19.06.2022


VACCINATED TRAVELLERS 

  • Effective 19 June 2022 fully vaccinated travellers will no longer be required to submit to pre-travel COVID-19 testing to enter the country. Instead, valid proof of vaccination must be presented before boarding a flight to The Bahamas.

UNVACCINATED TRAVELLERS

    • Effective 19 June 2022, all unvaccinated travellers ages 2 and older will be required to obtain a negative COVID-19 test — either a negative RT-PCR test or a Rapid Antigen test — taken no more than three days (72 hours) prior to travel and present the negative test results at check-in before travel to The Bahamas.


 

    • Children under the age of 2 are exempt from any testing requirements.

 

  • Please note: COVID-19 testing is no longer required for persons travelling inter-island (domestic) within The Bahamas, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status (unvaccinated or fully vaccinated).

Entry Requirements: Vaccinated Travellers

I have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19, do I need to take a RT-PCR or Rapid Antigen Test to travel to The Bahamas?

  • Effective 19 June 2022, fully vaccinated travellers are no longer required to submit to pre-travel COVID-19 testing to enter the country. Instead, valid proof of vaccination must be presented before boarding a flight to The Bahamas.
  • COVID-19 testing is no longer required for persons travelling inter-island (domestic) within The Bahamas, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status (unvaccinated or fully vaccinated)

Entry Requirements: Unvaccinated Travellers

PRE-TRAVEL TESTING

I am an unvaccinated traveller; is a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR Test required to enter The Bahamas?

  • Yes, through Saturday, 18, June, 2022, , all unvaccinated persons ages twelve (12) and older must obtain a negative COVID--19 RT-PCR Test taken no more than three days (72 hours) prior to the date of arrival. The name and address of the lab where the test was performed must be clearly displayed on the test result.
    • Acceptable tests include NAAT, PCR, RNA, RT-PCR and TMA 
    • The day the test is taken is considered Day 0; for example, if a test was taken on Monday, travel must be completed by Thursday in order for the test to be valid for entry.
    • Through Saturday, 18 June, 2022, unvaccinated children between the ages of 2 and 11 may present either a negative Rapid Antigen Test or RT-PCR Test. 


    • Children under the age of two (2) are exempt from obtaining the COVID-19 test.
    • Pilots and crew of commercial airlines who remain overnight in The Bahamas, are exempt from obtaining the COVID-19 test. 
  • Effective 19 June 2022, all unvaccinated travellers ages 2 and older will be required to obtain a negative COVID-19 test — either a negative RT-PCR test or a Rapid Antigen test — taken no more than three days (72 hours) prior to travel and present the negative test results before boarding their flight to The Bahamas.

Is this also true for domestic inter-island travellers?

  • COVID-19 testing is no longer required for persons travelling inter-island (domestic) within The Bahamas, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status (unvaccinated or fully vaccinated).

Can an unvaccinated Bahamian citizen or resident planning to travel abroad for three days or less take a COVID-19 RT-PCR test in The Bahamas prior to travel and present that negative test result upon return?

  • If an unvaccinated Bahamian citizen or resident travels internationally, they must secure a test in the destination they visited before travelling back to The Bahamas. Any COVID-19 RT-PCR Test taken in The Bahamas prior to travel will not be valid for re-entry.
  • Persons travelling internationally from The Bahamas and returning within a 24-hour period will not be required to undergo a new COVID-19 test to re-enter The Bahamas.

Where can I get a COVID-19 RT-PCR Test prior to travel?

  • Contact your health care professional to obtain a COVID-19 RT-PCR Test.

I have recently recovered from COVID-19. Can I submit a letter of recovery in lieu of a negative test?

