Bahamas Visa Policy

There are different types of visas available for the Bahamas. You will be required a visa even if you are transiting through the Bahamas unless you are from a visa-exempt group.

You can realize your planned trip to the Bahamas by obtaining a Bahamas visa. Foreign nationals can apply to Bahamas short-term visas via embassy or Electronic Entry Visa (EEV) for temporary reasons (tourism, business, cultural, and other short-term purposes).

Persons requiring a visa to enter or transit through the Bahamas must apply to the nearest Bahamas Embassy/Consulate with a Visa Section.  

You can also obtain a visa from the nearest UK diplomatic missions. For detailed information about UK visas, you can check UK Visa Policy.

Permanent residents of the U.S. (Non-citizens)

U.S. residents who are not citizens need the following documentation to enter The Bahamas:

For visits that do not exceed 30 days:

An original Alien Registration Card (Green Card) and a national passport are required (passport from country of birth).

For visits of more than 30 days:

A valid national passport and a Bahamas visa are required for non-citizens living in the United States who wish to stay longer than 30 days.

If you are traveling via the USA, you may need to apply for an ESTA. The Bahamas will count as part of the 'contiguous territory and islands' for the purposes of the U.S. visa waiver and the time spent in the Bahamas will count towards a maximum of 90 days permitted stay in the U.S. under this exemption. If you travel to the Bahamas via the U.S. under U.S. visa waiver arrangements and have any doubts about your U.S. visa status, you should seek advice from either the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service or any U.S. diplomatic mission before starting your return trip.

Citizens of Canada

Canadian visitors only require a visa if their stay is longer than eight (8) months. However, the individual must have the following documents:

• Canadian passport, with an expiry date 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.)
• Ticket of Return

Permanent Canadian Residents

Permanent residents of Canada (formerly known as Landed Immigrants) may stay for 30 days without a visa in the Bahamas. They must travel with the following items:

• A valid passport from your country of origin whose expiry date after the Bahamas return must NOT be less than 3 months (for direct travel) and not less than 6 months (for direct travel) (if transiting through other countries such as the U.S.)
• The original Canadian Permanent Resident CARD of which the expiration 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.)
• Return ticket

For visits of more than 30 days, please contact our nearest Embassy or High Commission.

NOTE: Those citizens of countries that require a visa to enter the Bahamas will need a visa to enter the Bahamas via a US cruise ship.

All visa applicants must be in possession of a valid passport for more than 6 months.

The Electronic Entry Visa (EEV) does not guarantee entry to the Bahamas. Bahamas Border Management Officers have the power to reject entry to the Bahamas.

Required Documents for Bahamas Electronic Entry Visa (EEV)

1. Application Form

2. Passport

• Validity minimum of six months beyond the date of your departure from the Bahamas.
• Signed by bearer
• Passport not older than 10 years (issued in the last 10 years)
• At least one or three free “visa pages”
• Undamaged pictures securely affixed with/to passport

3. Photo

• Format – PDF
• 2×2 inches 600 dpi
• The height and width of the Photo must be equal.
• The photo should present full face, front view, eyes open and without spectacles
• Center head within frame and present full head from the top of hair to bottom of the chin
• The background should be a plain light-colored or white background.
• No shadows on the face or the background.
• Without borders.

4. ID Card Copy

5. Residence Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)

6. Photocopies

• Copy of the main page of your passport
• Copies of previous Bahamas Visas if you have visited the Bahamas before (at least 3 are required for multiple entry consideration).

7. Travel Itinerary 

• Flight reservation (return ticket must be included)
• Valid (existing) hotel/accommodation booking/reservation with the full address (name, street, city, zip code, contact information, booking ref.)

8. Supporting Documents that Show Your Reason for a Trip

     For self-sponsored visitor visa:

• A self-sponsored Visitor Visa is issued to persons traveling to the Bahamas for leisure purposes.
  • A letter of employment (less than 6 months old from your employer) or a copy of a valid business license (for self-employed persons)
  • The original letter of bank reference (less than 6 months old)
  • Police Report * * (less than 6 months old)
  • Medical Certification (less than 6 months old)
  • Intended address of the hotel/cruise or residence while in The Bahamas
  • Itinerary/Travel dates of the proposed flight
  • Copy of letter of invitation/conference (where applicable)
  • Copy of the Children's Birth Certificate to prove to parent (if applying for a visa for a child)
  • Proof of legal status in the country of residence, i.e. work permit, spousal permit, permanent residence card, etc.

     For seaman’s visa:

• Seaman's Visa will be issued to crew members of vessels temporarily visiting The Bahamas for commercial purposes or to employees of cruise ships registered as Bahamas vessels.
  • Police Report * * (less than 6 months old)
  • Medical Certification (less than 6 months old)
  • Registration of the ship or boat Proof of ownership of the ship or boat
  • Temporary cruise permit issued by the Bahamas Customs
  • Dockage charges from the Bahamas Port Department

Please note: All foreign marriage, birth, death, and policy reports/certificates must be translated to English (where applicable)

Policy reports for Haitian nationals must come from the central direction of the Judiciary policy, le bureau de Renseignements Judiciares – (DCJP)

9. When You Arrive in the Bahamas, You Must Present also:

• Printed Bahamas Electronic Entry Visa (EEV)
• Travel Itinerary including:
  • Flight reservation
  • Valid (existing) hotel/accommodation booking/reservation with the full address (name, street, city, zip code, contact information, booking ref.)

