Bermuda to provide a new framework to obtain permanent residency

The Bermuda Government has amended the Bermuda Immigration and Protection Act 1956 (BIPA) to allow long-term residents the ability to obtain permanent residency in Bermuda. The changes come into force effective 1 December 2021 and the Department of Immigration will begin to accept applications for Permanent Resident Certificates (PRC) pursuant to the new provisions as of 1 January 2022.

Eligibility for PRC's has been expanded to include: 

1. persons who have been ordinarily resident in Bermuda for 20 years or more; 
2. non-Bermudian parents of a child with Bermudian status who have been ordinarily resident in Bermuda for 15 years or more; and 
3. children born to second generation PRC holders who have been ordinarily resident in Bermuda.

The new fees introduced by the amendments as a result of the new provisions are as follows:

• $10,000 for a long-term resident who is ordinarily resident for 20 years or more;
• $10,000 for a long-term resident who is a parent of a child that possesses Bermudian status; and
• $3,150 for a third generation long-term resident born to a PRC holder.

Please contact the Carey Olsen team if you would like to know more.