The government of Bermuda has been accused of xenophobia regarding transit visa rules for visitors from Jamaica and the Dominican Republic
The issue follows comments made by Lawrence Scott, a government MP and former transport minister, who noted that travelers wishing to fly to the island from the Dominican Republic and Jamaica via a direct charter flight with his charter business TXKF Direct had found statements made by the Bermuda Government about visa requirements confusing and required clarification. A former president of the Jamaican Association in Bermuda has claimed that the requirement for the additional approvals has caused undue hardship and was discriminatory.
Mr Scott, the CEO of ScottsCraft, the parent company of the charter service TXKF Direct, noted that Portuguese and Bahamian charter flights to Bermuda were not subject to the same transit visa conditions that were being imposed on citizens from Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. Mr Scott referred to section 28 of Bermuda’s Immigration and Protection Act 1956 (the “Act”) which permits entry to Bermuda on the condition of holding a round-trip ticket and not exceeding a six-month stay within a twelve month period.
However the government has advised that regulations require travelers to the island from certain countries to obtain transit visas. These so-called visa-controlled nationals are required to possess a transit visa to countries like the United States, Britain, or Canada so they can be repatriated by other means if necessary. According to a spokesperson from the Department of Immigration visa-controlled nationals – including Jamaicans and Dominicans- are required to present the relevant documents upon arrival or risk being returned on the next available commercial flight. The ministry spokesperson further clarified that Portuguese and Bahamian nationals are not considered visa-controlled nationals, hence visa conditions have not been applied to passengers on those charter flights.
Airlift with TXKF Direct is scheduled to begin with flights between Bermuda and the Dominican Republic in August to coincide with the territory’s Cup Match holiday, with another charter flight to Jamaica following later in the year, and a long-haul service planned for 2024.
