The Ministry of Labour today highlighted the process for the children of Bermudians born overseas to gain status.

The spokesman said: “A child born outside Bermuda who is a Commonwealth citizen will acquire Bermudian status at birth if the Bermudian parent was domiciled and Bermudian at the time of the child’s birth.

“Any child not a Commonwealth citizen and born to a Bermudian parent who was domiciled and Bermudian at the time of the child’s birth is deemed to possess and enjoy Bermudian status indefinitely.

“This allows the child to obtain Bermudian status and work and reside in Bermuda – however, it does not allow the child to obtain a British Overseas Territories passport issued by the Government of Bermuda, the right to vote in a General Election or obtain British nationality.”

But the spokesman added that if the child became a Commonwealth citizen, they would possess be eligible for Bermudian status.

Recent changes in rules have removed the requirement for Bermudian parents of children born overseas to provide an affidavit of domicile when they apply for their children’s status.

The spokesman said: “A declaration of domicile is included in the Bermudian status application form.”

Anyone not a Commonwealth citizen must be naturalised as a British Overseas Territories citizen to acquire Bermudian status.

For a child to become naturalised, they must:

• Be of good character,

• Have sufficient knowledge of the English language.

• Intend that, once granted naturalisation, Bermuda will be their principal home.

• Have been in Bermuda for five years before the date of application. The number of days absent from Bermuda over the period should not exceed 450.

• Not have been absent from Bermuda for more than 90 days over the year before the date of application.

• Not at any time in the 12 month period before the date of application been subject to Bermuda immigration laws that restrict the time they may remain in the country.

• In the period five years before the date of application, not at any time be in breach of Bermuda immigration laws.

Application forms for Bermudian status and naturalisation as British Overseas Territory citizens are available at the Repatriation and Mixed Status Families page on www.gov.bm.

For more information, contact the Department of Immigration by e-mail at magrimes@gov.bm or phone 295-5151, extension 1378.