The U.S. Consulate General is beginning a phased resumption of routine visa services. On July 15, the Consulate will resume visa services for students who are legal permanent residents of Bermuda. In addition, Third Country National (TCN) workers who have been furloughed or terminated from their employment in Bermuda, and require a U.S. visa to return to their home country, may apply for a visa. .

On July 6, the Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) announced temporary changes for the fall 2020 semester that will allow students who enroll in a mixture of online and in-person coursework to meet Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requirements for F-1 nonimmigrant status. Designated school officials must update SEVIS records for all students attending schools in the United States this fall, certifying that the school is not operating entirely online, that the student is not taking an entirely online course load for the fall 2020 semester, and that the student is taking the minimum number of online classes required to make normal progress in their degree program. Students must present a copy of their updated I-20 on the day of their interview with the Consulate.

Students who have a valid I-20 Form, paid the SEVIS fee, and wish to apply for a F, M, or J visa should visit our website and follow the instructions to complete the electronic application.

Bermuda passport holders who possess Bermuda status, and Canadian passport holders, do not require a visa to study in the United States as long as they have a valid I-20 Form, paid the SEVIS Fee, and applied for the I-20 using their Bermudian or Canadian passport. Students with a valid I-20 Form must travel to the United States using the passport which matches the nationality listed on their I-20 Form.

We recognize the serious challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has posed to universities and students alike, and we hope that many international students who had planned to study this fall in the United States will be still able to do so under these temporary exemptions

Please be advised that the Consulate is not accepting visa applications from non-legal residents of Bermuda and Bermuda Immigration officials are not obligated to admit you into Bermuda for the purpose of applying for a visa with the U.S. Consulate.

• Press release from the US Consulate General