Cayman Islands Immigration
Work permits range from one to six month temporaries, to work permit grants which can be annually renewed.
WORC – Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman: (Previously Cayman Islands Immigration)
It is necessary for a non-Caymanian to provide the employer with certain documentation for a work permit application, however it is the financial obligation of the employer to pay for all work permit fees.
Temporary Work Permits
The most common type of temporary work permit extends for a period of 180 days (6 months). The application process includes various forms that need to be completed: a medical examination including lab reports for HIV and VDRL, a clean police clearance certificate and a COVID vaccination record are just a few of the forms that are required. It is essential that ALL questions are answered to avoid unnecessary delays and complications.
Note: A prospective employee should not be in the Cayman Islands for when their work permit application is being submitted, nor should they arrive in the Cayman Islands while it is being processed. Exceptions include: those people who are residing in the Cayman Islands as dependants on their spouse’s work permits and who then decide to apply for a work permit or for people who have already completed a work permit on the Island and haven’t left the Island at the end of their permit.
Once an employment offer has been secured, we can forward all the required work permit forms and detailed checklists via email.
Annual Work Permits – Grants
A work permit grant can be issued for periods up to two years, at the discretion of the relevant Board.
The application process includes various forms that need to be completed: a medical examination including lab reports for HIV and VDRL, a clean police clearance certificate and a COVID vaccination record are just a few of the forms that are required. It is essential that ALL questions are answered to avoid unnecessary delays and complications.
Once an employment offer has been secured, we can forward all the required work permit forms and detailed checklists via email.
Term Limits
Nine years is the maximum length of time a work permit holder can work continuously in the Cayman Islands. An individual can apply for Permanent Residency after eight years of employment on the island.
Language Requirements
If a prospective employee is not a national of an English speaking country or if English is not his/her first language, he/she may be asked to take an English test upon arrival at the airport. If he/she is found to have insufficient knowledge of the English language he/she may be refused entry.
Dependants
Unless you are a Caymanian or Permanent Resident of the Cayman Islands, you will need a work permit, which will need to be granted by WORC (Workforce Opportunities & Residency Cayman).
If you would like your children and/or spouse to relocate to the Cayman Islands with you, then you must ensure that you request for them to be added onto your work permit application and provide the necessary documents at the time of submission (birth certificates and letter from a school for your children and police clearance certificates, medicals, marriage certificate, COVID Vaccination record for your spouse).
There are many factors to be considered by WORC (previously Immigration) when considering allowing dependents, including the employee’s salary and if it is considered sufficient to comfortably support their dependants on the Island. Another significant consideration is the availability of a place at school (if the children are of school age) and as such you should attach confirmation that your child has a confirmed place at a school to your work permit application.
Custom Duties
The personal effects of a person entering the Cayman Islands to take up employment or residence in the Cayman Islands for a minimum period of 12 months are admitted free.
This concession applies to effects imported within six months of arrival but does not apply to articles used outside the home such as motor vehicles or boats etc. Please note the Cayman Islands Customs Department may require some evidence that these items were pre-owned.