Hundreds of long term residents left an Immigration workshop last night clutching pink and yellow application forms after they were left to decide which qualifications would entitle them to live in Bermuda for the rest of their lives.

Over 500 people packed the St. Paul's AME hall to see whether they were eligible to be granted Bermuda status or a Permanent Resident's Certificate (PRC), as the criteria were laid out by Assistant Chief Immigration Officer Rozie Ahzar and Personal Services Manager Craig Tyrell.

Under new legislation, there are three categories of long term residents who will qualify for Bermuda status: a person with all Bermudian siblings; one who has continuously lived in Bermuda before August 1, 1969 and all of their children are Bermudian; and one who has been remained on the Parliamentary Register since May 1, 1976. The cost of applying for status is $ 1,434. The new law will be enacted on October 31 this year.

In a question and answer forum at the end of each section, members of the crowd came armed with many queries.

"I've lived and worked here for the past 20 years and I have permission to seek employment until October 30. Do I miss eligibility by one day?" asked one man.

"No, you can apply for an extension," said Chief Immigration Officer Dr. Martin Brewer.

"Then I'll be calling you tomorrow," the man replied.

Another gentleman asked whether common law relationships were recognised by the law so that one could obtain benefits from their loved one, and seemed disappointed when he was informed that it was not.

Meanwhile, the PRC, which among other requirements, mandates that a person would have to have been an ordinary resident in Bermuda before August 1, 1989, reached the age of 40 years by the date of application, and be applied for before August 1, 2010. It costs $896.

"But I've been here since 1989, but haven't reached the 20 year mark," asked one woman. "Do I have to wait?"

"Yes you do," answered a member of the panel.

And while the majority of crowd flocked to pick up their relevant forms, Ronald Beach, who has resided on the Island since 1969, had nothing but praise for the Department of Immigration.

"I thought it was a good presentation," he said. "This information is good to know."

But although 28-year-old Marvalyn Grant, who was born in Bermuda to Jamaican parents, has already received her status, she said she came to the meeting for informational purposes.

"I have a younger sister who was born into the same set of circumstances and may have to give her direction one day."

Labour and Home Affair Permanent Secretary Robert Horton called the meeting a "success".

"I was overwhelmed by the turn out," he said. "I found the audience responsive and extremely supportive."