  • Requests to enter The Bahamas with a letter of recovery will be evaluated by Bahamian health authorities.
  • Unvaccinated persons who have recently recovered from COVID-19 may submit the following documentation to [email protected]:  
    • A copy of their positive RT-PCR test test taken within 10-90 days prior to their travel date.
    • A clearance letter from a licensed physician confirming the person is no longer exhibiting symptoms, has completed the appropriate quarantine period, and is fit for travel.
  • Clearance letter must be printed on the official letterhead of the healthcare provider and include physician signature and stamp if available. Handwritten letters are not acceptable.
  • Submissions should include island destination and travel date, which must be a minimum of 11 days after testing positive.
  • Documents will be reviewed, and a decision made within 24 hours of submission.
  • If approved, a travel exemption letter will be provided via email with further instructions.

Can I use my COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test or COVID-19 Antibody Test to enter the Country?

  • No, if unvaccinated, only a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR (including PCR, NAA, NAAT, TMA or RNA) or rapid antigen test from a referenced lab will be considered a VALID test to be granted entry into The Bahamas.

I am vaccinated but my vaccine is not approved in The Bahamas. How can I be granted entry?

  • Visitors who have received non-approved vaccines must follow the same protocols as unvaccinated travellers to be granted entry to The Bahamas.  The Bahamas Government (Ministry of Health) will only be accepting vaccinations by AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria/Covishield), Janseen (Johnson & Johnson), Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty), Moderna (Spikevax), Sinopharm, Covaxin, or Sinovac at this time.

BAHAMAS TRAVEL HEALTH VISA

Please Note: Effective at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, 19 June 2022, travellers will no longer need to apply for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa in order to enter the country.

Who needs to complete an electronic Bahamas Travel Health Visa application?

  • Through Saturday, 18 June, 2022, all visitors – vaccinated and unvaccinated – arriving via commercial flights, as well as by private planes, private boats, yachts or pleasure crafts, are required to apply for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa at gov.bs by selecting the International option and completing all required fields.
    • All travellers eighteen (18) years of age and older are required to create an account/profile and then complete an individual Bahamas Travel Health Visa application.
    • Persons seventeen (17) years and younger are to add a profile within the account of the parent or guardian and then complete an individual Bahamas Travel Health Visa application.

How do I apply for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa as an unvaccinated traveller?

  • All visitors must apply for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa at travel.gov.bs by selecting the International option and completing all required fields. 
  • Effective 27 December 2021 unvaccinated visitors ages 12 and older entering the country must first obtain a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR Test taken no more than three days (72 hours) prior to the date of arrival, to be uploaded with their complete Bahamas Travel Health Visa application.
    • Travellers should upload ALL pages of the test results report, even if there are multiple pages. 
    • Please ensure your test results state clearly the following information:
      • Name of Applicant (must match the name used on the application form)
      • Confirmation of a negative result
      • Type of test – COVID-19 RT-PCR (not a COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test nor a COVID-19 Antibody Test)
      • Date the test was administered (collection date), not to exceed three days (72 hours) prior to the date of arrival 
      • Name and address of the accredited lab where test was performed
        • For U.S. travellers, an accredited lab can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/clia/LabSearch.html
        • For travellers from other countries, labs that have been accredited by the local medical health officials should be used.
      • Each applicant eighteen (18) years of age or older will be required to complete their own Bahamas Travel Health Visa application and upload their individual negative test results.
      • Persons seventeen (17) years and younger are to add a profile within the account of the parent or guardian. Complete their own Bahamas Travel Health Visa. Please ensure each application is submitted with the corresponding test results.  
      • Effective 27 December 2021 children between the ages of 2 and 11, wishing to enter The Bahamas will be required to obtain a negative COVID-19 test (either a Rapid Antigen Test or RT-PCR), taken no more than three days (72 hours) prior to the date of arrival to The Bahamas.
        • Applications are required to be submitted by a parent/guardian
        • Proof of age must be uploaded (applicable passport page).
      • Children under the age of two (2), are exempt from any COVID-19 testing requirements.
      • Effective 19 June 2022, the Travel Health Visa requirement for visitors will be discontinued. Instead, unvaccinated visitors will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test at check in prior to departure.
  • As part of the Bahamas Travel Health Visa application, travellers will be required to opt in to COVID-19 health insurance which covers them for 30 days in The Bahamas. The cost of insurance is included in the Bahamas Travel Health Visa application fee.
  • Bahamas Travel Health Visa applications can take up to 24 hours to process and should be completed with adequate lead time.

