Bahamas Travel Guide

Passports

Country	Passport Required	Visa Required	Return Ticket Required
Australian	Yes	No	Yes
British	Yes	No/1	Yes
Canadian	Yes	No	Yes
USA	Yes	No/2	Yes
Other EU	Yes	No/1	Yes

Passport valid for at least six months from date of departure from The Bahamas required by all nationals referred to in chart above. Note: As a result of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. all persons, including US citizens, traveling by air between the USA and Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport or other approved document when entering or re-entering the USA. This law came into effect on 1 January 2007. Similar requirements were introduced for those traveling by land or sea on 1 January 2008. For further details about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, visit the website of the US Department of State: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis_pa_tw_2223.html.

Visas

Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above except the following:
1. nationals of Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Portugal, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden for visits of over three months; nationals of Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands and the UK for stays of over eight months;
2. nationals of the USA for stays of over eight months.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Important Addresses).

Types of Visa and Cost

Single-entry: £55; Multiple-entry: £65 (three to six months). Payable by cash or money order only.

Validity

Usually three months. Applications for extension should be made to the Director of Immigration.

Applications to:

Consulate (or consular section at embassy or high commission); see Important Addresses.

Working Days Required

Dependent on nationality of applicant, a minimum of 48 hours, maximum of six weeks. Applications made by post and from some nationals may take longer to process. Applicants are advised to make their applications at least six weeks before their departure date to the Bahamas. Enquire at the consulate or embassy for further details.

Travel Warnings

Most visits to The Bahamas are trouble-free but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate international terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

The hurricane season in the Bahamas normally runs from June to November.

Violent crime can be a problem. Much of this is within the local community, but tourists have been the victims of robbery, sometimes armed, particularly when alone or in isolated locations.

The watersports industry in The Bahamas is very poorly regulated. In view of this and a number of fatal accidents, travelers are advised not to rent jet-skis in New Providence and Paradise Island unless they are experienced jet-ski users.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel

Health Care

Medical facilities are on a par with the USA, but can be costly. Medical insurance is recommended and should ideally cover the cost of air ambulance.

Vaccinations

Vaccination	Special Precaution
Diphtheria	Sometimes
Hepatitis A	Sometimes
Malaria	No
Rabies	No
Tetanus	Yes
Typhoid	Sometimes
Yellow Fever	No*

Special Notes

* A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers aged over one year traveling from an infected area.