Bahamas - Apply for Work Permit Form

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Procedure

Apply In-Person

1. To Apply for a Work Permit the applicant must submit an application form to the Department of Immigration.
2. Visit the following link for Contact Details:Contact Link.
3. The Applicant can download the Form from the following link: Form Link.
4. Complete the application form with all details.
5. After filling in all the details Notarize completed form, affixing a BS$10.00 stamp.
6. Submit the completed and notarized form along with the supporting documents as mentioned in the “Required Documents” section to the Department of Immigration.
7. The Applicant should contact the Inquiries Unit @ 502-0550 within a 3 to 4-week period for an update of the progress of the application.
8. The applicant can process application for notice of Vacancies in the following situations:
   • Normal Circumstances or
   • Special Circumstances
9. Application Process for Notice of Vacancies (Normal Circumstances)
   • Employers must publicise the post opening for three (3) days in one of the daily publications.
   • In order to submit a NOV application for consideration, the employer must send a copy of the advertisement, a payment receipt, and picture identification to the Department of Labour (DOL).
   • For consideration, the application is sent to the Director of Labour.
   • The employer must produce a copy of the receipt if the application is granted in order for the Labour Certificate (LC) to be issued. According to the First Schedule (Regulation 3) of the Immigration Act Chapter 191 Statute Laws of The Bahamas, the approved LC must be included to the application for a work visa.
   • If the application is declined, the DOL's Employment Exchange Unit (EEU) will search its database for qualified job searchers to fit the position vacancy within 4–6 weeks.
   • If the EEU finds eligible candidates for the open post, interviews with the employer will be conducted for those who wish to be considered for the position.
   • The NOV application will be resubmitted to the Director of Labour for approval if the EEU cannot find a qualified applicant.
   • After reconsidering the application, the Director of Labour may issue the LC in accordance with the Government's Policy on designating an understudy and reviewing the employer's established training programme to ensure knowledge transfer.
   • If the application is declined after reconsideration, the employer is given an EX – 1 form.
10. Application Process for Notice of Vacancies (Special Circumstances)
    • Employers must publicise the post opening for three (3) days in one of the daily publications. All advertisements that may require a Labour Certificate should include the Department of Labour’s phone numbers.
    • If no appropriately qualified Bahamian responds to the advertisement or is interviewed for the position but is not hired, the employer must write to the Minister requesting that the FTP be considered.
    • For the vacant post, the Employer must supply the applicable job description/outline and/or specifications. The Employer must also give documentation of the interview, as well as reasons why the Bahamians who were interviewed for the open post were not chosen to fill it.
    • Due diligence shall be carried out by the Department of Labour to guarantee that there are no qualified Bahamian job seekers to fill the vacant post.
    • If the Department of Labour identifies suitable Bahamian job seekers to fill the post, the necessary information on the job seekers will be provided to the employer, who will consider these candidates to fill the vacant post.
    • The Department of Labour will conduct due diligence to ensure that there are no competent Bahamian job seekers to replace the vacant position.
    • If the Department of Labour identifies qualified Bahamian job seekers to fill the position, the employer will be given the appropriate information on the job seekers, who will be considered for the position.
    • The Labour Certificate will be issued by the Department of Labour within two working days of the NOV application being submitted.
      

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Required Documents

• $200.00 non-refundable processing fee (payable by cash, credit/debit card, postal money order or bank certified cheque)
• Letter of Request addressed to the Director of Immigration
• Duly completed First Schedule Form 1application with $10.00 Bahamian postage stamp affixed thereon (legible and notarized)
• Applicant’s original medical certificate (dated not earlier than 30 days before submission of the application. Required for every applicant)
• Applicant’s original police certificate (issued not earlier than six months and must cover five years of residence; required of applicants 14 years old and over)
• Two current passport photographs of applicant on white background with name printed on back of photo (captured within six months of application date; photo size must be 2 X 2 inches)
• Copy of the biographical data page of Applicant’s Current passport (must be signed and readable with minimum of two months’ validity)
• Copy of biographical data page of Employer/Sponsor’s current passport (if employer is a non-Bahamian, evidence of immigration status is also required)
• Labour Certificate with Notification of Vacancy from the Department of Labour-Bahamas.
• Nationally circulated newspaper advertisements (must be advertised for three consecutive days)
• Two written references from previous employers (provide telephone contacts and email addresses)
• Letter of release from applicant’s previous employer of (if applicable)
• Copy of Valid Business License, Certificate of Incumbency or Certificate of Incorporation of Employer/Sponsor
• Copy of Employer/Sponsor’s National Insurance Card/Certificate
  

Additional Documents Required by Certain Companies (Please Inquire):

• Certified copies of qualifications in relation to post being applied for
• Staff list comprising of each employee’s name, position and nationality
• Name of Bahamian understudy for position being applied for
• Entertainers must have letter of authorization from The Bahamas Musician & Entertainers Union
• Doctors must have letter of authorization from The Bahamas Medical Council
• Nurses must have letter of authorization from The Bahamas Nursing Council
• Dentists must have letter of authorization from The Bahamas Dental Council
• Pharmacists must have letter of authorization from The Bahamas Pharmacy Council
• Accountants must have letter of authorization from The Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants
• Attorneys must have letter of authorization from The Bahamas Bar Association
• Veterinarians require a Valid Temporary Veterinary Registration from Bahamas Department of Agriculture
• Pilots must have a license or letter of authorization from Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA)
  

