Bahamas cruising permit should I extend?

[AST]

Greetings
My boat is 29 feet so I only paid 300 for one year when I entered bahamas. But the extension is 500. I m wondering for people like me, can I just sail out 3 miles or so to check out and sail back in and do new registry? It just doesn't make sense that the extension is more expensive than the first time entry.

[5BTM]

Did you read up about their regulations and pricing BEFORE you went ?

https://www.bahamascustoms.gov.bs/vi...ising-permits/

[AST]

Yes I m aware of the law but wondering why not leave and come back?

[Lee Jerry]

I (obviously) haven't done it, but I'd think as a minimum you would need to check out of the Bahamas and into another country and then back to Bahamas. No idea on time, maybe only a day.

[5BTM]

Ask a Bahamian official.

[s/v Jedi]

As there’s no need to check out of the Bahamas anymore you can do that. Just arrive again with a new approved application is all that’s needed I think.

[AST]

Yeh a stamp in the hand of a clerk is a source of empowerment. Nothing you can do about it.
I had a long term assignment in UAE 2 years ago. I had to get residency since American can only stay 1 month. I didn't mind since my employer paid for it. But once I became a resident I had to endorse my driver license to get a uae license. It cost about $270. It took only 2 minutes.

[Sailorlady2022]

The website states you need to leave the country for more than 90 days.

https://www.bahamascustoms.gov.bs/vi...ising-permits/

Several areas of this process mention the 90 days time frame.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by Sailorlady2022

The website states you need to leave the country for more than 90 days.

https://www.bahamascustoms.gov.bs/vi...ising-permits/

Several areas of this process mention the 90 days time frame.

No, the 90 days is about a free second entry. If you have a cruising permit issued less than 90 days before entering again, you don’t need to pay Customs again and can enter for free.

So when you leave after 90 days, then come back, this doesn’t count and you need a new cruising permit.

Now this is a gray area as well. When I got myself a one year extension, upon checking out the customs officer told me I can check in for free with it as long as it’s still valid. It isn’t of much use when it expires shortly after that so you probably have to pay for a new one again anyway.

[Montanan]

Originally Posted by AST

Greetings
My boat is 29 feet so I only paid 300 for one year when I entered bahamas. But the extension is 500. I m wondering for people like me, can I just sail out 3 miles or so to check out and sail back in and do new registry? It just doesn't make sense that the extension is more expensive than the first time entry.

It makes perfect sense that an extension of permit would be more expensive as one is essentially no longer temporarily importing the vessel or visiting. One is in essence establishing domestic residency and with residency comes the privilege taxations.

• Domestic-Based Pleasure Vessels must be duty-paid and are not eligible for the issuance of a Temporary Cruising Permit. Domestic based pleasure vessels must complete information in Part C of C2A.

[Sailorlady2022]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

No, the 90 days is about a free second entry. If you have a cruising permit issued less than 90 days before entering again, you don’t need to pay Customs again and can enter for free.

So when you leave after 90 days, then come back, this doesn’t count and you need a new cruising permit.

Now this is a gray area as well. When I got myself a one year extension, upon checking out the customs officer told me I can check in for free with it as long as it’s still valid. It isn’t of much use when it expires shortly after that so you probably have to pay for a new one again anyway.

We just cleared into the Bahamas in Great Harbour Cay (11/30/2023). We requested a 6 month stay and received 90 days. 3 to 5 days prior to expiration we can request an extension, pay $200 / person as a processing fee with no indication of how much time will be granted, if any at all.

The cruising permit for 1 year does not need to be paid again; however, it does not line up with the Visa. These two things are running independently.

The original question was how long to leave - it addresses 90 days - the government wants their money. While there is inconsistency among agents, it is unlikely that leaving for a couple of days will allow the permit to avoid extension.

I would love to hear what the experience is.

[Montanan]

Originally Posted by Sailorlady2022

We just cleared into the Bahamas in Great Harbour Cay (11/30/2023). We requested a 6 month stay and received 90 days. 3 to 5 days prior to expiration we can request an extension, pay $200 / person as a processing fee with no indication of how much time will be granted, if any at all.

The cruising permit for 1 year does not need to be paid again; however, it does not line up with the Visa. These two things are running independently.

The original question was how long to leave - it addresses 90 days - the government wants their money. While there is inconsistency among agents, it is unlikely that leaving for a couple of days will allow the permit to avoid extension.

I would love to hear what the experience is.

The stay privilege of the boat's permit and the crew on board are two separate matters.

