Bahamas
Regulations on entry, stay, residence, and treatment access for people living with HIV
The categories of restriction are:
- Unclear restrictions - it is not clear to what extent restrictions apply.
Restrictions on entry to Bahamas
It is unclear whether the Bahamas imposes restrictions on entry of people living with HIV.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, the Bahamas does not have any HIV-related restrictions on entry.
The Visa Regulations 2015 do not include any restriction relating to health or HIV.
However, the Immigration Act gives the power to migration officer to request a medical certificate or tests to a person who wishes to enter the country. Furthermore, it establishes that entry authorisation may be granted on the condition that the person ‘is not suffering from any contagious or infectious disease.’ It is unclear whether this could impact people living with HIV.
According to the website of the Ministry of Tourism, the Bahamas requires proof of Yellow Fever vaccination if you are arriving from a country where Yellow Fever is endemic or there is an outbreak.’
Restrictions on short-term stay in Bahamas
It is unclear whether the Bahamas imposes restrictions on short-term stay of people living with HIV.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, the Bahamas does not have any HIV-related restrictions on short-term stay.
However, the website of the Bahamas Immigration Department states that to issue a permit to reside, applicants must submit an original medical certificate, dated no earlier than 30 days of the application being submitted. It is not clear if such medical certificate includes HIV disclosure or testing. The application form also asks health questions including whether the applicant is in ‘good health’ and has had any ‘serious illnesses’. This does not explicitly require HIV disclosure.
Restrictions on long-term stay in Bahamas
It is unclear whether the Bahamas imposes restrictions on long-term stay of people living with HIV.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, the Bahamas does not have any HIV-related restrictions on long-term stay.
However, the website of the Bahamas Immigration Department states that to issue a permanent residence visa, applicants must submit an original medical certificate, dated no earlier than 30 days of the application being submitted. It is not clear if such medical certificate includes HIV disclosure or testing.
The Immigration Act establishes that the Director of Immigration may request any person applying for a permit ‘to furnish him with medical certificates with respect to himself and his dependants certified by medical authorities acceptable to the Board and with such particulars as the Board may consider necessary.’
Treatment access in Bahamas
The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in the Bahamas. There is no evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.
The Government of the Bahamas provides free medication to all HIV+ patients who need medication and who access healthcare through the National HIV/AIDS Programme from the Ministry of Health.
For more information, please contact the National HIV/AIDS Centre, Ministry of Health, Royal Victoria Gardens (242-323-5968, [email protected]).
Sources
The HIV Justice Network's Global HIV Criminalisation Database
Visit the Bahamas page on the Global HIV Criminalisation Database to see more information about known HIV criminalisation laws in this country, an overview of how the laws are used, and any significant advocacy developments.
UNAIDS Global AIDS monitoring data
This information about access to HIV services comes from UNAIDS https://lawsandpolicies.unaids.org/, a platform to view data on HIV-related laws and policies. This is information provided by national authorities and civil society and may contradict other sources.
Migrant populations
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Migrants are able to access HIV services | Yes |
Refugees and asylum seekers
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
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This site focuses on information about HIV travel. Please also consult your own Foreign Office/Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, or the local consulate of the country you are visiting, to see what restrictions there are specifically for you as a citizen of your country, regardless of your HIV status.
