The Bahamas is well-known tourist spot where people go to get away from the hustle and bustle of real life. Some people just decide to stay and make their living in the warm climate. Most expats who move to the Bahamas do so in order to get involved in the tourism industry, start their own business or work in financial services. Many just move here to get away from city living because life in the Bahamas is easy and the paperwork is kept to a minimum. Check out our easy-to-follow guide to Barbados.
- Expat Clubs
- Schools
- Local News Sources
- Country Information
- Resident and Work visa information
- How to get a driving license
- Where to live and about the accomodation types
- Healthcare information including Hospitals and Insurance
Expat Clubs
There are expats in the Bahamas that communicate online through websites such as ExpatWoman.com. There are organizations in the country that foster community service and most importantly meet other expats.
Nassau Hash House Harriers
This is a group of expats who meet up on a regualr basis and there only requiment for joing the group? You best be up for a good time!
Runs set on Sundays at 4pm in 'Winter' and Mondays 6:30pm in Summer. Walkers also welcome.
Website: http://www.nassauh3.com/
The Bahamas National Trust
This organization accepts members and donations from the community. They aim to preserve and conserve historical places and the natural beauty of the Bahamas.
Address: P. O. Box N-4105, The Retreat, Village Road, Nassau, Bahamas
Tel: +1 242 393 1317
Fax: +1 242 393 4978
Toll Free: +1 866 978 4838
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.bnt.bs/home
Bahamas Humane Society
The Bahamas Humane Society is a non-profit organization, comprised of a compassionate team, dedicated to promote the humane treatment of animal and prevent cruelty to animals through continuous education. Membership proceeds go directly to the operations of the center.
Address: Dunmore Avenue in Chippingham. P.O.Box N-242, Nassau, Bahamas
Tel: +1 242 323 5138, +1 242 325 6742
Fax: +1 242 356 2659
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.bahamashumanesociety.com
International Schools
Lucaya International School
The school was founded in 1998 by island parents wishing to build a school that offered an international curriculum.
Curriculum: PYP, IGCSE, International Baccalaureate
Address: Chesapeake Drive, Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas
Tel: +1 242 373 4004
Fax: +1 242 373 6510
Email: [email protected]
Website: lucayainternationalschool.com
Lyford Cay International School
Lyford Cay International School is an independent, non-denominational day school offering a high standard Nursery through Grade 12 education. The school is authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization to teach the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program and Middle Years program and is completing the authorization process to teach the Primary Years Program (and in the interim we are teaching the PYP). Additionally we are accredited by the Council of International Schools and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
Curriculum: PYP, International Baccalaureate
Address: Lyford Cay Drive, PO Box N-7776, Nassau, Bahamas
Tel: +1 242 362 4774
Fax: +1 242 362 5198
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.lcis.bs
St Andrew's School - The International School of The Bahamas
St Andrew's has high academic standards and holds internationally accredited status with both the Council of International Schools and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. St Andrew's was the first school in the Bahamas to be authorised to offer the International Baccalaureate Organisation's Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the Pre-University IB Diploma curriculum.
Curriculum: PYP, International Baccalaureate
Address: PO Box EE 17340, Nassau, New Providence
Tel: +1 242 324 2621, +1 242 324 2622, +1 242 677 7800
Fax: +1 242 324 0816
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.st-andrews.com
Local News in English
The Bahamas Journal
This is an English language news site that delivers local stories, business and editorials.
Website: www.jonesbahamas.com
The Nassau Guardian
The newspaper dates back to 1844. With its online site, they bring news updates and stories on relevant local issues, business, sports and lifestyle.
Website: www.thenassauguardian.com
Country Information
Location: Central America
Capital City: Nassau
Other Important Cities:
Currency: Dollar ( BSD )
Language: English
Calling Code: +1-242
Internet TLD: .br
Electricity: The Bahamas runs on 120V 60Hz similar to the US and Canada. There are two power companies supplying electricity: Bahamas Electricity Corporation provides power to the entire island except the Grand Bahama, which is power separately by Grand Bahama Power Company.
Bahamas Electricity Corporation
Address: PO Box-N7509, Nassau, N.P., Bahamas
Website: www.bahamaselectricity.com
Grand Bahama Power Company
Address: Pioneers Way & East Mall Drive, P.O. Box F-40888, Freeport, Grand Bahama
Tel: +1 242 350 8900
Fax: +1 242 351 8008
24 Hour Call Center: +1 242 352 8411
Website: www.gb-power.com/en/home/default.aspx
Emergency Numbers:
Ambulance: 919
Fire: 919
Police: 919
Country Information
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahamas
Embassy Information
http://embassy.goabroad.com/embassies-in/bahamas
Residents Visa and Work Permit information
Foreigners wishing to travel to The Bahamas for vacation and/or for business may require to visa for entry into the country. Be sure to check the Visa Requirements for Foreign Visitors to The Bahamas to determine the visa requirements for your country. Visa applications should be done at embassies or consulates in your home or host country.
Documents Required
- Valid Passport - All visa applicants must be in possession of a valid passport, with more than 6 months remaining, and a return ticket.
- 2 passport photos on white background
- A job letter/business licence
- An original bank reference letter/statement
- Police report
- Hotel/Cruise itinerary
- Flight itinerary/ticket copy
- Copy of conference/invitation letter
- Copies of previously held visas
- Copy of Children’s Birth Certificate to prove parental relations
- Copy of a valid work permit (for Companies applying for a foreigner to take up employment in The Bahamas)
- All foreign marriage, birth, and death certificate submitted in support of a visa application must be legalised/Apostilled in the country of origin before submission
- Valid US visa (for Foreigners who wish to visit The Bahamas via cruise ship from the USA)
For more information please visit the Bahamas’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration site.
