All businesses are required to be licenced under the Business Licence Bill 2010.  Any person who wishes to conduct business in the short term must apply for an Occasional Business License.  The period must not exceed seven days.  An Occasional Licence can be granted for a maximum of four times per year. Business ventures that require an occasional business licence include:

• Carry on a sales business
• Stage a business event or trade show
• Vend at regattas, farmers’ market, or community event

Any Bahamian citizen or permanent Resident. Non-Bahamian applying to conduct a specific Business in the Bahamas for a period of time is required to apply for a temporary Business Licence.  

1. The applicant must gain approval from the event/show of interest.
2. Submit the approval letter along with other supporting documents to Business Licence Unit Offices.
3. Collect the Business Registration Application form and tick the Occasional Licence box.  
4. Once all document requirements are met, the application is then processed within 7 working days and the Occasional Licence is issued.  
5. The BLU office will contact the applicant to inform them that they can collect their licence.
6. The applicant must then return to the Business Licence Office to pay the licence fee, provide ID and collect their licence.

Business Registration Form A

• Copy of passport
• Letter of approval for event/show
• Vendors’ permit
• Public health Certificate

The fee for an Occasional Licence is BS$25.

Business Licence/Valuation Unit
Ground Floor Charlotte House
North Charlotte & Shirley Streets
P. O. Box 3017
Nassau
New Providence
The Bahamas

E-mail: businesslicenceinquiries@bahamas.gov.bs   
            businesslicencecomplaints@bahamas.gov.bs

Phone: (242) 325-2233, 325-1171, 325-2126
Fax:     (242) 328-8003

Opening Hours: 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday