Moving to Bermuda: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

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Population

71,750

Population Growth Rate

0.55%

Urban Population

100.000000

Population in Major Urban Areas

HAMILTON (capital) 11,000

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Age Structure

17.170000

Median Age

42.600000

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

11

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

7.9

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

1.96

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

1.020000

Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population

1.99

Ethnic Groups

Black 58%, white 36%, other 6%

Nationality Noun

Bermudian(s)

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Literacy - total population

98%

Literacy - male

98%

Literacy - female

99%

Literacy Definition

Age 15 and over can read and write

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP

2.6%

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

12.000000

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Life Expectancy at Birth

80.930000

Infant Mortality Rate

2.470000

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

2.470000

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

0.000000

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

0.000000

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Economic Overview

International business, which consists primarily of insurance and other financial services, is the real bedrock of Bermuda's economy, consistently accounting for about 85% of the island's GDP.

Tourism is the country’s second-largest industry, accounting for about 5% of Bermuda's GDP but a much larger share of employment.

Over 80% of visitors come from the US and the sector struggled in the wake of the global recession of 2008-09.

Even the financial sector has lost roughly 5,000 high-paying expatriate jobs since 2008, weighing heavily on household consumption and retail sales.

Bermuda must import almost everything.

Agriculture and industry are limited due to the small size of the island.

Bermuda's economy returned to negative growth in 2016, reporting a contraction of 0.1% GDP, after growing by 0.6% in 2015.

Unemployment reached 7% in 2016 and 2017, public debt is growing and exceeds $2.4 billion, and the government continues to work on attracting foreign investment.

Still, Bermuda enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the world.

Industries

International business, tourism, light manufacturing

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$85,700.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

-2.5%

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GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$5,230,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$85,700.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

-2.5%

GDP - official exchange rate

$5,198,000,000 (USD)

GDP - composition, by end use

• Consumption: 53.4% Government
• Consumption: 15.3% Investment in Fixed
• Capital: 10.9% Investment in
• Inventories: -0.1% Exports of Goods and
• Services: 41.8% Imports of Goods and
• Services: -21.3%

GDP by Sector- agriculture

0.7%

GDP by Sector- Industry

5.8%

GDP by Sector- services

93.4%

Industrial Growth Rate

2%

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Inflation Rate

1.2%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

1

Currency Name and Code

Bermudian Dollar (BMD)

Fiscal Year

1 April - 31 March

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Labor Force

33,490

Unemployment Rate

9%

Major Industries

International business, tourism, light manufacturing

Agriculture Products

Bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products, honey

Population Below Poverty Line

11%

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Labor Force By Occupation - administrative and managerial

15%

Labor Force By Occupation - agriculture and fishing

3%

Labor Force By Occupation - clerical

19%

Labor Force By Occupation - laborers

17%

Labor Force By Occupation - professional and technical

21%

Labor Force By Occupation - sales

7%

Labor Force By Occupation - services

19%

Labor Force By Occupation- agriculture

2%

Labor Force By Occupation- industry

15%

Labor Force By Occupation- services

83%

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Annual Budget

$960,100,000 (USD)

Public Debt (% of GDP)

43%

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

-3.7%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

18.5%

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Full Country Name

none

Country Name

Bermuda

Former Name

Somers Islands

Etymology- history of name

the islands making up Bermuda are named after Juan de BERMUDEZ, an early 16th century Spanish sea captain and the first European explorer of the archipelago

Independence

none (overseas territory of the UK)

National Holiday

Bermuda Day, 24 May; note - formerly known as Victoria Day, Empire Day, and Commonwealth Day

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Government Type

Overseas Territory of the UK with limited self-government; parliamentary democracy

Constitution

• history: several previous (dating to 1684); latest entered into force 8 June 1968 (Bermuda Constitution Order 1968)
• amendments: proposal procedure - NA; passage by an Order in Council in the UK; amended several times, last in 2012

Legal System:

English common law

Executive Branch:

• chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor Rena LALGIE (since 14 December 2020) previous Queen ELIZABETH II (6 February 1952 - 8 September 2022)
• head of government: Premier David BURT (since 19 July 2017)
• cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor
• elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed premier by the governor

