All businesses are required to be licenced under the Business Licence Bill 2010.  A non-Bahamian applying to conduct a specific business in The Bahamas for a period of time is required to apply for a Temporary Business Licence.  

Business ventures that require a temporary business licence include:

• Non Bahamian Company
• Bahamian company with non-Bahamian partnership
• A foreign person

1. 1. Secure Approval from BIA
   2. Register the company with the Registrar General Office where they will be issued with a Certificate of Incorporation.
   3. Submit the BIA approval along with the Certificate of Incorporation and a completed Business Registration Form A from the Business Licence Unit Offices
   4. The first part of the form is to register a business name, complete the entire application form and return to any of the Business Licence Division Offices.  Where there are no Business Licence Division Offices, the form can be returned to a Treasury Office or a Family Island Administrator.
   5. Note: if any identified names are rejected, the applicant will be notified that the name choice was rejected and would be advised to select from the remaining choices previously given on the form.
   6. The following must also be submitted along with the application:
      1. Appropriate Registration Fee
      2. Approvals related to your selected business
   7. Once all document requirements are met, the applicant must pay the business licence tax (fee) of 1½% of the value of the contract.
   8. The application is then processed within 7 working days and the BLU office will contact the applicant to inform them that they can collect their licence.

 

Business Registration Form A

• Prerequisite Approval (s) from relevant government or regulatory agencies where required.  To determine if your type of business requires additional government and regulatory approval, please review the Guide for Requirements for Licence, which is included in the application form.
• National Insurance Board Registration Number/Letter of Good Standing
• Certificate of Incorporation from the Registrar General’s Department must accompany the application along with annual company registration fee payment receipt
• Copy of the contract
• Letter of authorization for Third Parties/Appointed Representatives, where a Third Party is used, such as an accountant or lawyer authorising them to conduct business on their behalf.

 

Once an application form and all supporting documents have been submitted, it is processed immediately. Sometimes the time frame may require a longer period for processing based on the type of application. There are deadlines for this application.

Fee for a Temporary licence is 1½% of the value of the contract.

Business Licence/Valuation Unit
Ground Floor Charlotte House
North Charlotte & Shirley Streets
P. O. Box 3017
Nassau
New Providence
The Bahamas

E-mail: businesslicenceinquiries@bahamas.gov.bs   
            businesslicencecomplaints@bahamas.gov.bs

Phone: (242) 325-2233, 325-1171, 325-2126
Fax:     (242) 328-8003

Opening Hours: 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday