Cayman Islands
Answer ... The primary immigration legislation in force in the Cayman Islands is the Immigration (Transition) Act (2021 Revision), together with the Immigration Regulations (as revised).
Cayman Islands
Answer ... There are various exemptions for certain industries and sectors, including extended work permits for approved categories of business, including fund administration and investment management services.
In addition, and until recently, the Global Citizen Certificate (GCC) programme, introduced in October 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, was implemented to attract ‘digital nomads’ and other professionals from around the world who have the ability to work remotely. The main requirements are proof of sufficient income (minimum of $100,000 if an individual; $150,000 if applying with a spouse) and health insurance, along with various standard documents such as a police clearance and bank references. Once granted, a GCC holder has the right to enter and work from the Cayman Islands for up to two years, with the only restriction being that the individual must be physically present in the Cayman Islands for a total of 90 days in each of the two years. The programme expired on 31 October 2021; however, it may be extended given how successful it has been.
Another significant initiative is the Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which was implemented in September 2011 and is operated by Cayman Enterprise City. The goal of the SEZ is to stimulate and attract economic growth and international investment in the following sectors in the Cayman Islands:
- science;
- technology;
- commodities and derivatives;
- maritime;
- media; and
- education.
Enterprises that qualify and choose to operate within the SEZ are afforded various benefits, including:
- a streamlined incorporation process;
- guaranteed protection of intellectual property; and
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exemptions from:
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- direct or indirect taxes;
- certain import duties; and
- importantly, work permit requirements.
The exemptions from work permit requirements include the need to test the local labour market and otherwise comply with the traditional work permit application process. The employees of SEZ companies are granted five-year work permits and the process has been streamlined such that the entire process usually takes four to seven weeks.
Cayman Islands
Answer ... Section 3 of the Immigration Act states that the government department Workforce, Opportunities and Residence Cayman Office (WORC) carries out the following functions:
- providing labour market demand assessments;
- training and developing Caymanians for the workforce;
- providing job match and placement services for Caymanians;
- processing applications for work permits and applications and grants for Caymanian status, permanent residence and other types of residence; and
- any other functions as imposed by the act.
According to Section 4 of the act, WORC has the power to do anything which is legally required to discharge its functions and duties under the act.
Cayman Islands
Answer ... The Cayman Islands government is open to all forms of legal immigration. As evidenced by the Global Citizen Certificate programme described in question 1.2, the government is willing to implement policies to attract hardworking and successful individuals. The government not only implements straightforward immigration policies to ease the expatriate permit application process, but also processes such applications relatively quickly. The government will approve temporary work permits within 20 to 14 days and permanent work permits within six to eight weeks.