Bahamas (BS)

Confirm your entry stamp and visa/permit status

Check your allowed stay, work restrictions and expiry date immediately on arrival.

Verify work permit before starting

No local work without approved short-term or long-term work permit.

Check child immunisation requirements for school enrolment

All children attending Bahamas schools (public and private) must be immunised per the Ministry of Health schedule. Required vaccinations include MMR, DPT, Hib, Hepatitis B, Varicella (chickenpox), and others. Obtain a standard Bahamas immunisation card or have your child's overseas vaccination record officially endorsed by a Bahamian-licensed doctor. Schools will not enrol without proof. Allow 2–4 weeks if catch-up doses are needed.

Register or confirm NIB status

Employees need NIB payroll deductions from the first salary payment.

Open or prepare a Bahamas bank account

Banking is KYC-heavy; prepare source-of-funds and tax residency documents.

Get a Bahamas SIM and emergency contacts

A local number helps with banks, landlords, schools, taxis and hurricane alerts.

Prepare hurricane kit and evacuation plan

June-November hurricane season can disrupt power, water, flights, ferries and supplies.

Create a MyGateway government portal account

MyGateway (mygateway.gov.bs) is the Bahamas government's online services portal for passport renewals, business name registration, permit status checks, police clearance requests and official filings. Create an account as soon as you arrive so you are set up for digital government interactions and can track permit and renewal status without queuing at government offices. The portal is also used for some immigration status enquiries.

Set up a PO Box for official correspondence

Street mail delivery in the Bahamas is inconsistent and unreliable — most residents and businesses use a Post Office Box (PO Box) for receiving government notices, bank statements, legal correspondence and package delivery. Nassau's main post office is on East Hill Street; Family Islands have local branches. A PO Box is inexpensive (BSD 25–60/year) and essential once you are receiving important correspondence. Banks, government agencies and courts send to PO Boxes by default.

Register with your home country's embassy or consulate

Register with your home country's embassy in Nassau (or the nearest mission, often Miami) for emergency assistance, evacuation support, hurricane crisis communication, and document replacement. Most countries offer free online registration (e.g. UK FCDO TravelAware, US STEP, Canada ROCA). Hotels and the Bahamas government cannot notify your home government in an emergency unless you are registered.

Set official hurricane/weather alerts

Weather affects flights, ferries, marinas and electricity.

Learn basic Bahamian etiquette

Greet first, dress properly in offices/churches and respect local pacing.

Shortlist schools and calendars

Private and international schools can fill early and fees are high.

Keep BSD/USD cash buffer

Cash helps for taxis, tips, Family Islands and outages.

Check payslip NIB deductions

Employee rate is 4.65%; employer rate is 6.65% up to BSD 810/week ceiling.

Activate health and evacuation insurance

Private care and evacuation to Florida/Nassau can be expensive.

Choose a private GP or clinic

Know where to go before illness or storm disruption.

Map emergency clinic, police and evacuation route

Know 911/919, nearest clinic, hospital, airport, marina and shelter.

Inspect rental for hurricane, AC and water risks

Check roof, shutters, generator, AC, water, mould, security and flood history.

Get written lease and inventory

Write rent, deposit, utilities, HOA rules, storm damage and deposit return.

Set sensible home security routine

Check locks, lighting, alarm, parking and neighbourhood routines.

Review insurance policy for Bahamas-specific gaps

Many generic international health and home insurance policies exclude named-storm (hurricane) events, medical air transfer to Florida or Nassau, dengue and other tropical diseases, and flood damage from storm surge. Review your existing policy documents carefully before hurricane season and confirm: does it cover named-storm evacuation? Medical airlift? Dengue/zika? Flood vs wind damage? Contents on a Family Island? This review is free — only the gap-fill premium costs.

Learn Bahamian Creole and cultural communication norms

Bahamian English differs from US/UK English in pronunciation, rhythm and idiom — Bahamian Creole uses unique vocabulary, greetings and expressions. Learn key phrases ('How ya goin?', 'Muddasick', local island names and pronunciations), understand the importance of proper introductions and respectful address in professional settings, and recognise that Bahamian communication is often more indirect and relationship-first than typical Western professional contexts.

Understand tenant rights before signing a Bahamas lease

Bahamian landlord-tenant law includes the Rent Control Act (for properties below the rent threshold) and common law protections against unlawful eviction. Understand your rights: notice periods before eviction (typically 30–90 days depending on lease type), deposit return obligations, landlord duty to maintain habitability including post-hurricane repairs, and what to do if utilities are cut. The Bahamas does not have a formal tenants association, but the Department of Housing offers guidance.

Save VAT and customs receipts

VAT is 10% standard and many imports carry duty/VAT.

Drive left and carry licence/insurance

Visitors can use valid foreign/IDP licence up to three months.

Plan island transport and buffers

Inter-island travel is weather-sensitive and often expensive.

Review your NIB benefit entitlements

NIB contributions entitle employed workers to sickness benefit (70% of insured wages, up to the contribution ceiling), maternity benefit (up to 13 weeks), invalidity pension, retirement pension and a death/funeral grant. Check your contribution history on the NIB portal (nib-bahamas.com), confirm you have the minimum qualifying weeks for each benefit, and understand the claim deadlines — sickness benefit must be claimed within 21 days of incapacity.

Find and register with a local vet before your pet arrives

Research veterinary services in Nassau or your target island before your pet arrives. Nassau has several private vet clinics (including emergency services); Family Islands have very limited or no vet services. Confirm availability of your pet's regular medications — heartworm prevention is essential in the Bahamas (year-round mosquito risk), as are tick and flea treatments. Register with the Bahamas Humane Society if relevant. Know the nearest emergency vet and the procedure for medical evacuation of animals if on a Family Island.