 *All persons must submit to the Immigration Officer the passport used to apply for a visa and the Electronic Entry Visa (EEV) upon arrival in The Bahamas.

Processing Time for Bahamas Electronic Entry Visa (EEV)

The average processing time for Bahamas Electronic Entry Visa (EEV) is 7-10 business days.

Bahamas Electronic Entry Visa (EEV) Application Fee

Bahamas Electronic Entry Visa (EEV) fee is 100-500 USD depending on the category of Electronic Entry Visa (EEV). (They can vary depending on your country and nationality). Prices may vary for Bahamas visas issued to the British Embassies.

The following fees are payable and non-refundable when applying for a visa with no biometric data features.

The following fees are payable and are not refundable when applying for a visa with biometric data and features.

Where to Apply for Bahamas Electronic Entry Visa (EEV) Application?

You will apply to the Bahamas Electronic Entry Visa (EEV) online. You can apply for an Electronic Entry Visa (EEV) through this website (official governmental website).

You can apply for a Bahamas Short-term visa for realizing your temporary travel to the Bahamas. Reasons to apply for this type of visa can be tourism, business trips, transit, and many other non-permanent nuances. Short-term visas can be both single-entry (for one entry for a period of three (3) months) and multiple-entry (for periods of three (3) months, six (6) months, and one (1) year.)

Required Documents for Bahamas Visa Via Embassy/Consulate

1. Application Form 

• Fully completed in English and signed and dated by the applicant himself (signed by both parents in case of minors, below the age of 18)

2. Passport

• Validity minimum of six months beyond the date of your departure from the Bahamas.
• Signed by bearer
• Passport not older than 10 years (issued in the last 10 years)
• At least one or two free “visa pages”
• Undamaged pictures securely affixed with/to passport

3. Photo

• NEW! Should not be older than 6 months.
• A frontal view of the face-covering 70-80% (32-26mm) of the photo.
• A uniform and white background.
• Clear facial features and eyes – not covered by hair or glasses frame.
• 2x2 size

4. ID Card Copy

5. Residence Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)

6. Photocopies

• Copy of the main page of your passport
• Copies of previous visas
• Copies of previous Bahamas Visas if you have visited the Bahamas before (at least 3 are required for multiple entry consideration).
• Copy of visa for the final destination (if any)

7. Travel Itinerary 

• Flight reservation (return ticket)
• Valid (existing) hotel/accommodation booking/reservation with the full address (name, street, city, zip code, contact information, booking ref.)

8. Supporting Documents that Show Your Reason for a Trip

     For self-sponsored visitor visa:

• A self-sponsored Visitor Visa is issued to persons traveling to the Bahamas for leisure purposes.
  • A letter of employment (less than 6 months old from your employer) or a copy of a valid business license (for self-employed persons)
  • The original letter of bank reference (less than 6 months old)
  • Police Report * * (less than 6 months old)
  • Medical Certification (less than 6 months old)
  • Intended address of the hotel/cruise or residence while in The Bahamas
  • Itinerary/Travel dates of the proposed flight
  • Copy of letter of invitation/conference (where applicable)
  • Copy of the Children's Birth Certificate to prove to the parent (if applying for a visa for a child)
  • Proof of legal status in the country of residence, i.e. work permit, spousal permit, permanent residence card, etc.

     For seaman’s visa:

• Seaman's Visa will be issued to crew members of vessels temporarily visiting The Bahamas for commercial purposes or to employees of cruise ships registered as Bahamas vessels.
  • Police Report * * (less than 6 months old)
  • Medical Certification (less than 6 months old)
  • Registration of the ship or boat Proof of ownership of the ship or boat
  • Temporary cruise permit issued by the Bahamas Customs
  • Dockage charges from the Bahamas Port Department

     For transit:

• Flight reservation (onward ticket)
• Copy of visa for the final destination (if any)

     For official/diplomatic visa:

• Original invitation letter
• A note verbal from the mıssıon/consulate

9. For Minors:

• Copy and English translation of either birth certificate/proof of adoption/custody decree if parents are divorced/death certificate of parent
• Letter of consent from parent/s or legal guardian/s, if traveling unaccompanied

Please note: All foreign marriage, birth, death, and policy reports/certificates must be translated to English (where applicable)

Policy reports for Haitian nationals must come from the central direction of the Judiciary policy, le bureau de Renseignements Judiciares – (DCJP)

Processing Time for Bahamas Visa Via Embassy/Consulate

The average processing time for Bahamas Visa Via Embassy/Consulate is 2 weeks. It depends on your visa application country.

Bahamas Visa Via Embassy/Consulate Application Fee

Bahamas Visa Via Embassy/Consulate fee is 100-500 USD depending on the category of Visa Via Embassy/Consulate. (it can vary depending on your country and nationality). Additionally, you may also need to pay other Administrative fees such as the Visa Application center fee, courier service fee, etc., depending on the country and location of your documents' submission. Prices may vary for Bahamas visas issued to the British Embassies.

The following fees are payable and non-refundable when applying for a visa with no biometric data features.

The following fees are payable and are not refundable when applying for a visa with biometric data and features.

Where to Apply for Bahamas Via Embassy/Consulate Application?

You will apply for a Bahamas visa in Bahamas or British visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.