Anyone arriving in the Cayman Islands to engage in “non-professional” work for up to five days may now obtain an instant Visitor’s Work Visa issued at the port of entry.
“It is designed to offer a more convenient service than the temporary work permits, while also discouraging anyone who might undertake work while on a visitor’s permit,” said Chief Immigration Officer Linda Evans.
Those eligible for the visas will be employed full-time outside of the Cayman Islands, but whose presence in Cayman Islands is sponsored by one or more licensed local person or business.
The local business or individual who intends to sponsor the visiting worker must download a prescribed “Letter of Invitation” form. The sponsor may then scan the completed letter and e-mail it to [email protected].
The sponsor must e-mail the Letter of Invitation to the Immigration Department no less than 24 hours, including weekends, before the visitor worker is due to arrive.
This letter must provide details on when the person is due to arrive, the job or jobs to be performed, and details of employment in the person’s country of residence.
The visiting worker can then travel to the Cayman Islands, and be eligible to receive a Visitor’s Work Visa. Once approved, the person will be expected to pay the fee of CI$100 at the airport.
The visa will not be granted if the Letter of Invitation form has not been completed.
A visiting worker can be granted only one visa for the same sponsor within a calendar month. The visa cannot be extended except under exceptional circumstances, and – if so – only up to five calendar days, after which the visiting worker is normally required to leave.
To obtain an extension, a request must be made in writing to the chief immigration officer prior to the expiration of the initial Visitor’s Work Visa. Upon approval, an additional $100 must be paid.
Professional employees are not eligible for the grant of a Visitor’s Work Visa. The group, as defined in the Immigration Law, includes lawyers, accountants, medical professionals, architects, surveyors, teachers, ministers of religion and other occupations.
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This is great news! Before a visiting rep would have to get a temporary work permit, fill out applications, obtain a police clearance, medical etc. just to come here for a meeting or sales support for a local company. They are already employed by an overseas company and are no threat to a Caymanian’s job, so think about the hassle this creates for them. Rather than get the temporary permit, they lie and say they are tourists. Wouldn’t you?
Now they can be honest and say what they are really here for, and 99% will gladly pay a 100 fee. Government can make a few bucks, so everyone wins.
My only problem with this is…why only 5 calendar days and why only once per month? These people fly here, stay in hotels, rent cars, eat at restaurants; we want them here as much as possible. Don’t discourage them! Tell them to come as much as they want.