89 (US dollars) or £15 (Great Britain Pound).

2.      Multiple Entry Visa:

(3-6 months): $35.85 (US dollars) or £20 (Great Britain Pound).

(6-12 months): $53.78 (US dollars) or £30 (Great Britain Pound).

The Applications for extension should be made to the Director of Immigration.

This information was last updated on 01.01.2007.

Documents Required for Visa Application:

The Visa Applications should be made in person.

The following documents are required while applying for a Visa:

• Completed application form;
• Valid passport;
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover the stay;
• Two passport-size photos;
• Itinerary of trip;
• Return or onward ticket and documents to enter any other country to which travel is planned;
• Stamped self-addressed envelope if applying by post;
• Proof of employment or enrolment in University;
• Proof of hotel booking or letter of invitation if staying at a private home.

Visitors who do not have a work permit are considered tourists and they are not allowed to work in the Bahamas. Therefore the proof of sufficient funds to cover the stay is required to confirm that such visitors have the financial ability to support themselves without having a job.

You can download a Visa Application Form from:http://www.traveldocs.com/bs/visa.htm.

PERMANENT RESIDENT

Eligibility Requirements:

There are two categories of permanent residency:

• Permanent Residency with the right to work; and
• Permanent Residency without the right to work.

Non-Bahamians who own property in the Bahamas may apply to the Director of Immigration for an annual Home Owner Resident Card.

Without Annual or Permanent Residency, a non-Bahamian may stay continuously in the Bahamas for up to 8 months, provided they can show means of financial support and possess a return ticket to a country where they will be allowed entry. They will not be allowed to engage in any form of gainful employment in the Bahamas without a work permit.

An Application for getting permanent residency can be made to the Ministry of Public Safety and Immigration by persons who satisfy the following criteria:

• are not less than 18 years of age;
• are of good character i.e. have no criminal record;
• have stated in their application the intention of residing permanently in the Bahamas .

The applications of major international investors and fit and proper owners and prospective purchasers of residence valued at $500,000 or more are given faster consideration than other applicants.

Any successful applicant, where applicable, may have his spouse and/or minor children endorsed on his permanent residence certificate.

BAHAMIAN CITIZENSHIP

While granting Bahamian citizenship, priority is given to:

·        Long-term permanent residents; and

·        Spouses of Bahamians.

IMMIGRATION LAW IN THE BAHAMAS

PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS

All persons except the following require passports valid for at least 6 months from date of entry into the Bahamas to enter the Bahamas:

• Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies, and Canadian citizens on temporary visit not exceeding 3 weeks, provided they are holding a birth certificate, a citizenship card or a voter's card together with a photo ID. However, passports are required for re-entry into the United Kingdom.

As per the earlier position, citizens of the United States entering the Bahamas as bona fide visitors for a period not exceeding 8 months and having possession of proof of nationality did not require a passport to enter into the Bahamas. However, starting January 23rd, 2007 all United States citizens must be in possession of a valid US passport to enter Bahamas.

VISA REQUIREMENTS

Countries Requiring Visas:

All persons entering the Bahamas, except the following require visas:

• Citizens of EU countries for up to 3 months stay (8 months for citizens of Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and the UK), except citizens of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia;
• Citizens of Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, Turkey and the USA for up to 8 months stay;
• Citizens of Commonwealth countries for up to 8 months stay, except citizens of Brunei, Cameroon, Ghana, India, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Tuvalu and Uganda;
• Citizens of Chile, Israel, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Martinique, Mexico and Uruguay for up to 3 months stay;
• Citizens of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Venezuela for up to 14 days stay;
• Citizens of French, Dutch, Portuguese and Ecuadorian overseas territories, and of Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Cook Islands, Curaçao, Gibraltar, Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region), Macau (Portuguese passport), Monaco, St Martaan, Tahiti, Turks & Caicos, Ukraine, Vatican City and Zimbabwe (they should contact the Consulate to find out the maximum length of visit without a visa);
• Transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or next connecting aircraft within 3 days, provided they are in possession of confirmed onward documentation and passport.

This exemption does not apply to citizens of Haiti and the Dominican Republic who must always possess visas even in direct transit by air.

Types of Visa, Validity and Cost:

1.      Single Entry Visa:

(3 months): $26.89 (US dollars) or £15 (Great Britain Pound).

2.      Multiple Entry Visa:

(3-6 months): $35.85 (US dollars) or £20 (Great Britain Pound).

(6-12 months): $53.78 (US dollars) or £30 (Great Britain Pound).

The Applications for extension should be made to the Director of Immigration.

This information was last updated on 01.01.2007.

Documents Required for Visa Application:

The Visa Applications should be made in person.

The following documents are required while applying for a Visa:

• Completed application form;
• Valid passport;
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover the stay;
• Two passport-size photos;
• Itinerary of trip;
• Return or onward ticket and documents to enter any other country to which travel is planned;
• Stamped self-addressed envelope if applying by post;
• Proof of employment or enrolment in University;
• Proof of hotel booking or letter of invitation if staying at a private home.

Visitors who do not have a work permit are considered tourists and they are not allowed to work in the Bahamas. Therefore the proof of sufficient funds to cover the stay is required to confirm that such visitors have the financial ability to support themselves without having a job.

You can download a Visa Application Form from:http://www.traveldocs.com/bs/visa.htm.

PERMANENT RESIDENT

Eligibility Requirements:

There are two categories of permanent residency:

• Permanent Residency with the right to work; and
• Permanent Residency without the right to work.

Non-Bahamians who own property in the Bahamas may apply to the Director of Immigration for an annual Home Owner Resident Card.

Without Annual or Permanent Residency, a non-Bahamian may stay continuously in the Bahamas for up to 8 months, provided they can show means of financial support and possess a return ticket to a country where they will be allowed entry. They will not be allowed to engage in any form of gainful employment in the Bahamas without a work permit.

An Application for getting permanent residency can be made to the Ministry of Public Safety and Immigration by persons who satisfy the following criteria:

• are not less than 18 years of age;
• are of good character i.e. have no criminal record;
• have stated in their application the intention of residing permanently in the Bahamas .

The applications of major international investors and fit and proper owners and prospective purchasers of residence valued at $500,000 or more are given faster consideration than other applicants.

Any successful applicant, where applicable, may have his spouse and/or minor children endorsed on his permanent residence certificate.

BAHAMIAN CITIZENSHIP

While granting Bahamian citizenship, priority is given to:

·        Long-term permanent residents; and

·       Spouses of Bahamians.