Where should I apply for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa?

  • Applicants should only apply for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa on  travel.gov.bs,  which is the official website developed by the Government of The Bahamas.
  • Travellers should not use any third-party vendors claiming to have the ability to process Bahamas Travel Health Visa
    • No additional third-party vendors are authorized to issue Bahamas Travel Health Visas.
    • The Government of The Bahamas is not responsible for any misfortunes that occur from using a third-party vendor including denied entry into the country or the loss of application fees.

Is a Bahamas Travel Health Visa required for domestic inter-island travellers?

  • Effective 1 October 2021 a Travel Health Visa is no longer required for inter-island travel within The Bahamas.

Is there a fee for the Bahamas Travel Health Visa?

  • Yes, there is a non-refundable fee for the Bahamas Travel Health Visa for unvaccinated visitors, which will be dependent on length of stay.
  • All Bahamas Travel Health Visas include standard administrative costs, such as the application fee for the Health Visa, as well as related IT and distribution costs.
  • The price of an individual Bahamas Travel Health Visa also includes  COVID-19 insurance as well as a return COVID-19 Rapid Antigen test for countries that require a negative test prior to departure.  

Domestic Travel (within The Bahamas):

  • Effective 1 October 2021 a Travel Health Visa is no longer required for inter-island travel within The Bahamas.

International Travel:

  • RETURNING BAHAMIAN CITIZENS/RESIDENTS
    • Effective 13 December 2021 the Travel Health Visa requirement for citizens and residents was discontinued. Instead, Bahamian citizens and residents are required to present a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR Test at check in prior to departure.
    • Effective 27 December 2021 the COVID-19 RT-PCR Test must be taken no more than three days (72 hours) prior to the date of arrival to The Bahamas. 
  • U.S. & CANADIAN CITIZENS/RESIDENTS
    • $60 (non-refundable) – unvaccinated visitors 
  • TRAVELLERS FROM ALL OTHER INTERNATIONAL COUNTRIES
    • $70 (non-refundable) – unvaccinated visitors
  • Exemptions:
    • Children eleven (11) years and under (COVID-19 insurance coverage included) are free.
    • Pilot/crew of commercial airlines who remain overnight in The Bahamas are exempt.

 

When will I receive a response about my Bahamas Travel Health Visa?

  • Bahamas Travel Health Visa applications take up to 24 hours to process, so they should be completed with adequate lead time.
  • Applicants will receive an automated response within 1 hour of submission indicating the application is being processed. Travellers should not apply again unless they do not receive the automated response within the hour.
    • An approved Bahamas Travel Health Visa will receive an approved visa with QR Code, and proof of confirmation should be presented at check-in and upon arrival in the destination.
        • If a Bahamas Travel Health Visa application is pending, visitor will receive a pending notification which means application is under review.
        • If a Bahamas Travel Health Visa application is denied, visitor will receive a denied notification and will not be permitted entry to The Bahamas.
  • Travellers should not submit more than one application per person travelling (per trip). Do NOT submit multiple applications. 
  • For all questions regarding the Bahamas Travel Health Visa process, or to check on the status of your application, contact [email protected].

Why was my Bahamas Travel Health Visa application denied?

