National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, New Providence
National Art Gallery of The Bahamas - ‘The Protectors’ by June Collie
Queen's Staircase, New Providence
National Art Gallery of The Bahamas - ‘Celebration Spirit of Junkanoo’ by Brent Malone
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Welcome to The Embassy of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas to the Kingdom of Belgium

The Embassy of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas to the Kingdom of Belgium liaises with the Bahamas High Commission in London to perform a number of consular functions, including the processing and issuance of visas, the issuance of passports, the legalisation of documents, and assistance to Bahamian nationals in distress. 

Embassy Operation Hours

Monday – Friday 9:30AM – 5:30PM CET

Weekends – CLOSED

Bahamas Holidays – CLOSED

NOTICE: Operating Hours have been adjusted in compliance with the host country’s Covid-19 operating hours protocols. Persons are requested to contact the Embassy directly via the general email account for assistance.

Brussels Embassy Consular Services

Notice: Consular Services are not currently active at this time.

Passports

With the launch of its digital ePassport online portal, the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas is committing to providing quality customer service to Bahamians. This service is available to all Bahamians, 18 years and older, with a valid ePassport.

Bahamas Travel Visa

The Bahamas is a major tourist destination and welcomes millions of visitors from the UK and around the world to its shores each year. In keeping with its commitment to providing efficient and quality customer service, the Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched its e-Visa online services platform.

Bahamas Travel Health Visa During Covid-19

With effect of 19 June 2022, the mandatory application for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa was eliminated for travellers to The Bahamas. Fully vaccinated travellers were not required to provide pre-travell COVID 19 testing to enter The Bahamas. Fully vaccinated and un-vaccinated travellers were not required to test for COVID 19 for domestic travelling within The Bahamas.

Due to the evolving situation surrounding Covid-19 all persons travelling to The Bahamas should consult The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism website for the latest travel protocols

COVID-19 & Vaccine Updates

With effect of 20 September, 2022, the requirement for COVID 19 testing prior to entry into The Bahamas regardless of vaccination status was eliminated (learn more).

Read the latest COVID-19 and vaccine information from The Government of The Bahamas here. Learn more about the latest travel requirements for The Bahamas here.

Wearing of Face Masks in The Bahamas

The compulsory requirement of the wearing of face masks in The Bahamas was eliminated in most public settings (learn more).

Appointment of Ambassador of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to the Kingdom of Belgium

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is pleased to announce that six new Ambassadors were commissioned on 18th October in the presence of the Governor General The Honourable Cornelius A Smith ON, GCMG, the Prime Minister the Honourable Philip EB Davis KC, MP. and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Public Service The Honourable Frederick A Mitchell MP.

In his remarks, Prime Minister Davis said that the selection of these envoys underscores his administration’s commitment to investment, sustainable development and international cooperation. He added that the new ambassadors will serve their country with honour and distinction.

HE Cheryl Bazard was commissioned as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Belgium on 18 October, 2022 by the Governor General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, His Excellency the Honourable Cornelius A. Smith ON,GCMG

The current government took office over a year ago with a pledge to broaden the country’s footprint at home and abroad while strengthening its ability to attract trade and investment, seizing opportunities for international cultural exchanges. The commissioning of these esteemed individuals demonstrates the Government’s commitment to follow through on its promises.

The ceremony was a part of the Ministry’s diplomatic week proceedings where a number of high-level talks featuring Bahamian envoys and the foreign diplomatic corps residing in The Bahamas took place.

Forging Bilateral and Multilateral Ties

On 13 March, 2019 the Commonwealth of The Bahamas formally established its physical presence in the Kingdom of Belgium with the presentation of credentials by Her Excellency Maria O’Brien, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to the Kingdom of Belgium to His Majesty King Philippe, King of the Belgians.

As a consequence, Ambassador O’Brien became the first residing Ambassador to Brussels, Belgium since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two (2) countries in 1973.

Subsequently, The Bahamas was also accredited for the first time with a resident Ambassador to the European Union (EU) on 16 July, 2019 positioning The Bahamas to forge stronger bilateral and multilateral ties through diplomacy, culturally particularly in the tourism sector and economically.

