International Students

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: WE WELCOME YOU!

We welcome international students to our campus. Your presence here further enhances our diversity and rich campus culture.

Steps to Complete:

• Complete the Online Undergraduate Application Form and pay requisite fee. Please do so as early as possible to provide ample time for the immigration process. Completion of application form does not guarantee acceptance into The Institute. Please also be aware that acceptance into BAMSI does not guarantee that you will be granted a student visa by The Bahamas Department of Immigration.
• Submit Official copies of transcripts of all subjects completed at prior secondary and tertiary institutions. If these documents are not in English, a certified translation is required. It may also be necessary to have the qualifications assessed by international education credential evaluators such as World Education Services, Educational Credential Evaluators Inc, etc.* to determine equivalence to programs entry requirements.
• Applicants will follow the same application submission procedures as other applicants. Applicants whose first language is not English must also provide evidence of proficiency in English via an internationally recognized English Language test, such as the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System).
• Once application process is successfully completed and you will be given a provisional acceptance letter to take to The Bahamas Department of Immigration.  The applicant will have to obtain their own Study Permit.
• International Students must have the approval of the Immigration Department of The Bahamas to study at the Institute. Visit their site for more information and to apply   Permit To Reside - Bahamas Immigration

AFTER ACCEPTANCE

• Submit enrollment deposit. This enrollment deposit will secure your place in the incoming class. 

  After you have submitted your enrollment deposit, you will be sent information regarding on-campus housing and  you will have to complete the medical and mental evaluationform. BAMSI requires international students to have and show proof of additional insurance while here. You will also be sent detailed information regarding student orientation and other relevant activities.

• Provide evidence of financial support. Submit an affidavit of support letter and a bank letter addressed to BAMSI. The bank letter must state that you or your sponsor have the funds available to pay the total cost associated with attending The Institute for the length of your program. Please note that the bank letter must bear a date within six months of the date it is submitted.

  • If sponsored by a government or an institution, submit a government sponsorship letter or a notarized letter of support guaranteeing payment of tuition and fees, books, room and board, medical insurance, and personal expenses for the length of the program

  • Documents must indicate explicit numerical balance (most current) of the account

Examples which ARE acceptable:

• Scholarship letters
• Original bank letters signed by a bank official
• Original bank statements issued directly from the bank

Examples which ARE NOT acceptable:

• Bank letters without the name of the account holder or account number
• Bank statements lacking currency amounts
• Accounts with maturity dates in the future
• Letters which do not specify the availability of at least the minimum amount per year
• Life insurance policies
• Payroll reports/expected income
• Tax statements

• Submit proof of health insurance and immunization records
• If on-campus housing desired, submit housing deposit
• Follow the steps under Accepted Students. 

* Applicants are responsible for all services and fees provided by the agencies listed above

PREPARING TO TRAVEL

When it comes time to make your trip to North Andros, The Bahamas, there are a few things you can do to prepare.

Here are a few steps to take as you begin making travel plans:

Renew your passport for an expiration date no earlier than your program end date at BAMSI. This will ensure that you are able to enter and depart the country during your program of study.

Confirm clearance and documentation from BAHAMAS DEPARTMENT OF IMMIGRATION 

Before scheduling your flights, contact the housing@bamsibahamas.edu.bs to verify your room assignment and earliest possible check-in date at BAMSI The Housing Office requires students to check in to their rooms on certain dates and during certain time periods. Ensure that you will arrive to check in to your room on these dates and within these hours. If your flight is delayed and you are unable to arrive within these hours, please have a back-up plan including a local hotel option.

Make copies of your immigration documents, student visa, passport, financial statement, and acceptance letter to BAMSI. Leave one copy of the documents in a safe place with a family member.

Update your immunization records and complete the Medical and Mental Heath Form. An international student is required to submit proof of two immunizations against measles, mumps, and rubella during his/her lifetime. International students are also required to submit proof of a negative tuberculosis test dated within 30 days or a letter from physician confirming that the student is TB free.

Notify your banking institution in your home country that you will be studying in The Bahamas. and for what time period you will be abroad. Discuss using your debit/credit card and other banking options while in The Bahamas. 

Plan to bring enough funds to sustain you until you are able to meet with a banking official to open up an account in The Bahamas and/or consider online banking options.

Make travel plans to North Andros Bahamas. To do so you will have to first make flight arrangments to Nassau, LPIA Airport and then another onto North Andros airport. Flight times between Nassau and North Andros is only 10 minutes!

Send your travel itinerary to the Office of Student Support Services, studentsupport@bamsibahamas.edu.bs with your arrival date. If you experience a delay at Customs and Immigration, this information will allow us to support you through the entry process.

Double-check to ensure you have included all necessary items in your carry-on bags and checked luggage before you depart.

WE CANNOT WAIT TO SEE YOU AND WELCOME YOU HOME TO BAMSI NATION!