---
title: "Cayman Islands Independent means · PR 2026: KYD 2M+ needed"
url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cayman-islands/permanent-residence-independent-means/
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-10
---

Cayman Islands · Retire or live on savings

# Cayman Islands Independent means · PR

**Investment needed:** KYD 2M+ ≈ $2.4M

Certificate of Permanent Residence for Persons of Independent Means

First checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026, some details partly verified [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/)

- **Investment needed:** KYD 2M+ ≈ $2.4M (An investment of at least KYD 2,000,000 (≈ $2,400,000) · Already invested in developed real estate in the Cayman Islands at the time of application, fully paid up; the holder must keep this level of investment. A fee of KYD 500 (≈ $600) · Application fee for the certificate (CI$). A fee of KYD 200,000 (≈ $240,000) · Issue fee for the certificate (CI$). A fee of KYD 3,000 (≈ $3,600) · Issue fee per dependant included in the application (CI$). A fee of KYD 3,000 a year (≈ $3,600) · Dependant fee per dependant per year (CI$). A fee of KYD 500 a year (≈ $600) · Filing fee for the annual declaration (CI$).)
- **First stay:** 10 yrs (Certificate held for an initial 10 years; the holder applies for an indefinite certificate in year 9.)
- **Who can apply:** Any passport
- **Work:** No (No right to work; the certificate may be varied to allow work in specified occupations, with an annual fee equal to a work permit fee in the same occupation.)

## Key facts

Independent means · PR is a retire or live on savings route for Cayman Islands. Applicants need an investment of KYD 2M+ ≈ $2.4M. You can stay 10 yrs. You can't take local work. Checked 2026-10-10 against the official source.

- **Money needed:** KYD 2M+ ≈ $2.4M
- **Government fees:** KYD 500 ≈ $600 · +4 more
- **First stay:** 10 yrs

## Cost, time and long term

To apply: 3 government fees listed below; investment KYD 2M+ ≈ $2.4M. No lawyer or agent fee is included.

**Government fees: KYD 500 ≈ $600 · +4 more**

- KYD 500 (≈ $600) Application fee for the certificate (CI$).
- KYD 200,000 (≈ $240,000) Issue fee for the certificate (CI$).
- KYD 500 a year (≈ $600) Filing fee for the annual declaration (CI$).
- KYD 3,000 (≈ $3,600) Issue fee per dependant included in the application (CI$).
- KYD 3,000 a year (≈ $3,600) Dependant fee per dependant per year (CI$).

**Invested and held: KYD 2M+ ≈ $2.4M**

- KYD 2,000,000 (≈ $2,400,000) Already invested in developed real estate in the Cayman Islands at the time of application, fully paid up; the holder must keep this level of investment.

**Renewal: Renewable**

The certificate is held for an initial 10 years. The holder must apply for an indefinite certificate in year 9, before the initial period ends.

[Government of the Cayman Islands](https://gov.ky/documents/35692/0/MCEI+Immigration+Reform+Guide+Book+-+18JUNE2026.pdf/b046f01c-ec85-b32d-9065-41dbac3ac221?t=1781806639221)

**Citizenship: Conditions**

Only after obtaining the indefinite certificate can the holder choose to apply for naturalisation, if they meet the legal requirements.

[Government of the Cayman Islands](https://gov.ky/documents/35692/0/MCEI+Immigration+Reform+Guide+Book+-+18JUNE2026.pdf/b046f01c-ec85-b32d-9065-41dbac3ac221?t=1781806639221)

## Why this route may not fit

Check this before you apply.

- Work isn't allowed on this route

### What you'll need

#### Who can apply

- The applicant is a person of independent means.
- The applicant has invested CI$2,000,000 in developed real estate in the Cayman Islands.
- The applicant and spouse or civil partner have a clean criminal record.
- The applicant, spouse or civil partner and dependent children are in good health with adequate health insurance.

#### What you must show

- The applicant has the prescribed financial resources to maintain themselves and their dependants.
- The CI$2,000,000 must already be invested and fully paid at the time of application.
- The application fee is CI$500 and the issue fee is CI$200,000.

#### Documents

- The spouse or civil partner and dependants are listed on the application.

