Ministry Statement On Immigration Agencies
The Ministry of Economy and Labour has “noted an increasing issue where some immigration agencies fail to promptly submit applicants’ immigration applications to the Department of Immigration.”
A Government spokesperson said, “Submissions are sometimes delayed for weeks or months, and the applications lack proof of payment when submitted. Alarmingly, some agencies shift blame for these delays onto the Department of Immigration, raising concerns about the agencies’ integrity and business practices.
“The Minister responsible for Immigration urges employers and the public to exercise caution when engaging immigration agencies. Employers, in particular, must ensure that their chosen agency operates ethically and responsibly.
“Agency negligence can expose employers and employees to significant risks, including civil penalties. Employers and employees found to be non-compliant—for instance, working without a valid work permit or the Minister’s permission—may each face fines of up to $5,000. Additionally, late submissions of work permit applications [less than one month before the expiration of a current permit] result in late fees charged to the employer.
“Employers are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Department of Immigration’s Work Permit Policies. For guidance, don’t hesitate to contact the Chief Immigration Officer at dwming@gov.bm or 444-1048 or the Assistant Chief Immigration Officer at magrimes@gov.bm or 246-8048.
“Members of the public who encounter unethical practices by immigration agencies are encouraged to report them to the Department of Consumer Affairs at 297-7627 or email consumers@gov.bm. An intake officer will take your information, and your complaint will be assigned to an enforcement inspector.
“The Ministry of Economy and Labour thank the public for their understanding and attention to this critical matter.”
What a joke. This has been going on for years and you delayed this announcement for years!!
“Alarmingly, some agencies shift blame for these delays onto the Department of Immigration”
Really? And who is to blame for the 10 MONTHS it took to renew my Bermuda passport?
A lot of these immigration firms are so corrupt. They are thieves, liars, and frauds. They should be in jail, stealing peoples money while not submitting and they tell their clients they have submitted. And if you try to move to a new immigration firm, they hold hostage your files which is illegal. They bully their way through stating they know people and know the immigration law.
They will not even tell you if an applicaton has or has not been filed. At the very least a message to the applicant and agency both should be sent acknowledging receipt of the application and paytment. THat would be a start.
We use these firms to see if they have any greater success than we do getting any sense out of Dept Immigration. We use them because Dept Immigration is rude and unresponsive. We know where the delays and inefficiencies are.
In the UK all immigration agencies are licenced and monitored by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner.
It is set up to ensure that suitably qualified organizations and individuals fall within a set of guidelines and they enforce the regulatory regime by investigating and prosecuting those who provide Immigration advice illegally.
I have it under good authority that the Bermuda Immigration department was told to implement this at least 10 years ago but to date has done absolutely nothing – not even suggested it to the plethora of ministers in ten year period!
THank goodness . Finally it has been ackowleged!!!!!. I know of a woman who went through hell a few years ago. She needed someone to take care of an aging parent with Dimensia and could not find local help even through an agency at that time. She was frced to look overseas. One of these scammers, took her money and stated that the application had been submitted to the Immigration Department and blamed the department of immigration for months. She tried calling someone to get some kind of answer because she was deperate to get help. Hoever, the DEpt of Immigration said that they could only speak with the person that submitted the application and not the person who name was on the application.
After 5+ months sshe learnt that no application had been submitted! The kind of person that would lie to someone that needs a caregiver for a sick parent and sleep at night knowing they are conning will have a special place in hell.