Relocation Guide: One-Way Trip to Bermuda

Relocating to Bermuda may sound like a dream, but there are several ways that you can make it come true.

Pink beaches, warm sunlight and clear blue skies await you in Bermuda. But more than just a place to relax in the sun, Bermuda also offers all the conveniences and business opportunities of a modern city. Over the years, thousands of expatriates and retirees have relocated here to live with Bermudians. You may just be the next one to follow in their footsteps.

For Starters

To relocate to Bermuda, first you have to get there. Airlines offering daily service to the island include Air Canada, AirTran, American Airlines, British Airways, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, JetBlue Airlines, US Airways and USA 3000.

Earning Your Keep

If you are a partner in a business or are employed by one of the international companies here, you have nothing to worry about as far as jobs are concerned. Otherwise, finding work here is challenging, but not impossible. There are things to consider:

• Non-Bermudians must secure a work permit to be employed. All permits are specific to the tenure of the position.
• Most permits expire after six years, with no automatic renewals. A new application must be processed then.
• A new permit is also required if you switch jobs — which is not recommended and allowed only once.
• Seasonal or part-time work does not warrant a work permit.

Another option is for you to set up your own business. Since Bermuda charges no taxes on worldwide business activities, many companies incorporate here. However, non-Bermudians may set up a business only if they have a local partner who owns 60 percent of it.

For the most part, no income, capital gains or corporate taxes are charged to citizens or companies, with the exception of a 16 percent payroll tax. For more ­information, visit immigration.gov.bm.

Your Home of the Rock

It’s possible to live well in Bermuda, but you need to research to find a great rental pad. For more information, visit e-moo.com.

To purchase a home, you must be either a citizen or very wealthy. Non-Bermudians can buy limited, expensive property, and only from other foreigners. The average home price soars well above $4 million. If you have such funds, you can apply for a Licence to Acquire Property, which costs 25 percent of the purchase price (6.5 percent for a condo). Add stamp duty to that total.

If you’re planning on house hunting, do ­yourself a favour and hire a good real estate agent who can provide you with the most ­up-to-date listings and information on rules and regulations.

Getting Around

Bermudians are very serious about preserving their island paradise, which is why owning a car has its cons. It’s not the most efficient or most fun way to get around, and the import duties to pay are at a rate of 150 percent. Also, the law allows only one car per household. Therefore, it’s much better to own a motorised bike or scooter.

Or you can hop on a world-class Bermuda Breeze bus. They’re punctual and run as frequently as every 15 minutes. With air conditioning, they are a clean and safe option for transport. Some routes don’t run on Sundays or holidays, so check the schedules.

For daily bus travel, it’s best to purchase a booklet of 15 tickets for $7.50. Or you can buy passes that allow travel in all 14 of Bermuda’s bus zones. An unlimited one-day pass is just $12; two-day, $20; three-day, $28; four-day, $35; one-week, $45; and monthly, $55. Cash fares are $3 up to three zones, $4.50 up to 14 zones, and get cheaper by using tokens or tickets. To pay cash you must have exact change, as drivers do not make change or accept bills. Buy tokens at branch post offices or the Central Bus Terminal on Washington Street in Hamilton. All routes, except the 6, begin and end there. To check schedules or make any other inquiries about buses in Bermuda, please call 292-3851 or visit gov.bm.

Sea Express ferries also get you quickly from either end of the island to Hamilton, where the ferry terminal can be found at Front Street, between Queen Street and Par-la-Ville Road. Fares, tokens, tickets and passes are the same rates as for buses. If you get an unlimited pass, it can be used on buses or ferries. ­(295-4506, seaexpress.bm)

Becoming Bermudian

So many rules apply to non-Bermudians that you may wish to drop the “non” part. But in practice, this privilege is nearly impossible for foreigners to attain. Many locals have lived here for years as residents without the benefits citizens enjoy, like the right to vote.

Obviously, the clearest path to ­citizenship is to be lucky enough to born on the islands of Bermudian parents. If either Mum or Dad were born Bermudians, then you could qualify for citizenship.

Foreigners married to islanders must be married to the same Bermudian for at least 10 continuous years to be eligible for citizenship. Also, during that marriage they must reside in Bermuda for at least seven years. In addition, the couple must be living together during the two years immediately before the application for citizenship.

Application for citizenship is a matter of public record. So public, in fact, that news of one’s desire to be a “true” Bermudian is printed and published in a local newspaper. Because citizenship hinges on being someone “of good character and conduct,” neighbours and peers are invited to share their opinions by written statement to the Department of Immigration.

Getting Around Bermuda Relax, enjoy, save and see Bermuda by bus. A blue or pink pole indicates bus stops. If the pole is topped with blue, the bus travels from Hamilton; if the pole is topped pink, the route is toward Hamilton.

Dolphin Quest Make your Bermuda trip even more memorable with dolphins! Dolphin Quest offers fun, interactive dolphin encounter programs for all. Book your adventure today!

Oleander Cycles Have a fun-filled vacation with a cycle from Oleander. If you can ride a bicycle, you can easily ride an Oleander scooter. See all of Bermuda...reserve one today!