MAJOR IMMIGRATION REFORMS EFFECTIVE FROM MAY 1st

By Staff Writer

After months of deliberations and consultations via Parliament and the public, Cayman’s extensive immigration reforms take effect on May 1st. This is a further month later than the April 1st date previously indicated during a recent debate in the Cayman Islands parliament.

Confirmation has come from the Ministry responsible for Caymanian Employment and Immigration and the Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman (WORC) that the immigration law changes will take effect on Friday, 1 May 2026. 

According to a statement from the ministry under the portfolio of Hon. Minister Michael Myles: “This date has been set to ensure that every element of the system - technology, processes, forms, and people - is fully ready to deliver a smooth and seamless experience for employers, employees, and all who depend on it.”

WORC and its IT(information technology) partners are completing final system configuration and end-to-end testing, updated application forms are being finalised, and comprehensive training is being delivered across all customer-facing teams, the ministry said.

It also said that, along with WORC, they are also ensuring that full support capacity is in place from the moment the system goes live, so that employers and applicants can be properly assisted through the transition.

Immigration and Caymanian Employment Minister Myles said, “We are determined to get this right. The revised immigration legislation represents a significant step forward for work permit administration in the Cayman Islands, and the standard of its launch must match the standard of its ambition.”

In the coming weeks, WORC will continue to ensure that all system workflows, forms, FAQs, and guidance materials are verified and published, making them available to all customers and stakeholders.

WORC Director Jeremy Scott stated, “We are committed to delivering a smooth transition for stakeholders. Our teams are focused to ensure that the system is launched and operates as intended.”

The revised fee schedule regulations for work permit applications are also in progress and will commence at the same time as the new immigration legislation.

In the meantime, stakeholders are advised that all existing work permit application channels remain fully operational in the interim. Applicants and employers should continue to submit applications and enquiries through current processes.