Minister On Visa Controlled Nationals List
Minister of Economy and Labour Jason Hayward provided updates about the Bermuda Immigration and Protection [Prohibition of Entry] Order – Bermuda’s Visa Controlled Nationals List, noting that Bermuda relies on the UK, US, and Canada as principal gateways for commercial travel to and from Bermuda, and the border policy in the UK remains fluid and Bermuda makes adjustments accordingly.
The Minister’s full statement follows below:
Mr. Speaker,
I rise before this Honorable House to provide updates to the Bermuda Immigration and Protection [Prohibition of Entry] Order – Bermuda’s Visa Controlled Nationals List.
Mr. Speaker,
Bermuda relies on the UK, US, and Canada as principal gateways for commercial travel to and from Bermuda. As a result, access to and from Bermuda is impacted by the border policies of those gateway countries. While the US and Canada border policies are relatively stable and consistent. The border policy in the UK remains fluid.
Mr. Speaker,
The UK amends its Visa Controlled Nationals List from time to time; recent updates were in November 2023, February 2024, October 2024, and January 2025.
In the November amendment, Colombia and Qatar were removed from the list and ten [10] countries were listed as exceptions so that certain categories of persons no longer need a visa before they travel to the UK as a visitor. In the February 2024 amendment, the UK removed Kuwait and Saudi Arabia and in October it removed Bahrain, Oman and the UAE from the list. In January it added Colombia to the list again. Accordingly, the Ministry amended the Bermuda’s visa-controlled list.
Mr. Speaker,
Prohibition Orders are subject to the negative resolution procedure. Accordingly, the new Order was gazetted on 8 January 2025 and is laid before this Honourable House today.
In accordance with the UK’s updated list, Bermuda has removed Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman and the UAE from its Visa Controlled Nationals list and added Colombia.
Mr. Speaker,
With the fluidity of changes to the UK’s list, more changes to the Bermuda Immigration and Protection [Prohibition of Entry] Order are anticipated. The Government notes that border policy has an impact on the supply of labour in Bermuda and visitors to Bermuda. As a result, in strengthening its border management system and tracking capabilities, the Government will seek to remove a number of countries from the Prohibition of Entry Order whose nationals have commercial travel access to Bermuda.
Mr Speaker,
The most recent changes to the UK’s visa requirements impact Trinidad and Tobago nationals. Effective 23 April 2025, Trinidad and Tobago nationals will require a visa to travel to or to transit the United Kingdom, including short visits. In its announcement on 12 March 2025, the British Government advised that there will be a six-week transition until 23 April 2025, during which time visitors who booked their travel and obtained an ETA [electronic travel authorization] before the changes were made can still enter the UK without a visa. There is also a transition period for passengers who are transiting via the UK to an onward destination.
In light of these changes, this Government will issue clear guidance to nationals of Trinidad and Tobago currently resident or visiting Bermuda without UK, US or Canadian travel authorisation to ensure that those nationals are not stuck in Bermuda without commercial travel access.
Mr Speaker,
Looking ahead, the Department of Immigration will constantly review options in respect of visa-controlled nationals and Bermuda’s border controls. The Government remains committed to the protection of our borders, while also ensuring that we can meet the workforce needs required for us to have a sustainable economy.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
