A total of 317 applications for Bermudian status have been approved since January 1, 2013, while a further 523 are pending.

The applications have been made under a clause of the Bermuda Immigration and Protection Act 1956.

The latest information was disclosed to the House of Assembly this morning as a result of questions from Progressive Labour Party MP, Walter Roban.

Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, the Minister for Home Affairs, confirmed that the Bermuda Government had not paid any private firms to process Bermudian status applications.

She added: “The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Department of Immigration has paid out $142,958 to private firms relating to all immigration matters since January 2013 to present.”