BahamasSuriname
Bahamian passport ยท policy checked 11 Jul 2026
No visa
Freedom of movement - live, work and travel. CARICOM.
โ
stay
no time limit
0
visa fee
free entry
1
document
your valid passport
0
forms
no application, no appointment
Entering Suriname on a Bahamian passport
Suriname visa types
Family Reunification Residence Permit (via MKV)Family
730 daysmultiple entry~$150valid 730d
Spouses, registered partners, dependent children and dependent parents of a Surinamese national or of a foreigner legally residing in Suriname, joining them for stays exceeding 90 days.
Requires an Authorization for Temporary Stay (MKV) applied for at a Surinamese embassy/consulate before travel (except persons of Surinamese origin, who may apply for a residence permit within two weeks of arrival). Supporting documents include a legalised marriage/partnership or birth certificate proving the family relationship and proof of sufficient financial means. A temporary residence permit (maximum 2 years, fee USD 150 or SRD equivalent plus SRD 1.50 stamp duty) is then issued by the Aliens' Affairs Department, renewable, and forms a route to permanent residence after continuous legal residence (generally about 5 years).
Official page โStudent Visa / Study Residence (via MKV)Student
valid 365d
Foreign nationals admitted to a recognised Surinamese educational institution (e.g. Anton de Kom University of Suriname) for full-time study exceeding 90 days.
Study stays over 90 days require an Authorization for Temporary Stay (MKV) obtained from a Surinamese embassy/consulate before travel, followed by a study residence permit issued after arrival (registered at the Aliens' Affairs Department, Ministry of Justice and Police). Requires a letter of acceptance from a recognised institution, proof of sufficient funds, health insurance and a police certificate of good conduct. Typically issued for one year and renewable for the duration of the programme. Apply at least three months before the course start date. The residence permit fee is USD 150 or SRD equivalent (per gov.sr Justice: https://gov.sr/ministeries/ministerie-van-justitie-en-politie/verblijfsvergunningen/).
Official page โShort-Stay Work Authorization (MKV - Machtiging voor Kort Verblijf)Work
90 dayssingle entry
Authorizes foreign nationals to enter Suriname for short-term work or internship purposes of up to 3 months, or as a precursor authorization for longer work stays.
Applied for at a Surinamese embassy or consulate in the applicant's home country. Required for visa-obligated foreigners intending stays longer than 3 months. Also required for work and internship stays. The OSU (One Stop Unit) fast-track program launched in 2024/2025 allows concurrent processing of MKV, Work Permit, and Residence Permit for an additional USD 1,500 government fee, reducing processing from 6+ months to approximately 3-4 weeks.
Official page โWork Permit (Werkvergunning)Work
valid 365d
Authorizes a foreign national to be employed by a Surinamese employer or work in Suriname on a longer-term basis.
Typically applied for alongside or after obtaining MKV short-stay authorization. Under the OSU fast-track program, the Work Permit is processed concurrently with MKV and Residence Permit. Employer sponsorship required. Exact fee schedule not published on official government website.
Official page โDiplomatic/Official/Service Passport Entry (Fee-Exempt)Diplomatic
90 daysmultiple entryfree
Entry for holders of diplomatic, official, service, or special passports of any nationality, who are exempt from the Entry Fee requirement.
Holders of Diplomatic, Service, Special and Official passports from any country are exempt from the Entry Fee. The general 90-day tourism stay limit applies. Indian holders of diplomatic, official, and service passports benefit from a bilateral visa exemption agreement (signed 28 April 2017, in force 23 February 2019) allowing stays of up to 30 days without visa.
Official page โPermanent Residence Permit (Verblijfsvergunning voor onbepaalde tijd)Other
multiple entry~$150
Grants a foreign national the right to reside indefinitely in Suriname without need for periodic renewal.
Application fee is USD 150 or SRD equivalent at Central Bank daily rate, plus SRD 1.50 stamp duty. Requires prior temporary residence history in Suriname. Filed in person at the Main Department of Alien Affairs. Persons of Surinamese origin are exempt from the short-stay MKV requirement and may apply directly for temporary or permanent residence.
Official page โTemporary Residence Permit (Verblijfsvergunning voor bepaalde tijd)Other
730 daysmultiple entry~$150valid 730d
Grants a foreign national the right to reside in Suriname for a fixed period of up to 2 years, renewable before expiration.
Maximum duration is 2 years per permit. Application fee is USD 150 or SRD equivalent at Central Bank daily rate, plus SRD 1.50 stamp duty. Application requires formal request letter to the Minister of Justice and Police, passport copy, proof of means of subsistence, and payment receipt. Renewal must be filed at least 3 months before expiration. Filed in person at the Main Department of Alien Affairs, Ministry of Public Works, mr. J. Lachmonstraat no. 166-168, Paramaribo. Persons of Surinamese origin receive preferential treatment.
Official page โTemporary Stay Visa (KV - Kort Verblijf)Other
30 dayssingle entry~$43valid 60d
Entry visa issued to visa-required foreigners who hold an approved MKV and intend to stay in Suriname longer than 90 days (for work, study, family reunification or residence).
Second step of Suriname's long-stay process: after an Authorization for Temporary Stay (MKV) is approved, the applicant applies for a KV sticker visa at a Surinamese embassy/consulate to actually enter the country. Fee EUR 40 (approx. USD 43). The KV is issued for the first entry only; on arrival a short term of 30 days is granted, and the holder must register with the Aliens' Registration Department (Ministry of Justice and Police) within two weeks to formalise the longer residence permit. Distinct from the MKV (the pre-approval) and from the residence permit (issued after arrival). Persons of Surinamese origin may instead enter on a tourist/business visa and apply for a residence permit within two weeks of arrival.
Official page โSuriname visa for Bahamian citizens - FAQ
Do Bahamian citizens need a visa for Suriname?
No - Bahamian citizens have freedom of movement in Suriname under their bloc membership, which includes the right to live and work there, not just visit.
What documents do Bahamian citizens need for Suriname?
A valid passport is all Bahamian citizens need for a short stay.
Check entry with visas you already hold โWhat โfreedom of movementโ means โ