The Department of Immigration is advising of further updates to the English Language proficiency requirements for work permit holders whose first language is not English and who do not hold a degree from an English-instruction university or college.

The Ministry of Economy and Labour reminds the public of the specific circumstances under which individuals may apply for Permission to Reside and Seek Employment in Bermuda. This clarification ensures transparency, consistency, and proper application of Bermuda’s immigration framework.

These applications are not stand-alone but only considered in the following context:

1. Continuation of Residency Rights

The Ministry of Economy and Labour, through the Department of Immigration, wishes to remind the public of the penalties associated with breaches of Bermuda's immigration laws and work permit conditions.

This information addresses the most common complaints received by the Department's Compliance Section. It serves as a reminder to all residents, visitors, work permit holders, and employers of the importance of adhering to Bermuda's immigration regulations.

The Department of Immigration wishes to clarify the English language proficiency requirements for work permit holders whose first language is not English and who do not hold a degree from an English-instruction university or college.

The Department of Immigration is pleased to announce a significant improvement in processing times for British Overseas Territories Citizen (BOTC) Bermuda passports.

Applicants no longer need to wait up to 20 weeks to receive a new passport. Thanks to recent operational enhancements, first-time, lost, or stolen passport applications are now processed within 6 to 8 weeks, and renewal applications within 4 to 6 weeks.

Mr Speaker,
I rise today to inform Honourable Members of this House of the Department of Immigration’s Work Permit Policy 2025 which is laid in the House today and which will take effect 1 November 2025.

The Government’s goal is to ensure the proper balance between employment and immigration in Bermuda. There is a need to have in place realistic conditions that enable Bermudians to find work and pursue career opportunities while ensuring that suitably qualified non-Bermudians in specific job categories are able to work in Bermuda.

The Ministry of Economy and Labour advises the public that, effective 17 July 2025, the Bermuda Immigration and Protection (Prohibition of Entry) Order 2025 has been revoked and replaced with the Bermuda Immigration and Protection (Prohibition of Entry) (No. 2) Order 2025.

The updated Order reflects ongoing immigration policy reviews and adjustments. Since the previous Order issued in January 2025, several changes have been made:

Effective January 8, 2025, the Ministry of Economy and Labour advises the public that the Bermuda Immigration and Protection (Prohibition of Entry) Order 2024 has been revoked and replaced with the Bermuda Immigration and Protection (Prohibition of Entry) Order 2025 (attached).

Nationals of the countries provided in the Schedule below are prohibited from entering Bermuda unless one of the following apply:

The Ministry of Economy and Labour is pleased to announce of the restoration of the Country Authority Code in the Bermuda passports.

The Ministry confirmed that effective April 30, 2024, the country code will change from GBR to BMU.

Earlier today (April 16), during a special Handover Ceremony in Montreal Canada, which was hosted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the return of the BMU code became official.

The Montreal event was attended by Her Excellency the Governor, Rena Lalgie and the Premier, the Hon. E. David Burt JP, MP.

The Premier, Hon. E. David Burt, JP, MP, will travel today to Montreal, Canada, to the headquarters of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), where he will take part in a ceremony that will confirm the reinstatement of the BMU code to Bermuda’s British Overseas Territories Citizens (BOTC) passports.