Jobs in Bermuda for Foreigners: A Practical Guide
Updated: May 2026
Photo: Kansasphoto, flickr, cc by 2.0
If
moving to Bermuda for work is on your radar, you are probably weighing the lifestyle against the practical hurdles. The island still hires from overseas in meaningful numbers, especially in finance, insurance, technology and hospitality. The catch is that the system is built to give Bermudians first refusal on every opening, so your application has to clear that gate before an employer can sponsor you.
This page walks you through how the Bermuda job market actually works for foreigners, where the openings tend to be, what the latest salary picture looks like, and the channels that work (and the ones that mostly do not).
I have been writing about Bermuda since 2008 and have answered hundreds of questions from expats over the years, so I will also flag the mistakes I see most often.
Bermuda's Job Market by the Numbers
The Department of Statistics published the most recent Employment Briefs in October 2025. The total number of filled jobs in Bermuda reached 33,451 in 2024, an increase of 585 over the previous year. Bermudians held 22,369 of those jobs, which is about 67 percent of the total.
Non-Bermudians (the category that includes work permit holders, Permanent Resident Certificate (PRC) holders, and spouses of Bermudians) accounted for the rest. Filled jobs by non-Bermudians grew 6.8 percent in 2024, picking up 550 positions over the prior year. Total filled jobs are still about 927 below the pre-pandemic 2019 peak, so the market is growing but it has not snapped back fully.
The median gross annual income across all jobs was $68,599 in the most recent published survey, but that single figure hides large gaps by sector. International Business, which is the engine of Bermuda's economy, reported a median income of $160,065. Financial and Insurance Activities sat at $103,531.
Professional, Scientific and Technical roles came in at $96,556. Senior Officials and Managers across all sectors had a median of about $116,964. At the other end of the scale, Accommodation and Food Service roles reported a median around $41,000. Where you sit in the sector mix matters more than your title.
Which Sectors Hire Foreigners
Insurance and reinsurance dominate the international business landscape and lead the hiring of overseas talent. Companies in this space need underwriters, actuaries, claims specialists, captive managers, modelers and risk professionals at a pace that the local workforce cannot fill alone. Salaries here are the highest on the island and the perks (medical, housing allowance, relocation, education support, bonus) are usually generous.
Bermuda is home to a large share of the world's catastrophe reinsurance capacity, and that footprint creates a steady appetite for experienced talent.
Banking, asset management, fund administration, audit, accounting and law also bring in overseas hires every year. The Big Four accounting firms and the major Bermuda law firms are reliable employers of qualified foreigners. Hedge fund administration and trust services have hired heavily in recent years as the island has positioned itself in alternative investments.
Technology is another consistent source of work permits, since the financial sector leans heavily on IT, cyber security, data engineering and software development. The 2023-to-2024 employment data showed Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities adding 144 jobs in a single year, a 6.4 percent growth rate. For an in-depth look, see Bermuda IT Jobs.
Hospitality (hotels, restaurants, water sports, golf) hires from overseas as well, particularly for chefs, sommeliers, hotel managers and certain specialist seasonal staff, although the sector has been pushed to absorb more Bermudians than before.
In 2023 the Accommodation and Food Service sector added 402 jobs, a 12.2 percent jump, which created some room for foreign talent again. Healthcare hires registered nurses, physicians and allied professionals from abroad on a routine basis. Construction hires masons, electricians, plumbers and skilled trades when local supply runs short.
Restricted or Closed Jobs
Some roles are off-limits to foreigners outright. The Ministry of Economy and Labour publishes a Closed list (no new work permits issued at all) and a Restricted list (work permits only under special conditions).
These cover positions like bartenders, taxi drivers, hairstylists, landscape gardeners, retail sales staff and similar work where local supply is considered adequate. The lists are reviewed every three months and can be tightened or loosened depending on the labor market.
What You Need to Qualify
For a professional job, a bachelor's degree is the realistic minimum. Master's, doctoral or chartered qualifications give you a clear edge on a competitive shortlist. Three to five years of relevant experience is the floor for most middle-management openings, and seven or more for senior roles. Industry certifications matter a lot (CFA, CPA, ACA, FCAS, CISSP, PRINCE2, ACAS and similar credentials), particularly for finance, actuarial and tech roles where Bermuda imports skills it cannot grow locally fast enough.