Accommodation
Expats will find that there are a lot of choices when it comes to accommodation in the Bahamas. Made up of several islands, housing options will not be a problem. Nassau, on New Providence Island and Freeport on Grand Bahama, are the two big cities in the Bahamas. There are a lot of hotels in the Bahamas where you can stay for an initial period, before you choose the area in which you will live.
There are a few real estate agencies in the Bahamas that deal in sales and rentals. It’s a good idea to engage an agency, unless you know someone who is willing to rent their property to your privately. English is widely spoken in the Bahamas so communication is not a big deal. Expats can choose to live in an apartment or apartment complex, condo, townhouse, fourplex, duplex or half duplex. Prices vary and it is always a great idea to buy, you will always regain your losses either with holiday rentals or resale. A beachfront 3-4 bedroom house in Nassau will set you back around USD15 000. This is one of the pricier options, but it is your own slice of paradise.
Driving License
Non Bahamian Transfer Drivers License Form
Foreigners in the Bahamas can transfer their driving licenses at the relevant government department in the Bahamas. Before you can apply for permission to drive in the Bahamas you must present an approved Immigration status in the form of a residency certificate or work permit.
Documents needed:
- Original and photocopy of passport
- Original and photocopy of driving license
- Original and photocopy of your residency certificate
Download the form here>>
Healthcare
The Bahamas has an excellent healthcare system. Well-equipped hospitals and highly trained staff ensures that the quality of medical services are well above standard. Public and private medical facilities are available on across the islands. Routine vaccinations before travelling are recommended. There are no national health insurance schemes that expats can enroll; a private health insurance is advisable.
Insurance Companies
Bahama Health
This insurance company is under the belt of Family Guardian Insurance Company. They offer individual and employer-sponsored group coverage including medical, dental and vision.
Address: Family Guardian Financial Centre, East Bay & Church Streets, P.O. Box SS-19079, Nassau, Bahamas
Tel: +1 242 396 1300
Fax: +1 242 396 1301, +1 242 396 1302
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.bahamahealth.com
Colina
A health plan with Colina offers access to one of the largest overseas health networks and the best medical care that you will find in The Bahamas and throughout North America.
Address: 308 East Bay Street, P. O. Box N-4728, Nassau, Bahamas
Tel: +1 242 396 2100
Fax: +242 393 1710
Website: www.colina.com
Hospitals - Public
The Public Hospitals Authority
The Public Hospitals Authority is recognized as one of the best healthcare systems in the Caribbean, earning praise for being the provider and employer of choice for the people that live and visit The Bahamas.
Address:
Tel: + 242 502 1420
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.corp.phabahamas.org
Prince Margaret Hospital
The Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) is a non-profit publicly funded facility built in 1952. The Princess Margaret Hospital is a comprehensive Healthcare System, providing primary, secondary and tertiary health services. It is the premier referral centre in the country, acclaimed for its Neonatal Intensive Care capacity, and with a level one Trauma Centre.
Address: Shirley Street, Nassau, Bahamas
Tel: +1 242 322 2861
Website: www.pmh.phabahamas.org
Grand Bahama Health Services
Grand Bahama Health Services is an institution of the Public Hospitals Authority located on the Island of Grand Bahama, the industrial capital of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. It is a local healthcare system comprised of the Rand Memorial Hospital and ten (10) outlying Community Health Clinics. They have specialist services including pediatrics, surgical, gynecology and oncology among others.
Address: East Mall Drive, P.O. Box F-40071, Freeport, Grand Bahama, the Bahamas
Tel: +1 242 350 6700
Fax: +1 242 352 6162
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.phabahamas.org
Hospitals - Private
Doctor’s Hospital
The facility provides primary specialty and subspecialty care both on an in-patient and out-patient basis, including acute care, emergency, medical, surgical, obstetric, laboratory services and the latest in imaging technology. Doctors Hospital features a three-room operating suite, eight-bed intensive care unit, the latest diagnostic equipment including CAT scan, nuclear medicine, X-ray, ultrasound, mammography, MRI, full scale clinical laboratory, rehabilitation services department, and a maternity wing equipped with a newborn nursery.
Address: #1 Collins Avenue & Shirley Street, P.O. Box N 3018, Nassau, Bahamas
Tel: +1 242 302 4600
Fax: +1 242 322 3284
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.doctorshosp.com/index.php
The Walk-In Clinic
The Walk-In Clinic was pioneer in the low cost health care within the private sector and also saw the need to be accessible to the general public by extending hours from 7am to 10pm daily, including weekends and holidays. No appointment necessary. It is also equipped with qualified doctors, registered nurses and pharmacists, certified laboratory technicians and imaging personnel.
They have three branches:
Collins Avenue Clinic
Address: 35 Collins Ave, Nassau
Tel: +1 242 328 0783
Fax: +1 242 356 9825
Email: [email protected]
Carmichael Road Clinic
Address: East of Faith Ave. Carmichael Road, Nassau
Tel: +1 242 341 1177
Fax: +1 242 461 1126
Email: [email protected]
Sandyport Clinic
Address: Sandyport, Nassau
Tel: +1 242 327 5483
Fax: +1 242 327 5492
Email: [email protected]
