Swapping traffic jams and congested freeways for a breezy ocean-side commute is a tempting prospect. The opportunity to live and work in paradise has been drawing adventurous expatriates to these shores for decades. There are roughly 8,000 foreign workers — mostly from Canada, the U.S. and Great Britain — on the island and most find Bermuda a pleasant and welcoming home from home.

But relocating to Bermuda is not as simple as getting on a plane and filling out a few application forms. With strict immigration guidelines dictating how, when and what positions foreigners can apply for, there are a number of hoops to jump through. Bermuda’s rule of thumb where jobs are concerned is that if there is a Bermudian ready and able to do the job, an employer may not hire from overseas. Work permits are only handed out once jobs have been advertised locally and it is illegal for vacationers to come to Bermuda to look for work. Expats also have to undergo a medical and provide character references before being given the seal of approval by the Department of Immigration.

That said, it is not impossible to find work here. The island’s booming offshore re-insurance industry requires a steady stream of highly qualified workers and accountants, underwriters and actuaries are in demand. Nurses, butchers, pharmacists, chefs, journalists and technology specialists are also highly sought after. Contact one of the employment agencies listed on our site to see if there is a job to fit your qualifications. Another good way to find out what type of positions are available on a weekly basis is to check the Bermuda Sun’s employment section – some of which appear online at www.bermudasun.bm.

If you do decide to take the plunge and move to Bermuda, it can be an extremely rewarding decision.
There is a friendly, close-knit expat community and Bermudians are, on the whole, very welcoming to guest workers. There are also obvious perks like the chance to spend your leisure time on the water, at the beach or on one of the island’s world-class golf courses.

The flip side of the coin is that Bermuda is very small, has limited nightlife and shopping options and the high standard of living comes at a price. Housing, in particular, is very expensive, and rent can eat up a good chunk of your salary. As a foreigner you can’t buy a home in Bermuda (unless you have millions to spend on one of the top 200 or so most expensive properties) and it is no longer possible to attain long-term residency status. Work permits are usually limited to one-to-three years and if a qualified Bermudian applies for your job after that time, you’re out of luck.

The ‘Term Limits’ policy also dictates that foreign workers can stay for no longer than six years (three-year extensions are sometimes granted), do don’t plan on moving to Bermuda long term. But, if you’ve got the right credentials and fancy a few years in the sun, go for it. It can be a very rewarding experience.