BVI Family Temporarily Relocates To Island

September 26, 2017

[Written by Don Burgess]

‘Hurricane relief’ has been extended to a family of four from the British Virgin Islands who have been allowed to temporarily relocate to Bermuda, and the Department of Immigration confirmed they have processed 12 work permit applications from Caribbean islands impacted by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

The Department of Immigration said the family arrived in Bermuda on Saturday, September 23.

A spokesperson said the non-permit work holders “have other family working in Bermuda. Persons relocating under the above conditions, either for work or generally, will be expected to return to their respective overseas territories as soon as conditions allow.”

The spokesperson said that in addition, the Department has processed 12 work permit applications from Caribbean countries impacted by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

“Due to the serious hurricane damage inflicted to our neighbor islands to the south, Bermuda stands ready to assist any personnel from overseas-based companies in those areas seeking to relocate to Bermuda for the duration of any possible disruption, some of which have dependents [spouses and children] relocating with them.

“Under the circumstances, Short Term Work Permits are best suited and the Department of Immigration is prepared to expedite the applications, provided the applications are complete; including the payment of fees.

“Local host companies should also include with the application a list of all relocated staff and their dependents, their nationality, their expected length of stay, and their date[s] of arrival.”

The spokesperson added: “As was the case in 2004 and 2007, Bermuda seeks no gain from the possible misfortune of our neighbors.”

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Comments (19)

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  1. Real Onion says:

    Bermuda stands ready to assist any personnel from overseas-based companies in those areas seeking to relocate to Bermuda for the duration of any possible disruption, some of which have dependents [spouses and children] relocating with them.

    BUT……. Bermuda still wants your money!

    ………the Department of Immigration is prepared to expedite the applications, provided the applications are complete; including the payment of fees.

    • Izzypop says:

      Yet people born in Bermuda or have been here over 20 yrs can’t get their status
      Wasn’t this very thing what all those …. were up there protesting against

      • Real Talk (original) says:

        Surely you know the difference between job relocation and a humanitarian crisis…

      • Coffee says:

        So I guess the loophole got so clogged up with applications that no one really benefitted

      • TLR says:

        These people who are relocating temporarily are not working for the Bermuda offices. They are here because their offices in the Caribbean have been obliterated and their customers/clients outside of the Caribbean still need to be serviced. They will be here, renting, spending money, putting their kids in schools. They are not going to take jobs from Bermudians. Bermuda opened their arms and welcomed them a temporary place to stay to continue on with their lives u til things at home get back to normal. Don’t forget we needed their help in times of crisis here too where Cayman sent crews for Belco to help this island get back on its feet.

        • George Patton says:

          “These people who are relocating temporarily are not working for the Bermuda offices. They are here because their offices in the Caribbean have been obliterated and their customers/clients outside of the Caribbean still need to be serviced. They will be here, renting, spending money, putting their kids in schools. They are not going to take jobs from Bermudians. ” Neither would many others if the immigration rules were relaxed and Pathways to Status was in place.

    • Dr. Linda Smith says:

      I for one am glad Bermuda is welcoming persons from the Islands that were destroyed by the hurricane.It is a humanitarian thing to do to offer assistance.You never know when Bermuda will be hit with a disaster.People aresupposed to help each other.No matter how much money the Gov will charge for fees.Who thinks that way.Just think about it What would JESUS do?

  2. Proud to be Bermudian says:

    Bermuda at it’s best! Wonderful that we have the heart and ability to do this!

  3. Jus' Wonderin' says:

    At least it wasn’t under the cover of darkness…

    • SJ says:

      So you think this whole arrangement was worked out 20 minutes before announcing it to the public?

      Let me put in layman’s terms so you can better understand the things.

      Imagine Bermuda as a household, with government as the parents, open process would be the parents coming to you and saying, our cousins have suffered a major disaster and we would like to know if you would be okay with the idea of us allowing them to stay with us until they get back on their feet; verses, Hey, move your things and make space because your cousins are come over in a few minutes to stay for a while.

    • Patricia says:

      Rite!

  4. Triangle Drifter says:

    Something seems odd. When we get a hurricane we don’t abandon our island for somebody else to deal with the mess. We stay put & deal with it.

    • George Patton says:

      Bermuda hasn’t had a hurricane of this magnitude in a very very long time.

  5. Lol says:

    Bermuda ready to help other countries but not willing to help Bermudians…12 work permits mean 12 unemployed Bermudians will not have the chance to get the 12 jobs talked about above. #smh #bermudareallyisanotherworld

    • George Patton says:

      Are the 12 unemployed Bermudians qualified for the available jobs?

  6. LaVerne Furbert says:

    Yea, that is the way it’s done in such an emergency situation, SJ. Been there, done that.

    • SJ says:

      I do understand that in a emergency, decisions need to be made on the spot as there is no time for consultation with others.

      However, the hurricane struck over a week ago, the UK has committed resources in the form of manpower, supplies and other resources and are there now helping.

      It is a disaster but not and emergency where a PLP lead government, once again disregards a little thing called the constitution of Bermuda to meddle in international affairs instead of focus on domestic issues first (example being in the Uyghurs finding them jobs, housing and flying in wives for them, while stories of Bermudians living in cars and living off social assistance while looking for jobs)

      I’m not being cold, but BVI are in good hands, the UK successfully evacuated the population of Montserrat when the volcano deviated the island vs poor Bermuda where we struggle to keep the buses running.