Swiss Passports

Swiss Nationals do not require a Visa to visit The Bahamas. A Passport with six months validity from the date of departure from The Bahamas is required.

Webpage-Link to the Swiss Government: http://www.schweizerpass.admin.ch

Swiss Passport 03

As per introduction of Passport 10 (1 March 2010) the Passport 03 is no longer issued but remains valid until expiry - if issued prior to October 26, 2006

Swiss Passport 06

Passport 06 complies with the international requirements, electronic chip with facial recognition but without fingerprinting.

Passport 10 supports full biometrical reading.

Visa

Visas for The Bahamas are issued based on Nationality of the applicant and not on purpose of travel. You must have a Visa on your arrival to The Bahamas.
Visas will not be issued on entry.

NOTICE: REVERSAL OF VISA WAIVER FOR CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS 

Official Notice September 6th, 2011 17:15h CET

Please be advised that the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas has reversed its policy in regard to the waiving of visas for cruise ship passengers travelling to The Bahamas.
With immediate effect, persons from those countries whose nationals would normally require visas to travel to The Bahamas, are now required to obtain a visa if he/ she plans to travel to and depart from The Bahamas via cruise ship.

Requirements for all visitors to The Bahamas:
A valid passport with six (6) months validity from the date of departure from The Bahamas as well as

• A return or onward ticket if flying by commercial carrier*
• Passengers travelling by commercial cruise ships should have their travel vouchers or passbooks*
• A confirmed hotel booking or letter of invitation if residing at a private address in The Bahamas

*including visas or entry permits for the country on your outbound journey

Following Nationalities are required to apply for a Visa to visit The Bahamas:

BiometriC Passport

Machine readable or biometric passports are not required at this point in time for entry to The Bahamas.

last update: Jan 25, 2011

Travelling with Pets

Visitors to The Bahamas may take their pets with them. Consideration must be given to the documentation, vaccination requirements and time necessary to obtain an import permission from the Government of The Bahamas

We are including herein Web-Links and excerpts along with the Domestic Animals Import Application form and trust the information will allow you to prepare your journey to The Bahamas with your pet.

http://www.bahamas.gov.bs/customs

Traveller's Information > Arriving >

Animals

Importers of Pets (Dogs, Cats and Birds) are required to:

• Obtain permission from the Ministry of Agriculture to import pets prior to importation
• Be in possession of a Vaccination Certificate from a Veterinarian in the Country of Export. This certificate must be less than 24 hours *) old
• The pet must be at least six months old.

*) The time limit of 24hours can apply to the date and time the passengers embarked on their journey, not when they arrive in The Bahamas.

Further information can be found here:

http://www.bahamas.com/vacation-planning/pets

and on the website of The Bahamas High Commission in London:

http://www.bahamashclondon.net/page.php?page=8

Export of Marine Souvenirs

Locally handcrafted items made from Marine life are beautiful and unique. Please do consider that although offered in the local craft markets and shops, many purchases are subject to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna & Flora (CITES). Market Vendors do advise, before you purchase an item, that it could be subject to confiscation in your country of residence.

The Ministry of Agriculture & Marine Resources apply strict guidelines on products allowed to be produced and sold.

Please check the Website of the Swiss Federal Veterinary Department (BVET) for guidelines and the Application Form to import CITES listed items. Souvenirs produced from Conch Shells (Strombus gigas), Corals etc., are CITES listed and require in addition to approval from the BVET, a CITES-Certificate from The Bahamas Government prior to export from The Bahamas.

CITES Certificates can be obtained at a charge of $10.00 (additional charge for Fax of $5.00) for each Certificate from

Link to Import and Export of CITES Listed Items PDF Application Form

Exceptions/Waivers/Personal allowances

From time to time, the BVET may waive the CITES Certificate requirement for products crafted from Queen Conch Shell (Strombus gigas / Fechterschnecke).

We advise to contact the Customs Department at the Airport in Switzerland prior your arrival regarding importation of gifts and/or a personal allowance of CITES Appendix II products.
Please make the extra effort and legalize your purchase, it is really worth it !!

