Annual Work Permit - Grants
This section has information on the initial application for an annual work permit
Exemptions
Apart from the persons listed below, anyone wishing to work in the Cayman Islands must first obtain a work permit. The following persons do not require a work permit:
- Caymanians
- holders of permanent residence with the right to work
- holders of a Residency & Employment Rights Certificate
- persons employed by the Cayman Islands Government
- a person who is the beneficial owner of up to two units of property whose lawful presence in the Islands is to facilitate rental or lease arrangements in respect of those units and whose spouse does not own, operate or have an interest in those units.
- persons who are coming to the Islands to engage in certain activities for a period not exceeding seven days. Click here to see full list of activities.
Note: the spouse of a Caymanian may not apply for the grant of a work permit. They must instead apply for a Residency & Employment Rights Certificate.
Limitations on the length of time that a person may work in the Islands on a work permit
The maximum period that a person who is not designated as a key employee may remain in the Cayman Islands on a work permit is seven years. Persons designated as key employees may remain for a maximum of nine years. Please follow the links for specific information on the rules for term limits and designation as a key employee.
How long can a work permit be granted for?
Depending on the term limits referred to above, a work permit is generally issued for periods up to three years at the discretion of the relevant Board. The Board may, again subject to the term limit provisions, however, grant a work permit for a period of up to five years to domestic helpers, teachers, doctors, nurses, ministers of religion and workers for positions authorised by the Board in a Business Staffing Plan Certificate.
English language requirements
If a prospective employee is not a national of an English speaking country and they are already in the Cayman Islands they will be required to come to the Department of Immigration Headquarters to take an English test. Where such an employee is not yet in the Cayman Islands they will be required to take an English test upon arrival at the airport. If they are found not to possess a sufficient knowledge of the English language, they will be refused entry or, if they are resident here, may have their permission to remain or work permit revoked. For further information on the English language test, click here.
Applying for an annual work permit
A person who seeks to be self-employed or a prospective employer of any person may apply for the grant of a work permit to the Work Permit Board or, if the employer has a Business Staffing Plan, the Business Staffing Plan Board. Where the application is in respect of employment in Cayman Brac and Little Cayman the application is made to the Cayman Brac and Little Cayman Immigration Board in Cayman Brac. With respect to self-employment it should be noted that the relevant Board may only issue a work permit in exceptional circumstances.
Click here for contact details.
What will the Board take into account when considering an application
The Immigration Law (2007 Revision) sets out a number of matters that the Board must take into account in relation to the employer, the employee, and the general interests of the Territory when considering an application for the grant of a work permit. To see details, click here.
What must I provide when applying for an annual work permit?
In order to help us process your application as quickly as possible, please use the checklist below to ensure that all the information we need is provided with your application. If you have any questions concerning what is required, please telephone our Work Permit Board Secretariat on 244-2073/244-2072/244-2041, the Business Staffing Plan Board on 244-2071 or the Cayman Brac & Little Cayman Immigration Board on 948-2222.
Application form:
Each question must be completed fully and in BLOCK LETTERS. To download an application form for an application that is going to the Work Permit Board, click here. If your company has a Business Staffing Plan Certificate you must apply for work permits to the Business Staffing Plan Board them using the forms available here. To download work permit application forms for Cayman Brac & Little Cayman, please click here.
Police Clearance Certificate:
A certified and signed police clearance certificate with respect to the prospective employee and their spouse, if applicable, from their home district or last place of residence and issued within six months preceding the date of application. (Note: prospective employees and their spouses who are nationals of the United Kingdom and who were resident there immediately prior to coming to the Cayman Islands may submit a sworn affidavit attesting to good character in lieu of a police clearance certificate. United Kingdom nationals who have been living elsewhere must submit a police clearance certificate from that country).
Fees:
At the time of application the following fees must be paid:
- non-refundable administrative filing fee (CI$50)
- work permit grant fee for the appropriate employment category (see Useful Links)
- dependant fee (per dependant). (see Useful Links)
- repatriation fee for prospective employee and each dependant, if any (CI$200 each)
Photographs:
One full face and one profile photograph (passport size)
Cover Letter:
The employer must provide a letter addressed to the Secretary of the Work Permit Board, the Business Staffing Plan Board or the Cayman Brac & Little Cayman Immigration Board as appropriate setting out the reasons for needing to employ the prospective employee and providing any other information that might assist the Board in reaching its decision.
Medical Questionnaire:
Unless the prospective employee has submitted a medical questionnaire in the six months immediately preceding your application for the grant of a work permit, one must now be provided. Click here to download a copy of the questionnaire. Part 1 must be completed by the prospective employee; Part 2 must be completed by their physician and should bear his/her signature and seal or stamp. The original lab report showing the HIV/VDRL test results must also be provided. The HIV/VDRL tests must be taken within the six months preceding your application for the grant of a work permit. Note: HIV/VDRL lab reports are not acceptable from Jamaica, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Honduras and Nicaragua. Prospective workers from these regions will be required to re-take the HIV/VDRL tests once in the Cayman Islands.
