Grand Bahama Island Entry Requirements
Once your bags are packed, make sure you have all the necessary paperwork to make your arrival to Grand Bahama Island as seamless as possible. View Grand Bahama Island entry requirements and be prepared. In addition to the requirements listed below, please see this link for entry requirements due to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Entry Requirements for all passengers
Entry requirements differ depending on what country you are a resident and citizen of. Check below to find out the necessary documentation you will need to ensure a smooth entry into our country.
NOTE: Where a minor child is travelling with only one parent, a notarized letter of permit from the parent not travelling may be requested. If travelling with non-parents, a notarized letter from the minor’s guardians would be required. The letter should indicate that the chaperones are authorized to travel outside the country with the minor, as well as permit the chaperones to seek medical attention for the minor, if necessary.
U.S. Citizens
For current information on regulations for international travel, visit the Travel Section of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Home Page: http://www.cbp.gov.
Canadian Citizens
A Canadian citizen does not require a visa to visit The Bahamas and can remain there for a maximum period of 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 US)
- 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 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 US)
- A return ticket
For any inquiries, visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website section on “Foreigners Traveling to The Bahamas” at: www.bahamas.gov.bs.
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.
NOTE: If you are using an electronic ticket, please show Immigration a copy of your travel itinerary and ticket number.
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, the documentation required is based upon the country of birth.
For more details on visa requirements, please click here.
Visitors traveling via airlines should go to www.iatatravelcentre.com to see if travel documents (health requirements, visas, and immunizations) are sufficient for the airline you are traveling on.
VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS: Most visitors to The Bahamas do not need special vaccinations before entering the country. However, travelers over age one must provide a YELLOW FEVER VACCINATION CERTIFICATE, if arriving after leaving or transiting Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela. They must be vaccinated 10 days before entering The Bahamas. Effective January 2014, The Bahamas no longer requires proof of Yellow Fever vaccination as a prerequisite when traveling from Guyana and Suriname. The Yellow Fever Vaccination is NOT a requirement for Cruise Ship passengers. However, passengers on Cruise & Stay Packages (hotel accommodations included) in The Bahamas are required to have the vaccination.
More information regarding Vaccination Requirements can be found on the following sites: www.cdc.gov/travel or the World Health Organization.
Customs and Immigration
Arrival
Upon arriving in The Islands Of The Bahamas, everyone must fill out and sign an immigration form, keeping a portion of the card in hand until departing. An oral baggage declaration is required. Each adult visitor is allowed to bring 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes or one pound of tobacco, one quart of spirits and a variety of personal effects (personal radio headsets, bicycle, two still cameras, etc.). All beer imported into the country is dutiable at a rate of $10 per imperial gallon or $18 per case. Purchases up to a value of $100 are permitted by all arriving passengers.
Departure
For up-to-date information on regulations for International Travel, US Residents should visit the Travel Section of the US Customs and Border Protection Home Page: http://www.cbp.gov.
Boats
If entering The Bahamas by boat, there is a flat fee to clear Customs and Immigration, which is $150.00 for boats 30 feet and under and $300.00 for boats 31 feet and over. This covers a vessel with three persons or less. Also included is a cruising permit, a fishing permit, Customs and Immigration charges and the $20.00 Departure Tax is waived for up to three persons. Each additional person above three will be charged $20.00 Departure Tax. If you plan to stay longer than 12 months, special arrangements must be made with Bahamas Customs and Immigration.
For more information on entering Grand Bahama by private boat, click here.
US Permanent Residents (Non-citizens)
To enter The Bahamas, US residents who are not citizens need the following documentation:
Alien Registration Card (Green Card)
For visits NOT exceeding 30 days:
An original Alien Registration 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 US resident non-citizens wishing to stay longer than 30 days.
Canadian Residents (Non-citizens)
To enter The Islands Of The Bahamas, Canadian residents (and landed Canadian immigrants) who are not Canadian citizens are required to present the following documentation:
Passport
For visits NOT exceeding 30 days:
A valid national passport accompanied by a Canadian Permanent Resident Card.
For visits exceeding 30 days:
Contact our nearest Embassy or High Commission.
Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bahamas Embassy, Consulate and High Commission Offices:
The 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
USA/Washington, DC
Embassy of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas
2220 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20008
Phone: (202) 319-2660/7
Fax: (202) 319-2668
E-mail: [email protected]
USA/Miami
Bahamas Consulate General
25 S.E. Second Avenue
Ingraham Bldg., Suite 600
Miami, FL 33131
Phone: (305) 373-6295
Fax: (305) 373-6312
E-mail: [email protected]
USA/New York
Bahamas Consulate General
Bahama House
231 East 46th Street
New York, NY 10017
Phone: (212) 688-5926
Fax: (212) 688-5926
E-mail: [email protected]
Canada
Bahamas High Commission
Metropolitan Life Centre
50 O’Connor, Suite 1313
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1 6L2
Phone: (613) 232-1724
Fax: (613) 232-0097
E-mail: [email protected]
United Kingdom
Bahamas High Commission
10 Chesterfield Street
London, W1J 5JL
England
Phone: (011) 44 207-408-4488
Fax: (011) 44 207-499-9937
E-mail: [email protected]
NOTE: Persons are advised to purchase return tickets (and seek reimbursement upon returning home for the unused ticket), even when 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.
Apply for Visa
There are several Bahamas embassies and consulates around the world where you can apply for a Bahamas visa. Browse the Directory of The Bahamas Overseas Missions and Representatives and contact the office nearest you for information. All travelers are required to have the following:
- Possession of a return or onward ticket
- Valid passport with supporting government-issued identification
- Upon arrival, passengers are required to fill out and sign an immigration form. The card will be stamped and must be kept to be presented when leaving The Bahamas.
Note: Visa and Passport requirements are subject to change without notice. All travelers are advised to check the most current entry requirements with their country’s embassy or consulate.