Immigration and Entry Requirements
Welcome to the Cayman Islands!
Proving itself to be one of the most preferred destinations in the Caribbean, the Cayman Islands welcomed 2020 with a record number of two million visitors, arriving by air and sea.
However, with the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic during the early part of the year, strict protocols and restrictions have been imposed, particularly for inbound travel.
As the country prepares to reopen its borders — cautiously and with utmost diligence – it would be good to familiarize yourself with the immigration and entry requirements you need to accomplish in organizing your trip to the Cayman Islands.
COVID-19 Updates and Travel Protocols
The good news is — COVID-19 vaccination roll-out has already begun in the Cayman Islands!
Nevertheless, at this early stage of the vaccination program, precautionary travel restrictions are still in place for the safety and wellbeing of both visitors and residents.
Since October 2020 (and until further notice), travelers eligible for entry to the Cayman Islands have been limited to:
- Caymanians
- Permanent residents
- Work permit holders and their families
- Persons who own residential property within the Cayman Islands
- Students with a valid visa to study in the Cayman Islands
- Persons with close family ties to residents or work permit holders, such as spouses, fiancés, parents, grandparents, children and siblings
- Persons approved on the Global Citizen Concierge Program,
- Other visitors approved via the Travel Cayman team.
If you are eligible for entry to the Cayman Islands, please keep yourself updated with the current travel protocols, in addition to the normal travel and entry requirements.
It is always wise to double check with your travel agent to ensure you travel with all the necessary documents. Travelers are also advised to check official sources frequently for the latest news and information on border and travel restrictions prior to departure.
Check here for updates and guidance on inbound travel to the Cayman Islands.
Entry requirements to the Cayman Islands
All persons arriving in the Cayman Islands for whatever legitimate purpose are required to produce to a valid passport or travel document that establishes their identity, nationality and place of permanent residence.
Visitors who are citizens of the United Kingdom (including British Overseas Territories Citizens), Canada, or the United States are not required to produce a passport. However, they must show an original or notarized birth certificate, or an original or notarized naturalization certificate, together with a roundtrip or through ticket to prove they are able to proceed or return to particular country or territory by virtue of their citizenship or residence.
Generally, all visitors are required to present a return ticket and may likewise be obliged to satisfy the Immigration Officer that they have sufficient funds to maintain themselves and their dependents throughout their entire stay in the Cayman Islands.
A valid visa must also be produced, if necessary.
Who needs a visa?
Foreign nationals from certain countries like the United States, the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries, the European Union countries, and Japan do not require a visa to visit the Cayman Islands.
The Cayman Islands Immigration Department has issued a detailed list of these visa-free and visa-required countries.
Persons who require a visa to visit the Cayman Islands may apply for this at the nearest British Embassy or Consulate with a Visa section.
What types of visas are available?
The most common type of visas to the Cayman Islands are:
- Visitor’s Visa – Must be endorsed on the passport not later than three months from the date of approval. Visitors may be granted permission to land in the Islands for a period of up to six months, which may be extended for further periods not exceeding six months upon application to the Director of Customs and Border Control.
- Student Visa – For persons, 18 years or older, who are planning to come to the Cayman Islands to study full-time at a recognized educational institution and intend to leave the islands at the end of their study.
- Transit Visa – Usually required from nationals of transit visa required countries who are stopping for the day on a cruise vacation or other similar purpose.
Permanent Residency Programs
For those who wish to relocate to the Cayman Islands, the government provides many different options for individuals and families seeking long-term or permanent residency.
These include permanent residency through a prescribed legal tenure of eight years, and various options for residency by investment through investment in developed real estate and other substantial business investments in the islands.
Global Citizen Concierge Program
The Global Citizen Concierge Program is especially designed for professionals and digital nomads who are gainfully employed overseas but have the financial and technical capability to work remotely in the Cayman Islands.
An initiative of the Department of Tourism, the Global Citizen Certificate allows international guests to live and work in the Cayman Islands for a period of up to two years, for as long as they can demonstrate their existing (and anticipated ongoing employment) outside the Cayman Islands.
Work Permits and Business Visitor Permits
Anyone who intends to work in the Cayman Islands must obtain a work permit (the Cayman equivalent of a work visa) unless they qualify for exemption.
As per Cayman immigration laws, a work permit may be issued “for any occupation for periods of up to six months (Temporary Work Permit) or longer (Annual Work Permit).”
On the other hand, there is also available a business visitor permit which allows a business located in the Cayman Islands to employ a person from overseas who comes to the Islands frequently for short visits but who continues to reside overseas. Instead of issuing a permit for every visit, the business visitor permit is issued once for an entire calendar year.
For inquiries and more information about immigration and entry requirements to the Cayman Islands, you may reach the Immigration Department through any of the following contact details:
Cayman Islands Immigration Department
| Address: | 94A Elgin Ave., George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands |
| Tel: | (345) 949-8344 |
| Fax: | (345) 949-8486 |
| Mailing Address: | PO Box 1098, Grand Cayman KY1-1102, Cayman Islands |
| Opening Hours: | 8:30am to 4:00pm (M-F) |
| Website: | http://www.immigration.gov.ky/portal/page/portal/immhome |