#### Steps

1. The application is made to the Director of WORC; Cabinet sets a gazetted quota on the number of certificates.

#### After you arrive

- The certificate is held for an initial 10 years and the holder applies for an indefinite certificate in year 9.
- Naturalisation can be applied for only after the indefinite certificate, if the legal requirements are met.
- The holder files an annual declaration and pays a CI$500 filing fee.
- The declaration confirms the CI$2,000,000 real estate investment is maintained and the holder has not lived abroad for a year or more.
- The holder pays CI$3,000 per dependant per year.

## When you become tax resident

How Cayman Islands decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.

- **Stay on this route:** **10 years at first, renewable**
- **Tax residence:** No residence test is required because no income tax is levied.
- **Foreign-source income:** **No direct taxes** 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.

[All tax rules for Cayman Islands](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cayman-islands/tax/) Tax records checked 10 Oct 2026

## What you need to arrange

- **Health insurance** The applicant, spouse or civil partner and dependent children are in good health with adequate health insurance
- **Police certificate and civil documents** The applicant and spouse or civil partner have a clean criminal record

Taken from this route's requirements above. The authority's own list is the one that counts.

**Full official text**

Permanent residence certificate, without the right to work, for a person of independent means who has already invested CI$2,000,000 in developed real estate in the Cayman Islands. Numbers are limited by a Cabinet quota. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4)

#### What you must show and pay

- An investment of at least KYD 2,000,000 (≈ $2,400,000) · Already invested in developed real estate in the Cayman Islands at the time of application, fully paid up; the holder must keep this level of investment. (sources 2, 4)
- A fee of KYD 500 (≈ $600) · Application fee for the certificate (CI$). (source 3)
- A fee of KYD 200,000 (≈ $240,000) · Issue fee for the certificate (CI$). (source 3)
- A fee of KYD 3,000 (≈ $3,600) · Issue fee per dependant included in the application (CI$). (source 3)
- A fee of KYD 3,000 a year (≈ $3,600) · Dependant fee per dependant per year (CI$). (source 3)
- A fee of KYD 500 a year (≈ $600) · Filing fee for the annual declaration (CI$). (source 3)

#### Requirements

- The applicant is a person of independent means. (source 1)
- The applicant has invested CI$2,000,000 in developed real estate in the Cayman Islands. (sources 2, 4)
- The applicant and spouse or civil partner have a clean criminal record. (source 1)
- The applicant, spouse or civil partner and dependent children are in good health with adequate health insurance. (source 1)
- The applicant has the prescribed financial resources to maintain themselves and their dependants. (source 1)
- The CI$2,000,000 must already be invested and fully paid at the time of application. (source 4)
- The application fee is CI$500 and the issue fee is CI$200,000. (source 3)
- The spouse or civil partner and dependants are listed on the application. (source 1)
- The application is made to the Director of WORC; Cabinet sets a gazetted quota on the number of certificates. (source 1)
- The certificate is held for an initial 10 years and the holder applies for an indefinite certificate in year 9. (source 4)
- Naturalisation can be applied for only after the indefinite certificate, if the legal requirements are met. (source 4)
- The holder files an annual declaration and pays a CI$500 filing fee. (sources 2, 3)
- The declaration confirms the CI$2,000,000 real estate investment is maintained and the holder has not lived abroad for a year or more. (source 2)
- The holder pays CI$3,000 per dependant per year. (source 3)

#### Stay

- Certificate held for an initial 10 years; the holder applies for an indefinite certificate in year 9.
- Initial permitted stay: 120 months.

#### Work

No right to work; the certificate may be varied to allow work in specified occupations, with an annual fee equal to a work permit fee in the same occupation.

#### Family

Spouse or civil partner and dependants listed on the application receive Certificates of Permanent Residence for Dependants of Persons of Independent Means.

Checked 2026-10-10 · partly verified

## Official sources

1. [Immigration (Transition) Act (2022 Revision), ss. 41-47: independent means and direct investment certificates](https://legislation.gov.ky/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/2018/2018-0033/2018-0033_2022%20Revision.pdf) · Cayman Islands Legislation · checked 2026-10-10
2. [Caymanian Protection (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (SL 16 of 2026): annual declaration particulars](https://legislation.gov.ky/cms/images/LEGISLATION/AMENDING/2026/2026-0016S/2026-0016S.pdf) · Cayman Islands Legislation · checked 2026-10-10
3. [Caymanian Protection (Fees) Regulations, 2026 (SL 14 of 2026)](https://legislation.gov.ky/cms/images/LEGISLATION/SUBORDINATE/2026/2026-0020/2026-0020_SL%2020%20of%202026.pdf) · 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)](https://gov.ky/documents/35692/0/MCEI+Immigration+Reform+Guide+Book+-+18JUNE2026.pdf/b046f01c-ec85-b32d-9065-41dbac3ac221?t=1781806639221) · Government of the Cayman Islands · checked 2026-10-10

