Expert: Drew Wilmoth - 8/28/2009

Question
On what basis one's work permit for cayman island can be rejected?
in case one is having his medical reports which are completely clear with no problem,Qualification & experience suiting the job which is been applied & selected for, So apart form the above on what else basis a work permit can be rejected.

Answer
An important reason an application for work permit would be rejected is if the Work Permit Board finds that a suitably qualified Caymanian applied for the position but the employer did not offer the Caymanian the job. In such a case any application for a work permit will be refused for that position.

An application may be refused based upon issues revealed in a required police background check. Each case can be examined individually, but certainly a conviction which would relate to the position applied for would be disqualifying.

Anything which would indicate that the applicant is of poor character could be a grounds for refusal, even in the absence of a criminal conviction. For example a person who has worked as a prostitute would likely be refused any work permit even if prostitution is legal in the jurisdiction were they worked. Temporary work permit applications for performing artists have in fact been refused due to explicit lyrics of the artist's songs and/or the reputation for attracting a violent or unruly crowd to performances.

Persons espousing extremist political beliefs may be refused work permits. For example Neo-Nazis, Skinheads, Islamist Extremists, or any person who espouses violence or racism in connection to political activities may be refused on the grounds of poor character or that issuance of the work permit is not in the best interests of the Cayman Islands.

The Cayman Islands are unapologetically Christian. Persons who vociferously engage in activities which are perceived as antagonistic to the Christian faith may be refused a work permit. By no means do applicants need to profess a Christian faith, but they should not express open hostility to those who do. The Cayman Islands are welcoming of persons of a wide variety of religious beliefs, as well as those with no religious beliefs at all.  

Poor handling of personal finances, particularly if the applicant has filed a bankruptcy and creditors have remained unpaid, may be grounds for refusing a work permit. Attention would be paid to whether the job applied for would involve any fiduciary responsibilities.

As you have surmised, an application may be refused on medical grounds, but many common medical conditions (diabetes, for one example) are acceptable. Generally contagious health conditions (tuberculosis or HIV, for example) are more likely to be disqualifying.

All work permit applications for positions which require a specific license or qualification will be reviewed to ensure that the candidate has the relevant qualification or can easily obtain the required comparable license in the Cayman Islands. No one will be accepted for a scuba instructor position without already holding the relevant scuba instructor certification. An experienced licensed electrician would likely be accepted on the assumption he could easily obtain an electrician's license in the Cayman Islands.

Ultimately the Work Permit Board has enough leeway to be able to find a way to refuse most any application. Most individuals who lead a fairly normal life will not be refused a work permit assuming suitable medical and police clearances are provided and no suitably qualified Caymanian applied for the position.