Procedures For Entering The Bahamas

To Enter The Islands Of The Bahamas Private Vessels need the following:

a) One (1) copy of The Bahamas Customs Clearance Form (click here for PDF)

 
b) One (1) Bahamas Immigration Card per person

c) Proof of Citizenship—Passport

Arriving By Boat

Visiting boaters must clear Customs and Immigration at the nearest designated Port of Entry. As you enter each port, fly the yellow quarantine flag and notify Customs of your arrival. Only the captain is permitted to leave the boat until your vessel has been cleared.

Customs and Immigration will come to your vessel. Everyone on board must have proof of citizenship and fill out an immigration card. U.S. citizens must present a passport. Before leaving The Islands Of The Bahamas, be sure to surrender your copy of the immigration card at the last Bahamian port you visit.

If you have a firearm on board (shotguns and handguns only) you must declare it with Bahamian Customs. You must provide the serial number, name of the manufacturer, plus an exact count of ammunition. While you are allowed to have a firearm on your boat, you cannot remove it. Weapons must be under lock and key at all times. In cases of emergencies, which require your departure by air,  you must notify Bahamian Police or Customs. They will accompany you to retrieve the firearm and present you with a receipt. Upon your return to the island, Bahamian Police or Customs will escort you to your vessel and return your firearm. Any infraction of this law will be dealt with severely.

Entry Fees:

All boaters entering The Bahamas are required to pay an entry fee.

a) For boats up to 35', the fee is $150.00

b) For boats over 35', the fee is $300.00

The fees will cover:

1) Cruising Permit

2) Fishing Permit

3) Departure Tax for up to four (4) persons. Each additional person above four will be charged a $15 departure tax (from Grand Bahama Island this tax is $18.00 for each additional person above four departing). This fee is good for up to two (2) trips within a 90-day period.

If you plan to stay longer than 12 months, special arrangements must be made with Bahamas Customs and Immigration. Bahamas Customs and Immigration office hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Officers are on call during holidays and weekends. There is no overtime charge.

Entry Formalities:

Arriving by Air/Returning by Boat

Travelers are advised to purchase return tickets (and seek reimbursement upon returning home for the unused ticket) even when they are confirmed to return via private boat. However, if the traveler arrives at Bahamas Immigration on a single ticket, the owner/operator of the boat must present himself/herself and the vessel's cruising permit. 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.

Upon your arrival to The Bahamas, you will be asked to fill out an Immigration Arrival/Departure Card, which you will keep until your departure. All visitors are required to be in possession of a return ticket.

U.S. Citizens:

A valid passport is required. A visa is required for stays exceeding eight months.

U.S. Residents (non-citizens):

An Alien Registration Card (Green Card) AND a valid passport from their country of citizenship are required.

For visits EXCEEDING 30 days, a valid passport AND a Bahamas visa are required.

Canadian Citizens:

a) A valid passport.

b) Original Naturalization/ Citizenship Certificate, accompanied by a return or onward journey ticket and proof of funds to support the visit (not to exceed 21 days).

A visa is required for stays exceeding three months.

United Kingdom Citizens: 

Citizens of the United Kingdom and colonies require a valid passport.

A visa is required for stays exceeding eight months.

All Other Countries:

For entry formalities, please contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the nearest Bahamas Embassy, Consulate 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, D.C.

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: bahemb@aol.com

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: bcgmia@bellsouth.net

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: bahamasconsulate@bahamasny.com

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: ottawa-mission@bahighco.com

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: information@bahamashclondon.net