Immigration Reform - Ministry of Caymanian Employment Immigration
Understanding Immigration Reform
Public Consultation Opens on Update to Immigration Application Fees
The Ministry of Caymanian Employment and Immigration has opened public consultation on the proposed update to immigration application fees, which has not been adjusted in more than 15 years.
Ministry Partnership Creates Pathways for Caymanians
The Ministry of Caymanian Employment and Immigration is pleased to share the positive results of its recent partnership with ONE | GT, following the completion of a six-week programme aimed at helping Caymanians access employment opportunities
Minimum Wage Amendment Order 2025 Published
The Ministry of Caymanian Employment and Immigration (MCEI) advises the public that the Labour (National Minimum Basic Wage) (Amendment) Order, 2025, which establishes the new national minimum wage, has been published
Open House Highlights Tourism & Hospitality Workforce
The Ministry of CEI has engaged in a series of workforce initiatives that are expanding Caymanian participation across Tourism and other key sectors of the national economy following the Tourism & Hospitality Open House.
Seventeen New Labour Tribunal Appointments
The Ministry of Caymanian Employment and Immigration (MCEI) advises the public that Cabinet has approved the appointment of new members to the Labour Tribunal, in accordance with Section 74 of the Labour Act (2021 Revision).
Three-Month Sentence for Forged Documents Offences
Authorities have secured a conviction resulting in a three-month prison sentence for an individual who pleaded guilty to multiple counts of possessing forged documents.
Cabinet Approves New National Pensions Board
The Ministry of Caymanian Employment and Immigration (MCEI) has announced that Cabinet has approved the appointment of members to the National Pensions Board.
Public Warned of False Immigration Service Providers
The Ministry of Caymanian Employment and Immigration (MCEI) in partnership with the Ministry of District Administration and Home Affairs (MDAHA) are aware of recent reports involving individuals fraudulently offering immigration services to members of the public.
WORC Announces Updated Requirements for Online Portal
Workforce Opportunities & Residency Cayman (WORC) advises all employers and job seekers of important updates to advertising and recruitment feedback requirements on the WORC Online portal that will take effect on November 1, 2025.
The Immigration (Transition) (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2025, represents a significant reform to immigration policy and reaffirms the Government’s commitment to placing Caymanians at the centre of the nation’s immigration framework.
The Act updates and refines aspects of the Immigration (Transition) Act (2022 Revision) to ensure the immigration framework remains responsive to social and economic conditions and is administered with clarity, consistency and accountability.
This campaign hub provides official information on the purpose of the Act, what it covers, what it does not cover, and how the changes are being implemented.
Why Was the Law Updated
The Immigration (Transition) (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2025 supports a balanced and well-managed approach to immigration by:
- Strengthening the effective administration of the immigration system
- Reducing reliance on temporary permissions as long-term solutions
- Better aligning immigration with Caymanian employment and workforce planning
- Strengthening information sharing and coordination across Government
- Supporting long-term social and economic sustainability
The amendments enable more effective administration of immigration matters, including clearer handling of applications, compliance, and information sharing between relevant authorities.
Join the Conversation
The public consultation on the Immigration (Transition)(Fees) Regulations, 2026 is now open.
This consultation seeks the views of stakeholders and members of the public on the proposed new immigration fee schedule, including revisions to certain existing fees and the introduction of new fees for specific facilities and services.
Participate in the consultation by emailing immigrationconsultation@gov.ky.
- Consultation opens: 19 February 2026
- Consultation closes: 5 March 2026
Read the full proposed revisions here.
View the full consultation on our Public Consultation Hub.
What the Act Covers
The Act includes targeted amendments relating to:
- Work permits
- Residency and Employment Rights Certificates (RERC) and Permanent Residency
- Caymanian status, including administrative and acknowledgement processes
- Financial standing and declaration requirements
- Information sharing and administration across Government for immigration-related purposes
- Commercial Farmhand Certificates
View the fact sheet for more information.
These changes are intended to support consistent decision-making and coordinated administration across the immigration system.
What the Act Does Not Cover
The Immigration (Transition) (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2025 does not introduce changes to the Permanent Residency points-based framework. Any such changes will be considered as part of future legislative amendments.
Transitional Provisions and Application of the Law
The Act includes transitional provisions to provide clarity on how the law applies:
- Applications and appeals submitted before commencement will be determined under the law that applied at the time of submission.
- Work permits that are valid when the new law starts remain valid until they expire.
- Permanent Residency and Residency and Employment Rights Certificates (RERCs) that are valid when the new law starts remain valid until they are lost or cancelled.
- Caymanian status provisions do not apply to individuals who already hold relevant valid permissions or exemptions under the current law.
FAQs
Note: This FAQ will be updated as needed during the public consultation period.
Persons who have questions or feedback should email ImmigrationConsultation@gov.ky or visit https://publicconsultation.gov.ky/
Any application or appeal that was submitted before the new law begins will continue to be processed under the old law. The rules that applied at the time of your submission will still govern your case.
1) Any work permitthat is valid when the new law starts will remain valid until it expires. Thereafter, the new rules will apply.
2) Any permanent residency or Residency Employment Rights Certificatethat is valid when the new law starts will remain valid until it is lost, or is cancelled.
No. The new Caymanian status provisions do not apply to people who already hold a valid permanent residency or Residency Employment RightsCertificatefacility, permission, or exemption, permission, or exemption under the current law. You may continue to apply for Caymanian status under the law that originally issued your document.
Yes. If you are employed by the Health Services Authority or the University College of the Cayman Islands, your current immigration permission or exemption will stay valid until your employment contract ends, or one year after the new law starts —whichever is later.
Yes. Individuals who already possess certain types of certificates (listed below) when the new law begins will now be required to submit a yearly declaration, as outlined in the new legislation:
- Persons granted the right to be Caymanian (married or in a civil partnership with a Caymanian) (for the first seven (7) years of being granted Caymanian Status);
- Holder of a RERC (married to or in a civil partnership with a Caymanian);
- Certificate of Direct Investment;
- Residency Certificate (Substantial Business Presence).
Your time continues to count from the date you first became a worker. Becoming a civil servant does not reset your time limit under the new law
Any work permit application that was submitted before the new law starts will be processed under the old law, not the new one.
Caymanian by entitlement relates to the child of a Caymanianwhose parents did not did not haveCaymanian status at the time of the child’s birthand that child was granted Caymanian status (by entitlement) before they turned 18.
No. This is a repeal and replace of current section 33(2)in the Immigration (Transition) Act (2022 Revision). Currently, the right to be Caymanian by entitlement can be revoked if a person hasnot been legally and ordinarily resident in the Islands for a period of seven years immediately before reaching the age of eighteen years. The Bill has amended this provision to state that the right to be Caymanian by entitlement can be revoked –(a) if the person has not been legally and ordinarily resident in the Islands for a period of seven years before reaching the age of eighteen; and(b) after reaching the age of eighteen years, if the person resides outside the Islands for a period of five years, other than for medical reasons or educational purposes.
Explore the answers to frequently asked questions.
Additional Resources
To view more MCEI news published before May 2025, visit our Archives.
