Topic: Immigration
The NCFC administration’s first year: Immigration reform, and more to come
Implementing long-discussed immigration reform emerged as one of the defining actions in the National Coalition For Caymanians government's first year in power.
Recruitment patterns reshaping Cayman’s workforce
Nepal and India are now among the top five countries for work permits in Cayman, part of a wider shift in where the island sources its workforce across all sectors of the economy.
Immigration Act amendments get support across Parliament
Government’s plans for immigration reform moved a step closer with MPs from all political parties approving legislation as it made its way through Parliament.
Yale professor highlights immigration’s pros and cons
Professor Mushfiq Mobarak of Yale University delivered a speech to UCCI on the impact of imported labour on Cayman's economic growth.
Tiered fee schedule planned for work permits
Government has announced details of proposed increases to work permit application fees amid delays to the rollout of new immigration legislation.
Government pushes back date for new immigration legislation
The Ministry of Caymanian Employment and Immigration has announced that 1 March will no longer be the commencement date for the new immigration legislation.
In...
Premier considers work permit ‘express lane’ as part of immigration reform
An ‘express lane’ for compliant businesses to receive swifter work permit processing is being considered as part of government’s overhaul of the immigration system,...
Mother tells of heartbreak over Caymanian son’s ordeal in ICE detention
The mother of a Caymanian man detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement for more than two months has spoken of her anger and heartbreak over her son’s ongoing ordeal.
Legal risks loom for Cayman’s transportation apps
Drivers using ride-share and carpooling apps in Cayman could be exposing themselves to serious legal risk, an immigration lawyer has warned.
2025 Year in Review: The road to immigration reform
One of the biggest stories of 2025 reached its climax at the end of the year with the passage of new immigration legislation.
Myles insists immigration reform won’t stop business attracting talent
A sweeping reform bill is just phase one of a wider overhaul of Cayman’s immigration system, according to Minister Michael Myles.
From haircuts to hamburgers, prices are going up across Cayman
A combination of an increase to the minimum wage and new work permit and immigration fees have been blamed for rising prices.
Immigration bill gets mixed reaction from Cayman’s financial services
Cayman’s financial service sector displayed a mix reaction to the government’s immigration reforms.
40,000 temporary work permits processed a year
Immigration Minister Michael Myles says the processing of temporary work permits is getting out of hand, with Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman dealing with up to 40,000 applications a year, leading to delays in the granting of full work permits.
MPs in uproar over Myles’ human trafficking comments
Outraged MPs demanded on Tuesday that Immigration Minister Michael Myles retract his comments accusing past government administrations of facilitating human trafficking by failing to tackle the exploitation of expat workers.
Anglin announces massive fee hikes
Minister for Finance and Economic Development, Rolston Anglin, revealed significant increases to a wide-range of fees paid by foreign individuals and companies.
Anglin stresses need for ‘strict’ immigration policy
A get tough policy on immigration is vital to protect the future of Caymanians and Caymanian business, the finance minister has warned MPs
Immigration changes could hit Cayman jobs, Hew warns
Stricter immigration rules could lead to job losses in Cayman, Leader of the Opposition Joey Hew has warned.
Lawmakers won’t debate immigration reform bill until December
Cayman's Members of Parliament will get to consider and debate proposed amendments to immigration legislation in December.
Clampdown on work permit fraud under way
Government officials have confirmed they are investigating cases of fraudulent work permits being used to bring overseas workers to the Cayman Islands under false pretences.
Grandfather clauses will exempt some from stricter immigration rules
Grandfather clauses in the immigration reform bill will allow permanent residents and foreign spouses of Caymanians to be dealt with under existing rules.
10 takeaways from immigration reform bill
Ten main points from the proposed amendments to the Immigration Act, which is now open to public consultation.
Enforce existing laws to tackle immigration issues, says lawyer
Cayman Islands’ immigration and employment problems could be solved by enforcing existing laws rather than passing new ones, says a leading immigration lawyer.
Glidden: Immigration changes necessary, but balance must be struck
Cayman's ever-growing population makes changes to the islands' immigration laws a major priority, lawyer and former tourism minister Cline Glidden has said.
Parliament passes civil service term limits for non-Caymanians
Government and opposition members both clashed and cooperated in a fiery final day in Parliament on Friday before breaking for the summer recess.
