Bahamas work visa (annual work permit)

Any non-Bahamian who wishes to work for more than 90 days needs a work permit. The Department stresses that Labour Certificates and newspaper advertisements are key to determining the employment prospects of suitably qualified Bahamians, so the employer submits a Labour Certificate with Notification of Vacancy from the Department of Labour and adverts in a nationally circulated newspaper for three consecutive days. These are not required for Immigration Fee Scale 1 positions (top-level company posts) or for owner's representatives and consultants in scale 2.

From 1 September 2025, all scale 8 applications, covering domestic roles such as gardeners, maids and handymen, must include a Labour Certificate for new permits and renewals, and every two years thereafter.

Most Department of Immigration applications share a core: a letter of request to the Director of Immigration; the BSD 200 non-refundable processing fee, paid by card, postal money order or certified cheque; the notarised application form with a BSD 10 Bahamian postage stamp; an original medical certificate dated no more than 30 days before submission; an original police certificate issued within six months covering five years of residence (from age 14); two 2 x 2 inch photos taken within six months; and a copy of the passport bio-data page with at least two months' validity.

Foreign documents must be apostilled or legalised and authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and certified English translations must carry a BSD 10 postage stamp. People applying for status for the first time should not be in The Bahamas while the application is processed.

Every application carries a BSD 200 processing fee. The work permit fee itself is set by the occupation's scale in the Immigration Fee Scale: scale 1, for executives such as CEOs and company directors, is BSD 16,275 plus a 5% levy for a year, with lower fees in other scales. Permits shorter than a year are charged pro rata. Work for designated religious, educational or charitable organisations can be fee-free. Expedited processing is available for a surcharge.

Besides the standard documents, add the employer or sponsor's passport bio-data page (with proof of status if not Bahamian), two written references from previous employers with contact details, a release letter from the previous employer if applicable, the employer's valid business licence, certificate of incumbency or incorporation and National Insurance card or certificate. Some companies must also provide certified qualifications, a staff list by nationality, a financial reference, an NIB letter and the name of a Bahamian understudy. Regulated professions need authorisation from their Bahamian council, for example the Medical, Nursing, Dental or Pharmacy Council, the Institute of Chartered Accountants or the Bar Association.