Sunday, July 20, 2025
Bermuda’s Government has removed the visa exemption for citizens of Trinidad and Tobago as of 17 July 2025. AS of recent Ammendment in the immigration process for entry, Trinidad and Tobago Passport holders are now required to have in the travelers possesion an entry visa from US, Canada or UK to enter Bermuda.
Why the New Visa Rules?
The new visa requirements come after Bermuda undertook a review of its immigration process. Post-retirement The Bermuda Immigration and Protection Act 1956 was replaced by a replacement made by the Minister of Economy and Labor using the title the Bermuda Immigration and Protection Order 2007 to facilitate updating immigration control, bolstering local security and regulating with more specific rules, a series of aspects to immigration. This policy amendment follows the Government’s commitment to streamline the process by which persons are granted entry to the Island and to align Bermuda’s immigration model with those that prevail among successful jurisdictions, especially those that share the Island’s closest relationships.
New Conditions for Entry
According to the new immigartion policy, there are two ways Trinidad and Tobago travelers can lawfully enter Bermuda. The first option will require a US visa, or a Canadian or UK travel authorisation to enter and re-enter either the US, Canada or the UK. Such certificate of endorsement shall be effective for not less than 45 days from the date upon which the vessel is expected to leave Bermuda.
Trinidad and Tobago Nationals must present the formal document from the Government of Bermuda stating their married status to a Bermudian or their relation to Bermuda under section 11(5) of the Bermuda Constitution Order 1967. The second will; permit direct entry to those with family and / or constitutional ties to Bermuda.
Comparison with UK and Ireland Visa Policy
Immigration policy Although immigration is not entirely under Bermuda’s own control (it is a British Overseas Territory), Bermuda’s immigration laws are very similar to the United Kingdom’s. On 12 March 2025 the Government of the United Kingdom introduced a visa requirement for any citizen of Trinidad and Tobago traveling to the United Kingdom or its territories. The new directive was one of several policy changes aimed at tightening immigration controls and ensuring that entry standards remain consistent.
Ireland also implemented visa restrictions on May 9, 2025. “The order, which was made by statutory instrument, was introduced to closely align Ireland’s immigration arrangements with those of the UK, given the common travel area, and to mirror shared security and migration interests,” said Colm Brophy, Ireland’s minister of state for migration.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Diplomatic Response
The Ministry of the Trinidad and Tobago government is making existing efforts to counter the emerging world visa regulations. The Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Minister met in port of Spain diplomatic dialogue with the U.K. government on July 18th, 2025. The discussion energized the ANR Robinson Building on Port of Spain, to off set the negative impact of newly enforced visa regulation and to explore possible answers to cut an anticipated blow to the frequent flyers. But details from this diplomatic conversation have not been officially published in a public manner by the Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Broader Impact and Future Implications
The adoption of the visa requirements by Bermuda, the UK and the Republic of Ireland could prove to be a major body blow for travel, tourism, business and diplomatic ties for citizens of Trinidad and Tobago. Visa rules are a challenge for travelers and they signal the need for dialogue.
Trinidad and Tobago citizens are also encouraged to read and share this lien with other eligible travelers so that they will be informed about these new requirements and can fulfil the requirements to be allowed entry before travelling. The government of Trinidad and Tobago is also diplomatically posturing itself to forestall and lobby for varying degrees of travel relief for its citizens.
The Bermudian Government says that as it moves to secure its immigration system the policy is ‘under constant review and amendment.
