Closed and Restricted Jobs in Bermuda
While Bermuda offers life changing job opportunities to many, unfortunately such opportunities are not equally available to all skill areas. This is because some category of jobs require low skills or such skills that are easily available in the island, and the government of Bermuda wants to ensure that islanders are not denied of such job opportunities.
There are certain category of jobs which are closed to all foreigners. Only eligible Bermudians, their spouses and permanent resident card holders can get such jobs.
Restricted Category of jobs have certain restrictions. They are not only thoroughly assessed by higher authorities, they also come with restrictions on number of years for which the work permit is issued (usually up to a maximum of 1 year).
The employer also has to provide enough evidence that any Bermudian candidates recommended by Department of Workforce have been properly considered before hiring a foreigner. Several other special conditions may be imposed by the ministry including no career prospects/promotions etc. However the application process for the restricted category is same as that of open category.
And there are some jobs that fall under Special Category that require special or additional conditions to be met based on the job role.
Here are all the different categories of jobs in Bermuda. Any job which does not fall within closed, restricted or special conditions category is considered open to all including foreigners.
Closed Category Jobs
Airline Ground Agent, Floor Supervisor, General Labourer, Office Receptionist, Painter, Salesperson, Tourist Retail Salesperson, Taxi-Driver, Wallpaper Technician, Grocery Packer, Cashier, Courier.
Restricted Category Jobs
Bank Teller, Bartender, Carpet Installer, Commercial Cleaner, Entertainer/Musician, Fisherman, Photographer, Technical Salesperson, Travel Agent/Consultant, Carpenter, Administrative Assistant, Room Attendants, Kitchen Porter, Dish/Pot Washer, Landscape Gardener (entry level), Mason.
Special Category Jobs
Accountant Employed at Auditing or Accounting Firm; Child-Care Giver; Beauty Salon, Spa and Hairdressing Staff, Fine Artist; Hospital Nurse and Physician; Hospitality: Seasonal Work Permit; Live-In Nanny/Housekeeper (Private Home); Locum Pharmacist; Part-time Occasional Model; Music School Teacher; Musician or Entertainer; Other Live-In Domestic Employees (Private Home); Photographer; Senior Care Giver; Restaurant Staff; Self-Employed Persons and Part Owners of a Bermuda Business; Categories of Jobs Identified by the Minister where there are already large numbers of Work Permits.
Here are the special/additional conditions for Special Category Jobs:
1. Child-care Giver
Limited to the care of 3 children, as set by the Ministry of Health
Work permit holders will be limited to- one permit for three children, one permit for two children, plus one permit for a third child, or three permits for one child per employer.
2. Beauty Salon, Spa and Hairdressing Staff
Their contracts on employment must include all details regarding holiday and sick pay entitlements
3. Family Support
This is limited to nanny and in-house elderly and medical care personnel
Sponsors should be on Global, Global Entrepreneur, New Business Work Permits or granted waivers of advertising
The staff is granted a Standard Work Permit: allows them to relocate to Bermuda/ continue their work for the same time duration as the sponsor/ required to relocate to different country if the primary employer does so (except in specific cases with special permission from the Minister)
Advertisement for the positions is not required
4. Fine Artist
A letter needs to be submitted to Department of Immigration by galleries who wish to showcase and sell the works of art by visiting artists.
Letter must include the name of artist, duration of his stay, required fee
5. Graduate Trainee
Employers having a graduate training programme must write a letter to the Chief Immigration Officer mentioning the graduate who wishes to visit
Letter must mention the job category and length of training
An application for Short Term Work Permit
Copy of his/her employment agreement
A valid medical insurance for duration of stay
6. Hospitality: Seasonal Work Permit
Between 1 April and 30 November every year, a hotel/restaurant is allowed to recruit seasonal workers for up to 8 months
Such workers receive vacation pay, health insurance benefits during this period
Application for such a permit follows the same procedure as a Standard Work Permit
7. Intern
Internship programmes may be held by businesses for training purposes with overseas organizations by the means of an exchange internship programme
Such an employer must write a letter to the Chief Immigration Officer mentioning the intern who will be visiting Bermuda
It should also mention the job category and length of internship for the foreign intern as well as his Bermudian counterpart
A Short Term Work Permit Application
Copy of employment agreement
Confirmation of medical insurance
8. Live-In Domestic Employee (Private Home)
Employer must pay their health insurance premiums, social insurance premiums and payroll tax along with regulated minimum wages and boarding
A minimum of one-month notice of termination/resignation needs to be tendered
9. Locum and Shared Pharmacist
Local pharmacists can employ qualified pharmacists for 3 months or less as and when required
Work permit must be obtained by payment of the requisite fee along with an application and an advertisement
Each local drug store is allowed to apply for one Standard Work Permit for a pharmacist who is already engaged in employment in Bermuda along with a letter from the employer
10. Model
Applications for Occasional Work Permit for casual/part-time modelling will be considered for up to 100 hours in a 12-month duration
It will enable the model to be employed on any project during the period
Does not include the right to do voice-overs for television commercials (separate Occasional Work Permits required which are more restrictive)
Application must include name and resident status
Name of employer
Efforts to employ locals along with contact information
11. Musician/Entertainer
Work permits may be granted provided the positions have been properly advertised
A Seasonal Work Permit of eight months’ maximum can be granted
Qualified locals must also be featured
12. Music School Teacher
A music school teacher under work permit may take up employment outside the school for up to 10 hours/week.
Permission of the employer is required
Voluntary performances are not counted in this
If such performances are done of a regular basis, the place of business must obtain a work permit
13. Photographer
This is limited to journalists, those working for overseas print/motion picture media(digital/video), advertisers wanting to use a Bermuda backdrop, specialists like architectural, food, aerial, medical professionals, international hotel groups or conventions, private wedding event.
14. Self-Employed Person and Part Owner of a Bermuda Business
Self-employment is normally not permitted
Permission to part owners is granted based on character of applicant, existing economic situation of the country, already existing availability of services, requirements of the community and protection of local interests
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 By Raj Bhattacharya
Raj, a seasoned travel writer and Bermuda destination expert, has extensive global travel experience. This website reflects his profound insights, garnered over nearly two decades of dedicated findings and research on the island. Raj has assisted countless Bermuda-bound visitors by providing direct, personalized responses to their queries and imparting his wealth of knowledge through this platform. This site serves as an indispensable guide for those seeking informed and reliable insights into Bermuda's treasures.
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Visitors' Reviews and Comments
Asela Chanaka De Silva (November 2014)
I am a Srilankan.I would like to apply for a job in Landscaping Field. I came to know its included in restricted category. So I want to know can I apply as a landscaper Gardner and how do I apply for that.
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) November 2014
In restricted category you can apply like any other job, but there are some special conditions imposed by the ministry. The restrictions/conditions depend on the job type. One of the common special conditions is work permit issued only for up to 12 months and only after proper verification that no Bermudian is eligible for the job.
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