Cayman Islands Independent means residency

Residency certificate without the right to work for a person of independent means aged 18 or over, who invests CI$1,000,000 (Grand Cayman) or CI$500,000 (Cayman Brac and Little Cayman) and shows income or a bank deposit. Valid 25 years and renewable. ^{1 2 3 4}

What you must show and pay

• An investment of at least KYD 1,000,000 (≈ $1,200,000) · Residence in Grand Cayman: total investment, of which at least CI$500,000 in developed real estate in Grand Cayman; the level must be maintained. ²
• An investment of at least KYD 500,000 (≈ $600,000) · Residence in Cayman Brac or Little Cayman: total investment, of which at least CI$250,000 in developed real estate there; the level must be maintained. ²
• Assets of at least KYD 400,000 (≈ $480,000) · Minimum deposit in an account with a CIMA-regulated, locally licensed institution (Class A bank or securities investment business); alternative to the income test on any island. ²
• Income of at least KYD 120,000 a year (≈ $144,000) · Grand Cayman: continuous annual income without needing to work in the Cayman Islands; alternative to the CI$400,000 deposit. ²
• Income of at least KYD 75,000 a year (≈ $90,000) · Cayman Brac or Little Cayman: continuous annual income without needing to work in the Cayman Islands; alternative to the CI$400,000 deposit. ²
• A fee of KYD 500 (≈ $600) · Application fee for grant or renewal (CI$). ³
• A fee of KYD 50,000 (≈ $60,000) · Issue fee for the certificate (CI$). 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 is a person of independent means aged 18 or over. ¹
• The applicant has no serious criminal conviction. ¹
• The applicant is in good health and has adequate health insurance. ¹
• Grand Cayman: invest CI$1,000,000, at least CI$500,000 of it in developed real estate. ²
• Cayman Brac or Little Cayman: invest CI$500,000, at least CI$250,000 of it in developed real estate. ²
• Show CI$120,000 annual income (CI$75,000 on Cayman Brac or Little Cayman) or a CI$400,000 deposit. ²
• The application fee is CI$500 and the issue fee is CI$50,000. ³
• The spouse or civil partner and dependants are listed on the application for approval by the Director of WORC. ¹
• The application is made to the Director of WORC. ¹
• The certificate is valid 25 years without the right to work and is renewable at the Director of WORC’s discretion. ¹
• The holder files an annual declaration and pays a CI$500 filing fee. ^{2 3}
• The declaration confirms the financial standing, at least 30 days in the Cayman Islands in the previous year and health insurance. ²
• The right to reside can be revoked if the financial standing is not maintained or the 30 days are not spent. ¹

Stay

• Certificate valid for 25 years and renewable at the discretion of the Director of WORC, without the right to work.
• Initial permitted stay: 300 months.
• Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

Work

The certificate carries no right to work.

Family

Spouse or civil partner and approved dependants receive Residency Holders’ (Dependant’s) Certificates without the right to work; a child’s right ends at 18 unless in full-time tertiary education.

Checked 2026-10-12 · 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