Bermuda's permanent residents from a host of Commonwealth countries will now have to apply for a visa to travel to the United States.

The rule change takes effect as of March 17, according to a press statement issued by the US Consulate General.

Commonwealth citizens living in Bermuda and Canada are currently on a visa waiver programme with the United States. Australia, Britain, Brunei, New Zealand and Singapore are exempt from the new rule.

"These new requirements are part of the measures taken by the Department of State and INS to strengthen visa processing and enhance border security in the wake of the terrorist attacks on the United States," according to the Consulate General statement.

Bermudian and Canadian nationals are unaffected by the changes, and are allowed to travel to the US for up to 180 days for business or tourism without a visa.

"Bermudian status alone is not sufficient to allow travel under the Commonwealth Agreement," the statement warns.

"Those with Bermudian status must be issued a passport as a British Overseas Territory Citizen of Bermuda to qualify for travel under the Commonwealth Agreement."