Legislative Branch:

• Description: bicameral Parliament consists of: Senate (11 seats; 3 members appointed by the governor, 5 by the premier, and 3 by the opposition party; members serve 5-year terms) House of Assembly (36 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve up to 5-year terms)
• Elections: Senate - last appointments in 2022 (next appointments in 2027) House of Assembly - last held on 1 October 2020 (next to be held by 2025)
• Election Results: Senate - composition as of October 2023 - men 4, women 7, percent of women 63.6% House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - PLP 62.1%, OBA 32.3%, other 5.4%, independent 0.2%; seats by party - PLP 30, OBA 6; composition as of October 2023 - men 26, women 9, percent of women 25%;
• Note: total Parliament percent of women as of September 2023 - 34%

Judicial Branch:

• office: Court of Appeal justice appointed by the governor; justice tenure by individual appointment; Supreme Court judges nominated by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission and appointed by the governor; judge tenure based on terms of appointment
• subordinate courts: commercial court (began in 2006); magistrates' courts

Regions or States:

9 parishes and 2 municipalities* Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint George's, Sandys, Smith's, Southampton, Warwick

Political Parties and Leaders:

• Free Democratic Movement or FDM [Marc A. R. BEAN]
• One Bermuda Alliance or OBA [N. H. Cole SIMONS]
• Progressive Labor Party or PLP [E. David BURT]

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship Criteria:

• birth: no citizenship by descent
• only: at least one parent must be a citizen of the UK dual citizenship
• recognized: yes residency requirement for
• naturalization: 10 years

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Capital Name

Hamilton

Capital - geographic coordinate

32 17 N, 64 47 W

Capital Time Difference

UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Daylight Savings Time

+1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November

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International Organization Participation:

• Caricom (associate)
• ICC (NGOs)
• Interpol (subbureau)
• IOC
• ITUC (NGOs)
• UPU
• WCO

International Law Organization Participation:

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Chief of Mission: Consul General Karen GRISSETTE (since 6 July 2021)
• Embassy: US Consulate Bermuda, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire, DV 03, Bermuda
• Mailing Address: 5300 Hamilton Place, Washington, DC 20520-5300
• Telephone: (441) 295-1342
• FAX: (441) 295-1592
• Email: HamiltonConsulate@state.gov
• Website: https://bm.usconsulate.gov/
• Consulate(s) General: 16 Middle Road, Devonshire DV O3

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• none (overseas territory of the UK)

Dependency Status

overseas territory of the UK

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Geographic Location

North America

Geographic Coordinates

32 20 N, 64 45 W

Total Area

21 Square Miles 54 Square Kilometers

Land Area

21 Square Miles 54 Square Kilometers

Coastline

64 Miles 103 Kilometers

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Terrain

Low hills separated by fertile depressions

Highest Point

76 Meters

Highest Point Location

Town Hill 76 m

Lowest Point Location

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Natural Resources

Limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism

Time Zone

UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Daylight saving time

+1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November

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Climate

Though far north from tropical latitudes, Bermuda has a mild, humid, frost-free climate.

The annual mean temperature is 70.2°F.

Highs in summer rarely top 90°F, and lows in winter rarely drop under the 50s.

The lowest temperature ever officially recorded was 44°F.

The Gulf Stream, running west and north of the island, is the main reason for the good climate.

The average annual rainfall is 57.6 inches, spread evenly throughout the year.

The year-round high humidity, averaging more than 75%, makes some days uncomfortably sticky in summer and damp and cold in winter.

January through March tends to be overcast and squally, although when the sun shines it can be like a breezy spring day.

April and May are very pleasant.

June through August are very hot and very humid.

The heat factor (temperature plus humidity) during the hottest summer months can exceed 110°F degrees Fahrenheit.

September is the stormy season, although hurricane season officially extends from June through November.

Barring hurricanes, October through December are calm, mild, and usually sunny, and are considered by many to be the most pleasant part of the year.

The climate, well-distributed rainfall, and heavy dew promote the luxuriant growth of vegetation of every description, despite the dearth of soil.

