Bermuda Work Permit in 2026

Most non-Bermudians who take local employment in Bermuda need a work permit before beginning the job. The current framework is governed by the Work Permit Policy revised 1 May 2026, and the application is normally made by the Bermuda employer rather than by an individual independently looking for work.

The common route is the Standard Work Permit, but Bermuda also has Short-Term, Periodic, New Business, Global/Intra-Company Transfer, Fintech Business, Family Office and other permit mechanisms. The correct category depends on the employer, role, duration and circumstances.

Standard Work Permit

A Standard Work Permit can ordinarily be issued for one to five years. The employer must normally show that no suitably qualified and available Bermudian or other protected local worker is available for the position. Government guidance identifies Bermudians, spouses of Bermudians and Permanent Resident's Certificate holders among the groups who receive labour-market priority.

The May 2026 policy summary says a vacancy generally needs to be advertised for at least eight days, subject to the relevant permit and occupation rules. Bermuda also maintains closed, restricted and special job categories. The Government's 2026 summary reported 48 closed categories and 18 restricted categories at the time of publication, so employers should check the current list rather than assume every occupation is sponsorable.

Current Standard and Periodic permit fees

The immigration fee schedule updated in September 2026 lists Standard/Periodic Work Permit fees of:

  • 1 year: $1,015;
  • 2 years: $2,530;
  • 3 years: $3,795;
  • 4 years: $5,040; and
  • 5 years: $6,510.

Fees can change, and specialised categories can use different schedules. Confirm the current Immigration fee table at filing.

Processing guidance

The Government's May 2026 policy summary gives a target of about 20 working days for a complete standard application. This is administrative guidance, not a guaranteed decision deadline. Incomplete files, complex labour-market issues, medical or character questions, or additional information requests can extend the process.

Emergency short-term processing is described separately and should not be treated as a normal Standard Work Permit timeline.

Short-Term Work Permit

A Short-Term Work Permit can cover a local employment need for up to six months. It is still employer-driven and should not be treated as permission to enter Bermuda simply to look for a job.

The current fee schedule lists:

  • up to 3 months: $705;
  • 4 months: $830;
  • 5 months: $950; and
  • 6 months: $1,070.

Periodic Work Permit

A Periodic Work Permit can be appropriate for people who need to make repeated short business/work visits to Bermuda for activities such as service agreements, training or maintenance. The Government describes visits of up to 30 days each, with an aggregate maximum of 180 days in any 12-month period, while the permit itself can run for one to five years.

It is not intended to convert a permanent, part-time or ordinary employee role into a series of visitor trips.

Global / intra-company transfers

Bermuda's Global Work Permit mechanism can simplify qualifying transfers within an international group. The Government's current guidance provides automatic approval in some cases where the person has been employed by the overseas group for more than one year and earns more than $125,000, with other cases assessed individually.

This remains a work-permit mechanism, not permanent residence.

Employer and worker evidence

A complete application can require the job description, recruitment evidence, employer details, employment contract, qualifications, references, passport, medical evidence and other information relevant to the worker and role. The exact checklist changes by permit type and occupation.

Employers should also verify whether a role is closed, restricted, special or eligible for an advertising waiver before recruiting around an assumed permit outcome.

Family members

The 2026 policy allows eligible spouses/partners and children to accompany qualifying workers, but residence and work rights are not automatic. Government guidance uses a $60,000 base household salary threshold in the dependant context and requires adequate medical cover, with higher financial expectations as family size increases.

A partner who wants local employment should review Partner and Family Residence and the separate work-permit requirements.

Residence permission is not a work permit

Annual Residence Permission, student residence and investor residence each have their own work restrictions. A person should not start local employment because they hold another Bermuda residence document unless the document or a separate work permit actually authorizes that employment.

Founders and recently incorporated companies should also see Entrepreneur and Business Permits.

Tax and payroll obligations

Local employment can trigger Bermuda Payroll Tax and social-insurance obligations. Bermuda has no conventional personal income tax, but the employer and employee should not treat that as meaning the employment is tax-free in every respect.

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Last verified: 17 September 2026. This page is informational and has not been reviewed by a Bermuda immigration lawyer or tax adviser.

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