Bermuda is set to launch a One Year Residential Certificate for remote workers, and also extend the maximum period a visitor may stay in Bermuda from 90 to 180 days.
Speaking in the island’s Parliament on July 17th, Minister of Labour Jason Hayward said the One Year Residential Certificate will facilitate residence for persons — such as digital nomads — who are able to work remotely from Bermuda.
He also said that this could allow non-Bermudian post-secondary students to complete their higher education from Bermuda starting August 1, 2020.
The cost of this Certificate is $263.
“The COVID-19 health crisis had a significant impact on the local economy resulting in mass unemployment and decreased economic activity,” the Minister said,
“There are persons who are location-independent, using technology to perform their job no matter where they are. Such persons work remotely, telecommuting rather than being physically present at a company’s headquarters or office.
“The trend towards remote working has been accelerated by COVID-19. These visitors can reside in Bermuda without seeking employment on the island and will promote economic activity for our country without displacing Bermudians in the workforce.
“Allowing Non-Bermudian Post-Secondary Students to complete their higher education from Bermuda represents an opportunity to build an international student community in Bermuda and enhance Bermuda’s digital perception by travelers worldwide, which will produce benefits to the local economy.”
Minister Hayward explained that the policy will require applicants to be:
- over the age of 18;
- demonstrate good character and not have conviction for an indictable offence;
- possess valid health insurance;
- demonstrate employment with a legitimate firm or their own company registered and operating overseas, which does not operate in Bermuda, in the case of a remote worker;
- provide evidence of enrollment in a Research, Undergraduate, Graduate or Doctorate Program, in the case of a Student;
- demonstrate sufficient means and/or continuous source of annual income without the need to engage in gainful employment in Bermuda.
He added that the Ministry aims to launch the One Year Residential Certificate during the first week of August 2020.
“It is anticipated that the form will be available for electronic submission, along with all relevant documentation, via the government portal at www.gov.bm on or before August 1, 2020 and that the process will be swift,” Minister Hayward said.
