Visitors Guide to Bahamas

Residency, Visas and Passports

Passports are required to be presented by most nationalities entering the Bahamas. US and Canadian nationals are permitted to enter upon presenting suitable photo ID. If required to present a passport, it will need to be valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date of entry.

Many EU nationals do not require a visa if staying for less than 3 months, although some countries are not included in this exemption. It is advisable to confirm with an embassy or consulate prior to departure to ensure up to date information regarding entry requirements is obtained.

US nationals will require a visa if planning to stay in the Bahamas for longer than 8 months without residency. Depending on the length of time the visa is arranged for, the costs are around £30 to £50. Visas will need to be obtained prior to departure, and it is possible to arrange an extension if required.

When purchasing a property in the Bahamas, foreigners can apply for an annually renewable home-owners residence card. Priority application for residency is offered to foreigners purchasing property priced at over US$500,000. Working in the Bahamas is not permitted with the issuing of the home-owners residency permits.

Getting There

There are great flight connections to the Bahamas from the UK, Ireland and the USA. Flight times from major hubs such as Heathrow and Dublin take approximately 9 hours, while travelling time from Florida is less than 1hour.

There are three main international airports in the Bahamas in Nassau, Gran Bahama and Exuma, with scheduled flights from Florida to various smaller airports. Direct flights from the UK can be arranged through various operators such as the national airline Bahamasair, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.

It is also possible to travel to the Bahamas by cruise ship, with a large international port in Nassau supporting the various ships visiting the port.

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Local Transport

Interisland transport options include domestic flights and ferry travel. The national airline, Bahamasair, offer various routes between the larger islands with airports. Ferry transport is also regular, with daily transport schedules between the more popular islands.

Local transport is only available on the populated islands, with minibuses offering a cheap way of getting around. It is advisable to be cautious when travelling on public transport at night, as a means of personal safety.

If planning to rent a hire car, there are many international companies available from the airports. Visitors are able to drive with their national licenses for up to 3 months, and must be over the age of 25 to rent a car or motor scooter.

Taxis are also a convenient way to get around each island without needing to await timetables or hire a car. The services vary between islands with some operating as private networks and others with controlled fares. All of the taxi firms are likely to add a surcharge to the fare for additional luggage or passengers.

Health and Safety

The Bahamas is a sought-after high end tropical holiday destination, popular amongst millions of visits from the US and the UK. Most of the visitors enjoy their stay on the islands without any trouble at all. As over 60% of the local economy is generated through tourism, respect towards visitors is often shown.

Most of the crime that exists in the Bahamas is generated within the local community and not aimed at the tourists. The only time that visitors are likely to be a victim of crime such as robbery, is when travelling alone in isolated areas.

Care should be taken when practicing water sports and driving motor scooters, if not familiar with the surrounds or processes. Further care should also be taken during the hurricane season between the months of June through to November, especially in the seas.

The food in the Bahamas is considered to be very fresh to eat and the tap water is safe. Many visitors prefer to drink bottled water due to the familiarity of the taste, yet there are no issues with the tap variety.

Medical services and facilities in the Bahamas are of a very high standard, considered to be at a similar standard with the USA. Although the services are excellent, they are also very expensive, so visitors are advised to take medical insurance.

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