Expertise
The Cayman Islands offers many exciting opportunities and incentives for individuals and businesses, making it a popular destination for those looking to relocate. Cayman Islands immigration is not straightforward, so it is important to have expert guidance on immigration and relocation matters. It also pays to get the right advice when setting up a business in the Cayman Islands, whether living here as a resident or relocating.
At Stuarts Walker Hersant Humphries, we offer comprehensive Cayman Islands immigration and permanent residency advice to people looking to relocate to the Cayman Islands from all over the world. Our local legal services team can also assist with clients’ business needs, providing a complete service for establishing yourself and your business in the Cayman Islands.
Our Cayman Islands immigration lawyers can assist with matters such as:
Our immigration service is closely integrated with our commercial offering, with oversight by our Head of Local Legal Services Buck Grizzel. Buck has over 20 years of experience assisting companies, businesspeople and real estate investors to relocate to the Cayman Islands. He is also a former Chairman of the Immigration Appeals Tribunal.
We also offer real estate legal services for persons looking to lease or purchase property in the Cayman Islands. Immigration matters, setting up a company and buying property in the Cayman Islands are oftentimes closely interlinked and the right legal advice can go a long way in helping you save time and costs.
See here for a full overview on our Real Estate Services.
To discuss your requirements with our Cayman Islands immigration lawyers, please get in touch.
If you wish to visit the Cayman Islands for less than 10 days, you will normally not need a work visa. If you need to stay for longer than 10 days, our team can help you to identify which type of Cayman Islands work visa you need and support you through making an application.
If your business employs an overseas resident who will be coming to the Cayman Islands regularly for short periods throughout the year, they may need a business visitor’s permit. Our Cayman Islands immigration lawyers can advise on this requirement and help you to secure a permit.
Whether you wish to work in the Cayman Islands on a short or long term basis, you will usually need a Cayman Islands temporary or annual work permit. We can identify what type of permit you need and assist with securing the necessary permit as quickly as possible.
If you wish to become a permanent resident of the Cayman Islands, our team can advise on the various routes for doing so and give you the best chance of securing permanent residency as quickly as possible.
A residency certificate gives you the right to reside in the Cayman Islands for up to 25 years and can be renewed. This does not give you the right to work in the Cayman Islands. Our team can help you to obtain a Cayman Islands residency certificate and assist with renewing your residency when required.
There are various methods to Cayman Islands naturalisation and securing the right to be Caymanian; including through ancestry, marriage and holding British Overseas Territories Citizenship. Our Cayman Islands immigration attorneys can help you with your specific needs, making sure you achieve the status for which you qualify.
Immigration appeals can be very challenging, so expert support is absolutely essential. As a former Chairman of the Immigration Appeals Tribunal, our Head of Local Legal Services Buck Grizzel is knowledgeable on the process and is ideally placed to advise on Cayman Islands immigration appeals, with our firm having a very high success rate for our clients.
If you and/or your business are relocating to the Cayman Islands, there are many different issues you will need to consider and take care of. We can provide a complete relocation service to ensure all of your needs are met and that every legal issue is properly handled.
FAQs for Cayman Islands Immigration
Your route to permanent residence in the Cayman Islands will depend on your individual circumstances, but you may be able to qualify for permanent residence if you have been “legally and ordinarily resident” in the Cayman Islands for at least 8 years (but not more than 9 years).
If you qualify, you will need to make an application to the Caymanian Status & Permanent Residency Board or to the Director of the W.O.R.C Department for permission to permanently reside in the Cayman Islands.
Alternatively, you may be able to apply for a Certificate of Permanent Residence for Persons of Independent Means. This requires you to make an investment of at least CI$2,000,000 in developed real estate in the Cayman Islands, as well as showing that you have sufficient financial resources to maintain yourself and any dependants who will be living with you. Certificates cost CI$100,000*. There is also an application fee for each individual and their dependents.
Our Cayman Islands immigration lawyers will be happy to advise on these options and support you through making an application.
Yes, if you are a foreign national, you do not need to renounce your existing citizenship in order to gain British Overseas Territories Citizenship (BOTC) in the Cayman Islands.
Yes, non-residents can buy property in the Cayman Islands for either personal or commercial purposes. There are no restrictions on buying property for personal use, but if you are buying property for development, lease or re-sale, then you will need a Trade and Business and Local Companies (Control) Act Licence if you own three or more properties for this reason.
How long it takes to secure British Overseas Territories Citizenship (BOTC) for the Cayman Islands will depend on your circumstances.
You will need to have held permanent residency in the Cayman Islands for at least 12 months and have lived in the Cayman Islands for at least five years to apply for British Overseas Territories Citizenship. How long it takes to get BOTC for the Cayman Islands will then largely depend on how long it takes you to secure permanent residency.
Whether you are based abroad and looking to move and reside in the Cayman Islands; are already here and looking to obtain permanent residency, or are wanting to incorporate a company, Stuarts Walker Hersant Humphries can help with all your business and personal legal requirements. Read more about our Local Legal Services here.
To discuss your requirements with our Cayman Islands Immigration lawyers, please get in touch.
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