Office Locations & Contacts

Immigration, Department of Foreign Affairs,
Ministry of Hawkins Hill
P. O. Box N-831
Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (242) - 322-8504
322-7530
Fax: (242) - 326-0977
Contact Details Link

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: [email protected]
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) 699-0067/9
Fax:(242) 699-0888
Email: [email protected]
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Department of Immigration,
Treasure Cay,Abaco,
The Bahamas.
Tel:(242) 365-8367
Email: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
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:[email protected]
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:[email protected]
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: [email protected]
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:[email protected]
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:[email protected] 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:[email protected]
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:[email protected]
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:[email protected]
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,Bahamas.
Vibe:(242) 602-9700
Fax:(242) 602-9758
Email: [email protected]
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Department of Immigration
Airport,Grand Bahama,
Bahamas.
Tel:(954) 654-7052
Vibe:(242) 225-8660

Email:[email protected]
Opening hours:9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Inagua
Department of Immigration
Airport,Inagua,Bahamas.
Tel:(242) 336-1602
Email:[email protected]
Opening hours:9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Department of Immigration
Office,Inagua,
Bahamas.
Tel:(242) 339-1234
Vibe:(242) 225-9701
Email:[email protected]
Opening hours:9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Department of Immigration
Customs,Inagua,
Bahamas.
Tel:(242) 339-1254
Email:[email protected]
Opening hours:9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

San Salvador
Department of Immigration
Office,San Salvador,
Bahamas.
Tel:(242) 331-2100
Fax:(242) 339-2431 or 331-2431
Email:[email protected]
Opening hours:9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Eligibility

Any non-Bahamian who wishes to work in The Bahamas is eligible to apply.

Fees

There is a non-refundable processing fee of BS$200.00.

Validity

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to Use

Application Form Link.

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

Once the actual application has been accurately and completely submitted, applicant should contact the Consultation Unit at 604-0241/2 within 3 to 4 week period for an update of the process of the application.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
Attach videos using the following tag <&video type='website'>video ID|width|height<&/video&> from external websites.
Please remove the '&' inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver,
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is displayed.
e.gIn the following url 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M' Video ID is 'Y0US7oR_t3M'.

Instructions

Please provide other instructions related to the certificate/documents.
e.g. The state office holds birth records since january 1908.

Required Information

• Name of the applicant
• Place of birth
• Date of birth
• Present nationality / previous nationality
• Particulars of any change of name
• Home address
• Single, married, divorced
• Full name of wife/husband
• Nationality of wife/husband
• Particulars of children under 18 years of age
• Profession or occupation particulars of income while in the Bahamas
• Particulars of passport (number, place and date of issue).
• Financial reference whether accompanied by wife/husband whether accompanied by children
• Date of first arrival in the Bahamas date of arrival in the Bahamas in relation to the present application local addres particulars of previous employment in the Bahamas:
  
• Particulars of employment elsewhere
• Purpose for entering the Bahamas
• Particulars of salary, commissions, etc. Or other benefits to be received)
• Schools attended
• Public examinations taken and results while at school
• University or higher education center attended
• Public examinations taken and results while at university or higher education center
• Qualifications held (eg. Degree, certificate, etc. With dates awarded)
• Health condition.
• Serious illness, operation or injuries if any
• Vaccination done
• In what countries have you lived in the past three years, and where have you been staying in the past two weeks?
• Have you been convicted of an offence? (to include convictions in any country, and to include all convictions relating to traffic offences.) State yes or no
• Full details of the offence(s), the penalty, the court in which you were convicted and the date.
  

Employer's information sheet to be filled by Employer.

• Place of employment
• Telephone contact/cell spouse
• Postal address
• Number of children in the household
• Detailed directions & description of home address:
• Living arrangements for proposed employee:
• Willing to be responsible for(a) housing for employee's children / spouse.
  

Need for the Document

It is required for persons who wish to work in Bahamas.

Information which might help

Only Renewal of Long-Term Work Permits and Permit to Reside applications can be applied Online through the portal. For all other permit types, they must be applied in person at the Immigration Office.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

• Website Link
  
• Website Link
  

Others

Any non-Bahamian national wishing to work in the Bahamas for a period longer than 90 days, should apply for a long term work permit / visa. For long term work permits, a Labour Certificate (with Notice of Vacancy (NOV)) is required from the Department of Labour.

In the following conditions, the Fast Track Protocol (FTP) will be used to expedite the application process when employers are looking to fill available positions and potential job seekers are needed:

• International Job Seeker contractual engagement must be confirmed expeditiously
• International Job Seeker is required for a limited time
• International Job Seeker is required for a special project for a limited duration with the understanding that no extensions will be granted