Travel Advisory for the United Kingdom

18 June 2025                               UNITED KINGDOM – TRAVEL ADVISORY

SUMMARY

Exercise caution when travelling to the United Kingdom. This advisory contains important information regarding entry requirements, border screening, and other essential travel information for Bahamian citizens visiting the United Kingdom.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Bahamian citizens do not need a visa for short stays (tourism) in the UK. However, as of 8th January 2025, they require an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for travel to the UK.

By Air: – A valid passport and an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

By Sea: – A valid passport and an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

You need to apply for an ETA in advance of your travel to the UK. You must travel on the passport used for your ETA application. More information found here. The UKVI ETA app can be downloaded here.

You do not need an ETA if:

  • you are transiting through an airport in the UK without passing border control
  • you are a dual national travelling on your British, Irish, or British Overseas Territories citizen passport
  • you have a visa or permission to live, work or study in the UK
  • you live in Ireland, and you are travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man

Helpful Resource: Visas and Immigration UK

Visa Travel Information

Tourist visa: not required for stays up to 6 months

Business visa or work permit: required

You may need a work permit or visa even if you plan to do:

  • unpaid work
  • volunteer work
  • part time work
  • temporary work

Border Screening

UK Border officials may ask you to show them a return or onward ticket and proof that you have sufficient funds to support yourself for the duration of your stay. If you are unable to do so, or if you seek entry as a visitor but are found with items indicating that you intend to seek any type of employment (such as curriculum vitae or educational certificates), you may be denied entry and expelled from the country.

Similarly, if you seek entry as a visitor and are suspected of planning to reside in the UK for any reason, including having a UK-based partner, you may be denied entry.

You may be asked at the border to prove the relationship between yourself and any children travelling with you, if you do not seem to be the parent, for example if you have a different surname.

You can prove this with:

  • a birth or adoption certificate showing your relationship with the child
  • divorce or marriage certificates if you’re the parent but have a different surname from the child.
  • a letter from the child’s parent giving permission for the child to travel with you and providing contact details, if you’re not the parent.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Race-Related Considerations

As a predominantly Black country (around 90% of the population), Bahamian travellers should be aware that they may experience varying treatment in certain regions of the United Kingdom. While most experiences will be positive, some travellers may encounter bias or discrimination. Exercise situational awareness and familiarise yourself with local customs and expectations. Additional information from the Human Rights Council is available in the most recent report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance here.

Crime

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, is common. Cell phone theft is common in certain tourist areas of London. Vehicle theft and theft from parked vehicles also occurs, particularly in tourist areas and roadside rest areas. Theft is common in restaurants, pubs and bars. Never leave bags or purses hanging on the back of your chair.

Thieves work alone and in groups. They may use various techniques to distract you and steal your belongings.

They are especially active in crowded areas, such as:

  • tourist attractions and busy areas, including Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square
  • airports and public transportation
  • patios and outdoor cafés
  • hotel lobbies
  • underground pedestrian walkways
  • roadside stops

Violent crime

Violent crime, such as mugging, knife crime and sexual assault occurs, particularly in larger cities. There have been incidents of passengers being sexually assaulted and robbed when riding in unlicensed taxis. If ever necessary, use this link to report a crime or incident on the transportation system.

Demonstrations

Demonstrations occur regularly. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. Past violent clashes between protestors and security forces have resulted in assaults, riots, looting and vandalism.

  • Avoid areas where demonstrations, protests and large gatherings are taking place.
  • Expect an increased security force presence in areas where demonstrations are taking place.
  • Follow the instructions of local authorities.
  • Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations.

Terrorism

Please remain aware of the threat of terrorism in Europe. Terrorists have carried out attacks in several European cities. In the United Kingdom, previous attacks have resulted in casualties. They have included random violent incidents in public areas, such as knife and vehicle attacks as well as explosions.

The Government of the United Kingdom maintains a public alert system on terrorism and communicates terrorism and national emergency threat level changes online and through local media. The national terrorism and national emergency threat level is currently 3 (“substantial”) on a scale of 5. A separate threat level for Northern Ireland is currently 4 (“severe”) on a scale of 5. Stay up to date with any changes here.

HEALTH

999 and 112 is the national emergency response service in the UK.

Make sure your routine vaccinations are up to date before you travel, no matter where you’re going. These may include vaccines for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, varicella (chickenpox), meningococcal disease, seasonal flu, and others. COVID-19, measles and polio are relevant travel health risks be extra cautious of while you are travelling.

Person to Person infections

When travelling, you can reduce your risk of getting or spreading respiratory infections, like the flu or COVID-19, by:

  • staying at your accommodation and limiting contact with others if you’re sick
  • wearing a well-fitting mask, especially:

    • if you’re sick and need to be around others 
    • when you’re at large indoor events or in crowded settings, like sporting events, concerts, and airports
  • cleaning your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or using hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol
  • covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow, not your hands

LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You must abide by local laws.

Legal Status and Identity Verification

Your identity document (for example your passport or identity card) will be checked when you arrive at a UK port or airport to make sure you’re allowed to come into the country. It should be valid for the whole of your stay.

Border Control and Restricted Items

You’ll need to show your identity document, such as your passport or national identity card.

You must:

  • have your identity document ready
  • remove your face covering or sunglasses, if you’re wearing them
  • move through passport control together if you’re in a family

There are some goods you cannot bring into the UK – they’ll be seized by customs.

These include:

  • controlled drugs
  • offensive weapons, for example flick knives
  • self-defence sprays, for example pepper spray and CS gas endangered animal and plant species
  • rough diamonds
  • indecent and obscene materials, such as books, magazines, films and DVDs
  • personal imports of meat and dairy products from most non-EU countries

Medications

  • Confirm that your medication is legal according to the UK government.
  • Bring enough medicine to last your entire trip. Mailed prescriptions may be delayed or blocked by British customs.
  • Take your prescription medication in the original labelled packaging.
  • Bring a copy of your doctor’s prescription.

Agricultural and Phytosanitary Products

There are restrictions on bringing meat, dairy, fish and animal products and fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds into Great Britain from abroad.

Meat, dairy, fish and animal products:

You cannot bring meat or meat products, milk or milk-based products, except powdered infant milk, infant food or special food (including pet food) needed for medical reasons.

Fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds:

You cannot bring in most fruit or vegetables unless you have a ‘phytosanitary’ (plant health) certificate for them. You can get a certificate from the plant health authorities in the country you’re leaving.

If you are bringing in any food or animal products protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), you may need to apply for a CITES permit.

Money

The currency of the United Kingdom is the pound sterling (GBP).

If you are carrying £10,000 or more, or the equivalent in other currencies, you must make a declaration to customs when you enter or leave the United Kingdom.

Natural Disasters and Climate Change

Climate change is affecting the United Kingdom. Extreme and unusual weather events are becoming more frequent and may affect your travel plans. Monitor local news to stay informed on the current situation.

Contact(s) for Overseas Offices

The Ministry encourages all Bahamians who are travelling or living abroad to register here.

If you are in urgent need of consular assistance, please visit The Bahamas High Commission London website or this email: consularcrisis@bahamas.gov.bs.

Last updated 18 June 2025.