Study in Bahamas
The Bahamas offers unique opportunities in maritime studies, tourism, and marine biology, with English as the primary language of instruction. International student enrollment is small but growing, primarily centered around the public university.
Application timeline
4-8 weeks (plus potential delays from the Department of Immigration).
Living cost
BSD 1,200 - 2,500/month (very high cost of living, especially housing).
Hourly wage
$5.25 - $10 BSD/hr (Minimum wage is $5.25/hr, but casual work is prohibited for students).
Study visa confidence
Our AI compares your grades, finances, and previous visas with real student approvals to predict how admissions officers will view your application for Bahamas.
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Student visa pathways
Processing times, work rights, required documents, and dependent rules for each permit route.
Student Visa/Permit (Immigration Status)
Long-stay, Academic
Validity
Duration of study (renewable)
Processing time
4-8 weeks (processing time by Department of Immigration).
Fee
BSD 100 - 500 (Application fee varies by duration/nationality).
Work rights
Generally No. International students are typically not permitted to work part-time.
Documents required
Acceptance Letter, Financial Proof (bank statement), Police Certificate, Medical Certificate, Passport, Application Form, Proof of Accommodation.
Dependents
Yes, dependents (spouse/children) may apply for a Dependent Permit. · No (Dependents are not permitted to work).
Top universities & flagship programs
Shortlist globally-ranked institutions with tuition benchmarks.
University of The Bahamas (UB)
Nassau, New Providence · National University of The Bahamas
Bachelor of Science in Marine Science
4 years · BSD 6,000 - 9,000/yr (Intl)
Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI)
Nassau, New Providence · Technical Education Center
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
2 years · BSD 4,000 - 6,000/yr (Intl)
Scholarships & exchange routes
Reduce tuition costs and build international exposure.
Scholarships
Merit + needs-based opportunities
Bahamas Government Scholarship (National)
Varies (often partial tuition and stipend).
Primarily for Bahamian citizens; very limited for international students based on specific bilateral agreements.
University of The Bahamas Merit Scholarships
Partial tuition waiver (e.g., 25% - 50%).
High academic merit for undergraduate studies; highly competitive for international applicants.
OAS (Organization of American States) Scholarship Program
Partial tuition waiver/stipend.
Citizens of OAS member states for undergraduate or graduate study (sometimes includes institutions in The Bahamas).
Exchange partners
1-2 semester mobility
UB Bilateral Exchange Programs
1 semester or 1 year
Specific to the student's home university and University of The Bahamas.
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Focus Programs
Varies
Exchange programs focused on climate change, marine science, or sustainable development.
Announcements & policy watch
Stay ahead of IRCC and embassy updates.
Highly Competitive Job Market
Work permits are strictly controlled to protect the domestic labor market. Post-study work is extremely difficult to secure without highly specialized skills and a compelling employer sponsorship.
Visa success playbook
Action items that consistently strengthen study permit approvals.
Have all financial documents clearly showing the ability to self-fund for the duration; secure accommodation (e.g.
rental agreement) before applying for the Student Permit; apply well in advance of the start date.
Country fast facts
Key embassy + lifestyle data
Official language
English
Currency
Bahamian Dollar (BSD)
Time zone
UTC-05:00
Visa portal
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Part-time work ideas
Average hourly wages
None (General casual work is prohibited)
N/A
International students are generally not granted permission to work part-time or casually in The Bahamas.
University Research Assistant (On-campus)
Varies (Minimal stipend/hourly rate)
Extremely limited opportunities, usually only for high-level graduate research, and must be explicitly approved by Immigration.
Nearest embassies
Plan biometrics & interviews
Job market insights
Low. No direct post-study work visa. Securing an employer-sponsored work permit requires high-level qualifications in a field where there is a shortage of qualified Bahamian citizens.