Cayman Islands

Cayman Islands’ Investor Visa Overview

The Cayman Islands offers two residency pathways for foreign nationals who invest in or operate a business in the islands: a Certificate of Direct Investment for those who establish or acquire a stake in a licensed employment-generating business, and a Residency Certificate for Substantial Business Presence for business owners and senior executives in approved financial services industries. 

Both certificates are valid for 25 years and renewable, and both allow the holder to live and work in the Cayman Islands within the invested or employed business.

The main applicant can include a spouse and dependent children. Neither dependents nor the holder may work outside the specific business context of the certificate without separate employment authorization.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, be of good character with no serious criminal convictions, be in good health, hold adequate health insurance, and demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support themselves and any included family members. All investments must be made without financing. 

Two routes are available.

Direct Investment Route

• Minimum investment of CI$1,000,000 (approx. US$1,205,000) in a licensed employment-generating business in the Cayman Islands, either an existing business or a new venture
• The applicant must exercise substantial management control over the business
• The business must employ at least four full-time employees, of whom a minimum of 30% must be Caymanians
• Minimum physical presence of 90 days per calendar year
• Application fee: CI$1,000 (approx. US$1,205); issuance fee: CI$20,000 (approx. US$24,100); dependent fee: CI$1,000 (approx. US$1,205) per dependent; an annual fee equivalent to the applicable work permit rate for the holder’s occupation applies

Substantial Business Presence Route

• Ownership of at least 10% of shares in a qualifying business in the Cayman Islands, or employment in a senior management capacity in a qualifying business where the position would attract an annual work permit fee of at least CI$20,925 (approx. US$25,215)
• Qualifying business categories include: fund administration, investment and fund management, investment banking, financial trading including foreign exchange, securities and derivatives, captive insurance and reinsurance management, actuarial services, insurance claims management, family office, hedge fund administration, and exempted companies registered under the Companies Act (2023 Revision)
• Minimum physical presence of 90 days per calendar year
• Application fee: CI$1,000 (approx. US$1,205); issuance fee: CI$5,000 (approx. US$6,025) plus CI$1,000 (approx. US$1,205) per dependent; an annual fee equivalent to the applicable work permit rate for the holder’s occupation applies

Route to Citizenship

Holders of both certificates may pursue permanent residency and citizenship through the standard points-based permanent residency system after eight or more years of lawful ordinary residence in the Cayman Islands. 

Points are awarded across categories including education, local investment, community integration, knowledge of Caymanian history and culture, and Caymanian connections.

Upon obtaining permanent residency and after five years of lawful ordinary residence in the Cayman Islands, with physical presence for the majority of that period and at least 12 months of permanent residency before applying, holders become eligible to apply for British Overseas Territory Citizenship (BOTC) through naturalization. 

Applicants must demonstrate good character, knowledge of English, and a commitment to life in the Cayman Islands. After holding BOTC for five years, holders may apply for the Right to be Caymanian through WORC.

The Cayman Islands is a British Overseas Territory. Caymanian citizens hold BOTC status rather than full British citizenship. Dual nationality is not restricted under Caymanian law.

Mobility and Taxation

Mobility

The Cayman Islands is a British Overseas Territory and residents hold their own national passport alongside their Caymanian residency status. 

Upon obtaining BOTC, holders receive a British Overseas Territories Citizen passport. The islands are served by direct non-stop flights to London Heathrow, Miami, New York, Houston, Charlotte, and Toronto, with a 70-minute flight to Miami. Both certificates grant the right to live and work in the Cayman Islands for the full 25-year term without requiring annual renewals.

Tax

The Cayman Islands imposes no personal income tax, no capital gains tax, no inheritance tax, no wealth tax, and no recurring property taxes on individuals. 

There is no corporate income tax on most entities. These conditions apply to all residents regardless of nationality or income level and are not tied specifically to the investor residency certificates. 

How to Apply

Both certificates are administered by Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman. Applications are submitted in person or through a licensed Cayman Islands attorney. 

The process typically runs as follows.

• Step 1: Establish the qualifying business or confirm the qualifying ownership stake or senior management position; obtain all required business registrations and licenses from the relevant Cayman Islands authorities.
• Step 2: Compile all required documents, including a valid passport, police clearance certificate, medical report, health insurance confirmation, proof of investment or business ownership, audited financial statements or business plan, evidence of the required Caymanian employment ratios for the Direct Investment route, and three written character references from non-relatives who have known the applicant for at least three years.
• Step 3: Submit the application and pay the applicable application fee of CI$1,000 (approx. US$1,205) to WORC; applications may be submitted by persons already resident in the Cayman Islands or by persons outside the islands proposing to relocate.
• Step 4: The application is reviewed by WORC and the relevant immigration board; additional documentation or an interview may be requested during the assessment period.
• Step 5: Upon approval, pay the issuance fee and any applicable dependent fees; receive the residency certificate and begin the required 90-day annual physical presence from the date of issuance.
• Step 6: Submit an annual declaration to WORC as required under the Immigration (Transition) (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2025 amendments; renew the certificate before the 25-year expiry by demonstrating continued compliance with all qualifying conditions.