Marriage Licence Requirements

You do not need to apply for a license if you wish to renew your vows.

Marriage licenses and certificates are issued at the office of the Registrar General in Nassau. It takes two business days, excluding Bahamian holidays. The office is open to the public Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Application Forms must be presented in PERSON at the Registrars Office.

You may access the Forms here: Marriage licence application |  Application for a certified marriage certificate

The Registrar General's office requires the following information for the acquisition of a marriage licence:

• You and your partner must be in The Bahamas at the time of application for the marriage licence. 

Marrying on the Family Islands

If you wish to marry on one of the Family Islands (any island other than New Providence), you can obtain a marriage licence at the Commissioner's office on that island. You are not required to travel to Nassau

Fees for a marriage licence

The fee for a marriage license is $120 inclusive of one certified copy of a marriage certificate. The licence is valid for a period of three (3) months from date of issuance

Apostille of the Marriage Certificate

Switzerland requires that Marriage Certificates be certified by an Apostille. The Apostille can be made available to you within thirty days of the request. Your Wedding Planner or Marriage Officer will assist you in this regard.
Once the marriage is registered, you must obtain a certified Marriage Certificate, advising that the document will be presented to the Swiss Registrar General, so that the applicable Apostille is affixed. There will be a charge for each document requiring an Apostille payable to the Public Treasury

Vaccinations

Yellow Fever

Travellers who have visited any of the listed countries 10 days prior to entering The Bahamas and are older than one year of age must provide an International Certificate of Vaccination for Yellow Fever. Source: The Website of the Ministry of Health

• Angola
• Benin
• Bolivia
• Brazil
• Burkina Faso
• Colombia
• Cameroon
• Democratic Republic of Congo
• Ecuador
• French Guiana
• Gabon
• Gambia
• Ghana
• Guinea
• Liberia
• Nigeria
• Sierra Leone
• Peru
• Sudan

Remains

We kindly ask the Family of the deceased to contact the High Commission of The Bahamas in London to assist with the repatriation to The Bahamas.

The High Commission's published guidelines for the funeral home may be downloaded here.

FAQ

Do I need an ESTA to visit The Bahamas?

Answer: NO

The ESTA is an Immigration requirement of the United States of America.

The Commonwealth of The Bahamas is an independent Nation, being

• a former colony of Great Britain, having achieved self-government in 1964
• and full independence within the Commonwealth of Nations on July 10, 1973 thus the official name: The Commonwealth of The Bahamas
• The Bahamas recognizes Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State. Our Governor-General, His Excellency, Sir Arthur Foulkes, is Her Majesty's representative in The Bahamas

Medication / Drugs

Prescription Medication

Should you rely on certain medications, it is advised that you travel with a supply for the duration of your visit as well as a letter of confirmation from your physician.

Drugs / Narcotics

ZERO TOLERANCE RULE: Offences against the Narcotic Drugs Act are punishable by law with very long prison sentences.

Residence & Work permits

The government's immigration policy is aimed at ensuring the reasonable security, well-being and economic progress of The Bahamas and its people. The government gives consideration to citizenship, permanent residency and work permits for non-Bahamians provided there is compliance with the immigration laws of The Bahamas and policies of the government.

Downloads available here:

--> PDF Fact Sheet #14 - High Commission of The Bahamas, London
--> PDF Application: Form I
--> PDF Application: Form IV

Residence Permitt

People who wish to reside in The Bahamas on an annual basis may qualify under one of the four categories, subject to formal application and approval process.

• Spouse or dependent of a citizen of The Bahamas
• Spouse or dependent of a permit holder
• Independent economic resident
• Resident homeowner or seasonal resident homeowner

Work Permit

Employers with vacant posts are required to advertise locally and consult The Bahamas Employment Exchange. If unsuccessful in fulfilling their requirements by these methods, they may apply to the Department of Immigration for permission to recruit outside The Bahamas, following a formal application process.
 

Applications will not be processed if the prospective employee is already in The Bahamas having entered as a visitor.

Sales Representative Permit

Travelling sales representatives planning to do business in The Bahamas must obtain work permits from the Department of Immigration and a licence from the Licensing Authority.