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Grand Cayman: An Island of Hope for Caribbeanites

January 31, 2008

Click to view the Grand Cayman Photo Gallery.Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac are the three islands collectively called the Cayman Islands. Ideally located in the western Caribbean about 460 miles south of Miami, 150 miles south of Cuba and 167 miles northwest of Jamaica, the Cayman Islands hosts according to critics some of the worlds most beautiful beaches and boastful amenities for the weary soul in search of solitude from the everyday hassle. With its’ spectacular innate beauty, wealth of activities, and copious points of interest, the Cayman Islands welcome thousands of visitors each year. However, most visitors come to Grand Cayman, the largest and most developed of the three. The following will focus on Grand Cayman since it is the most populated and developed and offers the bulk of job opportunities for Caribbeanites searching for a bright future.

On recent visits to Grand Cayman I took the liberty to familiarize myself with the employment laws and financial regulations through friends I had acquired that resides in Grand Cayman and from the daily newspaper prints published.

Currently, the Cayman Islands are a tax-free state. This means that there are no taxes on income, property, or products or anything as a matter of fact. The set amount you are being salaried, you can be reassured that it is all yours at the end of your pay period. Moreover, if you own real estate, you should be reassured that there is no taxes on your property at the end of the year or taxes when you decide to purchase a property. The set price is what you pay and that’s it—nothing more or less. When you purchase food, clothing etc the price on the ticket is what you owe. However, there is a downside. Since the island boasts tourism and private Banking as its main products, the tourism and financial industries are the two sectors that hold the most potential for a Caribbeanite hoping to attain a job. Moreover, because of the islands limitation on production of natural products, the cost of living is high, similar to that of Jamaica but to a bit lesser extent.

In order for a foreigner to obtain a job, a work permit must be granted. For someone with a degree or experience in the tourism industry or financial industry the chances are more in favor of them. In other cases it is a bit more difficult. There are many categories of permit granted i.e. domestic, professional, laborer, skilled worker. It is very helpful to know someone who is a resident of the island and is a business owner who can afford to staff but that’s not the only way. Domestic permits for someone who needs a babysitter or caretaker of a property are also options. The time for a permit to grant is usually 7 to 10 days but in some cases it may take longer. It all depends on the type of permit and employer’s proposal to the work permit board. All documents such as a police clearance, medical for HIV/AIDS and VDRL, letter from the employer to the board, passport status (not more that 2 years to expiration to be on the safe side).

Work permits are granted on a temporary (3 months and six months) and yearly. A work permit holder can stay a maximum of seven years on the island without having to exit. After that the holder must exit the island for a minimum of two years and then return to the island for employment. In special cases permits are granted beyond seven years. If some one is job-hunting on the island and happens to find a job, he/she must exit the island prior to the permit application being sent in to the work permit board and return only after it is approved. The immigration at the airport has three line, one for residents, visitors and permit holders. The thought is of you are on the island and your permit is refused, it would be difficult for the authorities to find you and escort you out of the island. Caribbeanites are usually granted a months’ stay with an extension up to six months for special reasons, however, during this period one can only be a visitor and not try to obtain work Jamaican Nationals are an exception to the rule, they require a visa due many reasons, one being high immigration rates to the island.

The one thing that is extremely good for a Caribbeanite is that the island offers an alternative to wanting and trying crafty methods to reside in the United States, Canada, and England etc. The money is currently at approximately .80 cents to one U.S dollar, very high I must add and the quality of life is great.

I love to visit the island. It is one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean that i have jad the pleasure to visit. I fell in love with the air and simplicity of the everyday life not to mention the national dish which is Turtle meat done any which way you would like…. taste just chicken albeit curry turtle was the best way I enjoyed it. If you plan to visit the island, make sure you stop at the Turtle Farm and Rum Point and enjoy the cool Caribbean breezes and the miles of beaches that line the shore.

View our photo gallery of the Grandy Cayman islands.

Andrew

Written by Annand · Filed Under All, Cayman Islands    

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