Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas Application Process for Business Licence All businesses are required to be licensed under the Business Licence Act 2010, as amended. A non-Bahamian applying to conduct business in The Bahamas requires approval from The Bahamas Investment Authority. 1. Application Process 1.1. Complete a business licence application form. Request for a business name/ trade name can be registered from three (3) possible options in order of preference (if the first choice is not available, the second will be used; the second choice is not available, the third will be used). If all names are taken the applicant will be notified and the business licence processed in the applicant/ owner’s name given on the form. 1.2. The following documents must be submitted with the completed application form for a telecommunications business licence: • • • • • A copy of the Certificate of Incorporation and a current annual company payment receipt (Registrar General’s Department: www.bahamas.gov.bs/rgd.) Local persons/companies must provide proof that the company is 100% Bahamian owned. Foreign persons/companies must be approved by the National Economic Council/ The Bahamas Investment Authority: www.bahamas.gov.bs/bia. National Insurance Board Registration, current letter of good standing (for the business) and personal National Insurance Board Card for an individual: www.nib-bahamas.com. A copy of the lease or rental agreement for the business location or Proof of Ownership (copy of conveyance) along with approvals from o Department of Physical Planning (zoning) 2 o Ministry of Works/ Building Control Unit (inspection) o Department of Environmental Health Services (sanitation) • • Proof of Payment of Real Property Taxes in respect of property or premises on which a business of the applicant is located and the applicant is the owner of such property or premises. A copy of the relevant licence or grant of approval in writing from the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA). 1.3. The completed application form and supporting documents must be submitted to any Business License Division office where the business is located. 1.4. A business license fee of BS$ 100.00 must also be paid for a new business upon submission of the application. Payment must be made by certified cheque (payable to the Public Treasury) or by cash or by credit card at the office location: Charlotte House, Charlotte Street South, Nassau Bahamas. 1.5. Turn-around time: Applications are generally processed within seven (7) working days of submission of completed application form and the approval of the business name. 1.6. The applicant is to contact the Business License Unit to confirm that the licence is ready for collection. 2. Contact Details Inland Revenue (Business License/Valuation Unit) Ministry of Finance Charlotte Street. New Providence, Bahamas P. O. Box N-13 Primary Contact Shunda Strachan: (242) 502-7148 Email: [email protected] Secondary Contact Michael Moss: (242) 502-7109 Email: [email protected]