Are we poised to ‘sell’ status to 13,000 people?

We have a concerted effort by people in the business community who are lobbying for the sale of Bermudian status to the highest bidder.

“Status should be available for people who have made a significant contribution”  — Sir John Swan, Bermuda Sun, June 5, 2012

Chamber of Commerce board member Phil Barnett recently stated: “What is our absolute competitive advantage that can be the game changer; that will really make a difference and bring about more rapidly the growth that will pull our foundering economy back from the brink and bring jobs back for Bermudians?  Bermudian status.”
— Bermuda Sun July 12, 2012

Mr Barnett was then backed up by the Chamber of Commerce

This week, Chamber of Commerce President Ronnie Viera said that the Chamber supports “in principle” granting status to job creators in order “to retain and grow business in Bermuda” and makes no apologies for its stance. 

— RG July 30, 2013

Selling of status in other countries

• In St. Kitts the going rate is US$250;

• It is $4 million in Cyprus;

• A Dominican passport costs $100k; 

• In the US, one would need to invest $1m in a US business in exchange for a visa, not citizenship;

• In Portugal, immigration is linked to the purchase of a property while in Hungary it is linked to the purchase of government bonds;

• In Ireland, 500,000 euros o buys you a residence permit. 

How much is Bermudian status worth? 

“And for goodness sakes, let’s not put a massive price tag on the application fee, but rather charge them the same administration fee that a spouse of Bermudian pays when applying for Bermudian status” 

— Phil Barnett, Bermuda Sun, July 12 ,2012

So for $489, Mr Barnett is encouraging the OBA to sell Bermudian status?

People have been investing in Bermuda for 400 years. One does not need status to reap profits.

PRCs to gain Bermudian status?

“Major steps were needed to boost the property market, including granting Bermudian status to its long-term residents and their families” 

— Scott Lines,  RG, July 24, 2013 

Mr. Lines is proposing that we change our current legislation and grant Bermudian status to our 1,878* PRCs, the 1,237 spouses of PRC holders and their 2,960 children. That would be a total of 6,075 persons to be granted Bermudian Status. 

Minister Fahy has seemingly given a level of assurance that the children of PRC holders may be given status: “I listened intently to his concerns regarding the children of Portuguese PRC holders and it is a matter that I will undertake to review.”

— Michael Fahy July 30, 2012

Remember, there are a total of 2,960 children of PRC holders. Will Mr Fahy be seeking to review their status as well?

Now let’s flip lip the script.

Craig Cannonier  and Michael Dunkley were both asked about the OBA plans re PRC status during a radio interview in March, 2012. Both denied any such plans. So why do folks now feel so confident that they can begin a campaign to give away Bermudian status? 

Bermuda must take this seriously, — there is a united effort to grant status to nearly 13,000 persons: 

• 1,878 PRC holders;

• 1,237 Spouses of PRC holders;

• 2,960 Children of PRC holders;

• 7,500 persons on work permits; without a term limit.

Whether it be via removal of term limits or economic and emotional extortion, “the game is afoot”.

 In upcoming columns I will break it down further for you. 

* 2010 Population and Housing Census
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