Getting here is fun and easy. Grand Bahama is located in the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. How is this? Well, Grand Bahama is made up of 700 small islands and cays. Most are uninhabitable. But the ones that are inhabitable are fun fun fun. You can get here by boat or by airplane. The major airlines that fly into Freeport International Airport are American Airlines, Continental Connection (operated by Gulf stream), Laker Airlines, TWA, Air Tran, and Bahamasair.
The closest US airport is Miami or Fort Lauderdale, only 86 miles away from Grand Bahama and only a 30-minute flight. The entry requirements are that you should have a valid passport, (except certain countries such as the US, UK and Canada) where only a birth certificate is needed in some cases. This depends on the nature of your visit and the duration of your visit.Click Here for a full list of persons who need VISAS to enter the Bahamas
Q: WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR US/CANADIAN CITIZENS TO GO TO THE BAHAMAS?
A: Proof of citizenship is as follows:
US/CANADIAN CITIZENS need one of the following documents, along with a return or onward journey ticket (if using an electronic ticket, please show Immigration a copy of the travel itinerary & ticket number) and proof of funds to support visit (Stays not to exceed 8 months):
• PASSPORT (current or expired up to 5 years maximum) OR
• OFFICIAL BIRTH CERTIFICATE (original/official (govt-issued only), or court certified copy (raised or ink seal) + OFFICIAL PHOTO ID issued by the US Govt. [can be expired], (i.e. driver's license, county ID etc.) for persons 16 years and over. (Persons over 16 CANNOT use a student photo ID alone as adequate documentation). Persons 16 and under, on the other hand, only require a Birth Certificate, and if they possess a Student ID, should carry it along as this would facilitate their being processed by BAH Immigration. Persons under 16 years traveling alone will require a notarized Parental Letter of Consent. In the case of organized group travel, a letter is not necessary since it is assumed that the chaperone would have obtained prior permission.
Note: Laminated credit card-sized birth certificate is acceptable, as long as it is an original, or certified copy (raised or ink seal).
• ORIGINAL NATURALIZATION/CITIZENSHIP CERTIFICATE (original only) + recent photo if photo on naturalization paper is not recent.
NOTE: Persons are advised to purchase return tickets (and seek reimbursement upon returning home for the unused ticket), even though they are certain to return via a private boat – the chance of an airline/cruise line ticket agent allowing travel on a single ticket is very slim. If, however, the person gets to the point of Bahamas Immigration on a single ticket, the Captain of the boat would have to present himself and the cruising permit. However, a copy of the cruising permit will be permitted for crew members, who may be arriving by plane and returning by boat as their names will appear on the manifest. A letter will not suffice!
Q: WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR US/CANADIAN RESIDENTS TO GO TO THE BAHAMAS?
A: US RESIDENTS (not citizens) need the following:
ALIEN REGISTRATION CARD (also referred to as a GREEN CARD ),
without a Bahamas Visa for visits not exceeding 30 days. Though not
required, a national passport (passport from country of origin) is
additionally recommended to facilitate processing. US/Alien Residents wishing to stay longer than 30 days will require a valid national passport along with a Bahamas Visa.
A: CANADIAN RESIDENTS/LANDED CANADIAN IMMIGRANTS (not citizens) need the following:
VALID NATIONAL PASSPORT + CANADIAN IMMIGRATION RECORD FORM
1000 , without a visa, for visits not exceeding 30 days. Note: Persons are advised to purchase return tickets (and seek reimbursement upon returning home for the unused ticket), even though they are certain to return via a private boat – the chance of an airline/cruise line ticket agent allowing travel on a single ticket is very slim. If, however, the person gets to the point of Bahamas Immigration on a single ticket, the Captain of the boat would have to present himself and the cruising permit. However, a copy of the cruising permit will be permitted for crew members, who may be arriving by plane and returning by boat as their names will appear on the manifest. A letter will not suffice!
Q: WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR NON-US/CANADIAN CITIZENS/RESIDENTS TO GO TO THE BAHAMAS? (issued Feb. 23 '01)
CITIZENS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES (other than US or Canada) require the following, along with a return or onward journey ticket (if using an electronic ticket, please show Immigration a copy of the travel itinerary & ticket number) and proof of funds to support visit. (Note: Unless otherwise stated (US & Canada only), passports need to be current/valid).
NOTE: PASSPORT refers to a valid passport from the individual's country of birth; VISA refers to a Bahamas Visa only. If a person is born in one country and resident in another (other than US or Canada), the documentation required is based upon the country of birth.