Palms, Australian and Norfolk Island pines, mangroves, poincianas, casuarinas, ficus trees, citrus, and some tropical fruit trees grow well in Bermuda.

Prolific oleander and hibiscus brighten gardens and lanes everywhere.

Sadly, the famous Bermuda cedar trees that for centuries dominated the landscape and were the islands' pride, were nearly all destroyed by blight in the 1940s.

The few remaining native cedars are protected, and some reforestation with blight-resistant stock is underway.

Terrain

Low hills separated by fertile depressions

Location

North America, a group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of South Carolina (US)

Total Area

21 Square Miles 54 Square Kilometers

Environment - Current Issues

Asbestos disposal; water pollution; preservation of open space; sustainable development

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Exports

$19,000,000 (USD)

Imports

$887,300,000 (USD)

Major Exports

Reexports of pharmaceuticals

Major Imports

Clothing, fuels, machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, chemicals, food and live animals

Top Export Partners

United States 14.4%, Iceland 13.7%, Spain 6.8%, United Kingdom 5.8%, Mauritius 5.6%

Top Import Partners

South Korea 49.5%, United States 14.6%, Germany 11.4%, China 9%, Turkmenistan 5.2%

Export Partners

United States 14.4%, Iceland 13.7%, Spain 6.8%, United Kingdom 5.8%, Mauritius 5.6%

Import Partners

South Korea 49.5%, United States 14.6%, Germany 11.4%, China 9%, Turkmenistan 5.2%

Country Description

Bermuda is a British overseas territory with a stable democracy and developed economy. Tourist facilities are widely available.

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Crime

By comparison to the United States, Bermuda has a low to moderate crime rate.

Recent crime statistics are available on the official website of the Bermuda Police Service.

Valuables left unattended in public areas, in unsecured hotel rooms, or on rental motorbikes are vulnerable to theft.

Criminals have been known to target visitors on motorbikes and at popular tourist attractions, and purse snatchings (perpetrated by thieves riding motorbikes) and muggings have occurred in the past.

The back streets of the City of Hamilton have been the setting for nighttime assaults, particularly at night after the bars close.

Travelers should exercise caution when walking after dark or visiting out-of-the-way places on the island as they can be vulnerable to theft and assault, and because narrow and dark roadways can contribute to accidents.

Travelers should note an increase in gang presence and illegal drug activity in Bermuda.

There have been no reports of gang violence targeted toward visitors to Bermuda, although gunfire between gang members has occurred throughout the island.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available.

Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, but if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Bermuda, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own.

These criminal penalties will vary from country to country.

There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

If you break local laws in Bermuda, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going.

Persons violating Bermuda’s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.

Having a prescription for an illegal drug in Bermuda, such as marijuana, will not protect you from prosecution for possession of that illegal drug.

Bermuda Customs routinely boards visiting cruise ships with drug-sniffing dogs and will arrest persons found to have any illegal drugs in their cabin.

Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking illegal drugs in Bermuda are severe, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and/or heavy fines.

If you are arrested in Bermuda, authorities of Bermuda are required to notify the U.S.

Consulate of your arrest.

If you are concerned the Department of State may not be aware of your situation, you should request the police or prison officials to notify the U.S.

Consulate of your arrest.

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Medical Facilities

Adequate medical care is available for routine procedures, though extremely expensive.

The hospital performs general surgery and has an emergency room and intensive care unit.

Serious or complex medical programs will likely require medical evacuation to the United States.

Most Bermudian health care providers including the local hospital do not accept overseas insurance and will expect payment at the time of service.

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions While in Bermuda you will encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

Traffic in Bermuda moves on the left side and the roads are very narrow, often with no defined shoulder.

The maximum speed in the city of Hamilton is 25 kph (15 mph) and 35 kph (21 mph) on the rest of the island.

Under Bermudian law, non-residents are not allowed to own, rent or drive four-wheeled vehicles.

Non-residents must rely on taxis, the local bus system, or rented motorbikes.

Traffic is moderate.

Road accidents – particularly involving motorbikes – are common and can result in serious injuries or death.

Rental motorbikes are readily available, and the required helmet is provided.

However, visitors should carefully consider the significant risks of riding a motorbike.

Motorbikes provide the greatest road peril in Bermuda; local operators tend to abuse the speed limit and will often pass on the left or right side with no warning.

Those unfamiliar with driving on the left side are likely to find the roundabouts and regulations for yielding at junctions confusing and dangerous.

In addition, vehicles often stop on the side of the road, blocking one lane of traffic.

Main roads, while generally in good condition, are extremely narrow and tend to be bordered by heavy vegetation or stone walls.

Taxis are readily available.

The local bus system serves the length of the island and stops close to most beaches, hotels, the downtown shopping area, and other points of interest.

In addition, water ferry service to a variety of stops around the island is available seven days a week and is a very safe and enjoyable mode of transportation.

For specific information concerning Bermuda’s drivers' permits, vehicle inspection, road tax, and mandatory insurance, please contact the Bermuda Department of Tourism offices at 675 Third Avenue, 20th Floor, New York, NY 10017 Tel: (800)_223-6106.

Traffic Safety

While in Bermuda you will encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

Traffic in Bermuda moves on the left side and the roads are very narrow, often with no defined shoulder.

The maximum speed in the city of Hamilton is 25 kph (15 mph) and 35 kph (21 mph) on the rest of the island.

Under Bermudian law, non-residents are not allowed to own, rent or drive four-wheeled vehicles.

Non-residents must rely on taxis, the local bus system, or rented motorbikes.

Traffic is moderate.

Road accidents – particularly involving motorbikes – are common and can result in serious injuries or death.

Rental motorbikes are readily available, and the required helmet is provided.

However, visitors should carefully consider the significant risks of riding a motorbike.

Motorbikes provide the greatest road peril in Bermuda; local operators tend to abuse the speed limit and will often pass on the left or right side with no warning.

Those unfamiliar with driving on the left side are likely to find the roundabouts and regulations for yielding at junctions confusing and dangerous.

In addition, vehicles often stop on the side of the road, blocking one lane of traffic.

Main roads, while generally in good condition, are extremely narrow and tend to be bordered by heavy vegetation or stone walls.

Taxis are readily available.

The local bus system serves the length of the island and stops close to most beaches, hotels, the downtown shopping area, and other points of interest.

In addition, water ferry service to a variety of stops around the island is available seven days a week and is a very safe and enjoyable mode of transportation.

For specific information concerning Bermuda’s drivers' permits, vehicle inspection, road tax, and mandatory insurance, please contact the Bermuda Department of Tourism offices at 675 Third Avenue, 20th Floor, New York, NY 10017 Tel: (800)_223-6106.

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Airports - total

1

Airports with Paved Runways

1

Roadways- total

278 Miles 447 Kilometers

Roadways- paved

249 Miles 400 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

Hamilton, Saint George's, Dockyard

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Telephones

57,700

Cell Phones

60,100

Internet Users

48,000

Internet Country Code

.bm

Internet Hosts

19,855

Broadcast Media

• 3 TV stations
• cable and satellite TV subscription services are available
• roughly 13 radio stations operating

Telephone System

• Assessment: a good, fully automatic digital telephone system with fiber-optic trunk lines
• Domestic: the system has a high fixed-line teledensity coupled with a mobile-cellular teledensity of roughly 125 per 100 persons
• International: country code - 1-441; landing points for the GlobeNet, Gemini Bermuda, CBUS, and the Challenger Bermuda-1 (CB-1) submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3

Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

628,300,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

675,600,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

2,747

Anthem History

Bermuda is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom and as such the official anthem is "God Save The Queen" The unofficial anthem is "Hail to Bermuda" The audio files on this page are for the unofficial anthem "Hail to Bermuda".

The audio files for "God Save The Queen" can be found under the United Kingdom link to National Anthems.

Anthem Lyrics English

• fall: Confound their politics, Frustrate their knavish tricks, On Thee our hopes we
• fix: God save us all. 3. Thy choicest gifts in store On her be pleased to pour; Long may she
• reign: May she defend our laws, And ever give us cause To sing with heart and voice God save the Queen.