Expert: Robert Clark - 1/19/2011

Question
I'm looking to finish the bachelors in Cayman Island since I am from Visa free country I would prefer to travel there as tourist to see the college and look for a housing. May I change the tourist Visa to student Visa inland? Where can I find an affordable 1 bed/bath studio in Cayman Island?

Answer
Clara
First of all I suggest that you read all of the Immigration Act and Regulations downloadable from http://www.immigrations.gov.ky

My reading of this is that you would have to apply for your student visa before entering Cayman.
Section 83 (8) states:
"Every educational institution shall-
(a) make available to the Chief Immigration Officer, upon request,
information concerning the non-Caymanians enrolled at that
institution; and
(b) await receipt of a copy of  the student visa from the Chief
Immigration Officer before enrolling the student at the institution."

Furthermore, the Regulation state in Section 22:
"22 Unless a person arriving in the Islands is exempted from the requirements of
the Law, he may be refused permission to land by an immigration officer if-
...
(k) he intends, without having obtained the necessary student visa, to
engage in formal studies in the Islands; "


See also the specific information on Studying in Cayman at http://www.immigration.gov.ky/portal/page?_pageid=1608,2524696&_dad=portal&_sche...

One of the questions in the Student FAQ states:
May I travel to the Cayman Islands before the student visa application has been approved?
   You should remain outside the islands until your student visa is approved.



Some of the colleges have halls of residencies.  Failing that I believe that they admissions offices usually have some information on accommodation.  Last resort would be to look in the local newspapers classified adverts (especially the Friday edition).

Good luck!

Robert
http://www.gotocayman.com