The Nepalese community has grown in the Cayman Islands to become the fifth largest nationality of work permit holders, according to data released from local law firm HSM.
The firm, in an immigration update to clients, said that as of 17 July, there were 37,309 work permits held in the Cayman Islands, an increase of 337 since 18 April.
The information was released following Freedom of Information requests for May 2024 and June 2024, the firm said. The data showed that there were now 1,245 Nepalese on work permits, moving the nationality into the top five national origins for permit holders.
“What is noticeable is that the Nepalese have jumped from the 7th largest group to the 5th largest group, overtaking both the Hondurans and Canadians. Of the increase of 337 work permits, half are made up of Nepalese people,” the HSM update stated.
Jamaica remains the top nationality with 15,404 people on permits, followed by the Philippines with 6,460, India with 2,092 and the United Kingdom with 2,016.
Just missing the top five were Canadians with 1,195 on permit, Hondurans with 1,172 and US Americans with 919.
Immigration attorney Alastair David, commenting on the shift in nationalities, said, “I suspect that the 21st century is going to be ‘Asia’s century’ and maybe we are seeing the start of this.”
He said based on the stats from December 2023, many Nepalese were employed in the service industry with hotels and restaurants, as well as in the security industry.
PR, Caymanian status applications progressing
HSM, in its immigration circular to clients, said, that in May 2024 the Cayman Status & Permanent Residency Permit Board had determined 71 ‘Right to be Caymanian’ applications on the basis of naturalisation and 107 ‘Right to be Caymanian’ applications on the basis of marriage.
“In that period of time there were only 38 RTBC [Right to be Caymanian] applications on the basis of naturalisation submitted and 39 applications on the basis of marriage submitted. This suggests the Board is currently concluding far more applications than are currently being submitted,” it said.
Applicants for Caymanian status, the firm suggested, may find the wait time for determinations “reducing significantly from the position in January 2024 when it reached almost 2 years to an average of approximately 15 months”.
When it comes to permanent residency, David said, applications are being processed fairly quickly.
“You could expect to wait roughly 11 months, which I believe is fine,” he said.
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