Bermuda Nomad Visa

Is the Bermuda digital nomad visa still open?

No. Bermuda's remote-work permit, the Work From Bermuda one-year residential certificate, stopped accepting applications on 28 February 2025. The Government of Bermuda announced the end of the programme on 26 February 2025.

The Ministry of Economy and Labour said the programme had attracted about 1,800 participants since 2020, and that ending it fitted the government's economic strategy and housing policy, with the aim of keeping more housing available for Bermudians. The government said it was returning to multi-year residency applications instead.

What happened to people who already held the certificate?

Existing holders were allowed to stay until their certificate expired. After that, the official FAQ gives them 90 days to settle their affairs and leave Bermuda.

Holders who wanted to stay longer could apply for Permission to Reside on an Annual Basis, provided they met its requirements, by submitting the application one to two months before their certificate expired. The government says this permission can be granted for up to five years.

What is Permission to Reside on an Annual Basis?

It is Bermuda's ordinary permit for people who want to live on the island without taking a local job. It is now the nearest route for a remote worker, but it is not a nomad visa and approval is at the government's discretion.

• Fee: the government's residence application page lists $275 for permission to reside for up to one year.
• Documents: the general list includes the application form, a police certificate, character and employment references, passport photos, your passport, birth certificate and CV, plus medical clearance for first-time residents. Where relevant you also show a multi-entry visa or permanent residence card from the USA, Canada or the UK.
• Length: up to five years, according to the February 2025 government announcement.

Law firm Appleby reports that applicants must be over 18, of good character, have adequate financial resources and hold health insurance; that they may not work for a Bermuda employer but may keep working remotely for one abroad; that a five-year permission costs $1,215; and that processing takes about 12 weeks. These details are not on the government page we checked, and the government publishes no fixed income figure for this route.

Appleby also describes the Economic Investment Certificate for people who invest at least US$2.5 million in Bermuda. That is a wealth route, not a remote-work one.

Can Nigerians enter Bermuda?

Only with a US, UK or Canadian visa in hand. Nigeria is one of the countries listed in the Bermuda Immigration and Protection (Prohibition of Entry) (No. 2) Order 2025, which took effect on 17 July 2025.

Nationals of listed countries may land only if they hold valid travel authorisation to enter and re-enter Canada, the United Kingdom or the United States that remains valid for at least 45 days after their intended departure from Bermuda. The government's entry-visa page warns that travellers without it, or with less than 45 days left, will be refused entry. In practice a Nigerian applicant needs one of those visas before Bermuda is an option at all.

What are the alternatives for remote workers?

For most Nigerian remote workers, a Caribbean programme that is still open is the more realistic choice. The Barbados Welcome Stamp is taking applications in 2026, asks for expected income of US$50,000 over 12 months and does not require Nigerians to get an entry visa.

Two other nearby programmes have also closed: the Cayman Islands Global Citizen programme and Antigua and Barbuda's Nomad Digital Residence. Every one of these routes assumes you already earn from abroad, so if you are still looking, start with remote jobs with foreign employers.

Working hours if you do live there

Bermuda uses Atlantic time: UTC-4 in winter and UTC-3 in summer, so it is four or five hours behind Lagos depending on the season. It is one hour ahead of New York all year, which suits US clients but makes morning meetings with Nigerian or European teams very early.

Under Permission to Reside you cannot take local work, so keep your income paid into your existing foreign account. Budget for health insurance, which Appleby notes is required and which you must keep up for as long as you hold the permission.