There are a number of reasons why Bahamas Travel Health Visa applications are not approved. Among the most common are:

COVID-19 Testing Reasons for Denial

      1. Incorrect COVID-19 test provided.Only COVID-19 RT-PCR Tests are accepted. COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test or COVID-19 Antibody Tests are NOT (Please note: additional details on how to upload a COVID-19 RT-PCR Test result to your visa application are outlined in questions above).
      2. Submitted COVID-19 RT-PCR Test has a positive result.Only negative results are accepted.
      3. Incorrect name. The name of patient on the submitted COVID-19 RT-PCR Test result must match the name of the traveller submitting the application for the Bahamas Travel Health Visa.
      4. Effective 27 December 2021, test results do not meet time criteria. COVID-19 RT-PCR Test must be administered (based on collection date of), within three days (72 hours) of the date of arrival. Any tests older than three days (72 hours) will be considered expired by the arrival date.
      5. COVID-19 RT-PCR Test result has insufficient information.Test result must display: patient name, date sample was collected, type of test performed, test result, and name and full address of lab facility to be valid.
      6. COVID-19 RT-PCR Test result is illegible. Please reapply and upload a clearer image.
      7. Lab facility where COVID-19 RT-PCR Test was performed is not accredited.Only results from accredited labs are accepted. For U.S. travellers, an accredited lab can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/clia/LabSearch.html

Is a print version of my electronic Bahamas Travel Health Visa required?

  • Yes, please ensure you print your Approved Bahamas Travel Health Visa issued electronically by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and the Bahamas Ministry of Health. 

What if I do not complete the electronic Bahamas Travel Health Visa application form?

  • Travellers who fail to complete an electronic Bahamas Travel Health Visa application form will be denied entry to The Bahamas and are subject to fines and possible imprisonment.
    • Vaccinated travellers must provide valid proof of vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test from an accredited lab. 
    • Unvaccinated travellers must provide a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR Test from an accredited lab.

How long are Bahamas Travel Health Visas valid for? Will visitors and residents be required to get a new Bahamas Travel Health Visa each time they travel?

  • Effective 27 December 2021, Bahamas Travel Health Visas are valid for 3-days from the date of the COVID-19 test sample was collected for entry into The Bahamas.
  • Bahamas Travel Health Visas are valid for a 30-day period in The Bahamas as it pertains to the COVID-19 Health insurance. Yes, visitors will be required to get a new Bahamas Travel Health Visa each time they travel.

 COVID-19 HEALTH INSURANCE

Does The Bahamas require separate COVID-19 Health Insurance?

  • All visitors entering The Bahamas – vaccinated and unvaccinated – are required to opt into the Health Insurance coverage when applying for their Bahamas Travel Health Visa.
    • The COVID-19 Health Insurance will cover visitors for up to thirty (30) days of their stay, in the event they become ill with COVID-19, while in The Bahamas.

What is included as part of the COVID-19 Health Insurance?

  • Coverage includes:
    • Medical expenses incurred on island due to COVID-19, up to $50,000 (USD)
    • Trip interruption/delay for necessary quarantine or isolation due to COVID-19, up to $500 (USD) per day/$7,000 (USD) max
    • Medical evacuation due to COVID-19, and subject to medical necessity, up to $50,000 (USD)

How much does the COVID-19 Health Insurance cost?

  • The cost of the required COVID-19 Health Insurance is included in the Bahamas Health Visa and paid in advance of travel.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

 


02.04.2022

Prior to Departing for The Bahamas:

Pre Departure


STEP 1: TESTING REQUIREMENTS 

Please Note: Effective 27 December 2021, any person presenting test results older than three days (72 hours) will not be allowed entry into The Bahamas. 

These protocols are subject to change at any time in response to new COVID-19 measures. Please check this website frequently for ongoing updates.

VACCINATED TRAVELLERS 

  • Effective 27 December 2021, fully vaccinated persons travelling to The Bahamas from other countries will be required to obtain a negative COVID-19 test (either a Rapid Antigen Test or RT-PCR Test —including PCR, NAA, NAAT, TMA, or RNA), taken no more than three days (72 hours) prior to the date of arrival to The Bahamas.
  • Effective 2 April 2022, fully vaccinated persons travelling inter-island (domestic) within The Bahamas from New Providence (Nassau), Paradise Island or Grand Bahama Island (Freeport), will no longer be required to obtain a COVID-19 test prior to the date of travel.