Your employer in Bermuda has to convince the Department of Immigration that no suitable Bermudian, spouse of a Bermudian, or PRC holder is available for the role. Under the Work Permit Policy that took effect on 1 November 2025, employers must state more clearly why a local applicant was not selected and identify the exact skills or experience that were missing.
The employer also has to advertise the position on the Bermuda Job Board for at least eight consecutive days and place ads in The Royal Gazette on at least three occasions over an eight-day window. Only after that public search can the work permit application proceed.
Even a strong candidate cannot get to a yes overnight. Bake the timeline into your planning.
The Work Permit in Short
Every non-Bermudian needs a work permit. Your employer applies on your behalf and pays the fees. A one-year Standard Work Permit costs $1,015 and a short-term permit of up to three months costs $705. Multi-year permits cost more on a sliding scale. There is also a $168-per-person fee for the printing of the work permit and travel cards. The employer carries these costs.
The maximum term limit on work permits was removed in 2013, so in principle a foreign worker can keep renewing. Each renewal is fresh, though, and depends on no eligible Bermudian being available. Under the November 2025 policy, you cannot change roles within the first year of a new permit or within six months of a renewal.
You cannot change employers in the first two years (accountants get an exception after 18 months). Promotions of work permit holders now require a new round of internal advertising.
There are a few other November 2025 changes worth knowing. A foreign applicant outside Bermuda can no longer wait on the island while their initial work permit is being processed. Business visitor stays have been shortened. Employers must notify Immigration of a permit holder's termination within 14 working days.
Penalties of up to $10,000 apply to anyone who works in Bermuda without a valid permit or outside its scope, and unauthorized workers can be placed on the Bermuda Stop List, barring reapplication for a minimum of 12 months. In practice, work permit applications now run 12 to 16 weeks from submission to issuance.
How to Find a Job in Bermuda
The most reliable route for a foreigner is to apply from your home country. Showing up in Bermuda as a tourist and hoping to job-hunt on the ground is a waste of money. Employers will not interview you on that basis, and you cannot lawfully work while you wait.
Specialist Recruitment Agencies
This is the most effective channel for overseas applicants. Several agencies specialize in placing foreign professionals into Bermuda's finance, accounting, legal, actuarial and tech roles. They know which firms are hiring, what packages are realistic for your profile, and how to navigate the work permit process from outside the island.
The candidate normally pays nothing. The hiring company pays the agency a commission on placement, which means the agency has skin in the game on getting you across the line.
A good agency will pre-screen you, brief you on the firm's culture, help structure your CV to Bermuda employer expectations, and walk you through likely interview formats. They often have first sight of roles before they hit public boards. If you are aiming at a niche specialism (actuarial, captive insurance, fund administration, audit, corporate law) the agency route is usually faster than public boards.
The Royal Gazette
The Royal Gazette is Bermuda's daily newspaper and the main place where employers publish job ads to satisfy the local advertising requirement. The Gazette runs its job listings online at royalgazette.com under the Jobs section.
Each listing carries the employer's name and contact details. Watch the Gazette in early January and again in late summer, when many firms post a wave of openings.
jobsinbda.com
This independent site aggregates publicly advertised jobs in Bermuda and is searchable by industry, keyword and location. It is useful for tracking the pulse of the market and spotting roles that may not appear on the official Job Board.
Bermuda Job Board
The official portal sits at bermudajobboard.bm, run by the Department of Workforce Development. By law every employer must advertise an open position on the Job Board for at least eight consecutive days before applying for a work permit, which makes it the single most complete real-time list of jobs in Bermuda.
The portal is primarily a tool for Bermudians, spouses of Bermudians and PRC holders to register, build a profile and apply. If you do not fall into one of those categories, you cannot register and apply through the portal in the normal way. What you can do is use it as a window into the market.
