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Third Country Nationals (TCN's)
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Applicants are encouraged to read this in entirety before scheduling your visa interview at Embassy Nassau. The current waiting time for Third Country National applicants is 126 days

Third country nationals are applicants who do not hold Bahamian or Turks and Caicos Islander nationality.

Embassy Nassau ONLY accepts interview applications from TCNs for the following visa categories:

  • Renewals for petition-based F1, H1B, J1, L1, M1, O1, P1, P2, P3, and R1 only when initial adjudication was conducted in applicant’s home country
  • Renewals for petition-based F2, H4, L2, M2, O2, O3, P4, and R2 only when the main applicant is renewing with the family member and the initial adjudication was conducted in main applicant’s home country
  • B1/B2 – first time and renewals
  • E3 – renewals only

Embassy Nassau will NOT accept interview applications from third country nationals for the following visa categories and cases:

  • Initial (first time) petition-based applications
  • Treaty-Trader Visas (E1 & E2) [Note: Embassy Nassau does not process E1 & E2 applications for any nationality.]
  • Applicants who entered the U.S. with a visa issued in their home country and changed status with the Department of Homeland Security in the U.S., i.e., seek a new visa in the new visa category
  • Applicants who entered the U.S. in one visa category and are seeking to re-enter the U.S. in a different visa category
  • Applicants who have been out of status in the U.S. having violated the terms of their visas or having overstayed the validity indicated on their I-94s

Tips for Third Country Visa Applicants

It is a grave error for an applicant or an attorney to believe that applying for a visa in The Bahamas will be simpler or easier than applying in the applicant’s home country.  If you hold a passport from a country besides The Bahamas or Turks and Caicos Islands be sure to check the website of the U.S. Embassy in that country for visa information specific to your nationality.  A full list of U.S. Embassy websites can be found at https://www.usembassy.gov/. If you have no long-term status in The Bahamas or Turks and Caicos Islands (e.g. you are a visitor and not an immigrant, refugee, student or worker), the best place to apply for a visa is in your home country.  U.S. visa law is the same around the world and we give applicants without a long term, established connection to The Bahamas or Turks and Caicos Islands extra scrutiny.

A visa application or appointment does not equal visa eligibility.  Occasionally, applicants require additional, lengthy review, which may significantly delay travel to the United States by days, weeks or even months and would require the applicant to seek permission from the Government of The Bahamas to remain in the country while processing occurs.  Some applicants may simply be ineligible.  The applicant bears all responsibility for qualifying for a visa.  There is no prescreening, interim visa or expedited processing.  By seeking a visa in The Bahamas you confirm that you understand and accept full and sole responsibility for the outcome of your visa application.  Successful applicants for work related visas should expect that it will take at least 7 to 10 business days for a visa to be issued, depending on processing time required.  None of these times are guaranteed and all applicants should expect delays.  Ineligible applicants cannot travel to the United States, even if they came from the United States and hold a still-valid Arrival and Departure Record (I-94).

Should you be approved for a visa , U.S. Embassy Nassau is not responsible for courier distribution outside the Consular Jurisdictions of The Bahamas and The Turks & Caicos Islands.

Documents Required at Interview by Visa Class

H1: Temporary Worker of Distinguished Merit and Ability

  • Original or copy of the Notice of Approval, Form I-797
  • Application for Petition, Form I-129
  • Labor Condition Application (LCA)
  • Pay stubs/pay slips recording salary paid over the last 3-6 months
  • Current employment letter indicating the nature of work, duration and salary.
  • If previously under J-1 in U.S., any applicable waiver of the 2 year foreign residence rule.
  • Educational Documents and/or letters from previous employers documenting work experience
  • Evidence of qualifications must be original or certified copy.
  • Note – If the applicant is changing employers, the case does not meet the criteria for Embassy Nassau.

H4: We only accept Spouse/Child of H1 applicants

  • In addition to the documents listed for the H1, you must also provide proof of dependent’s relationship to the primary applicant (must be original or certified copy – if English translation, must be a certified translation).

