Bahamas Tourist Visa - Application, Requirements and Validity

Ever wondered who needs to apply for the Bahamas Tourist Visa and how? If so, this blog post would attend to all your informational needs regarding the subject matter.

A Bahamian tourist visa is usable in entering the Commonwealth of the Bahamas for many different purposes, especially for short stays like commercial activities and holidays. For example, with a valid Bahamas Tourist Visa, you can stay in the country for three months. Contrarily, citizens of many countries must obtain a Bahamas Tourist Visa to visit the country for any purpose.

This blog post will consider diverse information about applying for a Bahamian tourist visa, including its requirements, turnaround time, validity period, and cost.

What is a Bahamas Tourist Visa?

A Bahamian tourist visa is a visa that authorizes a foreigner to enter The Bahamas for either a holiday or a business-related activity. Without a doubt, this visa applies to foreigners who wish to visit The Bahamas for a business meeting, conference, family visit, or any other relevant purpose.

Before applying for a Bahamas Tourist Visa, ensure you hold a valid passport or travel document of your country of nationality.

Exemptions for Bahamas Visas

Citizens of many countries can visit The Bahamas without a visa for a short period.

These include nationals of:-

United States of America
Bangladesh
Sao Tome & Principe
Anguilla
Holy See
Puerto Rico
The Azores
Bahrain
Pitcairn, British Overseas Territory
Kenya
Bermuda
Fujairaj, UAE
Brazil
Grenada
Bulgaria
Canada
The Cayman Islands
French Guiana
Swaziland
Dubai
Greece
Fiji
Croatia
Armenia
Belgium
Antigua and Barbuda
Cyprus
The Czech Republic
Iceland
Dominica
Hong Kong
Romania
South Georgia and South Sandwich
El Salvador
Andorra
Finland
Gibraltar
Wallis and Futuna
Guyana
French Southern Territories
Malaysia
Liechtenstein
Chile (official, diplomatic, and service passport holders)
Gambia
The Republic of Georgia
Saint Kitts & Nevis
Germany
Brunei
Tokelau
China
Guam
Vatican City State
American Samoa
Honduras
Belize
Luxembourg
Hungary
United Kingdom
India (holders of an official or diplomatic passport, valid visa or PR card of the US, Canada, UK, or a Schengen Area country)
Mali
Suriname
Poland
Botswana
Cape Verde
Australia
Italy
Colombia
Jamaica
Zimbabwe
Kiribati
Macedonia
Latvia
Papua New Guinea
Curacao
Lithuania
Austria
Saint Vincent & Grenadines
Galapagos Island
The Maldives
French Polynesia
Greenland
Martinique
Barbados
Aruba
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Mexico
Guatemala
Monaco
Ireland
Azerbaijan
Namibia
Guadeloupe
Nauru
Portugal
Antilles – Netherlands
New Caledonia
Falkland Islands
Panama
Nicaragua
The Cook Islands
Norway
Tanzania
Japan
Oman
Span
Moldova
Vanuatu
Tuvalu
Peru
Israel
Malta
Qatar
France
Reunion
Denmark
The Netherlands
Saint Barthelemy
Costa Rica
Saint Lucia
Montserrat
Kuwait
Saint Martin
Argentina
Paraguay
Scotland
Marshall Islands
Sharjah, UAE
Malawi
Singapore
Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
Lesotho
Slovakia
New Zealand
Northern Mariana
South Korea
Sri Lanka
Estonia
Saint Helena
Sweden
Tahiti
Tonga
Seychelles
Trinidad & Tobago
Ecuador
Turkey
Uganda
San Marino
The United Arab Emirates
Sierra Leone
Uruguay
Venezuela
South Africa
Russia
Saint Maarten
US Virgin Islands
Western Samoa
The Solomon Islands
Zambia
Turks & Caicos
Umm Al Quwain
Switzerland
Slovenia
Mauritius
The British Virgin Islands

Bahamas Tourist Visa Cost

As a single entry visa into The Bahamas for tourism purposes, you have to pay a non-refundable application fee of $100. This fee may vary depending on the Bahamian embassy or consulate in the country where you currently stay.

Processing Time of Bahamas Tourist Visa

Usually, the turnaround time for The Bahamas Tourist Visa application is two weeks. This asserts that Bahamian embassies and consulates decide on most applications for tourist visas within 14 days.

Hence, you may worry in case your visa application processing is taking longer than expected.

Bahamas Tourist Visa Requirements

Foreigners looking forward to getting a Bahamian tourist visa must submit several documents to an embassy or consulate of The Bahamas in their home country or a nearby country.

