Entry Requirements for the Bahamas

US Citizen

ENTRY and EXIT REQUIREMENTS:  All Americans traveling by air outside of the United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States. This requirement will be extended to sea travel, except closed loop cruises, including ferry service, on June 1, 2009. Until then, U.S. citizens traveling by sea may present government issued photo identification and a document showing their U.S. citizenship ie. a birth certificate or certificate of nationalization.

Starting June 1, 2009, all travelers must present Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document such as a passport or a passport card for entry or re-entry to the U.S. Sea travelers should also check with their cruise line and countries of destination for any foreign entry requirements.

We strongly encourage all American citizen travelers to apply for a U.S. passport or passport card well in advance of anticipated travel. American citizens can visit:

http://travel.state.gov/

or call 1-877-487-2778 for information on how to apply for their passports.

U.S. citizens do not need to obtain visas to visit The Bahamas and may enter using either a passport or, if traveling by sea, a passport card. The Bahamas does not accept Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDLs) for entry. U.S. citizens planning on an extended stay of several months may be asked by Bahamian immigration authorities to provide proof or evidence of financial solvency upon entry to The Bahamas. Travelers arriving via private watercraft are charged docking fees.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_989.html

U.S. Resident (non-citizen)

To enter The Bahamas, U.S. 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

For visits exceeding 30 days:  A valid national passport and a Bahamas visa are required for U.S. resident non-citizens wishing to stay longer than 30 days.

Canadian Citizen

To enter The Bahamas, Canadian citizens need one of the three documents listed below, accompanied by a return or onward journey ticket and proof of funds to support the visit. Visits are not to exceed 21 days.

1) A Passport  ... A current passport is required for Canadian citizens traveling through the United States on their way to The Bahamas.
OR
2) An Official Birth Certificate  ... For persons 17 years of age and older:
An original certificate issued by the Canadian government or court-certified copy (raised or ink seal) is required, accompanied by an official photo ID issued by the Canadian government (driver’s license or voter's card). Current and expired IDs are accepted. Student photo ID alone is not acceptable as adequate documentation.
 
For persons 16 years of age and younger:  A birth certificate is all that is required. If the traveler is a student and possesses a student ID, the traveler should also carry the student ID to facilitate being processed by Bahamas Immigration.
 
For persons 16 years of age and younger, traveling alone:   A notarized parental letter of consent is required. In the case of organized group travel, a letter is not necessary. It is assumed that the chaperon has obtained prior permission.

NOTE: A laminated credit card-sized birth certificate is acceptable, as long as it is an original or certified copy (raised or ink seal).
 OR
3) An Original Naturalization/Citizenship Certificate:  An original certificate is required. A recent photo must accompany it if the photo on naturalization paper is not up-to-date.

Please Note:
A married woman whose birth certificate does not match her government issued identification should also bring along her marriage license.
 
If you are using an electronic ticket, please show Immigration a copy of your travel itinerary and ticket number. 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 or 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.

Canadian Resident (non-citizen)

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:
A valid national passport and a Bahamas visa are required for Canadian resident non-citizens wishing to stay longer than 30 days.

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 or 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.

Other Countries

To enter The Bahamas, citizens from countries other than the U.S. and Canada are required to present a valid passport which must be current up to your travel period and some countries are also required to have a Bahamas visa. 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, or onward journey ticket, and 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 (other than the U.S. or Canada), the documentation required is based upon the country of birth.
 
To download a Bahamas Visa Application Form or to verify the visa requirements for your country of origin, visit The Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs website at

http://www.mfabahamas.org