Applying for a Resident Spouse Permit

Foreigners who are married to Bahamian nationals may be eligible for a Resident Spouse Permit. This permit allows spouses of Bahamians to legally live and work in The Bahamas, provided that they live with their Bahamian spouse and have been married for less than five years, at time of application. Please note that once five years of marriage have passed, the non-Bahamian spouse may apply for extension of Resident Spouse Permit citizenship or permanent residency.

Applicants must be:

• Married to a Bahamian national for less than 5 years (persons married for 5 years or more may apply for citizenship), PR Extension of the Resident Spouse Permit
• Living together as husband and wife.

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1. Complete application form.
2. Write and sign letter of request, addressed to the Director of Immigration.
3. Attach all of the supporting documents to the letter of request.
4. Submit application and fees to the Department of Immigration.

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First Schedule Form I,A – Same form is used for Extension of Resident Spouse Permit also available at the Department of Immigration’s offices

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• A letter of request addressed to the Director of Immigration, and signed by the Bahamian spouse, informing of the spouse’s name and how long the couple has been married. For first time
• A copy of the bio-data page of the applicant’s passport.
• Bahamian spouse’s passport.
• 2 passport-sized identical colour photographs of the applicant, with the applicant’s name printed on the reverse side (photographs must not be more than 6 months old).
• A police certificate of character covering 5 years of residence, issued not more than 6 months prior to the submission of the application.
• An original certified copy of the marriage certificate.
• A medical certificate dated not more than 30 days prior to the submission of the application.
• For extension Resident Spouse Permit request letters must clearly indidcate its for an extension.

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Once the actual application has been accurately and completely submitted, applicant should contact the Inquiries Unit @ 502-0550 for an update of the status of the application within a 3 to 4 week period

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There is no deadline for this service.

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• There is a non-refundable processing fee of BS$100.00.
• Once the application has been approved, the applicant must pay an additional BS$250.00.

Please note that all funds are payable via cash or certified / bank manager’s cheque payable to the Treasury.

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To access more information or to apply, please contact the Department of Immigration at the locations outlined below.

New Providence

Department of Immigration
Hawkins Hill
P. O. Box N-831
Nassau
New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 322-7530/9
Fax.(242) 326-0977
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Abaco

Department of Immigration
Marsh Harbour Airport
Abaco
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 361-5000, 367-2536 / 2675, or 365-8604
Fax.(242) 367-4955
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Department of Immigration
Walkers Cay
Abaco
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 352-5252
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Andros

Department of Immigration
Fresh Creek
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 368-2031
Vibe. (242) 225-9382
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Department of Immigration
North Andros
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 329-4466
Vibe. (242) 225-9208
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Bimini

Department of Immigration
Alice Town Office
Alice Town
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 347-3446
Vibe. (242) 225-2406
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Berry Island

Department of Immigration
Great Harbour Cay
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 367-8112 or (242) 368-2031
Fax. (242) 367-8567
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Eleuthera

Department of Immigration
Rock Sound
Eleuthera
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 334-2055
Fax.(242) 335-1858
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Department of Immigration
Government Harbour
Eleuthera
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 332-2576
Vibe. (242) 225-9788
Fax. (242) 332-3771
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Department of Immigration
Airport
Eleuthera
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 332-2604
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Department of Immigration
North Eleuthera
Eleuthera
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 335-1124
Vibe. (242) 225-2408 / 9162
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Exuma

Department of Immigration
Exuma
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 336-2569
Vibe.(242) 225-1349
Fax.(242) 336-3569
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Department of Immigration
Airport
Exuma
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 345-0073
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Grand Bahama

Department of Immigration
Main Office
Freeport
Grand Bahama,
The Bahamas
Tel. (954) 654-7137
Vibe. (242) 225-8768
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Department of Immigration
Airport
Grand Bahama
The Bahamas
Tel. (954) 654-7052
Vibe. (242) 225-8660
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Inagua

Department of Immigration
Airport
Inagua
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 336-1602
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Department of Immigration
Office
Inagua
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 339-1234
Vibe.(242) 225-9701
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Department of Immigration
Customs
Inagua
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 339-1254
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

San Salvador

Department of Immigration
Office
San Salvador
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 331-2100
Fax.(242) 339-2431 or 331-2431
Email: immigration@bahamas.gov.bs
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

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