Relocating to the Cayman Islands
The Land and Its People
The three pieces of land that make up the territory of the Cayman Islands are a popular destination for business expats from all over the world. First inhabited in the 17th Century, it has recently grown to international prominence as one of the world’s most well-known financial jurisdictions, with a particularly high number of offshore businesses operating on its shores. Yet there is more to this tropical land than business, and those moving to the Cayman Islands should expect a bright local culture with plenty of diversity, charm and spirit.
This diversity is reflected in its demographics. Just 264 square kilometers of land houses a population of close to 67,000, of which the vast majority (40%) are of mixed race backgrounds. The official language is English, so no other languages are required for those planning to move to the Cayman Islands, though you will hear some Spanish and Jamaican English around the capital city and government home George Town.
Visas for the Cayman Islands
If you are planning to find a job in the Caymans, you will probably have to apply for a work permit. Those exempt from this application are spouses of Caymanians, contracted government employees, certain Cubans, Monetary Authority employees, and people visiting to work in a non-profit or educational role.
If you do require a work permit to move to the Cayman Islands, you have two choices. There are temporary work permits, which will cover you for six months, and annual work permits, which will allow you a longer stay. If you are a native of an English speaking country, you should not have too much trouble being accepted for a work permit, especially not if you already have a job lined up. If English is not your first language, then you will have to pass a language test before you can be considered to work there.
For more advice on visas and foreigners working in the territory, visit the website of the Department of Immigration.
Getting to the Cayman Islands
As an international banking and insurance hub, it is unsurprising to find the Caymans well served by airports. The main one is Owen Roberts International, which is found on the biggest island, Grand Cayman, not far from George Town. Flights from all over the world visit Owen Roberts, and it can be reached in just over an hour from Miami. British Airways, American Airlines, Air Canada, Delta, United Airlines and WestJet all fly regularly to this airport, though that is by no means an exhaustive list. Domestic services are handled by Cayman Airways, who also travel to many major cities across the US and Latin America.
Charles Kirkconnell International is the territory’s second biggest airport and operates from the western tip of Cayman Brac. Though not as busy as Owen Roberts, it is still possible to fly there from Miami and Canada. Edward Boden Airstrip is a small patch of grass in the southwestern coast of Little Cayman that mainly deals with domestic flights. If you prefer water to air, then you can also get to George Town via cruise ships.
