Police certificates will now be required with work permit applications, the Minister of Home Affairs announced today.

In a statement issued yesterday, Walton Brown said: “As we move to carefully scrutinise applicants, the request to submit police certificates is with immediate effect.

“For work permit applications for first-time residents, which have already been submitted but where no decision has been rendered, employers will have one business day from today’s date to submit original police certificates which display the original seal, stamp or other display of authorisation.”

Under the current Work Permit Policies 2015, employers are required to provide confirmation that applicants who are first-time residents have been thoroughly screened. Until now, employers were required to have a police certificate on hand should the Department of Immigration wish to view it.

Police certificates must be valid for six months from the date of issue. For work permit applications not yet submitted, employers must submit the original police certificate.

Applications affected by the policy change include global entrepreneur, global, new business, and standard work permits.

Mr Brown reminded employers it is a criminal offence to make statements containing false information. For information on police certificates, employees should refer to the checklist details available at www.gov.bm.