Remote Work in Bermuda: Permission to Reside vs Work Permit vs Visiting, Compared

Last checked 12 October 2026

This guide is general information, not legal, immigration or tax advice. Some links may be affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Since the Work From Bermuda certificate closed on 28 February 2025 (gov.bm), remote workers have had three realistic routes. This guide compares them side by side so you can pick the one that fits.

The three routes at a glance

Route 1: Permission to Reside on an Annual Basis

Best for: remote employees of overseas companies, freelancers with overseas clients, retirees and people living on investments.

Requirements (gov.bm PDF):

• income of at least $75,000 a year,
• private health insurance for the whole stay,
• passport valid at least 45 days beyond the permission,
• a medical certificate, two character references, an original police certificate, a bank reference or 12 months of statements, and proof of financial support.

Limits: you’re “prohibited from engaging in and/or seeking” employment in Bermuda.

Watch out for:

• Cost of living. $75k is about $6,250 a month, and a one-bed outside Hamilton averages about $2,662 on Numbeo’s crowd-sourced data (numbeo.com). See cost of living.
• Your home-country tax. For Brits, the Statutory Residence Test decides whether you stay UK resident (gov.uk). See UK tax.
• Your employer’s consent. Working from abroad can raise payroll and legal issues for them, so get written approval.
• Insurance. Get written confirmation that Immigration will accept your plan. Compare international plans and nomad options such as SafetyWing.

Full guide: Permission to Reside in Bermuda.

Route 2: A work permit with a Bermuda employer

Best for: people willing to take a local job, for example in insurance and finance, which make Bermuda an important offshore financial centre (Johns Hopkins study).

How it works (gov.bm):

• the employer advertises the role locally for at least eight days, and Bermudians get priority,
• the employer applies, and Standard permits last one to five years,
• the permit is tied to your role. Working outside it is an offence, with penalties including removal and a ban of at least 12 months.

Upsides: your employer must provide health insurance (Health Insurance Act), pays into your occupational pension (5% plus your 5%, per the Pension Commission), and you get the paperwork a local job brings for banking and renting.

Downsides: you’re no longer a remote worker, and you’ll pay payroll tax (2026–27 rates).

Full guide: Bermuda work permits explained.

Route 3: Visiting

Best for: scouting trips, holidays and short stays.

Rules for British citizens (gov.uk):

• visa-free for up to 180 days in any 12-month period,
• return or onward ticket, and possibly proof of accommodation,
• arrival card,
• mustn’t look for work while visiting as a tourist.

Remote working while visiting: Taxes for Expats says that, without a remote-work visa, remote workers “would need a standard work permit or to stay within the tourist entry limit” (taxesforexpats.com). The FCDO page doesn’t specifically address remote work for a foreign employer. Get your employer’s agreement and ask Immigration before relying on it.

Plan the trip with visiting Bermuda before you move.

Which route fits you?

• “I want to keep my UK job and live in Bermuda long-term.” Permission to Reside, provided you can show $75k+ and buy acceptable insurance.
• “I’m happy to change jobs.” Find a Bermuda employer and get a work permit.
• “I want a few weeks of island life and to see if I like it.” Visit. Stick to the visitor rules and don’t job-hunt.
• “My partner wants to work locally and I’m remote.” Your partner needs their own work permit through an employer. Your permission doesn’t cover them.

Common mistakes

• Following old blog posts that still promote Work From Bermuda.
• Treating the $75k minimum as a comfortable budget.
• Buying a short-trip travel policy and expecting it to meet the health insurance requirement.
• Starting freelance work for Bermuda clients while on Permission to Reside.
• Forgetting UK tax and National Insurance. The UK and Bermuda have a social security agreement (gov.uk).

Next steps

1. Pick your route.
2. Start the slow paperwork. See police and medical certificates.
3. Work through the moving checklist.

Sources checked 12 October 2026. Immigration policy changes often, so check gov.bm before you apply.

Related: Bermuda vs Cayman vs Isle of Man