Scan the listings to see which firms are hiring, which roles tend to open up, and which positions have stayed unfilled past their deadlines. Those unfilled ones are the strongest candidates to be offered to a foreigner, because the employer can credibly say no Bermudian applied or qualified. Then approach the employer directly or through an agency.
LinkedIn and Direct Outreach
LinkedIn is widely used by Bermuda recruiters and HR teams, particularly in international business, but you will not see a high volume of Bermuda-specific postings there because the legal advertising rule pushes employers to the Gazette and Job Board first.
Use LinkedIn to research firms, follow Bermuda-focused recruiters, and reach out to hiring managers in your specialism. Many successful placements I have heard about began with a warm message to a Bermuda-based contact, not a cold application.
A Note for UK Citizens and Other Nationalities
Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory but it is largely autonomous and runs its own immigration system. A UK passport gives you no automatic right to work on the island. The same work permit process applies to British, Canadian, Australian, American, Indian, South African and every other nationality. The Department of Immigration treats all foreign candidates by the same yardstick.
Where citizenship matters in a small way is in visa requirements for entering Bermuda before the work permit lands, and in tax treatment back home. UK and EU citizens, Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders, Americans and a long list of others can enter Bermuda visa-free as visitors.
Indian, Chinese and certain other nationals need a visa to visit. None of that changes the work permit rule once you are coming to take up employment. Speak to your home tax authority or a cross-border accountant before you accept the offer.
What About Remote Work?
Bermuda used to operate a "Work from Bermuda" one-year residential certificate that let remote workers live on the island while staying employed abroad. The government discontinued the program on 28 February 2025 and stopped accepting new applications.
About 1,800 people used the scheme during its run. If you were hoping to come purely as a digital nomad working for an overseas employer, that specific route is closed.
You may still be able to apply for "Permission to Reside on an Annual Basis" if you can show financial self-sufficiency and other criteria, or for an Economic Investment Certificate if you can put at least $2.5 million into qualifying Bermuda assets. Neither lets you take up a job with a Bermuda-based employer. For local employment, the work permit is the only route.
Salary Expectations
A few realistic anchors, based on the latest Department of Statistics figures and what recruiters are quoting for 2025-2026.
A foreigner with a basic degree and a few years of experience should expect $75,000 to $95,000 in entry to early-career professional roles. A middle-management role in International Business or insurance commonly lands between $140,000 and $180,000 gross.
Senior leadership in re/insurance, banking or asset management can run from $250,000 to well over $500,000 with bonus, and the very top of the market can clear a million. Specialist actuaries, senior underwriters and C-suite executives at the largest carriers often see total packages above $400,000 including housing and education benefits.
Service-sector roles (kitchen, front desk, retail, support) sit far lower, with median earnings around $41,000. With Bermuda's cost of living, that low end is uncomfortable. I have answered many questions from candidates who took service-sector offers expecting to save aggressively and found that almost nothing was left after basic accommodation, food and transport. Before you accept anything in that range, walk through Bermuda's Cost of Living carefully and decide if the numbers actually work for you.
Can Your Spouse Find a Job?
Yes, but with friction. Your spouse needs a separate work permit issued against a separate employer's application. They cannot work in Bermuda just because you have a permit. The smartest plan is for both of you to line up jobs before either of you arrives.
If you arrive first and your spouse tries to find work on the island, the same Bermudian-first rule applies to them, and competition tightens. If your spouse does eventually get a job and a permit, the duration of their stay still rides on yours.
A spouse working remotely for an employer outside Bermuda (with no Bermuda clients and no local employment) is generally not treated as a problem under the same rules, since no Bermudian job is at stake. Contact the Department of Immigration to confirm in writing before you commit, and keep the confirmation.
What to Negotiate Before You Accept
A high gross salary is not the whole picture. The items below can swing the value of an offer by tens of thousands of dollars a year.
Accommodation. Either the employer provides housing or pays a fixed housing allowance. Rents on the island are punishing, so this is usually the biggest line item to lock down. A housing allowance of $3,000 to $5,000 a month is common at mid to senior levels in international business.
Health insurance. Coverage is mandatory and not cheap. A good employer pays most of the premium for you and your dependents. Confirm whether the plan covers overseas care, dental and vision.
