Bermuda Entry Visas

As of March 1, 2014, Bermuda entry visas and visa waivers will no longer be required for tourist and business visitors and work permit holders. Instead, travellers requiring visas must obtain an multiple re-entry visa (MRV) for one of our three gateways: the United Kingdom, the United States, or Canada.

To be landed in Bermuda, the following requirements must be met:

1) all travellers who require a multi re-entry visa (MRV) must present this visa-type upon arrival in Bermuda;

2) the MRV for the UK, US or Canada must be valid for 45 days after the expiration of a visitor stay and/or of the work permit; and

3) all travellers must possess a passport that is valid for 45 days past the expiration date of travel and/or of the work permit.

Persons whose MRV and passport validity is less than 45 days will not be landed. For clarity, the passport rule (45 days validity) only applies to travellers who require an MRV. For persons arriving to take up residence in Bermuda as the spouse or dependant of a Bermudian and who require an MRV, the requirement to possess an MRV with validity of 45 days will be deemed null and void since the period of stay in Bermuda is considered more permanent.

Multiple Re-Entry Visas

Visa Controlled Nationals who arrive at our borders needing visas to transit through another country to reach Bermuda will also require a visa to transit the United States, Canada or the United Kingdom on their return leg. This, referred to as a multi re-entry visa, permits more than one entry ensuring travellers will not be stranded in Bermuda without the ability to leave. Travellers will also require evidence of ticketing (or other form of passage i.e. joining a sea vessel) for their return passage. This return passage and the multi re-entry visa must be valid 45 days beyond the expiry date of the work permit (i.e. more than 6 months) and/or beyond the intended departure date (for business and tourist visitors).

Applications for multi re-entry visas can be made at the British Embassy, the British High Commission, or the British Consulate in the national’s country. Travel agents will also have access to this information and will be able to help with this process.

See the following websites for information on applying for a visa:

United Kingdom: https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor-visa

United States: www.travel.state.gov

Canada: www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp

Note: Processing times for multiple re-entry visas can vary. Because Bermuda does not issue this visa type, we cannot provide guidance on the processing times.

Arriving by Private Vessel

All private yachts entering our waters are required to obtain Immigration, Customs, and Health Clearance in the port of St. George’s. The clearance facility is located at the eastern end of Ordnance Island.

Upon approach, visiting yachtsmen must contact Bermuda Radio, on VHS channel 16 or 27, with details of the vessel which are required for search and rescue purposes. Once you have contacted Bermuda Radio, they will guide you into St. George’s Harbour and direct you to Customs clearance berthing.

The Customs boarding officer, who normally carries out clearance for all three departments, brings all documents required for clearance on board. The officer will also collect a passenger tax of US $35 from each person on board.

A valid, machine-readable passport is the required document for entry into Bermuda

For more information on private vessel arrivals in Bermuda please click here.

Extended Stays for Visiting Yachts and their Crew

With effect from 1st June, 2011, visiting yachtsmen and their crews will be granted a maximum three month stay on arrival in Bermuda. In keeping with best practice and standard immigration policy, visiting yachtsmen and their crew will be required to provide:

• Proof of citizenship; 
• Financial means to repatriate themselves by air (if required);
• Proof of health insurance; and
• A declaration not to seek or take up employment in Bermuda.

The fee for this extended stay is set at a nominal $250.00 for each member of the crew and each passenger. Extensions for up to a further three months will also be permitted on application to the Department of Immigration with a fee of $103.00.

For detailed information about travelling to Bermuda via private yacht, please click here.