Citizens from the United States must hold a valid passport to leave the country. A government issued identification card with a photo, such as a driver's license, must be presented when applying for a passport. Passengers on cruise ships must present their passports when entering ports for day excursions. Passports are valid for a 30-day visit to the Bahamas. A national Bahama Visa is required for longer stays on the island.
Canadian citizens are required to obtain a passport for adults, and birth certificates or passports for children age seventeen or younger. Before leaving the country, Canadian residents must present the documents, along with proof of a return ticket to Canada and funds to pay for the visit to a foreign country. Canadian passports are valid for only 21 days.
Visitors to the Bahamas from countries other than the United States and Canada must also present valid travel passports before being allowed entry into the country. Return or "journey on" tickets or other proof must also be presented. Visitors who booked return flights or cruises online must show a copy of the proof of purchase and travel agenda.
After permission is granted to enter the Bahamas, all visitors must complete an immigration form. An immigration card is then issued, and must be kept and shown upon request by public officials at any time during the visit. Bahama officials search luggage, and the laws governing the type and number of items coming into the country is strictly enforced. No more than 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars per adult are allowed to enter the country. One quart of hard liquor per adult is permitted. One case of beer (24 cans or bottles) is allowed, but is subject to a duty fee.
When leaving the Bahamas, all visitors are subject to search by Bahamas Security and Border Patrol. The United States Customs Officers must clear United States citizens before they re-enter the country. U.S. citizens can leave the Bahamas with no more than $800 worth of merchandise, or owe a duty tax totaling 10 percent of the cost of souvenir items. United States citizens are permitted to send up to $50 of merchandise to their homes without any charge. Five cartons of cigarettes or one liter of alcohol is permitted back across the border into the United States.
