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Seaman's Visa
VisasBahamasSeaman's Visa
BahamasBahamas•North America
Open

Seaman's Visa

Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

Varies

Application Fee

Free

Stay Duration

Varies (Duration tied to vessel registration and employment contract)

Renewable

No

Job Offer

Not Required

Dependents

Not Specified

PR Pathway

No

Remote Work

Not Required

Official Information

Overview

Visa issued to crew members of boats temporarily visiting the Bahamas for trade or employees of Bahamian-registered cruise ships.

The Seaman's Visa is a specialized entry authorization issued to crew members of vessels temporarily visiting The Bahamas for trade purposes, or to employees of cruise ships registered in The Bahamas. This visa facilitates the movement of maritime personnel who need to enter the country as part of their professional duties. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age and provide comprehensive documentation to verify their employment status and the legitimacy of the vessel they serve on, ensuring compliance with Bahamian maritime and immigration regulations.

Required documentation for this visa includes a valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity, a recent digital passport-sized photograph, a police report, and a medical certificate, all of which must be less than six months old. Additionally, applicants must provide proof of ship or boat registration and ownership, along with a temporary cruising permit issued by Bahamas Customs and evidence of paid dockage fees. While there is no specific visa fee mentioned for this category in some contexts, applicants should be prepared for standard processing requirements and ensure that all foreign documents are translated into English if necessary.

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must be a crew member of a boat temporarily visiting for trade or an employee of a cruise ship registered in The Bahamas

Valid passport with at least 6 months validity

Proof of employment on the vessel

Vessel registration and ownership documentation

Temporary cruising permit issued by Bahamas Customs

KEY CRITERIA

Education

none or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Completed and signed application form

Passport data and signature pages

Digital passport-sized photograph

Police report (less than 6 months old)

Medical certificate (less than 6 months old)

Ship or boat registration and proof of ownership

Temporary cruising permit from Bahamas Customs

Proof of dockage fees paid to the Bahamas Port Department

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • Facilitates entry for maritime professionals and crew
  • Supports commercial maritime operations in Bahamian waters
  • Available in single and multiple entry formats

Worth Knowing

  • Requires specific maritime documentation (cruising permits, dockage fees)
  • Strictly for crew members on vessels visiting for trade or cruise operations
  • Must be applied for in advance of arrival

Application Process

1

Prepare all required digital documents including vessel-specific permits

2

Submit application through the official eVISA portal

3

Pay the applicable visa fee

4

Attend an interview if directed by the visa office

5

Receive visa approval notification

Application Forms

Application for Seafarer's Document—

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