Your first 90 days in Bahamas: the arrival checklist
The visa got you in — this is what turns you into a functioning resident: the registration clock, the ID number everything else depends on, and the money, healthcare, and license steps in the order they actually unlock. Each step links the official source so you can verify the current rule.
Checked against official sources · September 2026 · how we verify
The catch that burns new arrivals
Annual residence permits are exactly that — annual, discretionary, and renewed at the department's pleasure rather than by right. Do not build a life plan on a permit that has to be re-granted every twelve months; if you intend to stay, start the permanent-residence route early.
The checklist, in the order it unlocks
Lodge the Annual Residence Permit, Permanent Residence, or BEATS extended-stay application with the Department of Immigration
Before the visitor stamp expires — typically up to 8 months at the officer's discretion, but the permit application should be in well before
The Department of Immigration is strict about the homeowner's card and permanent-residence routes being tied to a real property purchase, and the file wants a police certificate, medical certificate, bank reference and character references. Processing is measured in months, not weeks.
Get your NIB number (National Insurance Board)
The Bahamas has no personal income tax, so the NIB number is the identifier used for employment, contributions and much routine identification.
Registered at a National Insurance Board office with your permit and passport; there is no income-tax registration because there is no income tax. Businesses register separately for VAT.
Open a bank account
Commonwealth Bank, RBC and Scotiabank open accounts for permit holders, but onboarding is genuinely heavy — the Bahamas has spent a decade rebuilding its compliance reputation and it shows in the document list. A homeowner's card or residence permit makes the difference between a routine opening and a refusal.
Enrol in healthcare
Public care runs through Princess Margaret Hospital in Nassau and the National Health Insurance scheme's primary-care benefit; the private Doctors Hospital handles most expatriate care. Anything complex is a flight to Florida, which is close but expensive — evacuation cover belongs in the policy.
Sort your driver's license
A valid foreign licence can be used for up to three months; residents then take a Bahamian licence through the Road Traffic Department, which involves a written and practical test for most applicants. Driving is on the left, but most cars are US left-hand-drive imports — that combination is the local hazard.
Deadlines and requirements vary by nationality, visa type, and region, and they change — this is information current as of 2026, not legal or immigration advice. Verify each step with the official source before you rely on it.
Moving to Bahamas?
Add your email for new Bahamas guides and a heads-up when the arrival rules or figures change. We never file anything ourselves.
Information only, not legal advice — we never file anything with any government. Requirements change; verify with the official source or a licensed immigration advisor before you apply.
First 90 days in Bahamas: FAQ
What do I have to do first after arriving in Bahamas?
Lodge the Annual Residence Permit, Permanent Residence, or BEATS extended-stay application with the Department of Immigration — Before the visitor stamp expires — typically up to 8 months at the officer's discretion, but the permit application should be in well before. The Department of Immigration is strict about the homeowner's card and permanent-residence routes being tied to a real property purchase, and the file wants a police certificate, medical certificate, bank reference and character references. Processing is measured in months, not weeks. Verify the current rule with the official source before you rely on it.
What is the NIB number and do I need one?
NIB number (National Insurance Board) is Bahamas's personal tax/ID number. The Bahamas has no personal income tax, so the NIB number is the identifier used for employment, contributions and much routine identification. Registered at a National Insurance Board office with your permit and passport; there is no income-tax registration because there is no income tax. Businesses register separately for VAT.
Can I drive in Bahamas on a US license?
A valid foreign licence can be used for up to three months; residents then take a Bahamian licence through the Road Traffic Department, which involves a written and practical test for most applicants. Driving is on the left, but most cars are US left-hand-drive imports — that combination is the local hazard. Rules differ by nationality and change — check the official source before the window closes.
How do I get healthcare after moving to Bahamas?
Public care runs through Princess Margaret Hospital in Nassau and the National Health Insurance scheme's primary-care benefit; the private Doctors Hospital handles most expatriate care. Anything complex is a flight to Florida, which is close but expensive — evacuation cover belongs in the policy. See our healthcare-systems guide for how Bahamas's system treats foreign residents.