Permits & Licences

All dogs (three months and over) in The Bahamas should have a dog licence. This licence can be issued annually or on a periodic basis. There is a penalty of BS$40.00 for any unlicensed dog.

The Commonwealth of The Bahamas welcomes International Investors who wish to establish a business in The Bahamas.

All businesses are required to be licensed under the Business Licence Bill 2010. Non-Bahamians applying to conduct a specific Business in the Bahamas for a period of time are required to apply for a Temporary Business Licence.

An Occupancy Certificate is required for all new construction, additions, alterations and sheds where the owner desires to occupy any building.

A Permit to Acquire Property is required by all non-Bahamians acquiring an interest in land if the property is undeveloped land with two or more adjoining acres. A Permit is also required if the intended use is not as an owner-occupied property.

A Sport Fishing Permit is a licence granted to authorize foreign-owned vessels to be engaged in sport fishing exercises while in Bahamian waters.

A Sport Fishing Tournament Licence is granted to authorize the hosting of a sport fishing event or tournament within the waters of The Bahamas.

Any premises to be used for the public performance of plays and showing of films must be granted a licence by The Bahamas Plays and Films Control Board.

All licences granted for the use of premises for the public performance of plays and showing of films remain in force for one year or such shorter period as specified in the licence

The Plays and Cinemas Control Board may transfer any licence granted to any person to another person on the application of that person or the holder of the licence.

Persons, including Bahamians and Non-Bahamians, who are interested in constructing a new building, effecting any improvement in or repairs or alterations to an existing building or use or change the use of an existing building,

The Department of Immigration maintains a “Restricted List”, which contains the names of persons who must seek special permission to enter the Bahamas. These are typically persons who would have been deported or removed from the Bahamas.

The Commonwealth of The Bahamas welcomes International Inventors who wish to establish a business in The Bahamas. From time to time, the Government of The Bahamas offers targeted investment incentives for particular types of projects.

Non-Bahamian nationals who are desirous of living and working in the Bahamas must seek authorization from the Department of Immigration to do so. This comes in the form of a Residence Permit.

Non-Bahamian nationals who are desirous of living for any purpose other than working in the Bahamas, must seek authorization from the Department of Immigration. This comes in the form of a Residence Permit, also commonly

A Dealer / Sub-Dealer licence is required if anyone desires to conduct business in the LPG field with regard to storing, filling, selling or transporting liquefied petroleum gas.

The Bahamas Film and Television Commission provides support and facilitation to production service representatives in and out of The Bahamas, who have film, television and other production projects, which can be executed in The Bahamas.

All businesses are required to be licenced under the Business Licence Bill 2010. A non-Bahamian applying to conduct a specific business in The Bahamas for a period of time is required to apply for a Temporary Business Licence.

Adoption is the permanent legal transfer of parental rights and responsibilities for a child from the natural birth parents to another adult known as the adopter.

The law requires that a birth should be registered within 21 days from its occurrence at the Births and Deaths Section of the Registrar General’s Department.

Bahamians can register their deeds and other legal documents at the Deeds and Documents Registry at the Registrar General’s Department.

Anyone wishing to be married in The Bahamas must first request a licence from the Registrar General’s Department. The legal age of marriage in The Bahamas is 18 years. A marriage licence is valid for three months.

A non-Bahamian or a Permanent Resident, who acquires an interest in a condominium or property to be used by him/her as owner-occupied, or for construction of such a dwelling, must apply to the Secretary to the Investments Board to register the purchase.

Persons, both Bahamians and Non-Bahamians, who have acquired an interest in a time share in The Bahamas must register the interest with the Bahamas Investment Authority (BIA). The interest is to be registered by the Developing Owner of

Any non-Bahamian national wishing to work in The Bahamas for up to 90 days must apply for a short term work permit / visa from the Department of Immigration.