🇧🇸Bahamas Visa for American Citizens2026 Requirements, Fees & Documents

Work Permit (Work Visa)

Authorizes non-Bahamian nationals to engage in gainful employment with a specific employer in the Bahamas. Issued annually in nine fee scales based on occupation level.

Annual work permits are issued on a fee scale of 1-9 based on occupation: Scale 1 (executives/directors) BSD $16,275; Scale 2 (professionals/managers) BSD $13,125; Scale 3 (technical/healthcare) BSD $9,450; Scale 4 (skilled trades/supervisors) BSD $7,500; Scale 4A (consultants/physicians) BSD $6,250; Scale 5 (trades/hospitality) BSD $6,000; Scale 6 (instructors/artists) BSD $5,000; Scale 7 (clerical/entry-level) BSD $4,000; Scale 8 (general workers) BSD $2,000; Scale 9 (farm laborers) BSD $500. Religious/charitable organizations and passenger ship workers: Nil. Expedited processing available for Scales 7-9 (14 business days) at BSD $400; Scales 1-6 at 10% surcharge. Applications via online portal at epermits.immigration.gov.bs. Permit is employer-specific. Renewal available.

Short Term Work Permit

Authorizes non-Bahamian nationals to perform work in the Bahamas for a period of 1 to 90 days, typically for emergency or one-time professional assignments.

For 1-30 days: BSD $200 non-refundable processing fee. For 31-90 days: additional documentation required including police certificate and medical certificate. Designated for emergency situations and intended as a one-time application. Examples include aircraft mechanics, corporate auditors, board meeting attendees, and disaster preparedness personnel. Certain professions (medical, legal, accounting, entertainment, veterinary) require authorization letters from relevant professional councils. Applicants should not be in the Bahamas during processing. Online application via epermits.immigration.gov.bs.

Government Contract Worker Permit

Authorizes foreign nationals employed under government contracts to reside and work in the Bahamas for the duration of their contract.

Specific fee, duration, and requirements are not published on the immigration website. Applications via online portal at epermits.immigration.gov.bs. Contact: (242) 225-5337 or (242) 322-7530-5.

Permit to Reside (Student)

Authorizes non-Bahamian nationals to reside in the Bahamas for the purpose of attending school, college, or university, or as dependents of persons legally authorized to reside in the country.

Annual permit fee BSD $300 for full-time students/trainees per the Immigration Fee Scale. Processing fee BSD $200 non-refundable. Processing time 8-12 weeks after complete submission. Applicants should not be in the Bahamas during processing. Requirements include: letter of request to Director of Immigration, completed notarized Form 1, medical certificate (within 30 days), police certificate (within 6 months covering 5 years), two passport photos, valid passport copy, sponsor passport copy, two character references, financial reference, annual permit questionnaire, and school enrollment documentation. Renewal available.

Resident Spouse Permit

Allows non-Bahamian nationals married to Bahamian citizens to legally reside and work in the Bahamas.

Annual permit fee BSD $300 (or BSD $1,500 for a 5-year spouse permit option). Non-refundable processing fee BSD $200. For marriages of less than 5 years at application. After 5 years of marriage, the non-Bahamian spouse may apply for renewal, permanent residence, or citizenship. Applicants should not be in the Bahamas during initial processing. Requirements: completed notarized Form 1A, medical certificate (within 30 days), police certificate (within 6 months), passport photos, valid passports for both spouses, certified marriage certificate, birth certificates for children under 18. All foreign documents must be apostille-certified or legalized. Renewal available.

Permit to Reside (Dependent)

Authorizes dependent children (under 18) of persons legally authorized to reside in the Bahamas to reside in the country.

Annual dependent permit fee BSD $300 per the Immigration Fee Scale. Processing fee BSD $200 non-refundable. Same application as Permit to Reside (Student). Applies to spouses or children under 18 of persons legally authorized to reside. Processing time 8-12 weeks.

Permit to Reside (Retired Person)

Allows retired foreign nationals with at least 20 years of work history to reside in the Bahamas without engaging in gainful employment.

Annual permit fee BSD $250 for retired persons with 20 years work history per the Immigration Fee Scale. Non-refundable processing fee BSD $200. Requirements include financial reference or CPA statement demonstrating ability to self-sustain. Not authorized for gainful employment.

Economic Permanent Residence Certificate

Grants lifelong permanent resident status to foreign nationals making a qualifying investment of at least USD $1 million in Bahamian real estate or Zero Coupon Bonds, allowing the holder to reside and work.

