Bermuda Visa Requirements for US, UK, CA and EU Travelers

Bermuda is such a beautiful island — something we regularly write about on our blog — that it naturally attracts visitors from all over the world, US, UK, Canadian and EU travelers included. Luckily, it’s relatively easy to enter the island without applying for additional visa documentation, so you can enjoy without much preparation.

However, it’s always worth checking specific advice for your country before booking your trip and seeking answers to questions around the extension of your vacation, work permits and buying property in Bermuda (if you happen to fall in love with the lifestyle or the investment opportunities the beautiful island brings).

• Overview: US, UK, CA, and EU Travel
• US Travel
• UK Travel
• CA Travel
• EU Travel 
• Living in Bermuda for US, UK, CA, and EU Nationals

Overview: US, UK, CA, and EU Travel

The US, UK, Canada, and EU residents have similar travel requirements to enter Bermuda for vacations and other, work-related purposes. Any resident of these countries can enjoy a 180-day visa-free vacation. Work permits are also available if you follow the correct application process.

To find out more about the slight nuances of each country and information on gaining extension and work permit approval, keep reading.

US to Bermuda Travel

Short and simple — short stay travelers from the US don’t need any type of visa to enter the island of Bermuda. You’re all set to experience the laid-back nature of the island. But, if you plan to extend your stay, you may need to meet some requirements.

Short Stays in Bermuda

Holidays of 90 days or less are straightforward, requiring no prior visa arrangements. However, ensure you have adequate pages in your passport to allow for any necessary stamps upon arrival and departure — at least one blank page or more. 

Passports will need to be valid for the full duration of your stay, but it’s strongly recommended to have six months of validity for any type of travel since entry to a country is at the discretion of a customs official. 

VisaHQ can assist US citizens with a full range of expedited passport services, including new passport applications and passport renewal.

Extending Your Vacation in Bermuda

Extending your short stay beyond three months — the permitted 90 days — requires you to attend an appointment with an Inspector or the Immigration Department at their head office in Hamilton, Bermuda. Here, you can apply for a Visitor Extension, granting you an extension of an additional 90 days — 180 days total visit to the island.

You must also submit an application before the appointment and before your stay's expiration date, which is stamped in your passport and immigration arrival card. 

At the office, you’ll need to present the following documents to the immigration officials:

• The completed application form, including the signed declaration by the host/sponsor, if applicable, or written confirmation from a hotel or guesthouse
• Your valid passport or other travel document used to enter Bermuda, which must be valid for 45 days past the intended departure date
• Evidence of a return flight booking
• An updated ESTA
• Financial evidence of ability to pay the extension fee

Working in Bermuda

For anybody wishing to move permanently to the island and doesn’t have a Bermudian spouse residing in Bermuda, it’s necessary to secure a job on the island before your arrival. 

The Bermudian Government naturally encourages the employment of their own citizens, so some job categories are restricted to Bermudians only. Over 20% of the population comprises foreign expats working in Bermuda on work permits, so there are plenty of overseas job opportunities. Here’s a snippet of information about how to obtain a permit:

• Find employment on the island
• Get written confirmation from your employer of the specified work period
• Pay the relevant fees to the Bermudian Government

Another important point to note is that your spouse won’t be able to work on the island from your permit and will need to undergo the same process to acquire their own. However, your family can stay with you as long as you work in Bermuda.

UK to Bermuda Travel

It’s entirely possible for UK citizens to work, rest and play in Bermuda. However, the visa requirements vary depending on the purpose and duration of your trip. Read on to find out more.

Short Stays in Bermuda 

Like US citizens, UK residents are granted a 90-day visa-free period for short stays on the island. 

You’ll need to obtain a valid passport — at the very least for the duration of your stay — and show proof of your accommodation booking as well as your return flight upon arrival. Some long-haul flight providers may also require proof of a return flight before you board. 

In the UK, you can find detailed information about obtaining, renewing and replacing your passport on the government website. You can also arrange for passport renewal at your local post office. 

Extending Your Vacation in Bermuda

To extend your stay, you need to follow the same process as US citizens by attending an appointment at the Immigration Head Office in the Bermudian capital of Hamilton. Extensions aren’t automatic for UK citizens but are typically granted, so long as you seek permission within the first 21 days of your stay. 

You’ll also need to submit an application before the appointment and bring all supporting documents, including your passport, any paperwork given to you upon arrival and financial evidence of your ability to pay the required extension fees.

Working in Bermuda

To work in Bermuda, you must obtain employment before arrival and your employer will then apply to the Department of Immigration for a work permit. You’ll be involved in this process and will need to check your employer has submitted the correct documentation alongside the application, ensuring it’s stated for the correct period. 

