Can a nonbahamian travel to the bahamas on an expired passport. Us passport book and passport card online application. A passport book is required for all international travel by air. A us passport for bahamas is an important travel document you need to have if you visit these islands.
Original service 2001 statute law of the bahamas passports chapter 192 passports arrangement of sections section 1. Hi, how long should my passport be valid before it expires when i enter bahamas. Everyone on board must have proof of citizenship and fill out an immigration card. Also, the minors passport card is valid for 5 years just like the passport book. Permanent residents of canada must travel with their permanent resident card and a valid passport from their country of origin. Passport requirements for a cruise to the bahamas getaway usa. It depends on how you plan to travel to the bahamas.
A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. Cruises using a us passport card on a cruise anyone know for sure if a passport card may be used for a cruise. That generally means bringing a birth certificate or passport, a social security card or tax form such as a w2, and two proofs of address. Notice by passport office please be advised that the passport office online appointment system has been discontinued. Amazons choice for bahamas boat flag seachoice 78241 bahamas courtesy flag 18 x 12 inch nylon flag canvas header and brass grommets 3. As a tourist visiting the area, are we required to carry our passport at all times when away from the resort.
A visa is required for stays exceeding eight months. Also, their port of entry and reentry should be the same. Whether you go on a road trip, by car or by plane, you might need a thing or two to keep the kids busy and this is a perfect addition to your travel kit. A passport is recommended as a just in case of emergency. Passport renewal ministry of foreign affairs bahamas. The words commonwealth of the bahamas and passport along with the international epassport symbol are below. The united states passport card is an official identity and limited travel document issued by the. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the us and canada, mexico, bermuda or the caribbean by land or sea. Naturalized citizens require naturalization papers and a passport. If we are travelling to the bahamas from the us, will a passport card work fine. You can apply for both a passport book and passport card at the same time using either form ds11 apply in person or form ds82 renew by mail must be eligible. Customs and border protection requires a valid passport card or book to return to the united states. Passport cards are a form of us passport that are the size of a credit card or drivers license. I suggest you get the card since you are going on a cruise.
One bahamas immigration card per person download pdf proof of citizenship passport process. Box f43536 national insurance building freeport, grand bahama telephone 12423525698 fax 12423525672. The form for renewing a passport or passport card is ds82. The passport card has the same validity as the passport book. When traveling to the bahamas by sea, including on a private vessel or ferry such as a cruise line, americans of all ages must hold a valid passport book or passport card. Canadians must present a passport to visit the bahamas, which must be valid for at least three months beyond the date of expected departure from that country. A clear copy of a valid national passport a seaman record book is not an. They have been available to us citizens since 2008, and are meant to be a convenient way to prove your identity and citizenship. Aug 10, 2012 a passport book is bigger than a passport card. They can be used for land or sea travel to canada, mexico, bermuda. Citizens of the bahamas in need of an identitytravel document must apply to the ministry of foreign affairs in order to. Ok, the card is cheaper than a passport book, but what does it get you. A passport card can only be used for land or sea travel. If i only have four months left on my passport, can i still travel to the bahamas.
The bahamian government only requires proof of citizenship e. Using a us passport card on a cruise flyertalk forums. But a passport is a valid form of us id that is acceptable, so it certainly has value in this situation. Passport cards are also seen as more convenient when traveling, due to its size.
To enter the united states at land border crossings or sea portsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda, you can use a passport book or a passport card. A passport card provides valid identification for national travel, but only provides valid identification for certain types of international travel. Can you travel to bahamas with passport card answers. A regular passport is navy blue, with the coat of arms of the bahamas emblazoned on the front cover. The citizens of bahamas can visit 118 countries without a visa. When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when. However, in order to return to the united states on an airplane, you must have a passport book. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. I understand that a passport book is recommended if needed to.
Is a photocopy sufficient as it is in some other countries, or are other forms of i. The actual printing of the passport books takes place at the national passport processing center in the united states, where a passport incorporating a digitized. The bahamas is comprised of 700 islands and over 2,000 rocks and cays, sprinkled over 100,000 square miles of ocean. Your passport book allows you to travel by land, by sea, or by air.
Passport the application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. The us passport card is a credit cardsized identification document. All applicants who personally appear for regular u. Bahamas bahamian stand base flag table desk flag,metal stand and base and country flag banners,for home garden office decoration, festival celebrations. You may still enter the bahamas with alternative forms of identification, such as a passport card or enhanced drivers license. If you are traveling by sea, then you can use a us passport card, enhanced. Can i go on a cruise to the bahamas in february with the passport card i know you cant fly with it and im ok with that for now.
The passport card cannot be used for entry into the states by air. Minister may prohibit persons entering or leaving the bahamas without passports. While the passport card may protect you against certain scenarios and is superior to not having a passport at all, getting a passport book not only provides more coverage such as flying internationally, but it. We have booked our cruise for our honeymoon and i was reading about the passport cards and passport books. I plan to travel to nassau, the bahamas, in april 2018.
The bahamas national requirements a reference source for bahamas recognised organisations, bahamas approved nautical inspectors, shipowners, companies, masters, officers and crew. Basic passports for traveling to the bahamas usa today. In addition, airlines would not let passengers board with expired travel documents. This fun pretend passport can be used by your children for local travels or even in a classroom as a learning tool. As you enter each port, fly the yellow quarantine flag and notify customs of. Is a passport card accepted when going to the bahamas. Can a passport card be used for travel to the bahamas from the u. In keeping with the ministrys commitment to provide quality customer service to bahamians, the ministry is please to launch the first phase of the digitization of the passport office. Us residents noncitizens an alien registration card green card and a valid passport from their country of citizenship are required. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv.