These include:-

Your original passport with a validity period of at least six months
Two passport-sized photos taken in a white-colored background
A round-trip ticket to The Bahamas
Your business operating license or letter of employment
Criminal record from the police authorities in your country of origin
Proof of accommodation in The Bahamas
Recent accounts statement or bank reference letter (proof of meeting a financial commitment)
Your flight itinerary
A letter of invitation from your host in The Bahamas
Copies of your old visas
One copy of your child/ren’s birth certificate (required to prove biological relationships)
A valid US visa (applicable to foreigners who plan to enter The Bahamas on a cruise ship from the United States of America)
A copy of your valid work permit (required to assume a job opportunity in The Bahamas)

Before submitting certain foreign documents, such as your birth and marriage certificates, you should note that you must legalize or certify them in your home country.

How to Get a Bahamas Tourist Visa

To get a tourist visa for The Bahamas, you must take the steps noted below for a successful application.

Collect all required documents to apply for a Bahamas Tourist Visa
Get in touch with a Bahamian diplomatic mission for a visa appointment
Download, fill out, and print the Bahamas tourist visa application form
Submit the filled-out application form, together with the required documents
Wait for the Bahamian embassy or consulate’s decision
Purchase your flight ticket and travel to The Bahamas

Step 1: Collect all required documents to apply for a Bahamas Tourist Visa

To obtain a tourist visa for The Bahamas, you must put together all documents essential for your application processing at the embassy or consulate.

Step 2: Get in touch with a Bahamian diplomatic mission for a visa appointment

Next, you must contact the Bahamian embassy or consulate in your home country to know whether booking an appointment is necessary or not. If necessary, this is the best time to do it.

Step 3: Download, fill out and print the Bahamas tourist visa application form

The third step in getting a Bahamian tourist visa requires you to download its application form online. You must also print out the form and complete it in UPPERCASE letters using either a blue or black pen.

In addition, you must glue your passport on the form and ensure that you do not miss out on any other thing that requires your attention.

Step 4: Submit the filled-out application form, together with the required documents

After completing the application form and gathering the required documents, you can visit the embassy or consulate to submit all the supporting documents.

Remember that you must visit the diplomatic mission in person, including making payments for the visa application fee.

Step 5: Wait for the Bahamian embassy or consulate’s decision

By now, you have completed the application process and can start hoping for a response from the Bahamian embassy or consulate. This should take a maximum of two weeks.

Step 6: Purchase your flight ticket and travel to The Bahamas

As soon as the Bahamian embassy or consulate makes a favorable decision on your tourist visa application, you can proceed to pay for your flight ticket and leave for The Bahamas.

Validity Period of Bahamas Tourist Visa

A Bahamian tourist visa is valid for not more than three months. Besides, it only allows for its holder’s single entry into the country.

Remember that the Bahamian government is not lenient to foreigners guilty of immigration offenses. Thus, it would be best if you never considered overstaying your visa.

READ ALSO: Bahamian High Commission in Canada

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I need a visa to travel from the Philippines to the Bahamas?

Yes, Filipinos are required to obtain a visa before traveling to The Bahamas.

Is Bahamas visa-free for US citizens?

Yes, American citizens can have visa-free entry into The Bahamas for a limited period.

How much is a Bahamas visa for tourists?

A Bahamian tourist visa costs $100, which is non-refundable to applicants no matter the embassy or consulate’s decision.

Is it easy to get a Bahamas Tourist Visa?

Yes, getting a tourist visa for The Bahamas is a bit easy. However, the process demands you apply in person at a Bahamian embassy or consulate in your country of origin.

Do you need a visa to visit the Bahamas from Canada?

No, you do not need a visa to enter The Bahamas as a Canadian citizen, provided your stay is for a limited period.

When is the best time to apply for a Bahamas Tourist Visa?

It is advisable for foreigners who wish to get a Bahamian tourist visa to apply two to four weeks before their intended departure date.

Check out the locations and contact information of Bahamian diplomatic missions overseas.

Conclusion

In summary, a Bahamian tourist visa is the best option for exploring the country’s beautiful scenery and attractions. If your intended stay in The Bahamas is less than three months, you may be eligible for the Bahamas Tourist Visa.

Supposing that there is any other thing you think we missed on getting a Bahamian tourist visa, contact us, and our team would gladly respond to your needs.

Thanks for reading!

Bahamas Tourist Visa – Application, Requirements and Validity