Can the holder change employer, work independently, establish a business or conduct other professional activity? What is the family position?
The 2026 policy permits work authorisation for foreign musicians or entertainers performing at commercial venues open to the public, such as clubs, pubs and hotels, with normal advertising. The normal entertainment permit is seasonal for eight months. A one-off large public commercial event using foreign performers must feature qualified Bermudian, spouse-of-Bermudian, Belonger, spouse-of-Belonger or PRC performers of the same genre; promoters must notify the Bermuda Entertainment Union, obtain approval and pay required dues. Civil penalties can apply to work outside the scope of the issued permit.
See recorded sources
Limits of the record- The cited musician/entertainer provision does not establish an unrestricted right to change employer, work independently, establish a business or undertake unrelated professional activity.
- Section5 confines its work-permit definition to New Business or Standard permits; that does not by itself establish a family prohibition or family entitlement for a seasonal entertainment permit.
- https://www2.gov.bm/files/media-library/20260511/eadf7caf-work_permit_policy_may_1_2026.pdf — section7.7 entertainment
7.7 Musician or Entertainer
Work permits for foreign musicians/entertainers to perform at commercial locations open to
the public (clubs, pubs and hotels) may be granted, provided they are advertised in the normal
way. The maximum period for a work permit in the entertainment industry will normally be
a seasonal work permit of eight (8) months. However, where a one-off large, commercial
entertainment event open to the public is to be held and foreign musicians/entertainers
are to be utilised, qualified Bermudians, Spouses of Bermudians , Belongers, Spouses of
Belongers and PRC holder(s) musician(s)/entertainer(s) of the same entertainment genre
must feature in the entertainment event. Failure to feature qualified Bermudians, Spouses
of Bermudians, Belongers, Spouses of Belongers or PRC holder(s) of the same genre will
mean that work permits may not be granted. Promoters and event organizers must also
contact the Bermuda Entertainment Union (bermudaentertainmentunion.com) to provide
notification of the event, obtain approval and pay any required dues.
7.8 Music School Teacher
- https://www2.gov.bm/files/media-library/20260511/eadf7caf-work_permit_policy_may_1_2026.pdf — section1.4 work restricted to permit scope
Section 71A of the Act empowers the Chief Immigration Officer to impose civil penalties
of up to $10,000 on employers who abuse immigration policy. For example, violation of
any part of section 4.1 of this Policy may result in civil penalties being imposed and/or a
restriction on future employment. Civil penalties can be incurred if a person continues to
work after their work permit has expired, and without specific permission from the Minister
of Economy and Labour to do so. Civil penalties can also be incurred if a person works
outside of the scope allowed in their work permit.
The most common complaints
- https://www2.gov.bm/files/media-library/20260511/eadf7caf-work_permit_policy_may_1_2026.pdf — sections5–5.1 dependent eligibility and support
5.0 SPONSORED DEPENDENTS
Many employees who are granted permission to reside and work in Bermuda wish for
their spouse (married in accordance with Bermuda law), partner, fiancé and/or child(ren) to
accompany them. The purpose of this section of the Policy is to specify the qualifications
and conditions surrounding sponsored dependents.
A sponsored dependent is limited to the following:
▶ spouse of a PRC holder or work permit holder (married or in a Domestic
Partnership in accordance with Bermuda law);
▶ partner of a Bermudian, PRC holder or work permit holder (see the detailed
guidelines on the Department of Immigration website:
https://www.gov.bm/partner-genuine-and-subsisting-relationships); or
▶ child(ren) and legally adopted children, stepchildren, or other dependents for which
a belonger, PRC holder or work permit holder is a legal guardian.
For this section, the term ‘work permit’ means a New Business Permit or Standard Work
Permit.
For this section, children under eighteen (18) years of age are generally classified as
dependents of their parents. In cases where the children are attending a college or university
full-time, the children continue to be classified as dependents, on an annual basis, up to the
age of twenty-five (25) years. Proof of full-time education must be provided. Dependent
children, on attaining eighteen (18) years of age, who are not attending a college or university
and who wish to reside in Bermuda, require permission in their own right to do so. Also,
dependent children whose courses are online are not permitted to seek employment or
work in Bermuda without the Minister’s permission.
There may also be special circumstances in addition to the above where children are
permitted to be treated as dependents for a longer duration or on an ongoing basis (such
as a child is unable, for medical or other exceptional reasons, to live independently) subject
to the express permission of the Minister. Proof (i.e. an official letter from the medical
practitioner) must be submitted to support the exceptional circumstances.
For the avoidance of doubt, parents and other relatives are not sponsored dependents nor are
they taken into consideration when assessing ‘household base income’ (see Table 5.1). They
must apply for a separate permission to reside and have an independent means of income.
5.1 Sponsored Dependents Residing and Working in Bermuda
Spouses and Children
Upon application, a spouse who is a sponsored dependent of the work permit holder may
be given permission to reside with the work permit holder and seek employment. Proof of
medical coverage is required.
An application for permission for a spouse to reside and seek employment must include
evidence that the work permit holder has a base salary of $60,000 per annum.
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Spouse refers to marriages and domestic partnerships recognized by Bermuda law.
The work permit holder and spouse of the work permit holder with one child constitutes a 1
dependent household, with two children it is a 2 dependent household, etc.
Partners and Children
Upon application, an unmarried partner who is a sponsored dependent of the work permit
holder may be given permission to reside with the work permit holder and seek employment
in Bermuda provided that the sponsor submits proof of financial support in the form of a
base income of $60,000 to support him/herself and the partner. Proof is a bank reference
and evidence of medical coverage. The Department reserves the right to require further
proof if required to assess the ability of the sponsor to support the sponsored dependent(s).
The work permit holder with a partner constitutes a household of 1 dependent; with one
dependent child included, that is a household of 2 dependents.
For section 5 and for the avoidance of doubt, please note that sponsored dependent
children are only given permission to reside, not to seek employment.
Applications for permission to reside and seek employment in Bermuda with an unmarried
partner and children who are sponsored dependent(s) of a work permit holder must include
evidence that the following total base remuneration thresholds will be met.
Table 5.1
Household Base Salary
Demographic Profile
Remuneration
1 dependent household $60,000 per annum
2 dependent household $100,000 per annum
3 dependent household $125,000 per annum
4+ dependent household $150,000 per annum
Note: Base salary does not include housing allowance, bonuses, gratuities, utilities, phone
allowance, school fees, transportation, overtime, part-time employment, etc.
Upon making application, however, the Minister may waive the minimum remuneration
requirement for dependent partners and children.
Should the sponsored dependents’ status change in any way the work permit holder must
advise the Department of the change. Failure to do so could result in the primary work
permit holder’s permit being revoked.
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5.2 Entry / Re-entry Permit
