Jobs Postings Caribbean: How to get a Job in the BAHAMAS: Work Permit Requirements

With the difficulty in finding gainful employment in one's own country, migrating to another country may be the best option, especially for those who are highly skilled and looking for satisfactory employment that provides better living standards. This article is focused on how to apply for a work permit in Bahamas. The information below explains the actual procedure one takes in securing a work permit for employment in the Bahamas.

Applying for a Long Term Work Permit

Non-Bahamian nationals who are desirous of working and living in The Bahamas for a period greater than 90 days, must first be authorized to do so by way of a valid work permit / visa issued by the Department of Immigration. Persons wishing to work for up to 90 days must apply for a short term work permit / visa.

Eligibility

Any non-Bahamian who wishes to work in The Bahamas for a period that exceeds 90 days

Process

Complete the application form.
Notarize(First Schedule Form 1 application) completed form, affixing a BS$10.00 stamp.
Attach the completed and notarized form to the supporting documents and submit to the Department of Immigration.

Application Form(s)

Application Form Section "A", also available at the department’s offices

Supporting Documents

A letter of request from the prospective employer stating reasons for the application, the position and the period of time required.
A copy of the bio-data page of the applicant's passport.
2 passport-sized identical colour photographs of the applicant, with the applicant’s name printed on the reverse side.
A police certificate of character covering 5 years residence in the Bahamas (issued not more than six months prior to the submission of the application.
A medical certificate dated not more than 30 days prior to the submission of the application.
Written reference(s) from previous employer(s) (no more than 2 in total).
Copies of certificates of examinations referred to in the application form.
Copies of applicable job vacancy advertisements in the local newspaper, with replies and results from interviews, if any.
A certificate from the Department of Labour, with Notification of Vacancy attached, indicating that a Bahamian is not available to fill the position.

Turn-around time

Once the actual application has been accurately and completely submitted, applicants should contact the Inquiries Unit @ 242-502-0550 within a 3 to 4 week period for an update of the progress of the application.

Deadline

There are no deadlines for this service.

Related Fee(s)

There is a non-refundable processing fee of BS$200.00 (payable by cash, credit/debit card, postal money order, or bank certified cheque)

For more information please contact

New Providence

Department of Immigration
Hawkins Hill
P. O. Box N-831
Nassau, N.P.
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 322-7530/9
Fax.(242) 326-0977
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Abaco

Department of Immigration
Marsh Harbour Airport
Abaco
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 361-5000, 367-2536 / 2675, or 365-8604
Fax.(242) 367-4955
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Department of Immigration
Walkers Cay
Abaco
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 352-5252
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Andros

Department of Immigration
Fresh Creek
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 368-2031
Vibe. (242) 225-9382
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Department of Immigration
North Andros
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 329-4466
Vibe. (242) 225-9208
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Bimini

Department of Immigration
Alice Town Office
Alice Town
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 347-3446
Vibe. (242) 225-2406
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Berry Island

Department of Immigration
Great Harbour Cay
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 367-8112 or (242) 368-2031
Fax. (242) 367-8567
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Eleuthera

Department of Immigration
Rock Sound
Eleuthera
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 334-2055
Fax.(242) 335-1858
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Department of Immigration
Government Harbour
Eleuthera
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 332-2576
Vibe. (242) 225-9788
Fax. (242) 332-3771
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Department of Immigration
Airport
Eleuthera
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 332-2604
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Department of Immigration
North Eleuthera
Eleuthera
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 335-1124
Vibe. (242) 225-2408 / 9162
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Exuma

Department of Immigration
Exuma
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 336-2569
Vibe.(242) 225-1349
Fax.(242) 336-3569
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Department of Immigration
Airport
Exuma
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 345-0073
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Grand Bahama

Department of Immigration
Main Office
Freeport
Grand Bahama,
The Bahamas
Tel. (954) 654-7137
Vibe. (242) 225-8768
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Department of Immigration
Airport
Grand Bahama,
The Bahamas
Tel. (954) 654-7052
Vibe. (242) 225-8660
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Inagua

Department of Immigration
Airport
Inagua
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 336-1602
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Department of Immigration
Office
Inagua
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 339-1234
Vibe.(242) 225-9701
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Department of Immigration

Customs
Inagua
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 339-1254
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

San Salvador

Department of Immigration
Office
San Salvador
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 331-2100
Fax.(242) 339-2431 or 331-2431
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Applying for Renewal of a Long Term Work Visa

Non-Bahamian nationals who are holders of Long Term Work Permits / Visas must have them renewed annually. This renewal is not automatic and requires the employers of work visa holders to apply for renewal, which is granted at the discretion of the Department of Immigration.

Eligibility

In order to qualify for renewal of a long term work permit, the applicant must be the holder of a current long term work permit, with all of his or her fees and National Insurance contributions being current and paid up.

Process

This process is led by the employer who must:

Prepare a letter addressed to the Director of Immigration requesting that the employee’s work visa be renewed
Attach the letter to supporting documents
Submit to the Department of Immigration

Application Form(s)

A renewal request letter from the employer stating reasons for the application, the position and the period of time required.

Supporting Documents

A copy of the bio-data page of the applicant's current passport
2 passport-sized identical colour photographs of the applicant, with the applicant’s name printed on the reverse side
A police certificate of character covering 5 years residence in The Bahamas (issued not more than six months) prior to the submission of the application
A medical certificate dated not more than 30 days prior to the submission of the application
A letter from the National Insurance Board stating that the applicant’s contributions are current and paid up to the permit’s expiration date.
A copy of the bio-data page of the employer’s passport
LABOUR CERTIFICATES & NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENTS ARE FUNDAMENTAL TO THE WORK PERMIT PROCESS, AS THIS IS KEY TO THE EMPLOYMENT PROSPECT OF SUITABLY QUALIFIED BAHAMIANS. These documents should be submitted for all positions with the exception of the top position in your company (e.g. Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, Managing Director ). In the case of renewals Labour Certificates are not required for Maids, Handymen, Handywomen, Gardeners, and Farm Labourers.

Turn-around time

Once the actual application has been accurately and completely submitted, applicant should contact the Inquireis Unit @ 502-0550 within a 3 to 4 week period for an update on the progress of the application.

Deadline

All applicants must ensure that applications for the renewal of work permits are submitted to the Department of Immigration at least 2 months prior to the expiration of the permit.

Related Fee(s)

There is a non-refundable processing fee of BS$200.00. Please note that where employers have arrears from previous periods, these must be fully paid as well.

For more information please contact

New Providence

Department of Immigration
Hawkins Hill
P. O. Box N-831
Nassau
New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 322-7530/9
Fax.(242) 326-0977
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Abaco

Department of Immigration
Walkers Cay
Abaco
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 352-5252
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Andros

Bimini

Berry Island

Eleuthera

Department of Immigration
Airport
Eleuthera
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 332-2604
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Exuma

Department of Immigration
Airport
Exuma
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 345-0073
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Grand Bahama

Inagua

Department of Immigration
Airport
Inagua
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 336-1602
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Department of Immigration
Customs
Inagua
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 339-1254
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

San Salvador

Source: Department of Immigration, Government of Bahamas

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How to get a Job in the BAHAMAS: Work Permit Requirements

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