H.E. Maria O’Brien, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to The Kingdom of Belgium

February 2019 – November 2021

The post of the Ambassador is currently vacant

The Bahamas Embassy Brussels as the second diplomatic representation in Europe has at the heart of its mission, the protection and advancement of the interests of the Government of The Bahamas in the European Union, in addition to progressing and positioning the foreign policies of the Government of The Bahamas with EU institutions, strengthening and maintaining bilateral relations with the Kingdom of Belgium and cultivating as well as underpinning bilateral relations with EU member states.

Strengthening Cooperation in Financial Services

Through the work of the Embassy, The Bahamas is playing a leading role in strengthening the global financial system by fostering cooperation between the financial services sectors of The Bahamas and EU member states. The Embassy also aims to advance open dialogue and building comradery with the members of the European Parliament.

Building Connections Through Creative Culture

Bahamian, artists, craftspeople, and entrepreneurs are responsible for creative craft and fine art products such as Junkanoo, straw work, wood carving, paintings, sculpture, film and music. These unique works promote the culture of The Bahamas both at home and abroad and support the development of a thriving Orange Economy. Our mission, with the support of European agencies, is to strengthen our creative sectors and facilitate the exposure of Bahamian culture within the European Union and OACP through cultural initiatives.

Government

On January 7, 1964, The Bahamas received its first written constitution, in which Bahamians were granted virtually full control over their internal affairs, with the British Governor retaining responsibility for external affairs, defence and internal security.

History

The original inhabitants of The Bahamas were Arawak Indians, who had migrated through the Antilles from South America. Within a few decades after Columbus landed on San Salvador in 1492, the Spanish had depopulated the islands...

Culture

Many of the people who live in The Bahamas are of West African descent, a result of the slave trade that sourced cotton plantations in America and the Caribbean. Others are descendants of the English Puritans...

Latest news, updates, and events

Courtesy Visit with H.E. Bitange Ndemo, Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya to the Kingdom of Belgium, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Mission to the European Union

Embassy of The Bahamas, BrusselsBrussels, Belgium21 February 2023 Press Release Her Excellency Cheryl E Bazard, Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium and Head of Mission to the European Union and His Excellency Bitange Ndemo, Ambassador for the Republic of Kenya to the Kingdom of Belgium, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and

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African Caribbean Pacific (ACP) Young Professionals Network (YPN) “Meet the Leader” Event in Observance of the 50th Anniversary of the Indepedence of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas

Embassy of The Bahamas, BrusselsBrussels, Belgium20 February 2023 Press Release Her Excellency Cheryl E. Bazard, Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium and Head of Mission to the European Union and attendees at the ACP-YPN “Meet The Leader” Event Her Excellency Cheryl E. Bazard, Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium and

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Courtesy Visit with H.E. Gloria Navarrete Pinto, Ambassador of the Republic of Chile to the Kingdom of Belgium, Luxembourg and to The European Union

Ministry of Foreign AffairsNassau, The Bahamas17 February 2023 Press Release Her Excellency Cheryl E Bazard, Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium and to the European Union and Her Excellency Gloria Navarrete Pinto, Ambassador for the Republic of Chile to the Kingdom of Belgium, Luxembourg and to the European Union Her

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2022 Public Holidays
New Year's Day (Belgium)
Saturday, 1 January 2022
New Year’s Day (The Bahamas)
Monday, 3 January 2022
Majority Rule Day (The Bahamas)
Monday, 10 January 2022
Good Friday (The Bahamas)
Friday, 15 April 2022
Easter Monday (Belgium & The Bahamas)
Monday, 18 April 2022
Labour Day (Belgium)
Sunday, 1 May 2022
Ascension Day (Belgium)
Thursday, 26 May 2022
Randol Fawkes Labour Day (The Bahamas)
Friday, 3 June 2022
Whit Monday (Belgium & The Bahamas)
Monday, 6 June 2022
Independence Day (The Bahamas)
Monday, 11 July 2022
National Day (Belgium)
Thursday, 21 July 2022
Emancipation Day (The Bahamas)
Monday, 1 August 2022
Assumption Day (Belgium)
Monday, 15 August 2022
National Heroes Day (The Bahamas)
Monday, 10 October 2022
All Saints' Day (Belgium)
Tuesday, 1 November 2022
Armistice Day (Belgium)
Friday, 11 November 2022
Armistice Day (Belgium)
Friday, 11 November 2022
Christmas Day (Belgium)
Sunday, 25 December 2022
Christmas Day (The Bahamas)
Monday, 26 December 2022
Boxing Day (The Bahamas)
Tuesday, 27 December 2022