An office to help Bermudians who are on the 'stop list' gain entry to the US will open in the first week of April.

The Visa Waiver Assistance Programme was set up to help persons deemed ineligible to enter the country and to encourage Bermudians against behaviour that would land them on the list at all.

Premier Ewart Brown said the office will be headed by race relations consultant Rolfe Commissiong with help from US Consul and Deputy Principal Officer Jacquelyn Rosholt.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Dr. Brown said: "Too many Bermudians have run afoul of the strict provisions which determine entry into the United States. In our most recent Throne Speech, we promised to create what we called then a Visa Waiver Assistance Programme. I have happy to be here today to tell you that we are delivering on another of our promises."

Dr. Brown said the office will assist people in their requests for US entry. He said an online application created by the US Government more than three years ago had been difficult for some Bermudians to navigate.

Ms Rosholt said: "I welcome the new office and the effort to help Bermudians. The US welcomes qualified travellers and we welcome anyone to our country. If someone from anywhere in the world has a criminal ineligibility we, the State Department, assist that process but the final decision is made by Homeland Security."

Mr. Commissiong added: "I want to acknowledge and commend the Premier and this Government for pushing forward in this initiative. As many of you know, I am personally invested in this I have had to apply for the past 16 years.

"If the calls I have received thus far are any indication, I think there's going to be a significant demand. Of course we can make no guarantees, this is being done by the US Government. We intend to make sure that we do all we can to make sure that Bermudians are fully prepared before they go to the US."

Dr. Brown added: "There's no specific concession made for Bermudians. It is important that people know so they don't go to the airport and get stopped. We want to be able to give them the information they need early. There are people that didn't know but suspected that they were on a list. There's no need to approach it with that kind of apprehension. Either you can or cannot be made eligible."

According to Ms Rosholt, there isn't an actual list naming banned persons.

"There is a very robust database that has grown numerous since 9/11. I suspect they come from a wide variety of services. I only know that it changes from day to day. New records could come in overnight." She said that individuals know when they have committed an offence and should be on the database as a result. Also included in the database are offenders who receive conditional discharges in court.

In order to receive a waiver, persons must complete a Bermuda Police Certificate request form and present Police certification from any other jurisdiction they have resided in for more than six months in the past ten years. Persons must also fulfill the same requirements as those applying for a regular visa including a valid passport with six months remaining before expiration and a current passport photo.

They must also fill out a DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Application online and provide proof of Bermudian status. There is a $131 fee attached, which must be paid in cash. Applicants will also be interviewed.

The location and contact information of the Government office will be released shortly.