Cayman Islands digital nomad visa

What changed and how to relocate now

The Global Citizen Concierge Programme ran from October 2020. It gave a certificate for up to 2 years with income of at least $100,000 a year for one person, $150,000 with a partner and $180,000 with a partner and children. New applications stopped on 31 October 2022, and the last certificates were valid until 30 November 2024. You can no longer apply, and the government has not announced a relaunch. Our nomad visa matcher shows current nomad visas in other countries for your income.

What works in 2026

If you work remotely for a foreign employer or run your own clients abroad, the first route is the closest fit: you open a company in the special economic zone, run your business with clients outside the islands and get permits for yourself and your family.

A permit through a special economic zone company

The Cayman Islands special economic zone, Cayman Enterprise City, is a technology campus in George Town on Grand Cayman. It is governed by the Special Economic Zones Act, and trade certificates are issued by the Special Economic Zone Authority. A zone company is exempt from local taxes and import duties on equipment and is not subject to local labour market testing when hiring foreigners.

Which businesses qualify

• Information technology and software - development, online services, internet businesses.
• Science and technology - biotechnology, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, environmental technology.
• Media and marketing - electronic media, advertising, content production.
• Commodities and derivatives - trading and settlement companies.
• Education - universities and academic projects in the campus fields.
• Maritime and aviation services - management and support.

Financial services for island residents, retail and serving local customers are not allowed in the zone: the company must do business mainly outside the Cayman Islands.

How the permit works

• Incorporate an exempted company or move an existing one into the zone.
• Obtain a trade certificate for a specific activity from the Special Economic Zone Authority.
• Lease a desk or an office on the campus.
• Apply for a zone employment certificate for staff, including yourself as a director. It allows you to live and work on the islands for 5 years, and your spouse and children are added at no extra cost.

The whole process from incorporation to permit usually takes 4-7 weeks. The company must also comply with the economic substance law: management, expenses and staff on the islands in proportion to its income.

A 25-year residency certificate for persons of independent means

This route suits people who want to live on the islands without working locally: investors, retirees, owners of businesses abroad. The certificate is issued for 25 years with the right to renew and covers your spouse and children.

Requirements on Grand Cayman

• An investment on the islands of at least CI$1 million, around $1,200,000.
• At least CI$500,000 of it, around $600,000, in developed residential or commercial real estate.
• Income of at least CI$120,000 a year, around $144,000, or a local account holding CI$400,000, around $480,000.

Requirements on Little Cayman and Cayman Brac

• An investment from CI$500,000, around $600,000.
• At least CI$250,000 of it, around $300,000, in real estate.
• Income from CI$75,000 a year, around $90,000, or the same CI$400,000 account.

This certificate does not allow you to work on the islands. You can manage your foreign companies and investments remotely.

Permanent residence and the certificate of direct investment

Permanent residence for persons of independent means

Indefinite status for an investment of at least CI$2 million, around $2,400,000, in developed real estate. The quota is 250 people a year. There is no right to work at first, but the certificate can be varied to add it. Permanent residence opens the path to Caymanian status and British Overseas Territories citizenship.

Certificate of direct investment

For entrepreneurs building a business on the islands themselves. Conditions:

• an investment of at least $1,000,000 in a company that creates jobs;
• at least 30% of staff must be Caymanian;
• at least 90 days a year on the islands.

The certificate allows you to work in your own business and is valid for 25 years, renewable. Annual fees by job title apply on top, depending on the industry.

What it costs in 2026

The amounts below are government fees and mandatory costs. Rate: CI$1 = $1.20, rounded up.

Special economic zone route

• Exempted company registration - registry fees around $840, annual fee around $1,110 with a small authorised capital.
• Trade certificate - application CI$500, around $600, renewal CI$750 a year, around $900.
• Desk or office on the campus - at the campus rate, depending on space.
• Health insurance - mandatory, several hundred dollars a month for a family.
• Company registration with our support - from $14,400 per our service catalogue.

25-year residency certificate

• Investment - from $1,200,000 on Grand Cayman, from $600,000 on the Sister Islands.
• Application fee - CI$500, around $600.
• Issue fee - rises from CI$20,000 to CI$50,000, around $60,000, under the 2026-2027 budget.
• Dependants - from CI$1,000, around $1,200, per person a year.
• Stamp duty on a home purchase - 7.5% of the price for foreigners.

Permanent residence

• Investment - from $2,400,000 in real estate.
• Issue fee - rises from CI$100,000 to CI$200,000, around $240,000, one-off.

