Magazine Photo Shoot Crews and Models, TV /Film Show & Commercial Talent & Crews, Promotional Video's, Radio Shows and Photo Shoots using Bermuda as the backdrop for any International media purpose, etc., must apply for a Short Term Work Permit with the Department of Immigration before their arrival. This information needs to be received thirty (30) days, or sooner to the attention of the Chief Immigration Officer. 

1.           Full Name of person -as written on passport

2.           Birth Date

3.           Nationality & Passport Number

4.           Title and Company (a brief synopsis of their job function while on island)

5.           Date of arrival by flight number and time of arrival

6.           Departure date by flight number and time of departure

7.           The hotel they will be staying at while in Bermuda

If an overseas Film or Production Company is hired to do a TV Video/Film or Commercial Film Shoot in Bermuda, then a local production company/coordinator must be hired to assist. The local production company/coordinator must provide a letter to the Department of Immigration stating that they have been hired by the foreign company and will take full responsibility for the crew while on-island; this includes meeting all crew and models at the L. F. Wade International Airport upon arrival, to ensure a smooth landing through HM Customs and Immigration.

If an overseas Production Company has an international photographer for still photography on their staff for the shoot in Bermuda, a local photographer must be hired as part of the local production coordinator crew. The local photographer and the local production coordinator can be one in the same person.

Please Note This For Local Entities/Companies: If an overseas photographer is hired by a local entity/company to take photographs in Bermuda (i.e. not an overseas news or media opportunity), a work permit must be obtained from the Department of Immigration and a local photographer must also be hired to assist in the shoot. BTA should not be involved in the process.

The complete application package should include:

1.           Completed Short-Term Work Permit Application -

2.           Immigration spreadsheet

3.           Letter of Intent from local hire

4.           Copies of passports

H.M. Customs -Waiving of Duty on Equipment:

A minimum of thirty(30) days before arrival, an Equipment Manifest must be sent to the attention of Mr. Dean Lema at Customs. Using the same format and information as above, the company should then add the equipment that is being brought in by a specific staff member or organizer. They will need to add:

1.           Type of Equipment

2.           Serial Number if available

3.           Synopsis as to the use of the equipment

4.           Value

5.           Guarantee to return items to its origin

If the equipment is sent by air courier, all of the above applies except, the name of the person should be replaced by who will be responsible for the equipment and that the equipment will be delivered to the hotel by (ABC Company) and the date and method of return.

H.M. Customs -Waiving of Duty on Clothing:

Using the same format and information for Work Permits, the company should then add the clothing that is being brought in by a specific staff member or organizer. They will need to add:

1.           List of Clothing-Carnet (type/quality colour)

2.           Country of Manufacturer

3.           Appropriate Reference Number

4.           Approximate Value

5.           Guarantee to return items to its origin

If the clothing is sent by air courier, all of the above applies except, the name of the person should be replaced by who will be responsible for the clothing and that the clothing will be delivered to the hotel by (ABC Company) and the date and method of return. 

Hired on-island support will handle all paperwork and applications on behalf of an international company for the shoot. Submit in time to avoid delays in processing. 

Ends-

MO/December 2016