Topic: PR

Government is moving to increase the number of years expats must be married to a Caymanian before they can qualify for status as it continues to clampdown on sham marriages.

At least 230 applicants for permanent residency in the Cayman Islands sat tests that contained inaccurate or out of date questions, an open records inquiry by the Cayman Compass has revealed.

Workforce Opportunities & Residency Cayman has rescinded 41 PR statuses over non-payment of annual fees and it appears the crackdown on delinquency is just starting as  acting interim Director Laura Watler issued a warning to those owing 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.”

I just read this article (“PR fiasco could harm real estate environment,” Cayman Compass, July 27) and many thoughts ran through my mind but all were book-ended with “self serving!”

Two independent opposition MLAs said they oppose granting permanent resident status to long-term Cayman Islands workers who do not have direct family connections to the islands, in comments made during budget debates over the past week.

The promise of permanent residence in exchange for money was a “cynical exploitation of vulnerable victims,” Justice Charles Quin declared on Tuesday when he sentenced two women to prison for obtaining property by deception.

A permanent residence-seeker had his application to stay in the Cayman Islands for the rest of his life rejected because he missed the filling deadline by a single day, according to claims made in the Grand Court last month.