Immigration Minister David Burch has raised the prospect of a ten-year work permit for international business staff.

The Government Senate Leader said a longer term limit would "raise the level of comfort" in the international business sector, and suggested it could come into effect as soon as next month.

However it was unclear last night which employees would be affected and which companies it would concern.

Shadow Immigration Minister Michael Dunkley said he was "surprised" by the announcement in the Senate, but did not wish to comment further until more details were available.

Sen. Burch said: "As part of my commitment to international business, it is to increase the level of comfort."

He said that from meetings with company representatives, he understood "an introduction of a ten-year work permit would increase this".

"So that will come into effect in April if the Budget comes to pass, and will be one of the factors to raise the level of comfort in that sector," said the Minister.

Sen. Burch did not return this newspaper's request for more information yesterday.

However, under Head Six (Bermuda Immigration and Protection Act) of the Government Fees Amendment Regulations 2010, it states: "Ten year long term-work permit, $20,000".

The Regulations were approved by the Senate this week.

Last month Sen. Burch said expatriates identified as key members of staff would soon be able to get work permits beyond the current six-year maximum.

The term limit policy since 2001 limits guest workers to six years' employment in Bermuda, unless they are key workers and their spouses, or married to a Permanent Resident Certificate holder.

On February 10, Sen. Burch told the Senate that term limits were a policy rather than law, which meant "considerable flexibility".

"I will not apply the policy in any way that will prejudice the successful operation of business in Bermuda," he said at the time.

"To reinforce this position I can say that work permits for a number of those exempted from term limits will shortly be made available for longer periods than the current maximum of five years."

Last night however, a war of words was developing between the Minister and Sen. Dunkley. It concerns a 'Bermudians only' meeting organised by Sen. Burch to discuss work permit term limits.

The Minister sent an email on March 15 inviting Bermudians in international business to a meeting at Berkeley Institute on April 8, at which they have to show proof of Bermudian status.

He said the discussion would centre on whether people thought term limits would "negatively affect Bermudians in the industry".

Sen. Dunkley however, described the e-mail as "divisive and inflammatory".

On Monday in the Senate, Sen. Burch said: "I want to hear from Bermudians about what is going on in their industry and how we can improve it.

"I have been encouraged by the number who have responded. We've had 114 people who have responded to the e-mail to say they're coming and others have answered me to say, 'I can't make the meeting but these are my issues and concerns...'.

"Even Mr. Dunkley has said he's coming to the meeting. Well, you don't work in international business so you can't come."

Sen. Dunkley told this newspaper yesterday: "I didn't get a response to my e-mail. If the Minister wants to play that kind of politics that's fine, but I am the Shadow Minister of Labour and Immigration and I will show up.

"I will do the job the public expects of me.

"I found the language of the e-mail very divisive and if the Minister doesn't get it then I'm not going to keep repeating myself.

"But many people share this concern, and as Minister of Immigration I think many in the community expect a bit of a different response from Senator Burch.

"I don't think it's moved this matter forward for the people of Bermuda and international business at all.

"We don't need to get into a tit-for-tat between Dunkley and Burch. We face very difficult economic times and we need to place ourselves in a better position tomorrow, and that is what this is all about."

On Monday Senator Burch also spoke on Permanent Resident Certificates, for which only people who have lived in Bermuda for 20 years, arriving before August 1 1989, are eligible.

Applications for PRC status must be submitted before August 1 this year.

"These are coming to an end," he said. "So if you are qualified for that period of qualification you have until July this year to apply for a Permanent Resident Certificate.

"This is an attempt by this Government to address the issue of long-term residents and bring it to a close."

He said the policy was aimed at people inundating the system with appeals. "They (people who want to stay long-term) will move Heaven and Earth and go to every court in the land not to go. That's the reality.

"And every Bermudian has a favourite foreigner they want to stay here. If they got their wish tomorrow that would be 120,000 of us.

"I'm not being harsh but I'm being practical. If they are required to go home and they are your favourite foreigner, you should look at it at the point of view that you have somewhere to visit.

"But every Bermudian, they want you (as Immigration Minister) to make an exception in this particular case."

Sen. Burch also spoke on Discretionary granting of Bermudian Status.

"There were 145 applications last year, down from 182 in 2008. Eighty-two of those were spouses of Bermudians."

He said: "There is a very narrow window of opportunity for people to become Bermudian."

Anyone acquiring Bermudian status also has to become a naturalised British subject, even UK citizens themselves, as Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory.