Naturalisation

Eligibility

Any person who is a British Overseas Territories Citizen by reason of a certificate of naturalization or registration issued under the British Nationality Act, 1981 by virtue of his connection with the Islands (or any Act preceding, amending or replacing that Act), may, if he has been legally and ordinarily resident* in the Islands for at least fifteen years or at least five years after the receipt of that grant apply for the grant of the right to be Caymanian.

^{* 'legally and ordinarily resident' is defined in the Immigration (Amendment)(No. 2) Law, 2006 as meaning 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.

Evidence of Naturalisation or Registration:

Please provide a notarised copy of your Naturalisation or Registration certificate as a British Dependent Territories Citizen or a British Overseas Territories Citizen.

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$1,000.

Bank References:

Please provide a reference letter from your bank that shows balances of your accounts so that the Board may assess your ability to support yourself and any dependants. Be assured, the information you or your bank provides will be treated in the strictest confidence.

References:

You must provide three written references from Caymanians who are not relatives and who have known you for some years. 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. Proof of Caymanian Status must accompany each reference.

Photographs:

We need one full face and one profile photograph (passport size). Please print name and date of birth on reverse side 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 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.

Property:

If you own property in the Islands, please provide a certified copy of the Land Transfer Certificate and the extract from the Land Register with respect to such property.

Dependant Children:

Please provide notarised copies of birth certificates or adoption orders in respect of any dependant children under the age of eighteen (18) years. (Note: This is for information purposes only. Dependant children cannot be added to applicant’s right to be Caymanian. Dependant children if eligible, must make application in their own right.)

Proof of Legal and Ordinary Residence:

You must provide proof that you are legally and ordinarily resident in the Cayman Islands. This could be, for example, a copy of your current work permit, Residency & Employment Rights Certificate, Certificate of Permanent Residence or Student visa approval letter.

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: 2010-01-15