--- title: "Moving to Cayman Islands 2026: visas, requirements and tax" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cayman-islands/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-12 --- Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman, white sand and turquoise sea # Moving to Cayman Islands 5 ways to move to Cayman Islands in our guide: 1 investor route, 2 pay-to-stay routes, 1 work visa, 1 spouse visa. No digital nomad visa. Smallest investment: [Independent means residency](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cayman-islands/residency-certificate-independent-means/), from KYD 500k ≈ $600k. Tax for newcomers: [Cayman Islands: no direct taxation](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cayman-islands/tax/), No direct taxes. Checked against official sources on 12 October 2026. **Smallest investment needed:** **from KYD 500k ≈ $600k** Independent means residency **Longest first stay:** **25 years** Independent means residency **Tax angle:** **No direct taxes** Cayman Islands: no direct taxation The Cayman Islands is a Caribbean jurisdiction where the government states there are no direct taxes, including no income tax on foreign-source income. That makes it an option for people whose income comes from outside the Islands and who want a warm, English-speaking base with a straightforward tax position. Remote employees paid from outside the Islands People of independent means Investors in an employment-generating business Workers with an employer sponsor Those wanting a no-direct-tax base ## Investing · 1 ### [Direct Investment certificate](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cayman-islands/certificate-direct-investment/) **Investment needed:** KYD 1M+ ≈ $1.2M Stay 25 yrs, renewable Can work: limited Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cayman-islands/certificate-direct-investment/) ## Retire or live on savings · 2 ### [Independent means · PR](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cayman-islands/permanent-residence-independent-means/) **Investment needed:** KYD 2M+ ≈ $2.4M Stay 10 yrs Can't work Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cayman-islands/permanent-residence-independent-means/) ### [Independent means residency](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cayman-islands/residency-certificate-independent-means/) **Investment needed:** from KYD 500k ≈ $600k Stay 25 yrs, renewable Can't work Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cayman-islands/residency-certificate-independent-means/) ## Work · 1 ### [Temporary work permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cayman-islands/temporary-work-permit/) [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cayman-islands/temporary-work-permit/) ## Spouse visas · 1 For people married to, or in a partnership with, a citizen or permanent resident. ### [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cayman-islands/spouse-of-citizen/) Can work: yes [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cayman-islands/spouse-of-citizen/) ## Tax The Cayman Islands Government states there are no direct taxes: no income tax, company or corporation tax, inheritance tax, capital gains tax or gift tax. Foreign-source income of residents is therefore not subject to an income tax, and no residence test is required because no income tax is levied. Government revenue comes from duties and fees, such as stamp duty on real estate sales and a mortgage fee. Standard rules ### [Cayman Islands: no direct taxation](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cayman-islands/tax/#tax-ky-no-direct-taxation) No direct taxes Foreign-source income: No direct taxes **Details** - On: No income tax base exists - Limit: KYD 300k ≈ $360k The Cayman Islands Government states there are no direct taxes in the Cayman Islands: no income tax, company or corporation tax, inheritance tax, capital gains tax or gift tax, so foreign-source income of residents is not subject to an income tax. #### Taxed on No income tax base exists. Government revenue is raised through duties and fees: stamp duty of 7.5% in most areas on the value of real estate at sale (reduced rates for Caymanians) and a mortgage fee of 1% on mortgages below CI$300,000 and 1.5% at CI$300,000 or higher. #### Who it applies to - Applies to all individuals; no direct taxes on income exist. #### Exclusions - No property taxes or rates (GOV.KY). - Stamp duty on real estate transfers, mortgage fees and import duties still apply. #### Limits - KYD 300,000 (≈ $360,000) · Mortgage fee is 1% below this amount and 1.5% at or above it #### Tax residence No residence test is required because no income tax is levied. #### Visas Immigration status (work permits, residency certificates) does not alter the absence of income tax. #### Other taxes Customs duty applies to imported goods; stamp duty 7.5% on real estate sales in most areas (GOV.KY). Checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cayman-islands/tax/) Checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) **No digital nomad visa in Cayman Islands.** Remote workers usually look at [Independent means · PR](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cayman-islands/permanent-residence-independent-means/), [Independent means residency](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cayman-islands/residency-certificate-independent-means/), or [nomad visas elsewhere](https://settleanywhere.com/visas/digital-nomad/). **Path to permanent residence · 2** - **PR after 10 years** · Certificate of Permanent Residence for Persons of Independent Means - **PR after 8 years** · Residency and Employment Rights Certificate — eight years of residence ## Arriving in Cayman Islands: first steps 1. Arrange adequate health insurance for the whole period of your certificate or permit. 2. Open a local bank account for everyday payments and fees. 3. Register with the relevant immigration authority for your route and keep your certificate or permit current. 4. If you have dependants, include them in your application or ensure they apply separately where required. ## Questions people ask ### How much do you need to invest for residency in Cayman Islands? Cayman Islands has 1 investor route. [Direct Investment certificate](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cayman-islands/certificate-direct-investment/) asks for an investment of at least KYD 1,000,000 (≈ $1,200,000) and gives a first stay of 25 years that can be renewed. ### Can I retire or live in Cayman Islands on my savings or pension? Cayman Islands has 2 retirement or pay-to-stay routes. [Independent means · PR](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cayman-islands/permanent-residence-independent-means/) asks for an investment of at least KYD 2,000,000 (≈ $2,400,000) and gives a first stay of 10 years. [Independent means residency](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cayman-islands/residency-certificate-independent-means/) asks for an investment from KYD 500,000 (≈ $600,000) and gives a first stay of 25 years that can be renewed. ### What work visas does Cayman Islands offer foreigners? Cayman Islands has 1 work visa. It is [Temporary work permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cayman-islands/temporary-work-permit/). ### Can I join my spouse or partner in Cayman Islands? Yes. Cayman Islands has 1 spouse visa. It is [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cayman-islands/spouse-of-citizen/). ## Compare with [🇲🇽 Mexico](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/mexico/) [🇨🇴 Colombia](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/) [🇨🇷 Costa Rica](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/costa-rica/) [🇧🇷 Brazil](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/brazil/) [🇦🇷 Argentina](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/argentina/) [🇨🇦 Canada](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/canada/) [🇺🇸 United States](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-states/) [🇺🇾 Uruguay](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/uruguay/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.