VISAS

1.     How many visa types does The Bahamas have?
Answer: The Bahamas issues two types of visas: single-entry visas, valid for a period of three months, and multiple-entry visas valid for a period up to three years. The Bahamas Embassy in Beijing issues both types of visas, and there is a 3,250 RMB or US$500 fee for a three year visa.
 
2.        Who can apply to the Embassy for a visa?
Answer: All persons requiring a visa to travel to The Bahamas residing in mainland China or transiting through China can apply, in person, to The Bahamas Embassy in Beijing for a Bahamian visa. If you do not reside in mainland China, the Embassy accepts mail-in applications from the following Asian and Pacific countries and dependencies:
 
Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, Cook Islands, East Timor, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, North Korea, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Pitcairn, Republic of China (Taiwan), Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Vietnam, and Wallis and Futuna.
 
Please note that persons residing in India may apply for a Bahamian visa at the British High Commission in New Delhi.
 
3.        How much does a Bahamian visa cost?
Answer: The processing fee for a single-entry visa is 650 RMB or US$100. The processing fee for a multiple-entry visa is 715 RMB or US$110.
 
4.         What forms of payment are accepted by the Embassy?
Answer: The Embassy accepts RMB cash payments or US money orders. Please be advised, however, that in China US money orders take 45 days to clear and that the Embassy cannot issue a visa until the money order is cleared. Applicants who prefer to wire transfer visa fees can contact the Embassy for transfer details.
 
5.        Do Hong Kong permanent residents require a visa to travel to The Bahamas?
Answer: A visa is not required for Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport holders. Persons holding Macau and Taiwan Passports DO require a visa to travel to The Bahamas.
 
 
6.        Who else requires a visa to visit The Bahamas?
Answer: Please visit The Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ webpage at www.bahamas.gov.bs/foreignaffairs for a complete list of visa requirements for foreign visitors to The Bahamas.
 
7.        When applying for a Bahamian visa, what documents should applicants provide?
Answer: Please see the document “Instructions for Visa applicants” for detailed information on required/supporting documentation. Please note that any original document that is in a language other than English must be translated and certified by a notary public.
 
8.        Do applicants require a specific amount of money when applying for a visa?
Answer: No specific amount of money is required. Applicants should, however, provide evidence of funds available for the full period of stay in The Bahamas. This should be in the form of a letter from a financial institution.
 
9.        I am in a country where there is no Bahamian Consular Office and where the British Embassy does not issue Bahamian visas. How can I obtain one?
Answer: If you reside in one of the countries or dependencies previously referred to in question 2, you can mail your visa application to The Bahamas Embassy in Beijing. Otherwise, to obtain a Bahamian visa, you would have to visit a Bahamian Embassy or Consular Office.  At present, there are offices in Beijing, Port-au-Prince, London, Washington, New York, Miami, Atlanta, Ottawa, and Havana.

10.    I do not have an invitation letter; can I still apply for a visa?
Answer: The invitation letter is only needed, if applicable.  If you have not been invited to The Bahamas by someone, then you will not need an invitation letter.

11.    Can a Bahamian work permit take the place of a visa?
Answer: Persons with a valid Bahamian work permit card do not require a Bahamian visa to enter The Bahamas.
 
13.        How long does it take to obtain a Bahamian visa?
Answer: The duration of the visa process varies according to the application.  As some applications require referral, all applicants are advised to apply for their visas four (4) weeks prior to their intended date of departure from China.
 
14.    Does The Bahamas Government or Embassy in Beijing appoint any particular service company or travel agency to help applicants apply for the Bahamian visa?
Answer: No.
 
15.    Can a foreigner go to The Bahamas to study? Does the Embassy issue Student Visas?
Answer: The Bahamas does not issue Student Visas, only single-entry and multiple-entry visas. Persons who wish to visit The Bahamas to attend school or for employment purposes must apply directly to the The Bahamas’ Department of Immigration for a Permit to Reside. More information can be found by visiting the Department’s webpage at www.bahamas.gov.bs/immigration.
 
16.    If a Bahamian goes abroad and marries a foreigner, how can the foreign partner obtain a visa?
Answer: The married couple would have to visit the nearest Bahamian Embassy or Consular Office. In addition to the general documents required by each Embassy or Consular Office, the Bahamian partner would have to provide proof of citizenship—i.e. passport—as well as a certified marriage certificate.
 
 
PASSPORTS
 
17.    If a Bahamian abroad loses his passport, how can the Embassy assist?
Answer: Passports that have been misplaced, lost or stolen should be reported to the local police of that country. A copy of the police report is needed to obtain a replacement passport in The Bahamas. If the person is visiting the jurisdiction, an Emergency passport is issued by The Bahamas Embassy to facilitate the person’s return to The Bahamas.  If the person normally resides in the jurisdiction, the standard procedure for applying for a new passport must be followed, and such applications will be referred to the Passport Office.
 
18.    Does the Embassy issue new Bahamian passports?
Answer: Yes, the Embassy issues new passports to citizens of The Bahamas. Eligible persons can request an application form and it will be sent to them. The form should be completed and returned to the Embassy with the supporting documents. Please note that first time applicants must appear in person for the collection of biometric data.
          
 
AUTHENTICATION OF LEGAL DOCUMENTS
 
19.    If two foreigners get married in The Bahamas, how can they verify their marriage certificate?
Answer: Legal documents issued in The Bahamas for use outside The Bahamas—e.g. Powers of Attorney, Certificates of Incorporation, Articles of Associations and Marriage and Birth Certificates—require authentication.
 
Documents not issued by the Government of The Bahamas must be sealed and signed by a licensed lawyer or Notary Public in The Bahamas. The document should then be forwarded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Bahamas for authentication. This process certifies the signature of the local attorney or Notary.
 
In the event that a document has not been forwarded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Bahamas, the document must be authenticated by a Bahamas Embassy or Consular Office.
 
 
 
INVESTMENT
 
20.    Could the Embassy recommend trustworthy business partners for foreigners hoping to invest in The Bahamas?
Answer: No, the choice of business partners is at the absolute discretion of the overseas investor. However, persons seeking joint venture partners may wish to contact The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce or relevant sector organisations for information on their members. Persons interested in investing in The Bahamas should contact The Bahamas Investment Authority at www.bahamas.gov.bs/bia. The Embassy can provide the interested person with the National Investment Policy which sets out the areas of the economy reserved for Bahamians and the areas where foreign investment is welcomed.