Work visas
Bahamian Short-Term Work Permit
For non-Bahamians needing to work in The Bahamas for a short period of 1 to 90 days, covering brief assignments rather than longer employment.
Under review — check current rules
Important information
On this page
- Official name
- Short Term Work Permit
- Route type
- Short-term / temporary work
- Duration
- 1 to 90 days (bands of 1-30 days and 31-90 days)
- Processing fee (1-30 days)
- US$200 non-refundable processing fee
- Fee (31-90 days)
- US$10 Bahamian postage stamp on the notarised Form 1 application
- Maximum stay
- 90 days
- Split into a 1-30 day band and a 31-90 day band; extensions beyond 30 days require documents for the extended short-term or long-term permit.
- Where to apply
- Director of Immigration, P.O. Box N-831, Nassau, Bahamas, or online via the ePermits portal (epermits.immigration.gov.bs)
- Applicant presence
- First-time applicants advised to remain outside The Bahamas during processing
- Payment methods (1-30 days)
- Credit/debit card, postal money order or bank-certified cheque
Who it is for
- Non-Bahamians undertaking short assignments of 1 to 90 days
- Emergency or specialist tasks such as equipment repair, audits or inspections
Requirements
- 1-30 days: letter of request to the Director, application form, two passport photos, passport biographical page copy, valid business licence/certificate of incumbency or incorporation, and employer/employee NIB card or certificate
- 31-90 days: First Schedule Form 1 (notarised), police certificate covering 5 years (or sworn affidavit of good character), and a medical certificate dated within 30 days
How to apply
- Submit the application to the Director of Immigration before the worker arrives
- Pay the applicable fee for the relevant band
- Applications may also be lodged via the eServices online portal
Documents you may need
- 1-30 days: completed Short-Term Work Permit application form
- 1-30 days: letter of request addressed to the Director of Immigration
- 1-30 days: two current passport photos (2x2 inches, white background, taken within 6 months, name printed on the back)
- 1-30 days: copy of the passport biographical data page (signed, readable, with at least 2 months' validity remaining)
- 1-30 days: copy of the employer's valid business licence, Certificate of Incumbency or Certificate of Incorporation
- 1-30 days: copy of the employee/employer NIB card or certificate
- 31-90 days: duly completed First Schedule Form 1 (notarised; postage stamp affixed for paper submissions)
- 31-90 days: original police certificate issued within the last 6 months, covering 5 years of residence for applicants aged 14 and over (or a sworn affidavit of good character for extensions)
- 31-90 days: original medical certificate dated within 30 days before submission
- Certified English translations of every foreign-language document, prepared by someone proficient in the relevant language
Special categories and advance notice
Board directors, disaster-preparedness attendees and Trusted Traveller Programme members do not follow the standard permit route but must give the Director written notification at least two days before arrival, including travel dates, airline details and a copy of the passport biographical data page.
The Department advises that a person applying for status in the first instance should not be in the country while the application is being processed.
Frequently asked questions
The Department of Immigration describes it as a permit for emergencies and one-time assignments, giving examples such as aircraft mechanics carrying out repairs (up to about two weeks) and corporate auditors or inspectors (three to four weeks).
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.