Work Permit (New)

Summary

The Department of Immigration says any non-Bahamian who wants to work in The Bahamas for more than 90 days must be authorized through a valid work permit. If the work will last up to 90 days, the applicant should use the short-term work permit path instead.

Main Requirements

• BSD $200.00 non-refundable processing fee
• Letter of request addressed to the Director of Immigration
• First Schedule Form 1 with a BSD $10.00 Bahamian postage stamp, legible and notarized
• Original medical certificate dated within 30 days of submission
• Original police certificate issued within six months and covering five years of residence for applicants age 14 and older
• Two current passport photographs
• Signed and readable passport bio page copy for the applicant
• Passport bio page copy for the employer or sponsor
• Labour Certificate with Notification of Vacancy from the Department of Labour
• Newspaper advertisements run for three consecutive days
• Two written references from previous employers
• Valid business licence, certificate of incumbency, or certificate of incorporation for the employer or sponsor
• Employer or sponsor NIB card or certificate

Additional Official Notes

• Accompanying dependents should use the Permit to Reside process.
• Some professions require extra authorization letters, including doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, accountants, attorneys, veterinarians, and pilots.
• Foreign-issued documents must be properly verified by apostille or legalization and then authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before submission.

Labour Certificate Note

The Department says labour certificates and newspaper advertisements are important because they help determine the employment prospects of suitably qualified Bahamians.

The page also states that effective September 1, 2025, all Immigration Fee Scale 8 annual work permit applications must be accompanied by a Labour Certificate for new permits and renewals, and every two years thereafter.

Processing Time

The Department says applicants should contact the Consultation Unit at 604-0241 within 8 to 12 weeks after accurate and complete submission.

When To Escalate To A Human

• You are not sure whether the job should be treated as short-term or long-term.
• You cannot obtain the labour certificate, advertisement evidence, or industry authorization letter.
• The applicant is already in The Bahamas and you do not know whether first-instance restrictions apply.
• Apostille, legalization, or foreign-document authentication is missing or unclear.