Cayman Islands Direct Investment certificate

Certificate for an investor of at least CI$1,000,000 in a licensed employment-generating business in which they exercise substantial management control. The certificate is valid 25 years and renewable; holders file annual declarations. ^{1 2 3 4}

What you must show and pay

• An investment of at least KYD 1,000,000 (≈ $1,200,000) · Investment in a licensed employment-generating business in the Cayman Islands, new or existing, in which the holder exercises substantial management control; the holder must keep at least this investment in place. ^{1 2}
• A fee of KYD 1,000 (≈ $1,200) · Application fee for the Certificate of Direct Investment (CI$). ³
• A fee of KYD 50,000 (≈ $60,000) · Issue fee for the Certificate of Direct Investment (CI$). ³
• A fee of KYD 3,000 (≈ $3,600) · Issue fee per dependant included in the application (CI$). ³
• A fee of KYD 3,000 a year (≈ $3,600) · Dependant fee per dependant per year (CI$). ³
• A fee of KYD 500 a year (≈ $600) · Filing fee for the annual declaration (CI$). ³

Requirements

• The applicant has made, or will make, an investment of at least CI$1,000,000 in a licensed employment-generating business. ^{1 2}
• The applicant exercises, or will exercise, substantial management control of that business. ¹
• The applicant has a substantial business track record or entrepreneurial background relevant to the business. ¹
• The applicant and spouse or civil partner have a clean criminal record. ¹
• The applicant, spouse or civil partner and dependent children are in good health with adequate health insurance. ¹
• The applicant proves personal control of funds equal to the investment, or proves the minimum has already been invested. ¹
• The application fee is CI$1,000 and the issue fee is CI$50,000. ³
• Satisfactory evidence of the investment, funds, track record and management control is submitted. ¹
• The Director of WORC may issue an Approval-in-Principle Certificate valid six months, after consulting the Department of Commerce and Investment. ¹
• Within those six months the investment is made and all required licences are obtained, then the full certificate is issued on payment of fees. ¹
• The certificate gives no right to a licence under the Local Companies (Control) Act or the Trade and Business Licensing Act. ¹
• The certificate is valid for 25 years and renewable at the discretion of the Director of WORC. ¹
• The holder submits audited financial statements and employment details at the end of the second and fifth year, and on request. ¹
• An annual declaration confirms the CI$1,000,000 investment is maintained and 90 days were spent in the Cayman Islands in the previous calendar year. ²
• The holder pays an annual fee equal to a work permit fee in the same occupation, plus CI$3,000 per dependant per year. ^{3 4}

Stay

• Certificate valid for 25 years and renewable at the discretion of the Director of WORC, preceded by an Approval-in-Principle Certificate valid for six months.
• Initial permitted stay: 300 months.
• Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

Work

Right to reside and to work in the business or businesses invested in, in occupations approved by the Director of WORC.

Family

Spouse or civil partner and dependent children receive Direct Investment Holder’s (Dependant’s) Certificates to reside; a child’s right ends at 18 unless in full-time tertiary education.

Checked 2026-10-10 · partly verified

Official sources

1. Immigration (Transition) Act (2022 Revision), ss. 41-47: independent means and direct investment certificates · Cayman Islands Legislation · checked 2026-10-10
2. Caymanian Protection (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (SL 16 of 2026): annual declaration particulars · Cayman Islands Legislation · checked 2026-10-10
3. Caymanian Protection (Fees) Regulations, 2026 (SL 14 of 2026) · Cayman Islands Government (Legislation Gazette No. 23, 16 April 2026) · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2026-04-16
4. Caymanian Protection Act (2022 Revision): Immigration Reform Guide (Ministry of Caymanian Employment and Immigration, 18 June 2026) · Government of the Cayman Islands · checked 2026-10-10