Embassy of the United States Nassau, Bahamas

IMPORTANT NOTICE - U.S. Embassy Announces New Visa Services Procedures Beginning in March

 The U.S. Embassy in Nassau will be transitioning to a new web-based visa appointment system on March 11, 2013, that will affect all nonimmigrant visa applicants throughout the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.   There will be no fee increase as a result of these changes. 

However, as of March 7, scratch cards and PIN numbers currently required to make a visa appointment will be phased out and will no longer be valid.  The U.S. Embassy strongly advises all visa applicants who have purchased a scratch card but have not scheduled an appointment, to use it to schedule an appointment before the card expires on March 7, 2013.

Visa applicants who plan to apply for a visa on March 11, 2013 or after should wait to use the new web-based system. Specific details on the new web-based U.S. visa application and payment system will be announced prior to the official launch on March 11, 2013.  The implementation of this new system is part of our efforts to continually improve our services for our visa applicants.

General Information

Unless exempt from visa requirements (see Travel Without a Visa below), most persons require a visa to travel to the United States.  There are over fifty different kinds or "classifications" of non-immigrant visas to the United States. Many have different requirements and provide different benefits – some allow a visitor to study or to work, while others do not.

The classification of visa depends on what the traveler intends to do in the United States. Therefore, all applicants should have a clear idea of their purpose of travel to the United States before they apply for a visa and be prepared to explain that purpose at the visa interview.

Please click on "Types of U.S. Visas" for details of various visa classifications.

Persons who wish to schedule an appointment to apply for a visa at Embassy Nassau should click on the link "How To Apply for a Visa" and then carefully read and follow the instructions.  Persons who are neither citizens nor residents of The Bahamas or the Turks or Caicos Islands should read our advisory (PDF 94 KB) to learn about restrictions on applications by persons who are not from the Nassau Consular District.

Travel Without A Visa

Citizens of certain countries may travel to the United States without visas in certain circumstances. 

• Citizens of Canada, Mexico and Bermuda
• Citizens of The Bahamas (PDF 64 KB)
• Citizens of the Turks and Caicos Islands (PDF 65 KB)
• Citizens of countries participating in the Visa Waiver
• Program

Tickets and Travel Plans

Each applicant’s eligibility for a visa is determined once an application is made.  There is no guarantee in advance that a visa will be issued.  Although tentative travel plans may be useful, the Embassy recommends visa applicants NOT purchase tickets prior to receiving a visa.  A visa cannot be issued simply because the applicant has already purchased tickets.

Important Links

• Issues/Complaints About Immigration (CBP) Entry to the United States
• Emergency Visa Appointments (PDF 66 KB) What Does the Visa Expiration Date Mean
• How Long Can I Stay in the U.S.  and What if I Need to Stay Longer
• Visa Appointments for Large Groups (PDF 48 KB)
• Complaints and difficulties relating to Exchange Visitor Programs (PDF 39 KB)
• Visa Ineligibilities