Advertisements:
Before submitting an application for the grant of a work permit the prospective employer must, unless exempted to do so by the Governor or the Board, advertise the position in a local newspaper to ascertain the availability of a Caymanian, the spouse of a Caymanian, the holder of a Residency & Employment Rights Certificate or a person already legally and ordinarily resident in the Islands. The advertisement must appear in a local newspaper for at least two issues for two consecutive weeks. All responses received from persons in these categories must be forwarded to the Board with the work permit application along with copies of their CVs. A copy of each advertisement (full page of the newspaper showing the date) must also be provided. A base salary or a salary range must be stated in the advertisement along with the benefits being offered. It should be noted that the Board has no power to consider a work permit application unless and until this requirement concerning advertising the position has been complied with.
Advertising is not required if the prospective employee is to be employed as:
- a labourer (including carpenter's helpers and mason's helpers)
- a farm worker
- a janitorial worker
- a gardener/landscaper
- a handyman
- a food and beverage server (full-time only: positions for part-time servers must be advertised).
The advertisement must contain the following information:
- a full and accurate description of the job to be filled; and
- a full and accurate description of the qualifications the prospective employer considers are necessary for carrying out the job and the reason for requiring those qualifications; and
- the number of years experience required;
- the name and address of the employer or agency.
Birth/Marriage Certificates:
Birth/Marriage Certificates: Where a spouse or a child has been included on the work permit application form, the relationship to the employee must be proved by submitting marriage/ birth certificates as appropriate
Additional Supporting Documentation for employees in certain employment sectors/positions
We require additional information and documentation for employees in certain employment sectors or positions.
Hospitality Industry
- If the prospective employee is to be employed as a diver, a copy of their PADI/NAUI certification must be provided.
Professional/Managerial Positions
- Notarised copies of the prospective employee's professional qualifications must be provided.
- In the case of health practitioners/nurses etc., please provide a certified copy of their license to practice by the Health Practitioners Board
- In the case of teachers, please provide a certified copy of their licensing from the Educational Council
- In the case of professionals within the financial services industry whose positions are regulated by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA), please provide proof of such from the CIMA.
Skilled/Supervisory Positions
- Please provide notarised copies of the prospective employee's qualifications and details of the skills they possess that are relevant and required for the position for which they are being employed.
Construction Industry
- Please provide copies of signed contracts or building permits for all ongoing construction projects and those to be undertaken
- Plumbers: Please provide a copy of the prospective employee's current license from the Water Authority authorising them to operate as a plumber.
- Electricians: Please provide a copy of the prospective employee's current licence from the Electrical Licensing Board authorising them to operate as an electrician. The employer must also provide the ratio of electricians to electrical helpers employed within the company.
Janitorial & Gardening Services
- Please provide copies of signed contracts/agreements for provision of gardening or janitorial services that are in operation at the time of application or are to be undertaken.
Farmers
- Please provide notarised copy of certification from the Department of Agriculture recognising the employer as a bona fide farmer
Drivers
- Please provide a notarised copy of the prospective employee's license from the Public Transport Board for the appropriate category of vehicle.
Domestic/Nanny/Caregiver
- Where the prospective employee is to care for the elderly or infirm, a supporting letter from a medical doctor should be provided which gives details of their medical condition.
What happens next?
If the application is approved, a letter will be sent to the applicant notifying them of the decision and setting out the terms and conditions upon which the worker may work.
Important: the employee is not allowed to work for any employer or perform any other occupation than that or those listed in the Work Permit. Also, the permission of the employee to remain and work in the Cayman Islands ceases in the event that the Work Permit expires (and an application for its renewal was not submitted prior to its expiry), is revoked, or if their employment is terminated.
If the application is refused, there is a right of appeal to the Immigration Appeals Tribunal.
Is it possible to have a dependant included on a work permit
Yes. If a Work Permit is approved, any dependants listed on the application may, at the discretion of the Board, be included. It is also possible to apply during the currency of a Work Permit to add or remove dependants. For guidance notes on amendments to Work Permits click here.
Is it possible to work for more than one employer on a work permit?
If it is clear on the application that the Work Permit is to be shared by two or more employers, then this will be taken into account by the Chief Immigration Officer. It is also possible to apply for an amendment to the Work Permit during its currency to add or remove an employer.
If my employer has applied for a renewal of my work permit before the expiry of my existing work permit may I continue to work whilst awaiting the outocme of the decision on the application?
Yes. Provided the employer applied for the renewal of the work permit before the expiry of the existing work permit you may continue to work for the same employer on the same terms and conditions until the outcome of the application (and any subsequent appeal to the Immigration Appeals Tribunal) is known. But if the renewal application is submitted after the expiry of the existing Work Permit then you may not continue to work whilst awaiting the outcome of the application.
Last Updated: 2008-01-16
