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Partner Residence

BermudaFamily

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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Explore pathways in Bermuda Read the five questions ↓

Which family relationships qualify?

This route provides an entry/re-entry permit for the genuine and subsisting partner of a Bermudian, a Permanent Resident Certificate (PRC) holder or a Work Permit holder (excluding Short-Term Work Permit holders and Periodic Work Permit holders).

See recorded sources
  • chars 161-612
    These policy guidelines serve as a framework to facilitate the reunification and continued residence in Bermuda of genuine partners and to safeguard Bermuda’s immigration integrity and labour market. This policy applies to individuals who are the genuine and subsisting partner of: 1. a Bermudian, 2. a Permanent Resident Certificate (PRC) Holder, or 3. a Work Permit Holder (excluding Short-Term Work Permit holders and Periodic Work Permit holders).

Who may sponsor or bring the family member, and what immigration/citizenship status must that person hold?

A sponsor means a Bermudian, PRC holder or Work Permit holder in a relationship akin to a marriage with a non-Bermudian partner for at least two years prior to the date of application, and who will financially support their partner. The two-year guideline is not absolute and is indicative only: where the required time has not been met because the partners lived in different jurisdictions but are still in a genuine and subsisting relationship, each case is determined on its merits.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The guidelines do not state whether a partner of a Work Permit holder may be sponsored where the sponsor holds a Short-Term or Periodic Work Permit; those holders are excluded from the policy at the outset.
  • chars 656-1362
    A partner means a person who has been living with a Bermudian, PRC holder or work permit holder in a relationship akin to a marriage for at least two (2) years prior to the date of application. This is not an absolute guideline and is indicative only. There may be circumstances where the required time has not been met due to partners living in different jurisdictions but are still in a genuine and subsisting relationship. Each case will be determined on the merits. A sponsor means a Bermudian, PRC holder, or Work Permit holder in a relationship with a non-Bermudian partner akin to a marriage for at least two (2) years prior to the date of application and who will financially support their partner.

What is important for proving marriage, partnership, parentage, custody, dependency or another qualifying relationship?

The partners must be in a current, long-term relationship and provide satisfactory evidence of it by way of affidavits from both partners explaining the relationship, including details of living arrangements. The factors considered are: the partners are co-habiting and can provide satisfactory evidence such as a joint mortgage or tenancy agreement, a joint bank account and/or joint savings and utility bills in both their names; the partners have children together (biological, adopted or step-children) and shared responsibility for them; the partners share financial responsibilities; the partners have visited the other's home country and family and can provide evidence of this; and the partners have made definite plans concerning the practicalities of living together in Bermuda.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The listed factors are expressly not exhaustive and not a checklist; decisions on whether a relationship is genuine and subsisting are made case by case on all the available evidence.
  • chars 3525-4592
    In assessing whether a relationship is genuine and subsisting, consideration should be given to the following factors which are not exhaustive. The partners are in a current, long-term relationship and are able to provide satisfactory evidence of this by way of affidavits from both partners explaining the relationship. This must include details of living arrangements and other such pertinent details such as those that are listed below. i. The partners are co-habiting and are able to provide satisfactory evidence of this e.g. a joint mortgage/tenancy agreement, a joint bank account and/or joint savings, utility bills in both their names. ii. The partners have children together (biological, adopted or step-children) and shared responsibility for them. iii. The partners share financial responsibilities (such as information per ii. above). iv. The partners have visited the other’s home country and family and are able to provide evidence of this. v. The partners have made definite plans concerning the practicalities of them living together in Bermuda.

What important financial, accommodation, insurance or maintenance responsibilities apply?

The sponsoring Bermudian, PRC holder or Work Permit holder must demonstrate sufficient financial means to support their partner; the document states the minimum income for the sponsor of a partner as $60,000 per annum (printed as '$60,00'). Applications must include evidence that the total base remuneration thresholds will be met: $60,000 per annum for a 1-dependent household, $100,000 for 2, $125,000 for 3 and $150,000+ for 4 or more, evidenced for example by employment letters and bank statements. Applicants must also have private health insurance coverage for the duration of their intended stay in Bermuda.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The minimum income for the sponsor of a partner is printed in the source as '$60,00 per annum'; the table row for a 1-dependent household reads $60,000 per annum.
  • The guidelines state no accommodation requirement.
  • chars 5076-5988
    ▪ The sponsoring Bermudian, PRC holder, or Work Permit holder must demonstrate sufficient financial means to support their partner. The minimum income for the sponsor of a partner is $60,00 per annum. ▪ Applications by a partner (including his/her dependent children) for permission to reside in Bermuda with a Bermudian, PRC holder, or Work Permit holder must include evidence that the following total base remuneration thresholds will be met: Demographic Profile Household Base Salary 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 ▪ Evidence of financial capability will be required (e.g., employment letters, bank statements, etc). Health Insurance: ▪ Applicants must have private health insurance coverage for the duration of their intended stay in Bermuda.

How does the application work at a high level, what rights does the family member receive, how long does the status last, and how can it become independent or longer-term where officially stated?

Where the Immigration Board or Minister determines the relationship is genuine and subsisting, the partner of a Bermudian or PRC holder is granted an entry/re-entry permit for five years and must re-apply for a new permit in the normal manner on expiry; the partner of a Work Permit holder is granted a permit for the duration of the sponsor's work permit and must apply for a new entry/re-entry permit on application of a new work permit. Any change in the status of the relationship must be notified immediately to the Department of Immigration in writing. A partner who wishes to work must apply to reside and seek employment as part of the sponsor's work permit application or separately with copies of the sponsor's relevant documents, and is subject to the Work Permit Policy 2025. The official source does not state a route to permanent residence or Bermudian status.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The guidelines state no route from partner residence to permanent residence or Bermudian status.
  • chars 6336-7602
    If the Immigration Board or Minister responsible for immigration determine that the relationship of the partners is genuine and subsisting, an entry/re-entry permit shall be granted for a period of Five (5) years in respect of a partner of a Bermudian or PRC holder. Upon expiry of the entry/re-entry permit, the partner of the Bermudian or PRC holder will be required to re-apply for a new entry/re-entry permit in the normal manner. In the case of a partner of a Work Permit holder, the entry/re-entry permit shall be granted for the duration of the Work Permit holder’s work permit. Upon application of a new work permit, the sponsored partner must apply for an entry/re-entry permit in the normal manner. In all of the cases above, if, after granting the entry/re-entry permit, there is a change in the status of the relationship, the partners must immediately notify the Department of Immigration in writing. Right to Work If a partner wishes to work in Bermuda, an application to reside and seek employment should be made as part of the work permit application for the sponsor, or as a separate application, and copies of relevant documents for the sponsor included. If a partner wishes to work in Bermuda, they will be subjected to the Work Permit Policy 2025

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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