Visa Requirements
Do South African citizens need a visa for Bahamas?
Official Requirement
Visa-free
for South Africa citizens travelling to Bahamas
Passport holders from many countries may enter The Bahamas without a visa. Most eligible visitors may stay for up to three months; United States citizens may stay as bona fide visitors for up to eight months.
Checked 26 September 2026
We are not a government authority. Requirements change without notice. Always verify with the official consulate link before travel.
No visa needed for this trip
South Africa passport holders can enter Bahamas for short visits without a visa. Check that your passport stays valid for the whole stay, carry proof of onward travel, and confirm the current entry conditions on the official source before you fly.
Official Bahamas entry requirements →
Nassau
The short answer
South African citizens do not need a visa to enter Bahamas for stays of up to 90 days. No visa is needed before travelling to Bahamas for a short tourist or business visit. Bring a valid travel document, a return or onward ticket and evidence of sufficient funds to be self-sustaining during the stay, which may be requested. Conditions: immigration states that a visitor may remain for a maximum period of eight months, and that the period actually documented in a passport may vary because it is at the discretion of the immigration officer. Visitors are not allowed to engage in any form of gainful occupation while in the Bahamas. This covers tourist and short business visits only, not work, study or residence, and a border officer makes the final decision on entry in every case. This was last checked on 26 September 2026.
At a glance
Key facts for South African citizens visiting Bahamas
- Requirement
- Visa-free
- Maximum stay
- Up to 90 days
- Documents
- A valid travel document
- A return or onward ticket
- Evidence of sufficient funds to be self-sustaining during the stay, which may be requested
- Conditions
- Immigration states that a visitor may remain for a maximum period of eight months, and that the period actually documented in a passport may vary because it is at the discretion of the immigration officer. Visitors are not allowed to engage in any form of gainful occupation while in the Bahamas.
- Official source
- Official source for this route →
Step by step
How South African citizens enter Bahamas
Carry a valid travel document and a return or onward ticket. Immigration requires both of every visitor.
Be ready to show evidence of sufficient funds to be self-sustaining during your stay, which may be requested on arrival.
Expect the immigration officer to set the period of stay written into your passport. Eight months is the maximum, not an entitlement.
Do not plan to work. Any form of gainful occupation is prohibited on a visit.
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Practical Info
Travel Essentials
Questions
What South African citizens ask about entering Bahamas
No. South African citizens can enter Bahamas without a visa for a short tourist or business visit. This was last checked on 26 September 2026.
Up to 90 days on this entry route. A longer trip needs a different permission, which this page does not cover. A border officer decides the length granted on the day.
A passport valid for the trip, proof of onward or return travel, and proof of where you are staying. Officers can ask for evidence that you can support yourself for the visit. Entry is always the officer's decision, whatever the paperwork says.
Bahamas uses BSD. Check the rate before you exchange anything at the airport, where the spread is usually widest.
Changes to this route
No changes recorded since the first check on 26 September 2026.
Full change history for this route →