In an effort to assist Bermudians while travelling overseas, the US Consulate General is making available information regarding Bermudians’ privilege to enter the United States without a visa.
This travel information is intended for Bermuda passport holders to have readily available in the event airline personnel or immigration officers outside of Bermuda and the US are unfamiliar with US visa policy for Bermudians. The information below can be printed out to carry with one’s passport. In addition, printed cards with the information will be available for pick up at the LF Wade International Airport and the Bermuda Immigration Office.
US Visa Exemption for Bermudian Citizens
Bermudian passport holders are visa exempt.
8 CFR 212.1 States: Citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda – A US visa is generally not required for Citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, except those Bermudians that fall under non-immigrant visa categories E, K, S, or V.
As Bermuda is not a visa waiver program country, citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda are not eligible to apply for ESTA in a Bermuda passport.
Questions may be directed to the US Consulate General in Hamilton, Bermuda at (441) 295-1342 or (441) 335-3828, or by email at hamiltonconsulate@state.gov.
Please note that this information does not constitute a legal document, but is intended to provide the legal guidance related to Bermudians travelling into and through the United States.
The US Consulate in Hamilton continues to receive reports of Bermudians experiencing additional questioning or delays at some international borders. The current situation is not due to any changes in US Customs and Border Protection procedures or US Immigration Law. Technical changes in passports issued by Her Majesty’s Passport Office in the UK to British Overseas Territory Citizens (BOTC) have made it more difficult for some airline representatives and immigration officials to easily differentiate Bermudians from other BOTC, thus recognizing that they do not require visas to enter the US and are also not eligible for admission through ESTA. US Customs and Border Protection officials at LF Wade International Airport are fully aware of the issue and routinely process visa-free entry to the US from Bermuda per standard practice. Difficulties are occasionally encountered at other borders due primarily to lack of familiarity with Bermuda passports.
Obtaining a US visa could effectively reduce or eliminate additional questions at international borders due to the passport changes. The decision to apply for a visa is up to each individual traveler, but individuals who travel frequently abroad, particularly beyond the US and the UK, should consider this option.