Relocation. Flights, shipping a reasonable amount of belongings, and a few weeks in temporary accommodation while you find your own place.
Annual home leave. A round-trip flight home for you and your dependents once a year is standard with serious employers.
Education allowance. If you have school-age children and you want them in a private school, fees run upward of $25,000 a year per child at top schools like Saltus Grammar.
Probation and early termination terms. If the role does not work out for either side, you need to know what the exit looks like.
Others: Pension contribution, bonus structure, and an end-of-contract payout if the company has to release you before the permit ends.
How Long the Process Takes
If you want a fall start, be in active conversation with agencies or employers by spring. A typical foreign hire timeline runs as follows. First conversations and CV review (two to six weeks), one or more interview rounds (four to eight weeks), offer and contract negotiation (one to three weeks), the eight-day public advertising window once the offer is finalized, then the work permit application itself.
Applications are running 12 to 16 weeks from submission to permit issuance. From first conversation to landing in Bermuda, six to nine months is realistic, sometimes longer in regulated sectors.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not apply from inside Bermuda as a tourist. Employers will not engage and the law does not permit it.
Do not assume your UK or Commonwealth passport gives you an edge. It does not.
Do not skip the cost-of-living homework. A six-figure salary in Bermuda does not stretch the way it would in New York or London.
Do not accept the first offer without negotiating housing and health benefits. They are where the real money sits.
Do not quit your current job until your work permit is approved. Offers can fall through during the local advertising window and you do not want a gap.
Once you have a serious offer and a work permit on the way, your next step is to plan the actual move. Go through
Moving to and Living in Bermuda for that, and read
Working in Bermuda: Pros and Cons to make sure you have looked the trade-offs square in the face. Bermuda rewards the right people, but it punishes the unprepared.
About the Author
By Raj Bhattacharya
Raj has been writing about Bermuda since 2008, when he launched bermuda-attractions.com, one of the longest-standing independent guides to the island. A Certified Bermuda Specialist (Bermuda Tourism Authority), his work draws on personal visits, local contacts in Bermuda, and questions and trip reports from thousands of readers over the years.
Related Articles
2) Check out
Bermuda Economy to know about overall economic conditions of Bermuda.
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Visitors' Reviews and Comments
Carlos Gray (February 2020)
Hello Raj, I have been following your thread helping EXPATS for about 4 years now. I have been trying constantly to find work in Bermuda with no luck. I understand how hard it is to get a job in Bermuda trust me, so that's not what I'm worried about. I would like to know if you can point me in the right direction so that I may apply for 'reside and seek employment'.
I am currently (recently) engaged to a Bermudian that I met in high school, went to college with, and dated for the last 9 years. Who would I need to speak to in order to get the process going. We plan on being married April 2021. A job will definitely come after we are married.. My worry is that as I apply for jobs I won't be given type of priority unless I have permission to reside and seek. My future employer would only have to pay for a year's worth for a work permit as we will be getting married soon.
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) February 2020
Hello, suggest you go through Bermuda Government's page that deals with residence application. 'Reside and Seek Employment' requires an application form to be filled up and submitted to the Department of Immigration along with other applicable documents.
However, before you do that it would be a good idea to communicate with the department and clarify all matters including eligibility, documents required, the time it takes, how to check status etc. Phone number and email are also given in the above mentioned link.
Sandy (November 2019)
Hello Raj, I got job opportunity in Bermuda as a waiter in one of the casual dining restaurant in Southampton. the salary offered weekly is 400$ and after the tax deduction which is 75$ plus 17% gratuities. The gratuities they are mentioning that I will be getting 800 to 1000$ a week in busy season, and 500 to 700$ in low season. I would like to know after my very basic accommodation, transportation, food and other basic facilities how much I will be able to save. I will be very thankful for your suggestions and advice in my career growth.
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) November 2019
Hello, based on the figures you have provided, your annual pay would be around $50K (could be less if the gratuities do not work out as quoted). When you say 'very basic accommodation', I do not know what that means... if you are able to share a low budget accommodation with someone then you might be able to save about $15-20K per year.
