The New Health Visa You’ll Need To Visit The Bahamas
If you’re planning on visiting The Bahamas, you’ll now need to purchase a health travel visa, or be denied entry into the islands.
The Atlantis resort in Nassau, Bahamas.
Effective November 1, any visitor entering The Bahamas is required to purchase a health travel visa, complete a daily health questionnaire, and carry with them at all times proof of a negative test result. Travelers can apply fort the vise online, as well as receive status updates on their approval.
The Bahamas Requires All Travelers To:
- Obtain a COVID-19 RT PCR test five (5) days prior to arrival.
- Apply for a Bahamas Health Travel Visa at travel.gov.bs.
- For the duration of the visit, complete a daily online health questionnaire for symptom-tracking purposes.
- Take a COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test on Day 5 of the visit (unless departing on day 5).
- Always wear a mask and always social distance in public places.
Cost of The Bahamas Health Travel Visa:
The fee includes the Day 5 Rapid Antigen Test and mandatory health insurance.
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- $40 – Visitors staying up to four nights and five days.
- $40 – Citizens and returning residents.
- $60 – Visitors staying more than four nights.
- Free – Children 10 years and under
For now, the website mentions nothing about cruisers, which could stem from ship visitors being required to take a sanctioned excursion from the cruise line.
Also, when cruising does resume, guests will have to take a test prior to embarkation and undergo ongoing monitoring throughout the entire voyage.
Dionisio D’Aguilar, the Bahamian minister of tourism and aviation is currently working to try and get cruise lines to return to Nassau and Freeport. The minister is aware that he’s fighting an uphill battle as he’s competing with the cruise line owned private islands that will keep cruisers in a “social bubble.”
In 2019, Nassau, Bahamas saw 2.8 million cruisers, while Freeport saw 416,700.
READ: Bahamas Changes Stance on Cruise Ship Passengers
On October 15, The Bahamas entered into Phase 3 of its Tourism and Recovery Plan. The latest phase allowed beaches and resorts to reopen.
The Atlantis Resort on Paradise island remains closed and is currently not taking bookings until December 3.