To work in Bermuda, you must be Bermudian, married to a Bermudian, or be a Permanent Resident’s Certificate (PRC) holder. If you are not you must have a valid work permit.
There are various types of work permits depending on the type of work and the length of time the person will be working in Bermuda.
There are six different types of work permits:
1. Standard Work Permit
The purpose of a Standard Work Permit is to allow all organisations in Bermuda to employ foreign nationals provided that they can demonstrate that a Bermudian, Spouse of a Bermudian or PRC holder who was interested in a job, was not suitably qualified or available to be hired. Employers may apply for Standard Work Permits of one, two, three, four or five years.
2. Periodic Work Permit
A Periodic Work Permit is used by employers seeking to hire non-resident individuals who will make multiple visits to Bermuda over a period of time, staying no greater than 30 days for each visit. Advertising for a periodic work permit is not required.
3. Short Term Work Permit
The Short Term Work Permit may be used by all employers, including not-for-profit organisations, registered charities and religious institutions to employ an individual to work for periods of up to six months.
4. New Business Work Permit
A New Business Work Permit allows an exempted company (per the definition in the Companies Act) that is new to Bermuda to receive the automatic approval of work permits for the first six months after obtaining the first new business permit.
5. Global Entrepreneur Work Permit (GE Permit)
The Global Entrepreneur Work Permit may be issued for a one year period to work and reside in Bermuda in respect to an exempted company or section 114B start-ups. The work activities may include business planning, seeking appropriate Government or regulatory approval(s), meeting compliance or financial requirements or raising capital.
6. Global Work Permit
A Global Work Permit allows a person who is already employed by a global company in another jurisdiction to transfer to the Bermuda office without the requirement to advertise the position. Employers may apply for Global Work Permits of one, two, three, four or five years.
7. Fintech Business Work Permit
A Fintech Business Work Permit allows a Fintech company that is new to Bermuda to receive automatic approval of up to five (5) Fintech Business Work Permits for the first six (6) months of obtaining the first new Fintech Business Work Permit. There is no need to advertise the positions. Fintech Business Work Permits will be issued for one, two, three, four or five years. The fees for Fintech Business Work Permits are the same as the fees for Global Work Permits.