UNVACCINATED TRAVELLERS

  • Effective 27 December 2021, unvaccinated travellers, ages 12 and older, entering The Bahamas must obtain a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR Test (including PCR, NAA, NAAT, TMA or RNA) test taken no more than three days (72 hours) prior to the date of arrival.
    • Effective 27 December 2021, children between the ages of 2 and 11 are required to obtain a negative COVID-19 test (either a Rapid Antigen Test or RT-PCR Test), taken no more than three days (72 hours) prior to the date of arrival to The Bahamas.

 

    • Children under the age of 2 are exempt from any testing requirements

 

  • Effective 2 April 2022, unvaccinated persons travelling inter-island (domestic) within The Bahamas from New Providence (Nassau), Paradise Island or Grand Bahama Island (Freeport), will no longer be required to obtain a COVID-19 test prior to the date of travel.

STEP 2: BAHAMAS TRAVEL HEALTH VISA APPLICATION

All visitors travelling to The Bahamas are required to apply for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa at travel.gov.bs.

  • Effective 1 October 2021, a Travel Health Visa is no longer required for inter-island travel within The Bahamas. 
  • As of 13 December 2021, the Travel Health Visa requirement for citizens and residents was discontinued. Instead, Bahamian citizens and residents are required to present a negative COVID-19 test at check in prior to departure to The Bahamas.

VACCINATED TRAVELLERS

  • Fully vaccinated visitors are required to upload negative COVID-19 test results (either a Rapid Antigen Test or RT-PCR Test) in addition to valid proof of vaccination confirming they have passed the two-week immunity period (such as CDC or government issued vaccine record card).
  • At this time, the Bahamas Government will only be accepting vaccinations by AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria/Covishield), Janseen (Johnson & Johnson), Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty), Moderna (Spikevax), Sinopharm, Covaxin or Sinovac.

UNVACCINATED TRAVELLERS

  • Effective 27 December 2021, all unvaccinated visitors, ages 12 and older, are required to upload their negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test results. Tests must be taken up to three days (72 hours) prior to the date of arrival. 
  • Effective 27 December 2021, Children between the ages of 2 and 11 are required to upload their negative COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test or COVID-19 RT-PCR test results. Tests must be taken up to three days (72 hours) prior to the date of arrival.

ALL BAHAMIAN RESIDENTS & CITIZENS 

  • All Bahamian citizens or residents planning to travel abroad for two (2) days or more must secure a test in the destination they visited before travelling back to The Bahamas. Any COVID-19 RT-PCR or COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test taken in The Bahamas prior to travel will not be valid for re-entry unless a person travels from The Bahamas and returns within a period of 24-hours.

ALL VISITORS

  • As part of the Bahamas Travel Health Visa application, travellers will be required to opt in to the COVID-19 health insurance that covers them for the duration of their stay in The Bahamas, up to one (1) month. The cost of insurance is included in the Bahamas Travel Health Visa application fee. 
  • Bahamas Travel Health Visa applications can take up to 24 hours to process and should be completed with adequate lead time.
  • The cost of the Bahamas Travel Health Visa is dependent on length of stay and vaccination status.
  • All visitors eighteen (18) years and older are required to complete an individual Bahamas Travel Health Visa application.
  • Persons seventeen (17) years and younger are to add a profile within the account of their parent or guardian and complete an individual Bahamas Travel Health Visa application.