Expert: AI could help Cayman reduce reliance on expat labour
Artificial intelligence may be Cayman’s secret weapon in tackling its heavy reliance on foreign labour. That’s the message from Tamsin Deasey-Weinstein, director at the University College of the Cayman Islands and a key voice in the island's growing AI movement.
Immigration term limits for expat civil servants
Expatriate civil servants will face term limits from 1 Jan. next year, after Cabinet this week approved moving ahead with amending immigration rules.
The in tray: 10 immediate priorities for Cayman’s new government
The Compass Issues section examines the most pressing issues facing the new government and how the coalition partners might align to fix them.
Privy Council rules permanent residency points system is constitutional
The attorney general has won a case in the country's final court of appeal over a Cayman court's declaration that the islands' points system for permanent residence breached human rights.
Manifesto Watch: Reforming immigration amid an ever-growing population
In a country with more than 37,000 expatriate work-permit holders, as well as growing numbers of permanent residents and Caymanian status holders, politicians have placed immigration reform high on their agendas.
Privy Council to rule on Cayman’s permanent residency points system
Judges in the UK's highest court are deliberating on whether the points system used by government to determine if a person should be granted permanent residency in Cayman is compatible with the Bill of Rights.
MP says ‘global reset’ means Cayman must marshal all its resources
Chris Saunders said that using the knowledge of Cayman's diverse populous would help the country find its way through a "global reset".
Government unveils proposed immigration reforms
A parliamentary white paper has outlined a raft of proposed immigration reforms, including requiring work-permit holders to leave Cayman for a year before they can work for a new employer, and extending timelines for status and permanent residency applications.
Opinion: The good, the bad and the absurd: Immigration reform under the microscope
Immigration attorney Nick Joseph analyses the proposed amendments to the Immigration (Transition) Act, highlighting what will work and what merits concern.
From immigration to infrastructure: 5 key issues for the next election
Under six months out from the general election a handful of key issues, including population growth, cruise tourism and rising rents, are emerging as hot-button topics for the nascent political parties and teams.
Youth parliamentarians debate tougher immigration controls
Youth Parliamentarians tackled the issues of stricter immigration laws and an outdated National Development Plan in the House of Parliament.
10 key issues for 2024: From artificial intelligence to government transparency
New year, same problems? Well, kind of. The Cayman Compass list of issues we will be watching closely in 2024 features some familiar concerns as well as pressing new challenges that loom on the horizon.
Seymour replaces immigration boards
Border Control Minister Dwayne Seymour has opted not to reappoint the former members of both the Caymanian Status and Permanent Residency Board and the Business Staffing Plan Board.
Premier signals changes coming for Caymanian status
Premier Juliana O'Connor-Connolly, in her first official statement on immigration reform, hinted that changes are on the horizon when it comes to obtaining citizenship in the Cayman Islands.
Border control minister ‘surprised’ at Bryan’s billboard
Tourism minister Kenneth Bryan’s poster demanding ‘Immigration reform now!’ on a billboard at a busy intersection in George Town has come as a surprise to the border control minister.
Minister demands ‘immigration reform’ from his own government
On a huge billboard at a busy junction on Crewe Road, Minister of Tourism Kenneth Bryan has demanded immediate immigration reform from his own government.
Bank rates, pension reform up for debate as Parliament set to resume
Lawmakers are set to return to Parliament on Wednesday where they are expected to debate approval for supplementary appropriations for the 2022 budget, as well as private member's motions aimed at addressing bank rates and pension reform.
Over 150 companies fined for breaking immigration laws
More than 150 companies and individuals breached immigration laws last year and were fined a combined $351,660.
Entertainers’ work-permit requirements in the spotlight
Wanted: One world-famous tenor and orchestra to play benefit concert in the Cayman Islands. It's not an advertisement likely to be found in the Cayman Compass classifieds, but according to the letter of the law, entertainers are required to apply for work permits - and that could include Andrea Bocelli's upcoming gig in Cayman.
Four arrested in immigration crackdown
Four people were arrested at West Bay Road Public Beach for work-permit and immigration breaches last Wednesday, Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman has said.
Colombian cocaine smuggler wins victory in fight to stay in Cayman
A Colombian national convicted of smuggling cocaine into the Cayman Islands has won a significant legal victory in his battle to stay on the islands with his wife and four-year-old son.
