Expert: Robert Clark - 4/26/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hello!  My boyfriend and I are planning to relocate from North Carolina to Grand Cayman Island in September.  I have been in the hospitality industry for over ten years and would love to continue doing what I am great at when I get there.  Being that you have spent a lot of time there, are there any specific restaurants that you would recommend as being a great place to be employed?  I do enjoy working at a more upscale restaurant, though not quite 5 star, if that may help!  Thank you!

ANSWER: Kristen
There are loads of restaurants to choose from - see some of the links under Restaurants/Bars on my website at http://www.gotocayman.com.  Having said that, the more upscale restaurants would include the Lighthouse, Grand Old House, Pappagallo's Ristorante, as well as the restaurants at the major hotels.
You need to be aware of the rules.  A visitor isn't (officially) allowed to arrive in Cayman with the intention of looking for work whilst visiting.  However the restaurants and bars are usually on the look-out for waiting staff, so if you have the experience it may be worth contacting them.  I think that they can apply a temporary work permit for up to six months, but if you wanted to stay longer then you need to be off-island whilst your work permit application is processed.

Good luck!

Robert
http://www.gotocayman.com
PS Check out my FAQ as well!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for taking the time to answer me!  We are going to apply for our work permits as soon as possible.  When I apply for a job, though, if I understood correctly, won't it be up to the employer to help me get all my paperwork for the permit taken care of?

Answer
Kristen
correct - it is the employer who applies for the work permit, but you will have to provide some papers as well (police record, etc) - see the links in my FAQ to the Immigration Department website that describes the process.

It is worth keeping an eye on Cayman Compass and Cayman NetNews to see the online versions of the papers for the job adverts.

Good luck!

Robert