DOCUMENTS & LINKS


Bahamas Travel Insurance Claim Form
Bahamas Travel Health Visa Insurance FAQ | US & Canadian Residents
Bahamas Travel Health Visa Insurance FAQ | Non-US & Non-Canadian Residents
Bahamas Covid-19 Emergency Orders
Bahamas Tourism & Readiness Recovery Plan: Airports, Seaports, COVID-19 Guidelines

Source: https://www.bahamas.com/travelupdates

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

23.04.2021

NASSAU, Bahamas, April 23, 2021 – The Government of The Bahamas announced updated public health measures and entry protocols for fully vaccinated travellers, stating: 

  • Effective immediately, Bahamian citizens and residents who are fully vaccinated – after receiving their second dose - will be exempt from COVID-19 testing requirements when travelling inter-island from New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco, Exuma and Eleuthera to any other island.  
  • Effective May 1, 2021, international visitors travelling to The Bahamas from other countries who are fully vaccinated and have passed the two-week immunity period will be exempt from testing requirements for entry and inter-island travel.   


REQUIREMENTS FOR VACCINATED TRAVELLERS
 
Vaccinated travellers will still need to apply for the Bahamas Travel Health Visa and will be required to upload proof of vaccination with their application. They will not need to provide negative COVID-19 PCR test prior to entry or submit to rapid testing mandates during their stay.  

REQUIREMENTS FOR UNVACCINATED TRAVELLERS 
Travellers who are not fully vaccinated will be required to follow all existing entry testing requirements including applying for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa, providing proof of negative PCR test taken no more than five (5) days prior to arrival, as well as conducting rapid COVID-19 antigen testing if they are staying in The Bahamas for longer than four (4) nights and five (5) days 

REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL TRAVELLERS 
All travellers will be required to apply for the Bahamas Travel Health Visa and complete the daily health questionnaire. All residents and visitors must adhere to health and safety protocols on-island such as mask wearing, social distancing and frequent hand washing among others. Health and safety remain our highest priority and we must continue to be vigilant.  

Due to the fluidity of COVID-19, the Government of The Bahamas will continue to monitor cases across the islands and loosen or tighten restrictions as needed. The Bahamas is an archipelago with more than 700 islands and cays, spread over 100,000 square miles, which means conditions and instances of the virus can be different on each of the 16 islands available to welcome visitors. Travellers should continue to check the status of their island destination before travelling, by visiting Bahamas.com/travelupdates 

For full details on the latest updates, protocols and regulations, please visit opm.gov.bs 


Bahamas Travel Health Visa FAQ | US & Canadian Residents
Bahamas Travel Health Visa FAQ | Non-US & Non-Canadian Residents
Bahamas Covid-19 Emergency Orders
Bahamas Tourism & Readiness Recovery Plan: Airports, Seaports, COVID-19 Guidelines

Source: https://www.bahamas.com/tourism-reopening



Source: https://travel.gov.bs/


April 1, 2020:  Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD) has closed the Lynden Pindling International Airport and all additional airports throughout The Bahamas to incoming flights carrying passengers.

• Airlines are permitted, with proper approval, to fly empty aircraft into The Bahamas to retrieve international visitors and return them to their home country.
• The Emergency Order remains in effect until Wednesday, April 8, unless otherwise stated.
• Preventative restrictions are being enforced to prevent further spread of COVID-19 . […]”

March 25, 2020: The port of Freeport, Grand Bahama – including Buckeye, Bahama Rock, Freeport Container Port (FCP) – is open for business, but subject to restrictions imposed by the Government to prevent the spread of COVID 19.


More information:

https://www.bahamas.com/pressroom/bahamas-ministry-tourism-aviation-statement-covid-19-5



COVID-19 Hotline Numbers

The Ministry of Health wishes to advise the public that there are several hotline numbers established for persons who have:

  • travelled to COVID-19 affected countries; or
  • been in close contact with persons who travelled to COVID-19 affected countries;
  • experienced respiratory symptoms; or
  • sought advice on medical care. 

The hotline numbers are:

  • 376-9350    8:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M.;
  • 376-9387    8:00 P.M. – 8:00 A.M.; and
  • 376-9357.


More information:

http://www.bahamas.gov.bs/health

Forthcoming