US Consulate: Traveling On Bermuda Passport
The U.S. Consulate said that while Bermuda passport holders are visa exempt, meaning we generally do not require a visa to travel to the United States, Bermuda passport holders who travel internationally are welcome to apply for visas to facilitate their travel.
A spokesperson said, “The Consular Section wishes to remind Bermuda passport holders that they are visa exempt, meaning they generally do not require a visa to travel to the United States.
“However, Bermuda passport holders who travel internationally are welcome to apply for visas to facilitate their return to Bermuda via the United States.
“Bermuda passport holders who have passports printed with the ‘GBR’ code [passports printed in the United Kingdom] may encounter difficulties at foreign airports when attempting to board U.S.-bound flights, especially in locations where airline staff are unfamiliar with the Bermuda visa exemption.
“Bermuda is not in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program [ESTA], and nationals of Bermuda should not apply for ESTA to travel to the United States. If you have any questions or require further assistance, please e-mail HamiltonConsulate@state.gov.
“Updates on services and other Consulate news can also be found on our Facebook and Twitter pages – @usconshamilton.”
What a useless and unhelpful statement. Can they cope with thew large numbers who want to know? Why not just add us to ESTA?
So if we need a visa , why can’t we apply for ESTA ? We have to apply for a regular visa like all other foreign nationals .
ESTA you pay.
Because Bermuda passport holders don’t need a visa. We aren’t in the visa waiver program because we don’t need a visa. We can enter the US freely for periods up to I believe 90 days visa-free.
The problem some people are having is when they return to Bermuda via the US from countries that don’t know Bermuda passport holder can enter the US without a visa. So it seems, the Bermuda government needs to get together the the relevant US agency to ensure departments of other countries recognize our freedom of travel agreement with the US.
“The problem some people are having is when they return to Bermuda via the US from countries that don’t know Bermuda passport holder can enter the US without a visa. So it seems, the Bermuda government needs to get together the the relevant US agency to ensure departments of other countries recognize our freedom of travel agreement with the US.”
THIS!!
Why would the US waste their time worrying about us. Its the Bermuda government that needs to do something. The US is doing Bermuda a favor, they don’t need to bend over backwards for Bermuda.
If we go independant lining up for a visa will be the norm plus the orange haired one likely thinks we are in with the Mexicans
why can’t the british government just put the BMU code back on are dam passports . looks like the Bermuda government team needs to take a trip to London or get some answers from the governor
Fox news…washinton post….I am an American…I asked for assistance concerning a deprivation of liberty and extortion…do you know what my ship consulate told me?..
One Word…”no”…..I ask you….why are they called consulate?…I suggest they be removed from US budget…it is a waste of tax dollar!
Who do you Bermudian’s think you are? Special!!
See …there you go…me mee…meee….think reason …before and after you…infinitum….by definition you are an obscurity of your purpose and original tenure…not even sure you meet criteria.
I am no clearer after reading this article. Basically, it is highly random that you will be able to travel visa free.
Walton, please begin the process of adding us to ESTA. Why? Because within the next few years every Bermudian will have a GBR code in their passport. The last remaining Bermuda printed passports will expire, so it makes more sense to plan for the coming situation.
I doubt that International Passport printing protocols will allow Bermuda to print on island untill we go independent. They won’t do it for British Forces on the Sovereign bases in Cypruss and in British Forces Germany so I doubt they will do it for Bermuda.
Walton is too busy denying people their rights.
“….meaning they generally do not require a visa to travel to the United States…”
What on earth does this mean? Either you need a Visa or you don’t.
Some people require visas because they were arrested in the past or they overstayed their allowed period of stay in the U.S. There are a number of reason why some Bermudians need visas to travel to the U.S. Hence the qualifier “generally”….
How many years has this gone on now unresolved? What is the problem getting the code restored? Where is the idiot who caused all of this in the first place? Still have a job?
It is not just airline personel who are not familiar with the visa free exemption that we have entering the US. There are plenty of US border protection people who don’t know either. More than a couple of times there have been delays at smaller Canada US ground crossings caused by agents who don’t know of our visa free status. Some of them really hate it when a supervisor has to be called to enlighten them.