Bahamas Visa: Requirements, Types, Fees & How to Apply
Start your applicationIt depends on your passport. Many visitors do not need a visa for the Bahamas — visa-exempt visitors can stay for up to 90 days per visit for business or tourism. Visitors from countries like India with valid visas issued by the US, UK, Canada, or any Schengen country may obtain a 90-day visa on arrival. A visa does not guarantee entry — border officials make the final determination at the port of entry.
the Bahamas visa at a glance
- Government fee
- Confirm the current requirement with the Embassy of the Bahamas before booking
- Official processing
- Varies — confirm with the embassy/consulate
- Validity / stay
- Up to 90 days · not extendable
- Visa types
- 3
Do you need a visa for the Bahamas?
Check the Bahamas visa waiver list for your nationality before traveling.
the Bahamas visa types
- Visa-free entry
- Tourism and business for visa-exempt visitors — Up to 90 days
- Visa on arrival
- Short visits for eligible non-exempt visitors — Up to 90 days
- Bahamas e-visa
- Online visa for eligible visitors — Up to 90 days · not extendable
Who is eligible
Whether you need a visa for the Bahamas depends on your nationality:
Your legal residence also matters. Apply through the embassy or visa authority responsible for your country of residence.
Visa-exempt nationalities can enter the Bahamas visa-free for up to 90 days per visit.
Eligible non-exempt visitors may obtain a visa on arrival if they hold valid visas from the US, UK, Canada, or a Schengen country.
E-visa applicants must confirm eligibility online before submitting an application.
Cruise ship visitors must obtain entry visas if not from visa-exempt countries; departure must also be by cruise ship.
Documents required for a the Bahamas visa
What the consulate expects in your file. The controlling checklist is always the one published for your country of residence.
- Valid passportVisa-free entry · must remain valid for the duration of your stay.
- Proof of sufficient funds for your stayVisa-free entry · Proof of sufficient funds for your stay.
- Return or onward travel ticketVisa-free entry · Return or onward travel ticket.
- Valid passportVisa on arrival / e-visa · at least 6 months validity recommended.
- Completed visa application form where applicableVisa on arrival / e-visa · Completed visa application form where applicable.
- Proof of accommodationVisa on arrival / e-visa · Proof of accommodation.
- Proof of sufficient fundsVisa on arrival / e-visa · Proof of sufficient funds.
- Return or onward travel ticketVisa on arrival / e-visa · Return or onward travel ticket.
the Bahamas visa fees and processing time
- Government fee
- Confirm the current requirement with the Embassy of the Bahamas before booking
- Expedify processing fee
- Shown before you start
- Validity / stay
- Up to 90 days · not extendable
- Official processing
- Varies — confirm with the embassy/consulate
Government fees are passed through at cost. Processing times are the authority's official estimate, stated as a fact — not a delivery promise.
How to apply for a the Bahamas visa
The official route, step by step.
Confirm you need a visa
Check the Bahamas visa waiver list for your nationality. If you're exempt, you don't need this process.
Get the current form and checklist from the Embassy of the Bahamas or the official e-visa portal
Get the current form and checklist from the Embassy of the Bahamas or the official e-visa portal.
Gather your documents
see the checklist in Required documents for a Bahamas visa above.
Submit your application
online for the e-visa where available, or in person at the embassy or consulate. Pay the application fee.
Wait for processing
official processing times vary. Apply well before travel.
Receive your visa and print a copy to carry on your trip
Receive your visa and print a copy to carry on your trip.
Applying yourself vs. with Expedify
The authority decides your visa either way. The difference is how much of the process you carry.
Research
- Apply yourself
- Check Bahamas's requirements yourself
- With Expedify
- We confirm what you need for your route
Document check
- Apply yourself
- Common errors cause refusals
- With Expedify
- Pre-reviewed before submission
Appointments
- Apply yourself
- You book and attend yourself
- With Expedify
- We prepare your application and guide you
Status tracking
- Apply yourself
- You check the embassy portal
- With Expedify
- We track and notify you at every step
Government fee
- Apply yourself
- Same
- With Expedify
- Same — passed through at cost, no markup
At the border: what to expect
A visa lets you present yourself for entry — it does not guarantee admission. Entry into the Bahamas is decided by immigration officials at the port of entry.
Entry requirements
- Valid passport with your visa or visa-exemption documentation.
- Return or onward travel ticket.
- Proof of accommodation.
- Evidence of sufficient funds for your stay.
Conditions of stay
- Stay length is set by the officer at entry — it can be less than your visa's maximum.
- The Bahamas e-visa is not a work visa — no employment.
- No full-time study on a tourist or e-visa.
- Depart before your permitted stay ends; overstaying is an immigration violation.
Common reasons a the Bahamas visa is refused
Knowing these before you apply reduces your risk.
Incomplete or inconsistent documentation
documents that don't match your application form.
Insufficient financial means
evidence that doesn't clearly cover your trip.
Unclear travel purpose
an itinerary that doesn't explain where you're going and why.
Weak ties to your home country
limited evidence you'll return after your stay.
Frequently asked questions
the Bahamas visa questions, answered.
More for your the Bahamas trip
How we reviewed this page
Last verified Reviewed by Expedify Compliance Review
About this service
Expedify is a private application-assistance service, not a government agency, embassy, or consulate. Visas are granted solely by the destination country's authorities, and no third party can influence or guarantee a decision. Our agency fee covers preparation, review, and tracking of your application, and is separate from any consular fee. The information on this page is general guidance, not legal or immigration advice — requirements change and vary by nationality. Always confirm with the official embassy or consulate of the country you're visiting.