You can’t seek employment when visiting Bermuda and native Bermudians will be given preference in most cases during the hiring process. So, be aware you’ll likely need to do some more in-depth research around job seeking before starting the process and use remote tactics such as the help of a recruitment agency or an online job board.  

Generally, the finance, insurance, accounting and IT sectors offer the most opportunities to overseas nationals, given the demand and need for a specialist skillset in these areas.

CA to Bermuda Travel

Canadians can freely travel to Bermuda for short stays as well as apply for extensions and work permits. Despite the low reliance on visas for residents of Canada, individuals still need to check they have the required documentation and meet the expectations of the island. Read on to find out more.

Short Stays in Bermuda

For residents of Canada, short stays in Bermuda are permitted for 90 days — a total of three months. Your passport must be valid for 45 days beyond your date of departure. However, we strongly recommend allowing for six-month validity to ensure your entry. 

Although the Government of Canada issues passports with an ‘X’ gender identifier, it doesn’t guarantee transit to other countries. You may want to contact Bermudian Customs to confirm the individual country rules and recognition of such passports prior to your travel date. Customs also have the right to ask for proof of return flight and sufficient funds to support your stay.

Extending Your Vacation in Bermuda

Canadian citizens are eligible for a 180 day visa-free period upon application of extension. Residents will need to follow the same procedure as those in the US. Skip to this part of the post to understand more about the process and the required documentation.

Working in Bermuda

It isn’t uncommon for residents of Canada to be granted work permits if they find employment in Bermuda. However, only an employer can apply for a work permit, meaning you must obtain employment before application. 

Once an application has been approved and the required fees have been paid, Canadian residents will need to keep a work permit card and immediately apply for a replacement if: 

• The card has been lost, damaged, or stolen
• The employer’s name changes or the nature of your employment changes
• The cardholder’s name changes
• When the card expires

Obtaining work in Bermuda also requires proficient English skills, especially in industries such as construction where communication can raise health and safety concerns.

EU To Bermuda

EU Citizens in the Schengen Area have agreements with Bermuda to permit visa-free vacations and permission to work, following the acquisition of a work permit. Read on to find out more.

Short Stays in Bermuda

There’s no visa required for EU travelers enjoying short stays of 90 days or less in Bermuda. However, when transiting through the US, you may require an additional visa such as a C-1 Transit Visa.  

Like any other foreign national traveling to Bermuda, you must hold a valid passport with adequate space for boarding stamps. We recommend you have at least six months validity post departure date and more than one page free for passport stamp usage, just to be safe.

Extending Your Vacation in Bermuda 

If you wish to extend your vacation in Bermuda, you’ll need to think ahead of time and submit an application within the first 21 days of your stay. This will be followed by a visit to the Immigrations Head Office to show the relevant documentation and pay the required fees, should your request be granted. 

The same process applies to US, UK and Canadian residents. So, skip to the US extension section to gain even more insight.

Working in Bermuda

To work in Bermuda, you’ll need to obtain a work permit before you enter the country or begin a contract of employment. Since your employer will need to apply for the work permit — and not the individual — you must secure a position at a Bermudian organization before entertaining the idea of relocation. 

There are various types of permits available, including the more popular standard, periodic and short work permits, as well as new business, global entrepreneur and global work permits. Your main responsibilities are ensuring your permit covers the correct period and keeping a work permit card to prove your right to work.

Living in Bermuda for US, UK, CA, and EU Nationals

As you can tell from this blog, the island of Bermuda is lenient with its allowance for short stays and work stays in Bermuda. In the same vein, it’s possible to relocate to Bermuda and buy property in the region, meaning you can indulge in the laidback lifestyle for a lifetime while making a smart, long-term investment.

Overseas buyers must obtain a license from the Bermudian Government. The process takes four to nine months, on average. Although it’s feasible to purchase property on the island, sales can’t be the result of a split decision.

Please note: Gaining permanent residency and citizenship is separate from purchasing property with many routes to explore, depending on your relationship to the island. 

Properties on the idyllic island are unsurprisingly in high demand and competitively priced. However, you can purchase a vacation condo and pay considerably less than the asking price of a single home. These condos also offer access to world-class facilities with maintenance included. What’s not to love? 

Naturally, it’s worth doing your research around which type of property to buy so you get the best deal and find innovative ways like this to tap into the beachfront lifestyle of your dreams.  

Vacation condos are a great alternative to traditional housing and often take up prime real estate in stunning sub-tropical locations — but they are far and few between. You’ll need to keep your eye on the market to snap up a steal like the Bermudiana Beach Resort, Tapestry Collection by Hilton.

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