Grand Cayman Island
Photo: Courtesy of Mint_Images

The Cayman Islands Welcomes Digital Nomads

Digital nomads can now work remotely in the Cayman Islands, which is an extraordinary opportunity considering the British overseas territory has not yet reopened to tourists.

On October 21, 2020, the Cayman Islands launched its Global Citizen Concierge Program (GCCP), which invites remote workers to come live in the Cayman Islands for up to two years. Visitors on the program must arrive within three months of their approval date and are allowed to travel in and out of the Cayman Islands provided they spend 90 days in the territory per year (cnbc.com). Travelers must abide by all quarantine regulations in place at the time of travel.

Official applications can be submitted through the GCCP Web site. Applicants are required to provide a letter showing proof of employment with an entity outside of the Cayman Islands stating position, length of employment, and annual salary on company letterhead (visitcaymanislands.com).

Minimum annual salary requirements are as follows:

• US$100,000 for an individual applicant
• US $150,000 for an applicant applying with a spouse or civil partner
• US$180,000 for an applicant with dependent children

Other family members may also be eligible to join, including siblings, parents, grandparents, and grandchildren, if they are "wholly or substantially dependent" upon the applicant (cnbc.com).

Applicants must have a valid passport, submit a notarized bank reference, show evidence of valid and active health insurance that covers COVID-19, and provide a police clearance/record or similar documentation based on the applicant's country of origin (visitcaymanislands.com).

Fees associated with the program include an annual certificate fee of US$1,469 for up to two people and US$500 per dependent. There is also a credit card processing fee of 7 percent.

Depending on party size, the application process takes approximately three to four weeks. Once approved, digital nomads are free to enjoy the four cornerstones of the Cayman Islands: white sandy beaches, turquoise water, exceptional food, and welcoming people (visitcaymanislands.com).

Sources:
cnbc.com
visitcaymanislands.com