Bahamas - Renew Hotel Licence or Permit

ProcedureEdit

Apply In-Person

To Renew Hotel license or permit, the applicant has to visit any nearest office of the Hotel Licensing Department. The address and contact details can be found in the following Address Details link
Visit the office and get an application form for renewal.
Complete the application form with appropriate information under relevant sections.
After filling the application form, make sure to attach all the documents listed in the “Required documents” section of this page.
Then submit the relevant forms along with the satisfactory Government Agency Inspection reports.
After submission, the Secretary to the Board will make arrangements for a Hotel Licensing Board Meeting, at which your application documents will be presented for review.
The Board will exercise its power to grant, refuse or defer the licence.
If the Hotel Licensing Board decides to grant the licence, the Secretary to will contact you to issue the new Hotel Licence Certificate.

Note: Applications are processed during the following time periods:

During September to December for Nassau, Paradise Island and Grand Bahama Island Hotels
During January to March for Family Island Hotels

Required DocumentsEdit

The following forms and are necessary when applying for a Renewal Licence

Application for Renewal of Licence (Form V) – to be completed in duplicate.
Form IB - Requires particulars on the hotel e.g. name of hotel, name of manager, address, total number of bedrooms etc.
Part 1 Hotel Winter Rates Return (Form X1).
Part 11 Hotel Summer Rates Return (Form X1)

Required Supporting Documents

Investments Board Approval – Applicable to Non-Bahamian entities.
Bahamas Exchange Control Certificate/Central Bank Approval – Applicable to Non-Bahamian entities.
In case of Manager(s), Work Permit or Certificate of Permanent Residence if Non-Bahamian; Proof of Citizenship if Bahamian.
In case of Owner(s), Proof of Nationality.
Proof of Nationality of Beneficial Owner(s)/Key Principal(s) only.
Proof of Ownership of Premises, that is, Deed of Conveyance or Lease Agreement (if not previously submitted or if change of ownership (wholly or in part) transpired and new document was not submitted). In addition, if the hotel is company-owned, Memorandum and Articles of Association, Certificate of Incorporation, Certificate of Incumbency and Proof of Good Standing of company. Where a Management Company exists, provide Management Agreement.
Certificate of Registration (new applicant).
Completed Form XI – (Parts I and II), Hotel Winter/Summer Rates return.
Current Business Licence or, in the case of first applicant, receipt of payment of Current Business Licence.
Copy of Contract/agreement for the servicing of fire equipment by a company approved by the Ministry of Works.
Building Permit (if new property).

Office Locations & ContactsEdit

Hotel Licensing Department,
Nassau Hotel Licensing Department
Ministry of Tourism & Aviation
P. O. Box N-3701
Nassau Court
Nassau
New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 356-5216
Fax: (242) 361-5904

Hotel Licensing Unit, Grand Bahama
Hotel Licensing Unit
Ministry of Tourism & Aviation
Poinciana and the Mall Drive
P. O. Box F-40250
Freeport, Grand Bahama
The Bahamas
Tel. (242)350-8600
Fax. (242) 352-2714

The Grand Bahama Port Authority
Grand Bahama Port Authority Corporate Headquarters
Licensing Department
The Mall Drive
P. O. Box F 42666
Freeport, Grand Bahama
The Bahamas
Tel. (242)350-9054
Fax. (242)351-4169
Contact: Link

EligibilityEdit

To renew your hotel licence, the property must be inspected by the following 4 Government Agencies:

Hotel Licencing Department, Ministry of Tourism
Department of Environmental Health Services, Ministry of Health
Buildings Control Division, Ministry of Works and Utilities
Royal Bahamas Police Force Fire Department

And the following documents must be secured:

A favourable report from the Hotel Licencing Inspector, Ministry of Tourism.
A Certificate of Sanitation from the Department of Environmental Health Services.
An Occupancy Certificate and a favourable report from the Buildings Control Division, Ministry of Works and Utilities.
A favourable report from the Royal Bahamas Police Fire Department.

FeesEdit

Hotel licence fees are paid when applying for renewal of a hotel licence. The hotel licence fees, as provided under section 15 (1) of the Hotels Act, is an annual fee of BS$3.00 (on par with $US), per bedroom.
Hotels on Nassau and Paradise Island with fewer than 10 bedrooms for the use of guests or equipped with fewer than 20 beds for such use are exempt from this fee.
Hotels on Grand Bahama Island (except the city of Freeport) and the Family Islands with fewer than 25 bedrooms or equipped with fewer than 50 beds are also exempt from the payment of this fee.
Cheques for hotel licence fees for hotels on Nassau & Paradise Island are to be made payable to the Public Treasury and submitted to the Chief Licensing Officer, Hotel Licensing Department, Ministry of Tourism, P.O. Box N-3701, Nassau, The Bahamas.
Cheques for hotel licence fees for hotels on Grand Bahama Island (except Freeport) and the Family Islands are to be made payable to the Public Treasury and submitted to the Government Administrator in their District.

ValidityEdit

The renewed permit is valid for one year.

Documents to UseEdit

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Sample DocumentsEdit

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Processing TimeEdit

Turn-around time varies depending on when the application is made.

InstructionsEdit

You must apply for a renewal of your hotel licence no later than three months prior to the expiry date of the licence.

Required InformationEdit

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e.g.
1. Date of Birth.
2. City or Country of Birth.

Need for the DocumentEdit

Hotel owners and operators must renew their hotel licence on an annual basis.

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External LinksEdit

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