Wilson Dias (February 2019)
First of all a great site for us to acknowledge about all jobs and the right information we need to get jobs. Just wanted to ask if I can get a job in hotel industry as a Chef or cook. I have more than 4 years working experience, a diploma and a 3 apprenticeship in the same field. What are thoughts on this? What should I do to get a job in Bermuda. Please reply. Thanks
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) February 2019
Hi, your best option would be to go through recruitment agencies who specialize on placements in Bermuda. I have listed several of them on my website. You should also keep a watch on the jobs advertised on Bermuda Job Board.
Laila (July 2017)
How do you know if a position is open to applicants outside Bermuda?
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) July 2017
All jobs except the ones that belong to 'Closed' or 'Restricted' categories are open to foreigners provided no eligible Bermudians are found for the jobs. Bermuda citizens, if eligible, are always given preference over foreign nationals. Closed and Restricted categories are already explained in my site.
Mark (March 2017)
Hi Mr. Raj. My wife and I want to apply and work in Bermuda, but I overheard that husband and wife are not allowed to work, that is true? Please give some good information about that. We currently reside in Cayman island and I work as cook, my wife currently working as server but in different company. Please clarify so we can start searching available jobs for us. Thank you.
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) March 2017
Both of you can work, but both of you need separate work permit (issued by Bermuda Immigration against application from employers) to work in Bermuda.
Adam Luto (August 2015)
Hi, I am hoping you are able to help me. I am considering moving to Bermuda to find work in the tourism industry. I currently work as a front office manager of a hotel in a ski resort in Whistler, BC, Canada and I was wondering how easy it is to find work in the hotel sector. I am a British citizen and so I shouldn't have any issues with needing visa's etc. I love everything that I have read about horseshoe bay but I am wondering if there is still tourism during the winter months and subsequently a need for hotel staff during this time. Similarly any information that you can offer on the average cost for accommodations in these popular tourist hotspots would be greatly appreciated.
I realise that this is not the usual place to find these answers however I saw that a gentleman called Raj had been very kind and helpful with peoples questions on the previous page and even the smallest amount of information would be greatly appreciated. Warm Regards and thank you in advance,
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) August 2015
Hi, In order to work in Bermuda, all foreigners including British citizen would require a work permit. Once a job is offered to a foreigner, the employer has to apply for this work permit and it is issued by the Department of Immigration. Hospitality sector in general is open to foreigners except for seasonal hiring which has certain special conditions to it. Winter (November to April) is the low tourist season in Bermuda. Cruise season ends in early November, and number of tourists comes down drastically. So seasonal hiring usually does not take place in winter.
In order to apply for a longer term job, your best option is to go through a recruitment agency that cater to Bermuda market. You will find information about such agencies here. I have also discussed the cost of living and various cost components in this link.
John (March 2014)
Hello Raj, Thank you very much for the rich content you provided about Bermuda on this site. I am an IT Professional and have been made an informal offer of Gross 96K, Net 85K. Reallocation costs for 1 month rent, plane ticket etc. My wife would also move with me. She's been working in the bank for the past 7 years and has an HR degree. My wife and I are both 32. We are generally conservative with the usual movies and dinner let's say twice a month. The intention is for us to try to get a job for my wife. With 85K take home, can we afford a fairly good quality of life and save? Would 4K a month be sufficient? I would like to save 3K but 2.5K would be fine to make it 4.5K on expenses. Would it be difficult for my wife to get a job in her field or similar? She is also interested in Geriatric Care. Thank you very much in advance.
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) March 2014
Hi John, Firstly congratulations for getting a job in Bermuda! To your question whether you can save about 2.5K out of 7K per month.... with two of you, it won't be easy, if not impossible, and mostly will depend on what kind of apartment rental you take, how much you spend on outside food etc. Go through the Cost of Living to know all components of costs in Bermuda and see where you can cut the corners. Banking and HR jobs usually require knowledge and experience of country specific practices and norms. So if your wife has that, it won't be much difficult. She may not get one immediately, but eventually she will.
Catherine, Santiago (February 2014)
I just want to ask if it is possible that I can work in a Bermuda as a nurse while my husband is working as a kitchen assistant in Bermuda now? Is there any problem if we work together in Bermuda because I heard that husband and wife cannot work together in Bermuda. Thank you.