Reference link: https://www.immigration.gov.bs/entry-requirements/

Visitors may remain in the Bahamas for a maximum period of 8 months, provided that (s)he can support himself/herself or indicate other means of support for this period. Please note that the maximum period of stay, documented in visitors’ passports, may vary, as this is dependent upon the discretion of the immigration officer at the port of entry. Should you desire to extend your visit, permission must be sought from the Department of Immigration; more details on this are available here. Visitors are not allowed to engage in any form of gainful occupation (work) while in the Bahamas.

PASSPORTS
Passports are required by all persons entering The Bahamas.

VISAS
All persons entering The Bahamas require a Bahamian visa except the following persons:

United States Citizens entering as a bona fide visitor for a stay not exceeding eight (8) months.
Alien residents of the United States who, upon arrival, are in possession of United States Alien Registration Cards for visits not exceeding thirty (30) days.
Canadian citizens
Landed immigrants, in possession of Canadian Immigration Record Form 1000 may enter without a visa for visits not exceeding 30 days. These persons should have a national passport.
United Kingdom citizens.
Citizens of Western Union.
British Commonwealth citizens with the exception of the following countries:
Pakistan.
Cameroon.
Mozambique.
India.
Nigeria.
Ghana.
Citizens of South American countries, however the nationals of the following countries can visit for periods not exceeding 3 months:
Argentina.
Bolivia.
Brazil.
Chile.
Colombia.
Costa Rica.
Ecuador.
El Salvador.
Guatemala.
Honduras.
Mexico.
Nicaragua.
Panama.
Paraguay.
Peru.
Uruguay.
Venezuela.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by Montanan

It makes perfect sense that an extension of permit would be more expensive as one is essentially no longer temporarily importing the vessel or visiting. One is in essence establishing domestic residency and with residency comes the privilege taxations.

• Domestic-Based Pleasure Vessels must be duty-paid and are not eligible for the issuance of a Temporary Cruising Permit. Domestic based pleasure vessels must complete information in Part C of C2A.

Your boat can stay for two or three years without leaving by simply extending the cruising permit. This is not residency, when you want to stay permanently you have to import it.

Originally Posted by Sailorlady2022

We just cleared into the Bahamas in Great Harbour Cay (11/30/2023). We requested a 6 month stay and received 90 days. 3 to 5 days prior to expiration we can request an extension, pay $200 / person as a processing fee with no indication of how much time will be granted, if any at all.

The cruising permit for 1 year does not need to be paid again; however, it does not line up with the Visa. These two things are running independently.

The original question was how long to leave - it addresses 90 days - the government wants their money. While there is inconsistency among agents, it is unlikely that leaving for a couple of days will allow the permit to avoid extension.

I would love to hear what the experience is.

I used to get a 1-year permit for $600. Where I check in, there is no immigration and the customs officer can only give 90 days. When I go to extend at an immigration office at 90 days, I only get 90 days again. This extension is a lot of trouble and I need to sail to where I don’t want to go and also I am not impressed with the hospitality of the immigration officials at those offices who have to deal all day with people trying to work illegally in the Bahamas; mostly Haitians and without them the country would grind to a halt so it’s not a nice job and I understand they get grumpy and worn out but I find myself forced in the midst of this and don’t enjoy it.

So I had already decided to get a 3-month permit for $300 instead and simply leave and come back for a pleasant check-in because I don’t stay beyond 6 months anyway. Now that they make me pay $400 on top of the unpleasant experience plus taxi rides, this makes more sense money wise too… a win-win for me. I can even make it a quick shopping run to Florida

[Montanan]

Guidance for outward clearance for vessel departing the Bahamas.

Exiting Policies
Before leaving The Islands Of The Bahamas, be sure to surrender your copy of the Immigration Card (filled out upon first arrival) at the last Bahamian port you visit. One will need to clear immigration anew for a return and obtain another Immigration Card.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqJUXbOnH3E

Bon voyages.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by Montanan

Guidance for outward clearance for vessel departing the Bahamas.

Exiting Policies
Before leaving The Islands Of The Bahamas, be sure to surrender your copy of the Immigration Card (filled out upon first arrival) at the last Bahamian port you visit. One will need to clear immigration anew for a return and obtain another Immigration Card.

Bon voyages.

The outward clearance has been dropped, this is outdated info. If you require a zarpe for the next clearing in you can go and request one for $75 but otherwise you can simply leave. They even dropped the immigration cards, I believe they kept them at check in last time and before that you could mail them in. (almost nobody did)