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Spousal Permit

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Allie0318
  4/22/2014 11:34 EST

Did anyone here have to apply for a spousal permit? I know I have to get a background check from the FBI and medical certificate. Is there anything else I am missing?

Also- how long did it take? Our wedding is May 31 and I plan on applying first thing the morning of June 2, but I have to fly home June 9th so I know it won't be done by then :-(

I am hoping to seek employment with an organization I have interviewed with already so any help or advice you all have to expedite the process I would greatly appreciate, they are awaiting my right to work update!

dolfie
  4/22/2014 16:31 EST

The way I did it was from annual residence permit ($1.000,00 per year) to spouse permit.
You need to be married in the first place and must have everything documented.
Medical certificate, police certificate, not older than 6 months before application date. Birth certificate, marriage certificate + all what is needed for a annual permit.
Officially in English or translated and notarized.

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Chui
  4/22/2014 16:32 EST

Hi. Can someone clarify re the FBI check please. The Bahamas are part of the British Commonwealth with the Queen as their head of state so I'm puzzled about this.

Allie0318
  4/22/2014 16:33 EST

How long did the process take for you to get approved?

Allie0318
  4/22/2014 16:34 EST

Well it says criminal background check so I wasn't sure if they need my state level, or federal level. Federal level requires fingerprints, etc.

Anyone know for sure which you need?

dolfie
  4/22/2014 16:40 EST

Once you have a visa to enter the Bahamas with a Bahamian husband, you can fix it here, but provide all documents from abroad.
The check is as follows:
A Bahmian police certificate, you will get here. They take a copy of your passport, you fill out a simple application and pay $3.00,00.
The police checks with
INTERPOL, not FBI and as soon they have a reply, you will et your police certificate.
Takes about 14 days to 3 weeks when you are on the island here.

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William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
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dolfie
  4/22/2014 16:42 EST

$3.00 (three) sorry for that.

Allie0318
  4/22/2014 17:08 EST

So they get the background done at immigration you didn't have to bring it with you? I'm confused lol sorry!! I'm going to try and extend my vacation to two weeks then and pray they get my permit approved between June 2 and 18th!

CASH39
  4/22/2014 17:19 EST

It is not necessary to get the police certificate from Interpol. I used mine originally from Thai royal police. It is good for 90 days.I believed you can used the one from FBI for sure.

CASH39
  4/22/2014 18:02 EST

Just only criminal background .

breija
  4/23/2014 06:41 EST

The first police report I got I brought from my provincial police in Canada. If you have not lived here yet, you are not likely to have anything to report.

I believe that dolfie was referring to the Bahamian police report that takes 2 to 3 weeks to get. A spousal permit will take much longer. One spouse I know here was denied his spousal permit for years, and only got it after he was here for 7 years!! It does not usually take THAT long - usually many months, though.

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William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.

William RussellWilliam Russell

William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
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CASH39
  4/23/2014 08:52 EST

Now it much better than before, one of my friend got her card on January,it's only take 3 months and other one of my friends got her card last week it's took 4 months as well. Well we are living in Abaco and our spouse permit has been proved by immigration head office in Freeport.

Allie0318
  4/23/2014 09:18 EST

Did they say why it was denied?? Sounds like this is going to take a long time :-( I doubt my potential employer will wait months for my permit and they only ever hire like once a year.....sighhhhh!!!

breija
  4/23/2014 22:05 EST

I don't really know why it was denied. He is Jamaican, and just kept applying until it was approved.

That said, it is sometimes hard to know what to do. Sometimes it is quicker to get the work permit, and sometimes quicker to get the spousal permit. You cannot apply for both at the same time - you need to decide which to go for first. Given that you have a job offer pending, I would go for the work permit first, and once you have secured that, then apply for the spousal permit, as you will have more time to play with once you have your work permit. That way, your potential employer could start the process now (labour board certification) and then can apply for the work permit immediately upon approval, even if you need to pay your work permit for the first year.

Of course, I am NOT an immigration lawyer, and can only speak about my personal experiences. However, we have not needed an immigration lawyer and I have been taking care of our work permits for the last 8 years.

Allie0318
  4/24/2014 00:27 EST

See now this is great info bc I didn't even know you could just get a work permit without a spousal permit! What all do I need to get a work permit?

Allie0318
  4/24/2014 10:13 EST

Thanks for the info!!!! I am going to go up there Monday and try to work with the helpful Officer who assisted me previously. Thanks everyone for all of the information I really appreciate it :-)

breija
  4/24/2014 20:48 EST

Hi Allie,

Just sent you a pretty detailed PM. :-)

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