Department of Immigration Clarifies Approved English Language Tests and Minimum Scores
Summary
The Bermuda Department of Immigration has clarified the approved English language proficiency tests and minimum scores required for work permit holders under Section 1.8 of the 2025 Work Permit Policy. Five tests are accepted: IELTS (score 4), TOEFL iBT (42), Duolingo (75), TOEIC (550), and PTE Academic (43). Employers are reminded that testing is mandatory and applications without valid results meeting thresholds will face processing delays or refusal.
What changed
The Department of Immigration has clarified the specific English language proficiency tests and minimum scores accepted under the 2025 Work Permit Policy. Five standardized tests are now confirmed as approved: IELTS (minimum total score 4), TOEFL iBT (minimum 42), Duolingo English Test (minimum 75), TOEIC Listening and Reading (minimum 550), and PTE Academic (minimum 43). An appeal process exists where the applicant's speaking score exceeds the total minimum threshold.
Employers sponsoring foreign workers who do not hold degrees from English-instruction institutions must ensure applicants complete mandatory testing with one of the five approved providers before submitting work permit applications. Applications submitted without valid test results meeting the required thresholds will be delayed or refused. The Minister of Economy and Labour emphasized that mandatory testing addresses longstanding non-compliance with previous policy requirements, reflecting Bermuda's expectation that all work permit holders can communicate effectively in English.
What to do next
- Verify all work permit applicants without English-language degrees have valid approved test scores meeting minimum thresholds
- Do not submit applications without valid English proficiency test results
- Allow sufficient processing time as applications not meeting requirements will be delayed or refused
Archived snapshot
Apr 8, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Department of Immigration Clarifies Approved English Language Tests and Minimum Scores
06 April, 2026
The Department of Immigration is advising of further updates to the English Language proficiency requirements for work permit holders whose first language is not English and who do not hold a degree from an English-instruction university or college.
The requirement for work permit holders to demonstrate English proficiency is outlined in Section 1.8 of the 2025 Work Permit Policy, which identifies standardised testing as the measure of English language proficiency. Following a review of available assessments, the Department confirms that only the following tests and minimum total scores will be accepted with work permit applications:
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System) – Total Minimum Test Score: 4
- TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language) – Total Minimum Test Score: 42
- DET (Duolingo English Test) – Total Minimum Test Score: 75
- TOEIC (L&R) (Test of English for International Communication) – Total Minimum Test Score: 550
- PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English) – Total Minimum Test Score: 43 Employers may submit an appeal where the applicant’s speaking score exceeds the total minimum score.
Since the introduction of the 2025 Work Permit Policy on November 1, 2025, and subsequent clarification issued in mid-November, the Department has continued to receive applications that do not meet the stated requirements.
The Department emphasises that, irrespective of job category or role, all work permit holders must meet the minimum English language standards. Applicants may choose which approved test to take, but testing is mandatory. Employers are reminded not to submit applications without valid test results that meet the required thresholds.
The Minister of Economy and Labour, Jason Hayward, stated, “Bermuda is an English-speaking country, and it is essential that all work permit holders can communicate effectively. The introduction of mandatory testing addresses longstanding non-compliance with previous policy requirements.”
Adherence to these requirements will help to avoid delays in processing or the refusal of work permit applications.
Further amendments to the Work Permit Policy are expected to be announced by May 1, 2026.
For more information, visit https://www.gov.bm/department/immigration or call 246-8093.
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Contact Information
Ministry of Economy and Labour
Department of Immigration
Government Administration Building
30 Parliament Street
Hamilton HM 12
Bermuda
Mailing Address
P.O. Box HM 1364
Hamilton HM FX
Bermuda
Main Office
(441) 246-8093
Airport Office
(441) 293-2542
Anonymous Tip Line
(441) 296-5202
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