The Bahamas and the United States Renew the Air Transport Preclearance Agreement

6th February, 2024

Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas – After several months of negotiating, The Bahamas and the United States have agreed on a renewed Preclearance Agreement, which was signed yesterday by Foreign Minister the Hon. Frederick A. Mitchell, MP, and Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner of Field Affairs for the US Department of Customs and Border Protection, Diane J. Sabatino.

(L-R) Diane J. Sabatino and Frederick A. Mitchell exchanging gifts

This agreement was first signed 50 years ago by then Minister of External Affairs and Attorney General, Hon. Paul Adderley and the US Ambassador to The Bahamas Ronald Spiers on 24th April, 1974, when only three such agreements existed worldwide. Since its initial signing, it has given Bahamians and American visitors returning home easy access to the United States from The Bahamas. In 2024, The Bahamas will continue being one of only six countries with US pre-clearance facilities including Canada, Aruba, the United Arab Emirates, Bermuda and Ireland.

Foreign Minister the Hon. Frederick A. Mitchell, MP signed on behalf of The Bahamas. Also present on the Bahamian side was Ministry of Tourism, Aviation and Investments Permanent Secretary Reginald Saunders and Foreign Ministry Permanent Secretary Luther Smith and Director General Jerusa Ali. Present for the Americans was US Embassy Charge d’ Affaires Usha Pitts and Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner of Field Affairs for the US Department of Customs and Border Protection, Diane J. Sabatino.

In his remarks, Minister Mitchell noted the Bahamas’ longstanding partnership with the US saying, “The Government and people of The Bahamas renew our commitment to further strengthening our relations, securing ease of access between both countries.” The renewed Agreement allows Bahamians to continue to enjoy visa free access to the United States by travelling on their police record. It ensures that Bahamians have ease of departure and provides for a mechanism to roster additional US Preclearance officers to facilitate peak demand periods thereby minimizing the processing time in the Preclearance facility. All of this to ensure ease of connection upon arrival in their US destination.