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) February 2014
You can also work in Bermuda, but you will need to get your own work permit from your employer, which you should ideally get before you reach Bermuda. You can not get a job on your husband's work permit. As a spouse of a working expat, you can also apply for a separate job in Bermuda. But it is better to get a separate job and a work permit before arriving in Bermuda rather than trying to search for one while in the island.
Chris Infelise (August 2013)
I am interviewing for a job at the Bermuda Hospitals board as a medical transcriptionist. Since I am currently in the United States residing I have been reading it could take months before the work permit is issued. When should I look for any apartment that would be fairly reasonable for myself and my husband. Also my husband is in Italy, but would be joining me down there. Would there be a problem since he was deported from the United States in 2003.Though he is a model citizen in Italy for the past 10-1/2 years. He has already been to Nassau with no problems whatsoever. We thought Bermuda would be the perfect place to start and have our children come to visit from time to time. Any information you can give us on a relocation move like this would be appreciated. Are some apartments furnished? If not where can I get furniture, etc. Do I look for an apartment now or wait until I receive an offer. Thank you for all your help in advance.
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com, August 2013)
Hi, Your job offer should include an initial free guest house accommodation for few weeks. This is generally provided by all employers. Depending on the employer and the role, the initial free stay period can vary from 2 to 8 weeks. Once you arrive, you should then start looking for your own apartment during this period. There are both furnished and unfurnished apartments available for long term rent in Bermuda. You can find an accommodation in several ways - from the classified adverts in Bermuda's daily Royal Gazette, or by going through a real estate agency (which can be a more expensive option). The best is to find an accommodation by word of mouth or through your office HR Department. I don't see any problems for your husband joining you in Bermuda.
Melissa St-Louis (July 2013)
Hello, my name is Melissa and I'm French Canadian. I started some research about a job in UK overseas. I'm on my way to get my WHV UK. I read than Bermuda is an island from UK. I would like to know if I can have a job with this working-holiday-visa UK, if it easy to find a job and a cheap apartment. My boyfriend is British so he's not suppose to have any problem to get there for a job. Do you have some information about more UK oversea island we can work and live there with a cheap apartment? About the salary, can you tell me what is minimum salary? When is the time for the hurricane, is it very bad (we need to leave the island) or it's more in Cuba (the wind is it in the beginning so just a lot windy or everything is destroyed) thank you for your time and for the information :) It's really appreciated
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com, July 2013)
Hi, All non-Bermudians (i.e. non citizens of Bermuda including British) require work permit to work in Bermuda. Although Bermuda is part of British Overseas Territory, it's an autonomous country and has it's own laws and regulations. British laws are not applicable in Bermuda. Once you get a job, the employer makes an application for the Work Permit on your behalf. Only after you get the work permit you can move to Bermuda and work (and after getting necessary visa). There is no other way to work in Bermuda.
There is nothing cheap in Bermuda. In fact cost of living in Bermuda is one of the highest in the world. Check out the following links for more information:
Official hurricane season is from June to November. But severe hurricanes are rare. The island is well prepared to handle hurricanes most times. Regards,
Zhixing Zhang (May 2013)
Hi, I'm a spouse to a work permit holder who recently moved to Bermuda. I'm wondering if there's any restrictions or provisions for spouse working as an offsite worker in non-Bermuda company. Basically my company (in US) wants to keep contract with me while we move outside of U.S, and I won't be doing any local jobs in Bermuda. I want to make sure it doesn't violate any Bermudian provisions. Thanks for your advise!
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com, May 2013)
Hi, As long as you are not taking up a job in Bermuda or competing with a Bermudian for a job, there should be no problem. Please reconfirm this with the Bermuda's Department of Immigration.
Joan Charles (April 2013)
Hello, I just have a quick question. I want to work in Bermuda but if for any reason I had to leave the country before my contract ended, what would happen? Many thanks
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com, April 2013)
You should come to a mutual understanding and agreement with your employer. Otherwise the legal terms of the contract would come into force and you may also lose all your settlement amount.
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