If you plan to travel by air, you must obtain a passport book. Bahamas please see the additional info section below most nonus citizens with a valid green card permanent resident do not need a visa to enter bahamas for a period of stay of up to 90 days. Us citizens traveling to the bahamas by sea must have a valid passport. But i do carry my spousal dependent card as my wife works here on a work permit. I imagine that the the immigration form that they give you upon arrival will suffice. Our cruise leaves long beach, ca and heading for ensenada mexico then back to long beach. Stay tuned for the launch of our online services for the renewal of epassports, in the near future. Boaters entering andor exiting the bahamas must follow certain protocol, such. When i went on cruises to the bahamas a lot, we didnt even need passports. A bahamian passport holder has access to 118 visafree countries.
As per the law here, yes your suppose to carry your passport. Getting to the bahamas by boat nassau paradise island. Citizens traveling to the bahamas on short trips for tourist or business purposes do not require a visa. Before leaving the islands of the bahamas, be sure to surrender your copy of the immigration card at the last bahamian port you visit. Fly the yellow quarantine flag and notify customs of your arrival. If your current passport was issued before you were 16 years of age or if it was issued more than 15 years ago, you must follow the instructions for apply for a passport. Americans may enter the unites states from the bahamas by sea using a passport, passport card, or other western hemisphere travel initiative whti compliant document if they are on an officiallydesignated closedloop cruise. Bahamas flags cost less and last longer from us flag store, the largest us flag vendor. For frequent travelers traveling by land or sea only into the bahamas, a passport card could be considered a less expensive option.
Passport cards cannot be used on cruises from international homeports. If you are traveling to the bahamas, do you need a passport. And will it last for 5 years like the passport book does for minors. Passport book allows you to travel by land, sea and air. When we went to get our passports the lady at the post office told us that the book would be better. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. All passports are valid for a period of 5 years for persons under the age of 16 and 10 years for persons 16 years and older. Applications for a passport or passport card may be submitted at any of 9,300 passport application acceptance facilities, which typically include u. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. Can you travel to the bahamas from the us without a passport.
To travel to the bahamas from the united states you will need a passport booklet form if you are traveling by air. Can you use the passport card for travel to the bahamas. Americans of all ages must hold a valid passport book or passport card. I believe getting the passport card is the same price as getting a passport book renewal. Now we arent planning to fly international anytime soon because of the pricing of tickets. Hi, for our cruise we are going to the bahamas on royal caribbean. Customs and immigration officials will come to your vessel. When you arrive in the bahamas by boat, you are required to clear customs and immigration at the nearest designated port of entry. The archipelago is an ecological oasis, boasting the clearest water on the planet. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. Bahamas has a population of 378k people and the capital is nassau.
The passport card can be used for entering the united states at land border crossings and sea portsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda. Alien registration card may enter the islands of the bahamas without a visa for visits not exceeding thirty days. Presentation of a current national passport, or one that has been expired for five years or less, is. Everyone must have a valid passport and fill out an immigration card. It is advisable for americans to obtain their passport early in the event of an emergency.
The passport contains 50 pages for entryexit stamps and visas. The bahamian passport is issued to citizens of the bahamas for international travel as of march 2019, bahamian citizens had visafree or visa on arrival access to 154 countries and territories, ranking the bahamian passport 26th in terms of travel freedom according to the henley visa restrictions index. For visits exceeding 30 days, a valid passport and a bahamas visa are required. Can a passport card be used for travel to the bahamas from. The information contained within is intended to supplement the bahamas merchant shipping act and associated regulations, bahamas maritime authority. When traveling by air from the bahamas, all us citizens must provide a valid us passport to enter or reenter the states. Visit the bahamas immigration website for the most current visa information. The bahamas flagged normandie express left hobart, tasmania on 22 january 2005 loaded with tsunami aid and bound for jakarta, indonesia.
Do you need a passport if youre cruising to the bahamas. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. Differences between a passport book and passport card. Passport first time or renewal, applying for a bahamas. Do americans need a passport to travel to the bahamas or. Since the bahamas is not part of the united states, you need federal identification to travel there. In truth, it is not necessary to have a passport in order to get into the bahamas, the same as we talk about not needing a passport for puerto rico. Association of bahamas marinas enteringexiting policies. Bahamian passport holders also have access to get 18 evisas or 24 visas on arrival.
However, whether you need a passport card or a book depends on how you travel to the islands. Will my passport get me into the bahamas and back to the united states. Both forms are available for download on the state departments passport website. Both passport and green card must be valid for 6 months beyond stay. Record of employment, bahamas seamans record book and. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to. Various law enforcement andor intelligence agencies may want to know your whereabouts, movements or associations who you are traveling with. Additionally, the biodata page is made of polycarbonate. I believe it is a flag which has a reputation for quality and is providing a good service to its shipowners.
Can we use the card or does it need to be the passport book. We make it simple to understand if you need a passport for your trip to the bahamas. Those traveling to the bahamas on a cruise may use another western hemisphere travel initiative whti. My question is should we still get the passport book just in case or should the passport card be just fine. Citizens will need a us passport or passport card, or a whti compliant document. Bahamas passports requirements nassau paradise island.
Visit the passport office for the renewal of your passport. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to indicate that you would like to apply for both products. Welcome to epics bahamas passport office epassport online renewal services welcome to the ministry of foreign affairs online portal for the renewal of epassport. The bahamas passport needed for us citizens usa today. The united states passport card is an official identity and limited travel document issued by the united states federal government in the size of a credit card. A passport book provides valid identification for any national or international travel. Enteringexiting policies the official site of the bahamas. The passport card is only good for land and sea travel in countries in the. The requirements for both are the same and there is one application form for both. Do you need a passport to visit the bahamas as us citizen.
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