More than 800 applications have come in for workers from overseas looking for one-year residency in Bermuda, the labour minister has revealed.

Jason Hayward said more than 700 of them had been approved, which would substantially bolster the 400 now residing on the island.

Mr Hayward said the work-from-Bermuda plan had brought in investors now looking to base companies on the island.

He highlighted Afiniti, the data and software company that moved to Bermuda last year.

“Significant progress has been made for Afiniti to transfer some staff on the one-year work certificate to live and reside on a more permanent basis.”

The “digital nomad” scheme, as well as the economic investment certificate (EIC) programme, are part of the ministry’s plan to increase the island’s resident population, the Minister said.

The EIC, allowing foreign nationals to reside in Bermuda for five years if they invest a minimum of $2.5 million into the island, came into effect on March 1.

Under the programme, EIC holders can apply for a residential certificate after five years.

Mr Hayward said the EIC was still in its early stages of fielding inquiries from potential investors on the requirements for eligibility.

He added: “We are in dialogue with a number of investors who would like to take advantage.

“The Business Development Agency and their concierge team is working directly with these individuals to ensure they have the necessary paperwork, so that the Ministry of Labour can make an informed decision.”

Mr Hayward said protecting Bermudian jobs was part of immigration reform under his ministry.

“Retention of our resident population is about insuring Bermudians are not leaving the island,” he said.

“We want to encourage those who have left to come back home – but they will not come back if they don’t believe there is opportunity here for them.

“We have to do a better job of creation opportunity and demonstrating we can use their skill sets.”

Mr Hayward also pointed to the Government’s removal of the requirement for an Affidavit of Domicile for Bermudians to get status for their children born overseas.