Includes information on what is needed to travel to the country/economy.

For visitors
 
U.S. citizens entering Bermuda as visitors need a valid U.S. passport but do not require a visa.  Upon arrival, visitors must present their round-trip ticket to Bermuda Immigration.  Visitors may remain in Bermuda for up to ninety days; longer stays require application to Bermuda Immigration headquarters in Hamilton.  Applicants for extended stay must present supporting documentation, such as proof of financial solvency and health insurance.
 
For potential residents (employment)
 
Non-Bermudians require a work permit to work in Bermuda, obtained before arrival to the island.  Non-compliance may result in denial of entry into Bermuda.  Prospective employers are responsible for securing work permits for their non-Bermudian employees. 
 
The Department of Immigration’s primary consideration in determining whether to grant a work permit is whether there is a suitably qualified Bermudian interested in the job and available to do it.  If so, the qualified Bermudian, i.e., one who meets the minimum advertised requirements and qualifications for the job, is to be hired over a non-Bermudian.  An employer who applies to employ a non-Bermudian in a position for which a Bermudian applied is required to provide clear, satisfactory reasons for not employing the Bermudian.  If no qualified Bermudians are available, then the employer may apply for a work permit for a non-Bermudian, unless the position is in a closed category where non-Bermudians are not allowed to work (e.g. general laborer, taxi driver, salesperson). For more information see:
 http://www.gov.bm/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_19651_214_232817_43/http%3B/ptpublisher.gov.bm%3B7087/publishedcontent/publish/ministry_of_labour___haps/immigration/wp_documents/work_permit_policiesimplementation_document_20140516_updated.pdf.
 
Bermuda’s new work permit policy, effective March 1, 2015, requires employers to advertise all positions for at least eight consecutive days and to confer directly with the Department of Workforce Development about whether there are qualified Bermudians to fill posts in certain job categories. Spouses – but not the children – of work permit holders would be eligible for employment but only after undergoing the rigorous work permit process that puts qualified Bermudians first.
 
In February, 2013, the Bermuda government introduced special category work permits, including global work permits and new business work permits.  A global work permit allows a person, who is already employed in a senior position by a global company in another jurisdiction, to transfer to the Bermuda office without the requirement to advertise the position.  A new business permit allows an exempt company that is new to Bermuda to receive up to five work permits for overseas recruits for senior positions.  All five employees must earn at least $125,000.00 per annum.  Advertising for the five work permits is automatically waived if the waiver is used within the first twelve months of establishing a physical presence in Bermuda. 
 
In recognition of the key role international business and foreign investment play in the economy, particularly in terms of job creation for Bermudians, in January, 2013, the government eliminated the controversial “term limits” policy, under which non-Bermudians were allowed to work in Bermuda for no more than six years, or up to ten years if their employers could demonstrate they were “key employees.”  To reward and retain companies already in Bermuda, and to encourage new companies to establish themselves on the island, the GOB expanded the Incentives for Job Makers Act (IJMA) 2011 (effective December, 2013), to offer a form of permanent residency to those who create jobs for Bermudians and to give them residential property purchase rights not available to other non-residents. See:
 
http://www.gov.bm/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_19651_214_232817_43/http%3B/ptpublisher.gov.bm%3B7087/publishedcontent/publish/ministry_of_labour___haps/immigration/wp_documents/work_permit_policiesimplementation_document_20140516_updated.pdf.   
 
For U.S. citizens traveling to Bermuda on business, the U.S. Consulate strongly recommends the company/individual contact Bermuda Immigration to see if a work permit is required.  Bermuda Immigration and Bermuda Customs are very strict and some travelers without correct/sufficient documentation may be sent back to their country of origin.  U.S. citizens planning to visit Bermuda who need more information about Bermuda Immigration or Customs requirements should phone 441-295-5151 or www.immigration.gov.bm.
 
Every official U.S. Government (USG) visitor to Bermuda must obtain a country clearance from the U.S. Consulate at least seventy-two hours in advance.  For more information please contact the U.S. Consulate in Bermuda at
http://hamilton.usconsulate.gov.  
 
U.S. companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States should be advised that security evaluations are handled via an interagency process. Visa applicants should go to the following links:
 
State Department Visa Website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/ 
 
U.S. Consulate Visa Information:
http://hamilton.usconsulate.gov/non-immigrant_visas.html
 
U.S. Companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States should be advised that security evaluations are handled via an interagency process. Visa applicants should go to the following links.
 
State Department Visa Website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/
 
U.S. Consulate Consular Website:  http://hamilton.usconsulate.gov/visas.html

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.