The Ministry of Economy and Labour is advising the public of targeted updates to Bermuda’s Closed and Restricted Job Categories, effective March 1, 2026, for twelve months ending February 28, 2027. These changes are designed to strengthen employment opportunities for Bermudians while ensuring key industries can continue to meet operational demands.

The Minister Hayward explained, “Bermudians will always come first under this Government. That principle is not negotiable, and it does not change with targeted adjustments to work permit policy within the hospitality and aviation sectors.

Bermuda’s immigration laws require that Bermudians be given the first opportunity to apply for available jobs. Work permits are granted only where no suitably qualified Bermudian has applied or where the necessary skills cannot be sourced locally. That safeguard remains firmly in place.

Bermuda’s economy functions as an ecosystem. Strong industries create jobs. A skilled Bermudian workforce fills and sustains them. Protecting Bermudian employment requires both safeguarding those opportunities and ensuring that the industries that generate those jobs remain competitive and operational. In light of recognised labour shortages in the areas of hospitality and aviation, which are made worse by our aging population and low unemployment rate, some adjustments are being made.”

Several roles within the aviation and hospitality sectors will shift categories, and the maximum duration of work permits for Restricted Job Categories will increase from one year to two years.

Aviation Sector Changes

Within the aviation sector, the following roles will move into the Closed Job Category:

• Aircraft Licensed Mechanic
• Cabin Services Agent
• Passenger Service Agent
• GSE Apprentice Mechanic

The following aviation roles will move into the Restricted Job Category:

• Aviation Security Guard
• GSE Licensed Mechanic
• GSE Body and Paint Technician
• Ramp Agent
• Ramp Senior Operator

All positions must be advertised to ensure that suitably qualified Bermudians are given the first opportunity. Employers must monitor the number of work permit holders they hire and report to the Ministry annually when employment levels reach a 50% Bermudian threshold.

Hospitality Sector Adjustments

Bartenders and Room Attendants will move from the Closed Job Category to the Restricted Job Category for hotels and restaurants only. These jobs will remain in the Restricted Job category for one year. After this period, hotels and restaurants must report the number of Bermudians and work permit holders employed. The ‘General Bartender’ job will remain in the Closed Job category for all other businesses. 

All positions must be advertised to ensure suitably qualified Bermudians are given the first opportunity and a career fair must be held. Employers must monitor the number of work permit holders they hire and report to the Ministry annually when employment levels reach 50% Bermudian threshold.

Updated Closed Job Categories

The Closed Job Category list, updated from the prior three-month period ending February 28, 2026, now includes the following:

1. Administrative Assistant

2. Aircraft Licensed Mechanic

3. Bank Teller

4. Cabin Services Agent 

5. Carpet Installer

6. Cashier

7. Childcare Assistant

8. Courier

9. Customer Care/ Service Rep

10. Debt Collector

11. Deckhand

12. Dispatcher Road Transport

13. Entertainer/ Musician

14. Executive Secretary/Assistant

15. Fisherman

16. General Bartender

17. General Labourer

18. Golf Instructors

19. Grocery Packer

20. GSE Apprentice Mechanic

21. Guest Service Agent

22. Handyman

23. HR Officer/ Manager

24. Intern

25. Laundry Attendant

26. Legal Clerk

27. Librarian

28. Office Receptionist

29. Painter

30. Para-Professional

31. Passenger Service Agent

32. Photographer

33. Pool/Beach Attendant

34. Public Relations Officer

35. Real Estate Agent

36. Retail Floor Supervisor

37. Salesperson

38. Seasonal Work Permits

39. Security Guard

40. Senior Clerk

41. Taxi Driver

42. Teaching Aide

43. Technician salesperson

44. Telephone Switchboard Operator

45. Tourist Retail Salesperson

46. Travel Agent/ Consultant

47. Wallpaper Technician

48. Warehouse Clerk

Updated Restricted Job Categories

The Restricted Job Categories under the Work Permit Policy now include:

1. Aviation Security Guard
2. Bartender (hotels and restaurants only)
3. Dish/Pot Washer
4. Electrician
5. General Carpenter
6. GSE Body and Paint Technician
7. GSE Licensed Mechanic
8. Kitchen Assistant
9. Kitchen Porter
10. Landscape Gardener, Entry Level
11. Plumber
12. Residential/Commercial Cleaner
13. Ramp Agent
14. Ramp Senior Operator
15. Room Attendant
16. Tennis Instructor
17. Waiter/Server

Employer Requirements and Compliance

To safeguard employment opportunities for Bermudians, employers in the hospitality and aviation sectors must monitor the proportion of work permit holders within their workforce and report annually when Bermudian employment levels reach the 50 percent threshold.

All positions must continue to be advertised to ensure that suitably qualified Bermudians are given the first opportunity. In addition, the hospitality sector will be required to hold a career fair.

According to the Work Permit Policy, Section 3.9, the application process for jobs in the Restricted job categories is the same as that for the Open category, except the employer must:

1. Apply for a maximum term of two (2) years; and

2. Submit evidence that any candidates screened and recommended by the Department of Workforce Development (“DWD”) have been appropriately considered. DWD is expected to respond to enquiries by employers within ten (10) working days. Should no response be forthcoming from DWD, the employer may submit the application with written evidence that they made enquiries.

As a reminder, the partner of a Bermudian, Permanent Resident Certificate holder, non-Bermudian on a work permit, or other legal residents of Bermuda who have already received permission to reside and seek employment, may apply to seek employment for a job in the Restricted Job category. Partners who do not have permission to reside may apply to reside and seek employment. The policy relating to partners was updated in September 2025. Further details on Partner Residence Application Guidelines are available online at gov.bm.

The Ministry of Economy and Labour remains focused on ensuring that our policies create meaningful job opportunities for Bermudians. The Closed and Restricted Job Categories are designed to encourage employers to prioritise Bermudian talent and invest in their development. As Bermuda’s employment landscape evolves, the Ministry will continue to adjust these policies to reflect changing workforce needs and ensure that Bermudians remain at the centre of our economic progress.

Individuals looking to increase their skillsets and employability are always encouraged to register with the Department of Workforce Development at dwd.bm and explore more options for further education through Bermuda College at www.college.bm.