Permits to be issued at the airport

Amendments to the Immigration Law have paved the way for work permits to now be issued at Owen Roberts International Airport in Grand Cayman. 

Chief Immigration Officer Linda Evans noted that the idea behind the new measures was to assist merchants and others who may need a permit quickly at a time when the Cayman Islands Immigration Department is not open; such as weekends for instance. 

“We are still a few months away from going fully online with this but it is expected that it will be used in instances where companies might need a salesman to come in and demo a product, in which case we would simply issue a five-day work permit at the airport,” Mrs. Evans said. 

She said there would be a vetting process and if there is a visa requirement for the nationality whom this type of permit was being sought, this would still have to be adhered to. 

“This caters to emergencies and it should be noted that doctors and lawyers would need seconding approval, as they are not generally eligible for the airport issued permits. Merchants are the focus, as they will occasionally need to invite people in to meet with vendors.” 

Mrs. Evans said there will be a vetting process for all candidates. 

Temporary work permits – known as a Visitor’s Work Visa under the Immigration Law – are one of several new immigration statuses added to Cayman legislation recently.  

The Visitor’s Work Visa can be granted to anyone who would normally be eligible for a regular work permit in Cayman. The visa applies to anyone travelling here “for the purpose of engaging in commercial activity with one or more persons or entities licensed to trade in the Islands” and who would otherwise require a full work permit to carry on with such business. The visitor’s visa could be approved by a senior immigration officer or anyone else in the department of higher rank.  

The visa would only be extended in “exceptional circumstances” for a further five days, according to the law.  

Other statuses  

The amended Immigration Law has also created a slightly new category for individuals of independent means that allows them to remain in Cayman for the rest of their lives provided they meet all investment and earnings requirements under the law. Previous residency certificates for those with independent means expired after 25 years. 

The new Certificate of Permanent Residence for Persons of Independent Means can be granted without the right to work, unless special exception is made by the Caymanian Status and Permanent Residency Board. Anyone granted the certificate requires an annual income of at least $150,000 and have invested at least $750,000 in Cayman. The person and their spouse also have to prove a clean criminal record and that they are in good health.  

A quota for this particular permanent residence category would be established by the governor, although that quota figure has not yet been made public.  

A second residency certificate created by the amended law is a grant for “substantial business presence” similar to what existed for direct investment incentives in the Immigration Law.  

The new certificate requires that the person own, directly or indirectly, a minimum of 10 per cent of the shares in a business which that person has established within the Cayman Islands. That business must fall into an “approved category” of business, to be determined by regulations in the law. Such a certificate, if granted would be valid for 25 years and has the potential to be renewed. The certificate holder would still have to adhere to all other trade and business licensing requirements.