Phone Number: |
(242) 322-1181 |
E-Mail: |
visanassau@state.gov |
Address: |
42 Queen Street
P.O. Box N-8197
Nassau
Bahamas |
Working Hours: |
Monday - Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Friday 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. |
Best Contact Method: |
E-mail or Telephone (Can only call Mondays and Wednesdays from 8am to 10am for info on Immigrant Visas). |
Approx Waiting Time for Interview After Consulate Recieves
NVC Package: |
Depends on how busy they are and if there are holidays coming up. Especially busy in August (travelers and students) and December. Can expect to wait 1-2 months. |
Issues Packet 3? |
|
Packet 3 Contains: |
Checklist
OF-230 I, Biographic Data, Part I
OF-156 Nonimmigrant Visa Application
OF-156K Nonimmigrant Fiance(e) Visa Application
OF-167 Public Charge Evidence
I-134 Affidavit of Support
Medical Exam Instructions
Medical Exam Letter (to be given to physician)
List of Physicians
Medical Forms & Vaccination Forms |
Issues Packet 4? |
Yes |
Packet 4 Contents (if known): |
Interview Letter |
Forms to Consulate? |
Signed Checklist
OF-230 Biographic Data Part I |
Other Forms (if any)? |
|
Direct Consular Filing Offered? |
Yes |
If DCF Allowed: For all or only US citizen lawfully resident in country?
|
Residents_Only |
Can fiance(e)/spouse attend interview? |
Yes |
Visa fee payment "same day" or "in advance"? |
Same_Day |
Did embassy schedule interview or could you walk-in? |
Embassy Scheduled |
Visa issued same day? |
Yes |
If not what's the waiting period? |
|
Is the Medical exam same day as interview? |
Prior to Interview |
Cost of Medical Exam? |
Freeport:
Physical $90 (including FedEx costs), Chest X-Ray is $30 at the Rand Memorial Hospital, $90 at Lucayan Medical. You can get blood work and vaccinations cheaply at the Hawksbill Clinic on Grand Bahama ($10). Sometimes there are lags with results and such so get the meds done ASAP! |
List of doctors? |
Nasssau:
Dr. M. Gerassimos,
Market St. North
M-F 8:45am-1pm
Sat 8:45am-11:30am
Tel:242-322-4097/322-3346/322-3347
Fax:242-327-8605
Dr. George White
113 Collins Avenue South
M-F 9am-1pm
Tel:242-322-2992
Fax:242-322-7641
Freeport:
Dr. Renee Lockhart
Seahorse Shopping Plaza
373-9174 (direct line)
373-3333 (clinic phone) |
How many Passport Photo's Required for the medical? |
4 |
How many Passport Photo's Required at the interview? |
2 |
Estimated waiting time at the consulate on the day of interview? |
Bring your papers to them the morning of the interview for review. Then you can go and come back later for your interview, usually around 2pm. |
Vaccination requirements? |
MMR, DT, Hep, among others. If you don't have any vaccinations, get them done at a public hospital for little or nothing and give the vaccination card to the INS-approved doctor for his/her report. |
Cheap and good hotels near the Consulate? |
There are several hotels in the vicinity. The Sheraton Colonial is right across the street but I think its rather pricey. |
Additional Info? |
Nassau traffic is obscenely bad in the mornings and during evening rush hour, so leave for the Embassy far in advance.
There is also a McDonalds on the side of the Embassy in case you want to have a meal before or after your interview. Alot of places are in walking distance so you can stroll around and find other hotels, scenic locales, food and shopping, including Bay Street where you can buy souvenirs as well as fab items from Lladro, Citizen, Gucci, and duty-free jewelry. If you have a long wait for the interview and you need time to kill, just take a scenic walk on Bay Street or towards the forts. Or you can sit quietly in McDonalds and nurse a soda for a while (they are used to it).
Get a ride to the Embassy if you can. If not, a cab ride from the airport is around $22. If you share a cab with someone, you can split the cost.
"Also, leave things like cameras (even the ones on cell phones) at home or in your car because they will not let them in and there is nowhere to secure them."
---Not necesarily true, I left my camera at home, but when I went to the embassy, at the main security clearance, they made me put my ipod into a locker, locker space is limited however, I'd say they have about 21 or so lockers.
Visa fee is $131.00 cash (US or BAH currency) paid at the cashier after they assess your documents.
Only need last year's taxes and job letter for I-134 (Aff. of Support)
If you need to call for info, ask for Ms. Darling at the Immigrant Visa section, but only on M/W 2-4pm. Or via email or fax. She is very nice and extremely helpful. The Consulate is fairly prompt; however, mail service is not. So if you are awaiting Packet 3 or your interview letter and its been more than 3 weeks, call them. It was probably sent but just didn't arrive yet. |