Our support for residency and permanent residence is quoted after a consultation: it depends on the route, the property and your family. We will work out the total for your family in the chat.

Steps and timeline

Special economic zone route

1. Idea check - 1 week: does your business fit one of the zone sectors.
2. Company incorporation - 1-2 weeks: articles, directors, registered office.
3. Trade certificate - 1-3 weeks: application to the authority, owner checks.
4. Zone employment certificate - 2-3 weeks: for you and your family.
5. Relocation - rental, health insurance, bank account.

4-7 weeks in total with a complete file.

25-year residency certificate

1. Property search - 1-3 months: a developed property of the right value.
2. Purchase - 1-2 months: title check, contract, stamp duty, registration.
3. Application - to the islands immigration department, with proof of income and investment.
4. Review - usually 3-6 months.
5. Issue and renewal - a 25-year certificate, annual dependant fees.

Documents and where to get them

• Passport - valid, ideally beyond the term of the status, or with a renewal plan.
• Police certificate - from your country of citizenship and countries where you lived for more than 6 months in recent years, apostilled.
• Medical certificate - on the islands form, with tests, from a doctor in your country.
• Bank references and statements - from your bank, for 6-12 months.
• Proof of income - tax returns, contracts, dividend statements.
• Proof of investment - an extract from the islands land registry, the purchase contract.
• Marriage and birth certificates - apostilled and translated into English.
• For the zone route - business plan, company documents, trade certificate, office lease.
• Health insurance - a policy for the whole family from a local insurer.

Requirements and common refusals

• The business does not fit the zone. Retail, financial services for residents and serving customers on the islands are not allowed in the zone.
• Unclear source of funds. Banks and authorities check where the investment money came from. You need a paper trail from earnings to the account.
• The wrong property. Only developed property counts, not land for development, and only the part paid with your own money.
• Income below the threshold. Income must be stable and documented, one-off receipts do not count.
• A criminal record or immigration breaches in other countries.
• No economic substance for the zone company: without an office, expenses and management on the islands the status can be revoked.

Taxes

The Cayman Islands has no income tax, corporate tax, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, gift tax or property tax. An exempted company can obtain a government undertaking that such taxes will not apply to it for 20-30 years.

The government relies on indirect taxes and fees:

• Import duty - 22-27% on most goods, which makes life expensive.
• Stamp duty on property purchases - 7.5% for foreigners.
• Pension contributions - 5% each from employee and employer for employed people.
• Health insurance - mandatory, the employer pays at least half.

Zero tax on the islands does not exempt you from tax where you are tax resident. The islands exchange account data with other countries, so plan your exit from your previous residence in advance. More in Cayman Islands taxes.

What changes in 2026

In the 2026-2027 budget the government announced higher fees:

• issue fee for the 25-year residency certificate - from CI$20,000 to CI$50,000;
• issue fee for permanent residence for persons of independent means - from CI$100,000 to CI$200,000;
• direct investment certificate fee - from CI$20,000 to CI$50,000;
• dependant fee for permanent residents - from CI$500 to CI$750 a year, annual declaration - from CI$100 to CI$500;
• special economic zone trade certificate - application from CI$123 to CI$500, renewal from CI$492 to CI$750;
• stamp duty on property sales from CI$2 million - 10%;
• a new annual fee for work permit holders.

Investment thresholds did not change. Before filing we check the current amounts against the official fee schedule.

Life on the islands

Monthly expenses for a family of four excluding rent are around $4,200, for one person around $1,500. A one-bedroom flat in the centre rents for around $2,700 a month. Groceries and electricity are the most expensive: almost everything is imported. English is the official language, the currency is pegged to the US dollar, and banks work with foreigners after full checks. Hurricane season runs from June to November, and hurricane cover is required for a mortgage. There are direct flights to Miami, New York, London and Toronto.

Alternatives to compare

• Bahamas digital nomad visa - a working remote-work programme on nearby islands.
• Barbados digital nomad visa - a 12-month permit with income from $50,000 a year.
• Bermuda digital nomad visa - a year on the islands for remote workers.

How we work

1. We choose the route: special economic zone, residency certificate or permanent residence.
2. We check your business, income and source of funds before you invest.
3. We register the company, obtain the trade certificate and permits.
4. We find and check a property for residency.
5. We prepare, translate and file documents and track renewals.

We fix our fee in writing after a consultation.

Benefits of the current programme

FAQ