Relocate to the Cayman Islands

Cayman is a highly attractive place in which to relocate, with its great climate, stunning surroundings, lack of income tax and friendly people. However, immigration is strictly controlled in order to preserve these beautiful Islands.

eCayOnline.com is your gateway to all the information you could need in order to relocate. Much of it is gathered together on this page. For more information on moving to, living and working in Cayman, visit the links on the left, or check out our Ecay Cayman Islands Business Directory

 

Entry Requirements


Entry to the Cayman Islands is restricted to five groups of people, defined by the Immigration law of 2003: tourists, students, work permit holders, permanent residents and Caymanians.

For information on who is allowed to come and live in the Cayman Islands, check out eCayOnline’s Cayman Islands Entry Requirements

 

Working in Cayman


Getting a work permit to live and work in the Cayman Islands is not straightforward. However, it is much easier if your occupation is in the financial services or tourism sectors. Cayman’s two biggest industries are always in need of experienced personnel. Alternatively, working for the Government provides an access route to working in Cayman.

For information on working in Cayman, and the types of job which are available, check out eCayOnline’s Working in the Cayman Islands

 

Relocation consultants


The Cayman Islands are home to a number of relocation consultants who specialize in getting you and yours over to the Islands safely and efficiently. They can provide services as diverse as finding you a home, enrolling your children in a school and transporting your pet to the Islands.

 

Customs Clearance


Getting your belongings through customs is not for the faint-hearted; it involves a lot of red tape. If you would prefer someone else to take the stress out of this part of your move, use a customs clearance expert:

 

Shipping companies


Unless you plan to arrive with just a suitcase, you will need to ship your possessions to the Islands. Some of the companies with experience of shipping to Cayman are:

 

Pets


The process of shipping pets into the Cayman Islands is fairly straightforward, but is a lengthy one. You will need to get an import permit from the Department of Agriculture (email ciagric@candw.ky), and your pet will require an official health certificate. If you are coming from a country which is not free of rabies, you will also have to provide a rabies laboratory report.

 

Real Estate


Despite the strict rules on who is allowed to work and live in Cayman, there are no restrictions on foreign property ownership. The process for purchasing real estate is extremely simple; based on the North American model, but with much less bureaucracy.
With no capital gains tax, no property tax and no inheritance tax, it is easy to see why the property market in Cayman has soared over the last twenty years.

Even if you will not be able to relocate immediately, you may want to explore the possibility of buying to let as there is a very strong market for letting property to visitors.

For a list of Cayman Island real estate agents, use the eCay Cayman Islands Business Directory.

 

Education


Standards of education in the Cayman Islands are relatively high. According to the Cayman Government, the Islands are currently achieving a 90% literacy rate. Although there is no welfare state in the Cayman, the Government has invested heavily in education. Education is free, and mandatory, for every 4-16 year old Caymanian. There is also a range of private and tertiary education establishments

For information on education in Cayman, and for lists of schools and other education establishments, check out eCayOnline’s Education in the Cayman Islands.

 

Health Care


The quality of medical care in the Islands is high, though there is no welfare state or national health service and so treatment can be expensive. It is a legal requirement that employers provide health insurance, the cost of which may be shared by the employee.

In Grand Cayman there are both a Government run hospital and a private one, both providing modern medical facilities. There exist Government and private dental practices, and several private medical clinics and opticians. Cayman Brac has a 16 bed clinic. If required, there is an air ambulance service to Miami available to those with the funds or adequate health insurance.

 

Religion


According to the last census, the largest faith group in Cayman is that of Protestant Christianity. Of these, most numerous are the members of the United (Congregational/ Presbyterian) church, followed by those of the Church of God, Baptist, Anglican, Roman Catholic and Seventh Day Adventist churches.

For more information on religion in the Cayman Islands, and for a listing of churches, check out eCayOnline’s Churches in the Cayman Islands

 

Taxation


There are no direct taxes levied on Cayman residents or companies. There is however import tax of between 5 and 20% on virtually all imported goods, with some luxury cars attracting a 40% rate. There is also a 7.5% stamp duty on transfers of real estate.

 

Banking


As one of the world’s most important financial centres, Cayman is home to literally hundreds of banks. As far as retail banking is concerned, six local banks offer personal banking services; Butterfield Bank (Cayman) Ltd, Cayman National Bank Ltd, Fidelity Bank (Cayman), First Caribbean International Bank (Cayman), Royal Bank of Canada, Scotia Bank and Trust (Cayman) Ltd. In addition, HSBC is set to open a branch in Grand Cayman in 2008.

The clearing banks offer the services you would expect from a mature, safe banking environment. These include deposit, savings and checking accounts, credit cards, foreign exchange, letter of credit, and financing including loans and mortgages.

For more information on banks in Cayman, check out eCayOnline’s Banks in the Cayman Islands.

 

Utilities


The public electrical utility company in Grand Cayman is the Caribbean Utilities Company. In Cayman Brac, the Cayman Brac Power and Light Company fulfils this function. Electricity in the Islands is supplied at 110 volts, 60 Hz, the same as in the United States and Canada. Plugs are of the flat, two-pronged variety. The electricity supply is of high consistency, with power cuts a rarity.

There is no mains gas in Cayman. Gas cylinders can be purchased in the Islands.

There is a central supply of desalinated water to much of Grand Cayman and some of Cayman Brac. It is safe to drink, although bottled water can be purchased in the Islands from local stores. Some outlying districts rely on cisterns, wells and water brought by truck. The Water Authority is the public body which provides the piped water to Cayman Brac and to some of Grand Cayman. It also regulates other water and drainage organizations. The Consolidated Water Company is a private company supplying other areas in Grand Cayman not covered by the Water Authority.

Cable & Wireless, Digicel, Telecayman, Cingular and Caymanone all provide a local and international telephone service and Internet access. It is possible to direct-dial anywhere in the world from Cayman.

 

How to pass the time


The Cayman Islands are rich in things to do. They are blessed with some of the best natural resources in the world, from dazzling white coral beaches to fabulous underwater scenery. Outdoor activities, particularly those linked to the water, are therefore extremely popular.

For more information on water sports in Cayman, check out eCayOnline’s Diving and Water Sports in the Cayman Islands.

Active associations run leagues in team sports like soccer, cricket, basketball, netball, tennis, squash, softball and rugby. There are plenty of organized competitions in individual sports such as athletics, swimming, sailing, cycling, martial arts and boxing. If your sport is of a less organized nature, there are plenty of facilities for more casual sports enthusiasts, including three golf courses.

From the Cayman Islands National Museum and National Gallery to the Harquail Theatre and the National Orchestra, the Islands are rich in Heritage and cultural provision. Explore the history of the Islands, enjoy a performance by contemporary musicians, or immerse yourself in one of the many festivals.

For more information, check out eCayOnline’s Arts and Culture in the Cayman Islands. To get a flavor of what’s on in Cayman, explore eCayOnline’s Events Listing.

 

Weather


Generally, Cayman benefits from a fairly stable climate of hot summer days with cool winter nights. There are occasional winter storms, and the very occasional threat from a passing hurricane.

For more information on weather in the Cayman Islands, check out eCayOnline’s Cayman Islands Weather

 

Ecay tip – how to find out more


Ecay Cayman Islands Business Directory contains details of thousands of Cayman-based companies. Check it out for contact details for Cayman Island Lawyers, Cayman Island Bankers, Cayman Island Car Hire Companies,

 

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