The Ministry of Home Affairs has launched an online survey in order to receive “more public feedback” on commercial immigration.

“We are committed to having an open and transparent process regarding consultation on this issue, and we believe that the best policies are ones that involve a wider perspective from our community,” said Minister of Home Affairs, Michael Fahy.

“So we are encouraging interested members of the public to go online and review the information and take a few moments to fill out the survey.”

The survey can be accessed on the Government website and is accompanied by a presentation given earlier this month by Madeleine Sumption, Assistant Director for Research, International Programme at the Migration Policy Institute.

“Having conducted extensive research on the commercial immigration initiative over the past few months, we have seen indications that the programme has assisted in creating jobs and stimulating economies in other jurisdictions,” Mr Fahy.

“And Ms. Sumption’s presentation offered different models and considerations with cost and benefit information.”

Commercial immigration is being used in close to 20 countries, including St Kitts, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Malta, Mauritius, US, UK, Canada, Singapore, Monaco, Portugal, Latvia and many others, cited a statement by the Ministry of Home Affairs yesterday, announcing the launch of the e-survey.

Earlier this month the Ministry held a public meeting in order to open up dialogue with voters to see if the controversial issue was a viable option in attracting foreign investment into Bermuda. But Mr Fahy repeatedly told the audience at Cathedral Hall the policy was not “a done deal”, and that Government had made no decision on whether or not to adopt the scheme.

Commercial immigration allows individuals to gain certain residential and citizenship rights in another jurisdiction that they invest in, which Mr Fahy said he believed was just one of the ways Government could help stabilise a flagging economy.

“This Government believes that one of the ways we can turn our economy around is by encouraging direct inward investment, and globally, commercial immigration is seen as a method for direct inward investment.”

Though available now online, the survey is also available in hard copy format and can be collected from the Ministry’s main office, located on the 5th floor of the Dame Lois Browne Evans Building, on Court Street.