Minimum investment of USD $1.0 million in real estate OR purchase of Zero Coupon Bonds from the Central Bank of the Bahamas, with mandatory 10-year holding period. Certificate fee: BSD $25,000 with gainful occupation rights; BSD $20,000 without. Certificate is issued for the lifetime of the holder unless revoked. Processing fee BSD $200 non-refundable. Requirements include medical certificate (within 30 days), police certificate (within 6 months, covering 5 years), two passport photos, passport copies, birth certificate, two character references. Path to citizenship requires 10 years as permanent resident (including 12 months immediately before application) plus 6 years of prior residency.

General Permanent Residence Certificate

Grants lifelong permanent resident status to foreign nationals with long-term qualifying residence or professional service in the Bahamas, allowing the holder to reside and work.

Standard applicant fee BSD $15,000. Reduced fees apply for: persons with 10-20 years residence on a work permit (scales 4-7) at BSD $10,000; 10-20 years as teacher/nurse/healthcare/government worker at BSD $3,000; 20+ years on higher professional work permits at BSD $1,000-$2,000; previously endorsed spouses (widowed) or children on parent certificate at BSD $3,000; spouses of permanent residents at BSD $1,000-$5,000; ministerial/religious workers with 20+ years at BSD $1,000. Certificate is for the lifetime of the holder unless revoked. Eligibility categories include spouses of Bahamians (after 5 years of marriage), children born abroad to Bahamian mothers, long-serving teachers/nurses/police/prison officers, ministers of religion, doctors, and legal work permit holders of 20+ consecutive years.

Home Owner Identification Card

Provides a residence identification card for foreign nationals who own a habitable residence in the Bahamas and maintain a primary residence in their home country, issued under the International Persons Land Holding Act.

Non-refundable processing fee BSD $200. Applicants must own a habitable residence in the Bahamas AND maintain a primary residence outside the Bahamas. Issued under International Persons Land Holding Act – Chapter 140. Requirements: completed notarized application form with BSD $10 postage stamp, letter of request to Director, medical certificate (within 30 days), police certificate (within 6 months), two passport photos, valid passport copy (minimum 2 months validity), current real property tax payment proof, registered deed of conveyance for Bahamian home, International Landholding Certificate, marriage/birth certificates if applicable, Good Standing certificate, evidence of primary home outside Bahamas (insurance, mortgage, or tax documents). Applicants should not be in the Bahamas during processing. Same form applies for renewals.

Resident Belonger Permit

Authorizes persons born in the Bahamas to non-Bahamian parents, or persons born abroad to a Bahamian mother or father, who have not automatically acquired Bahamian citizenship to reside in the Bahamas.

Annual permit fee BSD $300 for all Resident Belonger categories per the Immigration Fee Scale. Applies to persons with ancestral ties to the Bahamas who have not acquired Bahamian citizenship. Applications via online portal at epermits.immigration.gov.bs.

Diplomat Identification Card

Provides identification and status documentation for accredited diplomatic personnel and their recognized dependents residing in the Bahamas.

Issued to accredited diplomatic personnel. Specific fees and requirements not published on the immigration website. Contact: (242) 225-5337 or (242) 322-7530-5.

Special Permit

Allows foreign nationals whose names appear on the Bahamas Restricted List (previously deported or removed) to enter the Bahamas for a limited period, subject to approval by the Director of Immigration.

Non-refundable fee BSD $200. Maximum 28 days at the Director's discretion. Exclusively for persons on the Restricted List - NOT a general travel or nomad visa. Requirements: cover letter to Director of Immigration, police certificate (within 6 months, covering 5 years) for applicants aged 14+, two passport photos (white background, within 6 months), valid passport copy with 6+ months remaining validity, two written references (one from employer). Permit must be carried at all times while in the Bahamas and surrendered upon departure.

Re-Entry Permit

Allows non-Bahamian permanent residents or authorized residents to re-enter the Bahamas after travel abroad.

Specific fees and requirements not published on the immigration website. Applications via online portal at epermits.immigration.gov.bs. Contact: (242) 225-5337 or (242) 322-7530-5.

Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS)

Annual residence permit allowing remote-working professionals employed or contracted by companies/clients outside the Bahamas, and students enrolled at overseas institutions, to live in the Bahamas while working or studying remotely.

Official Government of the Bahamas remote-work programme launched October 2020 and administered by the Ministry responsible for Immigration. Total cost for a professional is USD $1,025 (USD $25 application fee + USD $1,000 permit fee); for a college student USD $525 (USD $25 + USD $500); each accompanying dependent USD $500. Permit is valid up to 12 months and renewals are considered for a maximum period of up to three years. Estimated 5 business days processing. Fully online application via the immigration portal at portal.immigration.gov.bs. Applicants must earn their income from employers or clients based outside the Bahamas; local employment is not permitted. Enquiries: immigrationbeats@bahamas.gov.bs.