Bahamas - Transfer a Hotel Licence or Permit

ProcedureEdit

Apply In-Person

To Transfer a Hotel Licence or Permit, the applicant has to visit any nearest office of the Hotel Licensing Department. The address and contact details can be found in the following link: Address Details
Visit the office and get an application form/s for Transferring a Hotel Licence or Permit.
Complete the application form with appropriate information under relevant sections.
After filling the application form, make sure to attach all the documents listed in the “Required documents” section of this page.
Then, submit it in person to the relevant authority at the office along with the satisfactory Government Agency Inspection reports.
At a properly constituted Hotel Licensing Board Meeting, the Application for Transfer of Licence form and relevant documents will be presented for review.
The Board will exercise its power to grant, refuse or defer the application for transfer.
Once all the internal processes are over, the applicants will be notified with the results.
Pay the fees as per the authority’s quote and collect the document through any applicable means.
After the Transfer Licence expires (Licences for hotels on Nassau & Paradise Island and Grand Bahama Island (except Freeport) expire on December 31 each year, while licences for Out Island hotels expire on March 31 each year), the hotel operator will be required to renew their hotel licence.

Note: Applications for a transfer of hotel licence can be submitted throughout the year.

Required DocumentsEdit

The following forms are necessary when applying for a transfer of hotel licence:

Application for Transfer of Licence to Operate (Form VI) – to be completed in duplicate where there is a change in operator or (Form VII) – to be completed when the operator has died.
Form IB - Requires particulars on the hotel e.g. name of hotel, name of manager, address, total number of bedrooms etc.
Part 1 Hotel Winter Rates Return (Form X1).
Part 11 Hotel Summer Rates Return (Form X1).

Other supporting documents:

Investments Board Approval – Applicable to Non-Bahamian entities.
Bahamas Exchange Control Certificate/Central Bank Approval – Applicable to Non-Bahamian entities.
In case of Manager(s), Work Permit or Certificate of Permanent Residence if Non-Bahamian; Proof of Citizenship if Bahamian.
In case of Owner(s), Proof of Nationality.
Proof of Nationality of Beneficial Owner(s)/Key Principal(s) only.
Proof of Ownership of Premises, that is, Deed of Conveyance or Lease Agreement (if not previously submitted or if change of ownership (wholly or in part) transpired and new document was not submitted). In addition, if a hotel is company-owned, Memorandum and Articles of Association, Certificate of Incorporation, Certificate of Incumbency and Proof of Good Standing of company. Where a Management Company exists, provide Management Agreement.
Certificate of Registration (new applicant).
Completed Form XI – (Parts I and II), Hotel Winter/Summer Rates return.
Current Business Licence or, in the case of first applicant, receipt of payment of Current Business Licence.
Copy of Contract/agreement for the servicing of fire equipment by a company approved by the Ministry of Works.
Building Permit (if new property)

Office Locations & ContactsEdit

Hotel Licensing Department
Ministry of Tourism & Aviation
P. O. Box N-3701
Nassau Court
Nassau
New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 356-5216/356-4231
Fax: (242) 361-5904

Hotel Licensing Unit, Grand Bahama
Hotel Licensing Unit
Ministry of Tourism & Aviation
Poinciana and the Mall Drive
P. O. Box F-40250
Freeport, Grand Bahama
The Bahamas
Tel. (242)350-8600
Fax. (242) 352-2714

The Grand Bahama Port Authority
Grand Bahama Port Authority Corporate Headquarters
Licensing Department
The Mall Drive
P. O. Box F 42666
Freeport, Grand Bahama
The Bahamas
Tel. (242)350-9054
Fax. (242)351-4169
Contact: Link

EligibilityEdit

When the hotel is ready to be transferred, the property must be inspected by the following 4 Government Agencies:

Hotel Licensing Department, Ministry of Tourism.
Department of Environmental Health Services, Ministry of Health.
Buildings Control Division, Ministry of Works and Utilities.
Royal Bahamas Police Force Fire Department

and the following documents must be secured:

A favourable report from the Hotel Licensing Inspector, Ministry of Tourism.
A Certificate of Sanitation from the Department of Environmental Health Services.
An Occupancy Certificate and a favourable report from the Buildings Control Division, Ministry of Works and Utilities.
A favourable report from the Royal Bahamas Police Fire Department.

FeesEdit

When applying for a transfer of licence, a fee of BS$25 is required if the applicant is not exempt from payment.

ValidityEdit

Licences for hotels on Nassau & Paradise Island and Grand Bahama Island (except Freeport) expire on December 31 each year, while licences for Out Island hotels expire on March 31 each year.

Documents to UseEdit

Please attach documents that can be used by people. e.g. links

Sample DocumentsEdit

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing TimeEdit

Turn-around time varies depending on the time of the application.

InstructionsEdit

Please provide other instructions related to the certificate/documents.
e.g. The state office holds birth records since january 1908.

Required InformationEdit

A list which displays the kind of information which is required to complete the procedure.
e.g.
1. Date of Birth.
2. City or Country of Birth.

Need for the DocumentEdit

Hotel operators and owners can apply for a transfer of a hotel licence where there is a change of the hotel operator or when the licensed operator has died.

Information which might helpEdit

There are no deadlines for this service.
Applications for a transfer of hotel licence can be submitted throughout the year.

External LinksEdit

Link

OthersEdit

More information which might help people.