The Bahamas announces changes to policies regarding Work Permits and Permits to Reside for Haitians

By Sherrica Thompson

Staff Writer

#TheBahamas, February 6, 2023 – Following the recent instability involving the Haitian Government in Haiti and the Bahamas facing an influx of Haitian migrants, Minister of Labour and Immigration Keith Bell, on Friday, January 27, announced new policies for work permits and permits to reside for Haitians in the country.

“Existing and new Permit to Reside applications for Haitian citizens will only be considered on a case-by-case basis, and approval will only be granted in the most exceptional circumstances.

“No new Work Permit applications for Haitian citizens will be processed until such time as revised protocols are introduced to verify and authenticate documents issued by the Haitian government and the Haitian national police,” Minister Bell declared.

In addition, “all existing work permits, applications and renewals for work permits will be subjected to the most vigorous review and scrutiny.  Applicants should note that as a consequence, the time frame for the processing and determination of such applications will be impacted.”

Minister Bell noted that these measures are being employed as the “government of the Bahamas is resolute in its commitment to protect its borders and enforce its immigration laws.”

The new policies come as the Turks and Caicos placed a moratorium on visitor visas for Haitian nations for six months, from January 11 to July 10, for similar reasons.

In a press release on Monday, January 30, the Immigration Minister warned undocumented migrants against using the Bahamas as a haven, urging them to leave the country “as soon as possible otherwise, they will be deported.”