The Premier, Hon. E. David Burt, JP, MP, travelled to Montreal, Canada, from 15 April-17 April 2024 to the headquarters of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), where he took part in a ceremony hosted by the ICAO that confirmed the reinstatement of the BMU code to Bermuda’s British Overseas Territories Citizens (BOTC) passports.
The removal of the BMU code, which is the specific country code for Bermuda, took place when the responsibility for printing all BOTC passports, including Bermuda’s, was taken over by the UK Government. The Bermuda BMU code was replaced with the GBR code, which is the code for Great Britain and shows when the biometric chip in Bermudian passports is scanned.
This change caused confusion at ports of entry for many Bermudians when travelling to places such as the United States and third-country borders, where they are not required to apply for a visa or an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
The GBR code on Bermudian passports led officials in the United States and others to mistakenly believe that one of these documents was required. It left many Bermudians stranded due to missed flights and caused unnecessary stress.
Since 2017, the Government of Bermuda has been working tirelessly to have the BMU code reinstated so that Bermudians can return to travelling internationally without added obstacles that are no fault of their own.
Premier David Burt also raised the issue personally with UK government officials, including Foreign Secretaries, multiple UK Ministers for Overseas Territories, and others, during each of his visits to the United Kingdom since 2017.
The official ceremony and reinstatement of the BMU code signified the end of over six years of work by the Government.
The Premier was joined on this visit and at the official ceremony by Her Excellency Governor Rena Lalgie.
Additional Links:
The Premier Departs for Ceremony Confirming Return of BMU Code (April 2024): gov.bm/articles/premier-departs-ceremony-confirming-return-bmu-code-passports
BMU Code Restored to Bermuda Passports (April 2024): gov.bm/articles/bmu-code-restored-bermuda-passports
BMU Code Frequently Asked Questions:
gov.bm/sites/default/files/2024-04/BMU_Frequently_Asked_Questions.pdf
Premier meets Overseas Territories Minister (November 2021): gov.bm/articles/premier-meets-uk-overseas-territories-minister
BMU Code Ceremony (April 2024): twitter.com/BermudaPremier/status/1780433752885195190?t=kJJ-pqqU8sDpHy1v8h_xkg&s=08
UK Government will return BMU Code to Bermuda passports (May 2023): twitter.com/BermudaPremier/status/1653501605608673319?t=BmoqFyOaLlj9iR9FkiDYGQ&s=08
Meeting with UK Minister for Overseas Territories (November 2023): twitter.com/BermudaPremier/status/1656071837393072129?t=j4-kXCKVdZrVRxgpLOyHVQ&s=08
Meeting with UK Minister for Overseas Territories (November 2021): twitter.com/BermudaPremier/status/1537172751466774528?t=UE9D088_rcPZpRQvscMSmQ