## Independent means · PR and its alternatives

| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Independent means · PR | Needs an investment of KYD 2M+ ≈ $2.4M | 10 yr | No |
| [Independent means residency](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cayman-islands/residency-certificate-independent-means/) | Needs an investment from KYD 500k ≈ $600k | 25 yr, renewable | No |
| [Retiree permanent residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/mexico/permanent-resident-retiree/) Mexico | Needs income of MXN 134k+ a month ≈ $7,310 | – | Yes |
| [Pensioner visa M](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/m-pensionado/) Colombia | Needs income of COP 5.3M+ a month ≈ $1,640 | 3 yr | Yes |
| [Pensionado residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/costa-rica/temporary-pensionado/) Costa Rica | Needs income of $1,000+ a month | 2 yr, renewable | Limited |

## Questions people ask

### How much money do I need for the Independent means · PR?

An investment of at least KYD 2,000,000 (≈ $2,400,000). Already invested in developed real estate in the Cayman Islands at the time of application, fully paid up; the holder must keep this level of investment. A fee of KYD 500 (≈ $600). Application fee for the certificate (CI$). A fee of KYD 200,000 (≈ $240,000). Issue fee for the certificate (CI$). A fee of KYD 3,000 (≈ $3,600). Issue fee per dependant included in the application (CI$).

### How long can I stay on the Independent means · PR?

Certificate held for an initial 10 years; the holder applies for an indefinite certificate in year 9.

### Can I work on the Independent means · PR?

No. No right to work; the certificate may be varied to allow work in specified occupations, with an annual fee equal to a work permit fee in the same occupation.

### Can I bring my family on the Independent means · PR?

Spouse or civil partner and dependants listed on the application receive Certificates of Permanent Residence for Dependants of Persons of Independent Means.

### How are Independent means · PR holders taxed in Cayman Islands?

No special regime in our records is tied to the Independent means · PR. The standard rules apply: 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.

## More in Cayman Islands

[Direct Investment certificate](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cayman-islands/certificate-direct-investment/) [Temporary work permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cayman-islands/temporary-work-permit/)

## Retirement and live-on-savings visas elsewhere

[🇦🇷 Pensioner residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/argentina/temporary-pensioner/) [🇺🇾 Retiree PR (Law 16.340)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/uruguay/retiree-benefit-permanent/) [🇵🇦 Retired rentista](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/panama/rentista-retirado/) [🇪🇨 Retiree visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-jubilado/) [🇵🇪 Rentista residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/peru/rentista-resident/) [🇩🇴 Rentista residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/dominican-republic/rentista/)

≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.

## How this was checked

**Checked on 2026-10-10 against 4 official sources.** Status: partly verified; the page marks the facts an official source does not fully confirm.

Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.

1. [Immigration (Transition) Act (2022 Revision), ss. 41-47: independent means and direct investment certificates](https://legislation.gov.ky/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/2018/2018-0033/2018-0033_2022%20Revision.pdf) · Cayman Islands Legislation · checked 2026-10-10
2. [Caymanian Protection (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (SL 16 of 2026): annual declaration particulars](https://legislation.gov.ky/cms/images/LEGISLATION/AMENDING/2026/2026-0016S/2026-0016S.pdf) · Cayman Islands Legislation · checked 2026-10-10
3. [Caymanian Protection (Fees) Regulations, 2026 (SL 14 of 2026)](https://legislation.gov.ky/cms/images/LEGISLATION/SUBORDINATE/2026/2026-0020/2026-0020_SL%2020%20of%202026.pdf) · Cayman Islands Government (Legislation Gazette No. 23, 16 April 2026) · checked 2026-10-10
4. [Caymanian Protection Act (2022 Revision): Immigration Reform Guide (Ministry of Caymanian Employment and Immigration, 18 June 2026)](https://gov.ky/documents/35692/0/MCEI+Immigration+Reform+Guide+Book+-+18JUNE2026.pdf/b046f01c-ec85-b32d-9065-41dbac3ac221?t=1781806639221) · Government of the Cayman Islands · checked 2026-10-10

Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.