After Eighteen

Eligibility

Any person who-

• has attained the age of seventeen years; and
• has Caymanian Status which-
  • will expire when he attains the age of eighteen years; or
  • has expired upon his having attained the age of eighteen years; and
• has been legally and ordinarily resident* in the Islands for at least five out of the seven years immediately preceding the date of the application

may apply to the Caymanian Status & Permanent Residency Board for the grant of the right to be Caymanian.

'legally and ordinarily resident' means a person's uninterrupted voluntary physical presence in the Islands for a period of time without legal impediment (other than as a tourist visitor or transit passenger) during which period the Islands are regarded as his normal place of abode for the time being. Absences abroad of six consecutive months' duration or less for, inter alia, purposes of education, health, vacation or business during such period shall, however, count as residence in the Islands. Absences abroad of more than six consecutive months but less than one year raise a presumption that there has been a break in residence. And absences abroad for twelve consecutive months or more are deemed to constitute a break in residence.

Making an application

The following must be submitted

Cover Letter:

Please provide a letter addressed to the Secretary of the Caymanian Status and Permanent Residency Board, clearly stating the grounds upon which you are applying and any other information that you consider relevant to your application.

Duplicate Application Forms:

Please provide two fully completed application forms.

Fees:

When you submit your application you will be required to pay a non-refundable administrative filing fee of CI$250.00. If your application is approved, you will be required to pay a grant fee of CI$500.00

Birth Certificate:

Please provide a notarised copy of your birth certificate so that we may confirm your age.

References:

You must provide three written references from three Caymanians (not relatives) who have known you for a minimum of three years. Proof of Caymanian Status must accompany each reference. Please note that these references must be sent directly by the referees to the Secretary, Caymanian Status and Permanent Residency Board and not submitted with your application.

Evidence that you have a Caymanian Parent:

Please provide a notarised copy of your Caymanian parent's birth certificate or other proof that they possess the right to be Caymanian (previously Caymanian Status).

Evidence that you possess or possessed the right to be Caymanian (Previously Caymanian Status):

Please submit a notarised copy of the letter acknowledging that you possess the right to be Caymanian (or Caymanian Status previously) until reaching the age of eighteen (if such letter was issued).

Photographs:

Please provide one full face and one profile photograph (passport size). Name and date of birth should be printed on the back of each photograph.

Medical Questionnaire:

You must submit a medical questionnaire that has been completed by you (Part 1) and your physician (Part 2). To download a copy of the Medical Questionnaire, please click here. You must also provide the lab report (original) showing the HIV/VDRL test results. Note: the HIV/VDRL tests must be taken within the six months preceding your application.

Proof of Legal and Ordinary Residence:

You must provide proof that you have been legally and ordinarily resident in the Cayman Islands for at least five out of the seven years immediately preceding the date of your application. This could be, for example, notarised copies of pages from your passport(s) showing work permits, and/or (if applicable) your Residency & Employment Rights Certificate, Certificate of Permanent Residence or Student visa approval letter, letters from schools and/or transcripts from schools attended abroad (if applicable).

Proof of Identity:

So that we may confirm your identity, please provide a copy of your current passport (the data page showing your name and photograph is all that is required).

How will my application be assessed?

In the course of processing an application for the right to be Caymanian, the Caymanian Status & Permanent Residency Board is required by law to satisfy itself that-

• such grant would be in the public interest;
• adequate consideration has been given to the number of dependants who would be entitled to reside in the Islands or become Caymanian by entitlement should the application be granted;
• that it would be in the interest of the Islands to grant such application if the number of dependants becoming Caymanian by entitlement would be more than three;
• the applicant has not committed an act of insolvency or bankruptcy, or been involved as a shareholder or director of any company or other entity which has been the subject of liquidation especially where creditors have been adversely affected;
• the applicant-
  • is of good character and conduct;
  • has to his credit three good character references received by the Board directly from three Caymanians; and
  • has a clean criminal record and has not been involved with illegal drugs;
• the applicant is of good health and does not suffer from any form of communicable or mental disease that would make him a danger to the community;
• the applicant has not been involved in organising or engaging in any subversive political activity, nor has he organised, caused or promoted racialism or any illegal activity within the Islands;
• the continued residence of the applicant and his family will contribute to the well being of the Islands;
• the economic situation of the Islands and the protection of persons already engaged in similar gainful occupations have been duly considered;
• adequate consideration has been given to the desirability of granting the right to be Caymanian to applicants with different backgrounds and from different geographical areas so that a suitable balance in the social and economic life of the Islands may be maintained; and
• adequate consideration has been given to the desirability of retaining the economic resources of the Island in the control of Caymanians.

If my application is refused, will I have the right of appeal?

Yes. An appeal against the decision of the Caymanian Status & Permanent Residency Board to refuse the application may be made to the Immigration Appeals Tribunal within twenty-eight days of the communication of the decision. The fee for making an appeal is CI$250.00. An appeal may be lodged on the ground that it is:

• erroneous in law;
• unreasonable;
• contrary to the principles of natural justice; or
• at variance with the Immigration Regulations

Can the right to be Caymanian be lost?

Yes. For detailed information on how the right to be Caymanian may be lost, please see our revocation page.

Last Updated: 2008-01-07