2009 Press Releases
U.S. Embassy highlights current procedures for travel into the U.S.
March 23, 2009
The U.S. Embassy in Nassau wishes to remind the traveling public about current and upcoming requirements relating to travel into the United States.
Passports
All persons traveling to the United States by air must be in possession of a valid passport or equivalent travel document. Although international standards for visitors require passports to be valid for a minimum of six months beyond the end of the trip, certain countries (including the U.S. and The Bahamas) have agreed to waive that requirement on the basis of reciprocity. Therefore, Bahamian citizens may enter the United States on their passports up until the stated expiration date. Person traveling on passports of other countries should check with their own Embassy before attempting to travel to the United States within six months of their passport’s expiration date.
Visa Exemption for Bahamian Citizens
Bahamian citizens may seek to travel to the United States without a visa under the terms of a Pre-clearance Agreement signed between our two countries in 1974. That Agreement exempts Bahamian citizens from U.S. visas provided the following specific requirements are met:
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The traveler must be traveling on a valid Bahamian passport.
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The traveler must seek to enter the U.S. through one of two Pre-clearance locations (Nassau and Freeport.) Persons traveling to the U.S. from any other location must have a valid visa, even if they are returning home.
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The traveler must seek to travel to the U.S. on a regularly scheduled or chartered flight operated by an approved commercial carrier. Persons traveling by sea or private aircraft must have a valid visa.
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The traveler must seek to travel to the U.S. for short-term tourist or business purposes (including shopping or visiting family). Persons or students seeking to work or study in the U.S. will need a visa. Bahamians seeking to transit through the U.S. to a third country may do so, but should be aware that they will require a visa to transit the U.S. on the return trip.
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Each traveler must establish that they are, clearly and beyond a doubt, admissible to the United States in accordance with U.S. immigration law. In general, this means Bahamians should present a police certificate issued within the past twelve months demonstrating no criminal history. However, it is possible to have a clean Bahamian police certificate and still not be admissible. (Examples: persons who have overstayed on previous trips to the U.S., who have committed crimes in countries other than The Bahamas, who have been deported from the U.S., who have committed fraud on visa applications, etc.) Travelers who do have a criminal history or who are otherwise not clearly admissible must have to obtain a visa.
Airport Processing
Due to heightened security measures, U.S.-bound passengers are requested to check-in at the U.S. departure terminals in Nassau and Freeport no less than three (3) hours prior to departure. This provides the traveler with adequate time to check in with their respective air carrier, complete security screenings, and complete U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) processing. Tips to expedite security screening processing can be found on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website at http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/index.shtm.
Under the terms of the U.S./Bahamas Pre-clearance Agreement, CBP officers are directed to process passengers and baggage on U.S.-bound flights so that they do not have to clear CBP after the flight’s arrival in the U.S.
U.S. Citizens
All U.S. Citizens must have a valid U.S. passport to enter the U.S. by air. As of June 1, 2009, most U.S. citizens entering the U.S. by sea will require either a valid passport or a valid passport card. (Details and exceptions can be found at http://www.getyouhome.gov/.
Citizens of other Countries
Most citizens of countries that are members of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program may seek entry to the U.S. without a visa. A list of such countries and specific requirements can be found at http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html (Please note that The Bahamas is not a member of this program. The visa exemption for Bahamian citizens is separate and has different requirements.) As of January 12, 2009, persons seeking entry to the U.S. under this program must have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) authorization. See www.cbp.gov/esta for information on applying for an ESTA.
Applying for a Visa
The Embassy strongly recommends that persons who require visas apply for them well in advance. The demand for visa appointments usually rises significantly as summer approaches. As a result, a prospective traveler may have to wait many weeks for the next available appointment. The Embassy will attempt to expedite appointments for genuine unforeseen emergencies, but cannot -- in fairness to all -- allow someone to jump the queue for non-emergency reasons.
More Information
Please visit our website at http://nassau.usembassy.gov