L1: Inter-Company Transferee (executive, manager)

  • Original or copy of notice of approval form I-797
  • Application for petition form I-129
  • Pay stubs/pay slips recording salary paid over the last 3-6 months.
  • Current employment letter indicating the nature of work, duration and salary.
  • (If previously under J-1 in US) any applicable waiver of 2 year residence rule.
  • Educational documents and/or letters from previous employers documenting work experience (ONLY FOR RESIDENT APPLICANTS APPLYING FOR AN L VISA FOR THE FIRST TIME).
  • Evidence of qualifications must be original or certified copy.

Blanket L Petition

  • Original or copy of notice of approval form I-797A or I-797B.
  • Letter from employer stating position.
  • Copy of I-129S (3 Copies) filed with DHS.
  • Pay stubs/Pay slips recording salary paid over the last 3-6months.
  • Current employment letter indicating the nature of work, duration, and salary.

L2: Spouse/Child of L1

  • Original or copy of notice of approval form I-797
  • Proof of dependents relationship to main applicant (must be original or certified copy-if English translation must be a certified translation).
  • Proof of dependents relationship to the primary applicant (must be original or certified copy-if English translation, must be a certified translation.      

O1: Alien of Extraordinary Ability

  • Original or copy of Notice of Approval, Form I-797A or I-797B.
  • Current employment letter indicating the nature of work, duration, and salary.
  • Copy of the I-129 petition completed by employer and filed with D.H.S.
  • Pay stubs/pay slips recording salary paid over the last 3-6 months
  • Current employment letter indicating the nature of work, duration, and salary

O2: Alien Accompanying O-1 Alien

  • Original or copy of Notice of Approval, Form I-797A or I-797B.
  • Current employment letter indicating the nature of work, duration, and salary.
  • Copy of I-129 petition completed by employer and filed with D.H.S.
  • Pay stubs/pay slips recording salary paid over the last 3-6 months

O3: Spouse/Child of O-1 or O-2 Alien

  • Same documents listed above for O-1 as well as proof of dependent’s relationship to the primary applicant (must be original or certified copy – if English translation, must be a certified translation).

P1: Athlete – Specific Event

  • Original or copy of Notice of Approval, Form I-797A or I-797B.
  • Current employment letter indicating the nature of work, duration, and salary.
  • Copy of the I-129 petition completed by employer and filed with D.H.S.
  • Pay stubs/pay slips recording salary paid over the last 3-6 months

P2: Artist – Reciprocal Exchange

  • Original or copy of Notice of Approval, Form I-797A or I-797B.
  • Current employment letter indicating the nature of work, duration, and salary
  • Copy of the I-129 completed by employer and filed with D.H.S.
  • Evidence of qualifications must be original or certified copy.

P3: Culturally Unique Artist

  • Original or copy of Notice of Approval, Form I-797A or I-797B.
  • Current employment letter indicating the nature of work, duration, and salary.
  • Copy of I-129 petition completed by employer and filed with D.H.S.
  • Evidence of qualifications must be original or certified copy.

P4: Spouse/Child of P-1, P-2, or P-3

  • The primary applicant’s documents listed above as well as, proof of dependent’s relationship to the primary applicant (must be original or certified copy – if English translation, must be a certified translation).

R1: Alien in Religious Occupation

  • Proof of membership in the religious organization.
  • Proof of the organization’s tax-exempt status.
  • Letter from the organization describing the nature of the employment and length of intended stay in the U.S.
  • Contract between religious organization and applicant.
  • Proof of work experience in the applicant’s home country with the same religious organization they will represent in U.S.
  • Copy of the I-129 Petition completed by sponsor and filed with DHS.
  • Original or copy of Notice of Approval, Form I-797A or I-797B.

R2: Spouse/Child of R-1 Alien

  • The primary applicant’s documents listed above as well as proof of dependent’s relationship to main applicant, (must be original or certified copy – if English translation, must be a certified translation).

Visas