With its famous pink-sand beaches, pastel-colored houses trimmed with bougainvillea, and a melange of British, African, Portuguese and Caribbean cultures, balmy Bermuda is a favorite destination for sunny getaways year-round.
The island ticks all the boxes for a tropical escape. Bermuda’s eclectic, colorful heritage is reflected in its food, art and music, and there are plenty of things to do in the sun, when you aren’t enjoying the stunning beaches.
Whether you’re coming by cruise ship or plane, entering and leaving Bermuda is relatively straightforward, but what paperwork you need varies depending on your nationality. Here’s a guide to Bermuda’s entry requirements, from info on visas to details on how to apply for temporary residency and permission to work in Bermuda.
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Stunning pastel-colored houses line the rocky bluffs in Bermuda © Cavan Images / Getty Images
Some nationalities can visit Bermuda without a visa
You can visit Bermuda without a visa or permit if you’re a British, or a citizen of the US or Canada, regardless of whether you come to Bermuda as a tourist, business traveler or work permit holder. All you need is a passport (valid for the proposed duration of your stay) plus tickets for return or onward travel.
There’s some small print. Travel tickets must show the Booking Reference Number, destination and departure date and time, and you must also produce a valid visa for the country you are traveling to next (if one is needed). Note that credit-card-sized US passport cards are not accepted for air travel – you’ll need your actual paper passport.
Other nationalities need proof they can enter the UK, US or Canada
As of 2014, Bermuda no longer issues entry visas or visa waivers to visitors, regardless of nationality or purpose of their visit. However, if you’re a citizen of any other country besides the UK, Canada or the United States, you must show a valid passport, return or onward tickets and proof that you have the right to re-enter either the US, UK or Canada (depending on your port of transit), since you will have to pass through one of these three countries to reach Bermuda.
This proof may take the form of a Multi Re-Entry Visa (MRV), if one is required to enter the UK, US or Canada. Proof that you can re-enter these countries is required even if you are just passing through the airport to catch a connecting flight to Bermuda. MRVs and passports must be valid for at least 45 days past the expiration of your stay in Bermuda. You may also be asked to show proof of booked accommodation for your stay.
You’ll want some time on Bermuda’s gorgeous beaches © Mark Edward Harris / Getty Images
More paperwork is needed if you’re a permanent resident not a citizen
If you’re a permanent resident of the US, UK or Canada, rather than a citizen, on arrival in Bermuda you must produce proof of right of abode in one of the three countries. British and Canadian residents must show a Permanent Resident Card, while those living in the US need to show either a Permanent Residence Card (Green Card) or an original certificate of US naturalization, as well as some government-issued photo ID.
Return or onward tickets and a passport valid for 45 days beyond your booked departure date from Bermuda are additional entry requirements. If you’re a woman traveling under your married name, but your identification is under your maiden name, you must also produce a certified copy of your marriage certificate.
All nationalities need to fill out the Bermuda Arrival Card
From November 2022, all visitors to Bermuda, whether they arrive by air or yacht (travelers on a cruise ship are exempt), need to fill out the Bermuda Arrival Card. This is available digitally and can be completed in advance of arrival or as a hard-copy at Immigration.
Tourists can stay in Bermuda for 180 days
The maximum length of stay for tourists has been extended to 180 days as of August 1, 2020. To extend your stay beyond this 180-day maximum, you can request an extension. You’ll need valid travel documents (such as a passport), a letter from a host or sponsor along with their ID, proof of onward travel and to pay a fee.
Explore the clear waters of Bermuda © Raul Rosa / 500px
There are several working visa options in Bermuda
Until recently, working in Bermuda required a work permit and a job offer from a Bermuda-based company. However, from August 1, 2020, Bermuda has been offering special Work from Bermuda residency certificates, valid for up to a year, to digital nomads and students of all nationalities who wish to either work or study remotely while based on the island.
The online application costs US$275, and applicants must be over 18 years old, with valid health insurance and a clean criminal record. You’ll need to present evidence that you are employed by a legitimate company, self-employed, or enrolled in a recognized study program, and have a continuous source of income.
Alternatively, there are six different types of work visa in Bermuda, all with their own restrictions and requirements.
