Assessing travel and visa obligations

When traveling to Bermuda, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you require a work permit. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.

Traveling for business

What types of activities may I engage in as a business visitor?

As a business visitor to Bermuda, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:

  • Attend business meetings
  • Attend, present, or exhibit at a conference
  • Visit potential customers
  • Interview for a job

 

If I qualify as a business visitor, do I need a visa for Bermuda?

Bermuda does not issue or require a Bermudan entry visa for any foreign nationals. However, the entry requirements for Bermuda are determined by the visa regulations for Canada, the United States or the United Kingdom, depending on which of those three countries the business visitor will transit through in order to arrive in Bermuda. The country of transit’s immigration regulations apply when transiting; a multiple-entry visa may be required depending on the country of transit, on the traveler’s nationality, and on whether the traveler holds permanent residency in the country of transit. Please consult with your immigration counsel for additional information.

Working in Bermuda

What types of activities require a work permit?

The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Bermudan law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in Bermuda, even if conducted for a short duration.

  • Project implementation
  • Marketing
  • Consulting

 

If I am traveling to Bermuda for work, what type of work permit do I need?

The requirements for a work permit depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work and on whether your employer has an entity in Bermuda. The most common Bermudan work permits are:

  • Short Term Work Permit (work authorization for up to six months)
  • Periodic Work Permit (short-term work authorization for intra-company transferees or employees acting as a service provider as part of a maintenance or after-sales agreement)
  • Standard Work Permit (long-term work authorization)
  • Global Work Permit (work authorization for intra-company transferees employed by an international company and transferred to a local branch of that company in Bermuda)

 

Is it possible to be exempted from work permit requirements?

There are no work authorization exemptions for Bermuda.

What else should I know?

Inevitably, the legal and strategic considerations impacting visa selection, as well as visa waiver and work authorization eligibility, entail the careful consideration of many factors. We recommend that you consult with your immigration counsel before taking any course of action.

 

Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. Government immigration agencies often change their policies and practices without notice; please consult an immigration professional for up-to-date information. This document does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. BAL maintains comprehensive immigration information and processing specifics for our clients.