Expert: Robert Clark - 2/11/2011

Question
Hi There,

My finance is a qualified accountant with a number of years experience who is applying for a job in the Cayman Islands. We are both from the Caribbean and I run my own sign making company.  Things are pretty rough and business has been slow and I am thinking of going with her.  I do not have a University education but I have a sound secondary school education and my CXCs(GCEs). I am wondering what the best options are. Should I try to apply for a work permit separately? (How likely is this as I do not have a University degree?) Should we get married before and can I look for work as a dependent? Would having a dependent hinder her work permit application? Should I come to Cayman and state that my intention is to look for work?   I know that Cayman Islands has some very strict immigration laws and I need your advice on what my best option is.

Thanking you in advance for your cooperation.

Answer
David
Sorry for the delay in replying - I haven't been able to access e-mails for a couple of days.

First of all, a dependent can only be a spouse.  Cayman Immigration Department (http://www.immigration.gov.ky) won't accept a boyfriend or girlfriend as being a dependent.  

I would suggest that you read through all of the immigration rules and regulations on the Immigration Department website at http://immigration.gov.ky to understand the position you are in.

Work permit applicants have to be earning a salary that would cover the needs of a dependent. Typically this means that (if you were married), your girlfriend would have to be earning in excess of CI$3,500 per month.

I guess that your girlfriend could get her work permit and that you then visit her (with an open return ticket) as a tourist (including visa if required) and get married on the island. Your girlfriend would then have to apply to the work permit board to change her work permit to include you as a dependent.  One of my contacts who works in HR advises that dependants have to be off-island whilst any work permit amendment is under consideration.

It would certainly be easier to be married before you came to Cayman and therefore be added as a dependent from day one.  Note that as a dependent you are not allowed to work in Cayman - you would still have to look for a job and get a work permit in your own right.  I think the need for work permit applicants to be off-island whilst the application is under consideration is waived when it is a dependent applying.

Just to make clear a minor point - it is the employer who has to apply for the work permit on behalf of the employee.

Hope this helps.  

Don't forget to check out my website (http://www.gotocayman.com) and New Resident (http://www.newresident.ky/)

Good luck!
Robert