WORC cracks down on permit breaches
Since the start of 2021 to date, 23 individuals have been arrested and $391,000 in administrative fines levied against local employers and work-permit holders found in breach of the Immigration (Transition) Act, Deputy Premier Chris Saunders has confirmed.
New WORC boards yet to meet
Cayman's Immigration boards, which includes the Work Permit Board and the Caymanian Status and Permanent Residency Board, are yet to formally meet in their administrative capacity.
Overstayer amnesty ends next month
An amnesty that allowed people who overstayed their immigration visas due to the COVID-19 lockdown and restrictions will end on 31 Oct.
Should Cayman offer a COVID safe haven for remote workers?
Bermuda and Barbados have moved to offer new temporary residency models to attract remote workers to their shores and stimulate economic activity amid the global COVID-19 pandemic.
WORC asks employers to report cancelled work permits
Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman has reminded employers of their legal obligation to notify the department if employment of any staff member has ended.
Changes to work-permit process approved
Changes to Cayman’s immigration laws will allow employers to file work-permit renewal applications online, without the need for new police clearance and medical certificates
Q&A: Ask the Experts – HSM Chambers
Have questions about how COVID-19 impacts your immigration status? Are you an employer wondering what coronavirus restrictions mean for your businesses' ability to hire...
Year in review: Population surges amid work permit growth
Cayman’s work permit growth has always been a double-edged sword for successive governments. On one hand, it is a significant contributor to the public...
Immigration building still closed
The former immigration building on Elgin Avenue remains closed as remediation work continues.
The office, which fields a large portion of immigration and work permit-related...
116 work permit probes to date
More than $289,475 in administrative immigration fees have been levied for 116 work permit offences for 2019 to date.
Air circulation issues impact WORC office operations
Some members of the public were turned away from the Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman (WORC) Elgin Avenue office on Friday.
Business owners want to ditch rollover
Business owners would like to see a review of Cayman’s ‘rollover’ policy, requiring work permit holders to either leave the island or apply for permanent residency status after nine years.
EDITORIAL – A clear picture of a thriving economy
The governor's observations about Cayman's workforce were clearly intended to be positive and unifying. They should not have been controversial.
UK government rejects demands on same-sex marriage, immigration
The UK government has rejected demands by the Foreign Affairs Committee that it should enforce the legalisation of same-sex marriages and abolish belongership, the equivalent of Caymanian status, in the overseas territories.
Cuban migrants get another shot at asylum
Seven Cuban migrants who were initially denied asylum will have their cases heard again after the Grand Court ruled on Friday that government did not properly consider their applications.
Letter: Permanent residents and work permit fees
In effect, government is saying: “We will reluctantly let you in through the front door while Uncle Europe is looking from across the pond. But once you are inside, we will find an excuse to unceremoniously ease you out through the back door.”
English test conspiracy, fraud trial nears end
A Grand Court trial now in its seventh week is nearing its end as Justice Philip St. John-Stevens was scheduled to continue summing up the matter on Monday.
EDITORIAL – What Bermuda can learn from Cayman … and vice versa
We have our own leaders and community members who employ harmful rhetoric to stoke discontent, while peddling regressive protectionist policies.
Evidence concluded in immigration conspiracy trial
Evidence concluded late Friday in the trial of five immigration officers and two civilians charged with conspiracy to commit fraud against the government.
Morici: Trump gets tough with immigrants on welfare
America needs more skilled immigrants to grow rapidly and compete internationally.
Man arrested for attempting to skip immigration line
While travelers lined up at the immigration line at Owen Roberts International Airport on Tuesday night to enter the territory, one man apparently thought he did not have to go through that process.
EDITORIAL – One man’s tortuous road to Cayman status
Terrance William Delaney must hold the record for endurance in battling the bureaucracy and, in particular, the Cayman Immigration Board.
EDITORIAL – Work permit stats reflect Cayman’s changing face
New immigration figures confirm that the Cayman Islands population is not just changing; it has already changed.
‘Fair employment’ bill due in September
Cayman Islands lawmakers finished debating a raft of legal changes to immigration rules Wednesday night, but it appears that legislation is just the start of a major overhaul for the system that now allows the employment of nearly 26,000 foreign workers within the British Overseas Territory.
EDITORIAL – Cayman’s success depends on growth and diversity
It is good that Premier McLaughlin has correctly recognized the increasingly cosmopolitan makeup of our growing society, and the growing diversity among the Caymanian half of our population.
Ghostly citizenship
Today's editorial cartoon
