Residency · Caribbean
Residency · CaribbeanCayman Islands Residence by Investment
Permanent or 25-year residence in the Cayman Islands for persons of independent means who invest in local real estate, or for owners of a substantial local business.
- Investment from
- KYD 2,000,000
- Processing
- To confirm
- Family
- Spouse, Children
- Stay required
- No minimum stay
Decision summary
- What do you obtain?
- Cayman Islands Residence by InvestmentRoute to citizenshipMay lead to British Overseas Territories Citizenship after meeting residence requirements.
- What does your family invest?
- CI$2,000,000 in developed real estate (permanent residence); CI$1,000,000 including CI$500,000 in real estate (25-year certificate, Grand Cayman).
- What is additional?
- From 1 May 2026: permanent residence issue fee CI$200,000 or CI$50,000 for the 25-year certificate, plus application and yearly dependant fees.
Full wordingHide full wording
From 1 May 2026: permanent residence issue fee CI$200,000 (previously CI$100,000); 25-year certificate issue fee CI$50,000 (previously CI$20,000); application fee about USD 610 (CI$500); a yearly fee per dependant of about USD 3,660; and a CI$500 fee for the yearly declaration.Full details below - How long does it take?
- Information pending verification
- Must you travel or live there?
- No strict minimum stay while the investment and residence conditions are kept.
- What is the main drawback?
- The independent-means certificates do not allow work; 250 permanent certificates a year.
- Family inclusion
- Spouse, Children · conditions apply
- Program status
- Operational
Overview
The Certificate of Permanent Residence for Persons of Independent Means requires an investment of CI$2 million (about USD 2.4 million) in developed real estate; it is capped at 250 a year.
A 25-year Residency Certificate is available on Grand Cayman with CI$1 million invested (at least CI$500,000 in developed real estate) plus annual income of CI$120,000 or CI$400,000 held locally; thresholds are lower on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.
A separate certificate covers owners of at least 10% of an approved local business with real substance.
From 1 May 2026 the Immigration (Transition) Act was renamed the Caymanian Protection Act. The government says the financial requirements for persons of independent means are unchanged for now and will be dealt with in a later amendment, but new fee regulations took effect the same day and certificate holders must file a yearly declaration.
Path to citizenship
Ordinary naturalisation rules only
May lead to British Overseas Territories Citizenship after meeting residence requirements.
See every residency route to citizenship →Who this program may not suit
Taken from the facts recorded on this page. It may not suit you if:
- Your budget is below KYD 2,000,000, the minimum recorded investment, before fees and costs.
Investment pathways
- Investment pathway
- Real estate investment by persons of independent means, or a substantial business presence.
- Minimum investment
- CI$2,000,000 in developed real estate (permanent residence); CI$1,000,000 including CI$500,000 in real estate (25-year certificate, Grand Cayman).
Checked against official programme sources
Family inclusion
Spouse
Named in the rule
Children
Named in the rule
Parents
Not named in the rule
Siblings
Not named in the rule
Ages, dependency and other conditions are in the rule below; confirm them for each family member.
- Eligible dependents
- Spouse and financially dependent children.
Checked against official programme sources
Application process
- 1The applicant invests, without a mortgage, in developed Cayman real estate (CI$2 million for permanent residence; CI$1 million including CI$500,000 in property for the 25-year certificate) and buys health insurance.
- 2The applicant files with the Cayman immigration authorities, paying a CI$500 application fee and showing the investment, sufficient financial resources, good character and good health.
- 3The authorities decide the application; certificates of permanent residence for persons of independent means are limited to an annual quota of 250.
- 4On approval the holder pays the issue fee — CI$100,000 for permanent residence or CI$20,000 for the 25-year certificate — plus CI$1,000 for each dependant.
- 5Each year the holder submits an annual declaration to WORC together with the annual fee payment, by the certificate's anniversary or during December.
- 6The 25-year certificate must be renewed on expiry; permanent residence does not expire, and holders may later seek naturalisation after five years of legal and ordinary residence.
Steps and timings can change; your advisor confirms the current process before you apply.
Investment and fees
Qualifying investment amounts and government fees are always shown separately. We do not publish single "total price" figures, as the total depends on family composition and circumstances.
Estimate for your family
- Investment for your family
- KYD 2,000,000
- Developed real estate (permanent residence)
- Known total so far
- KYD 2,000,000
- 6 cost items not yet included
Children are counted as 10 and parents as 60 unless you enter ages in the calculator. Full breakdown and ages
Qualifying investment
- Developed real estate (permanent residence)
- KYD 2,000,000
Government & due diligence fees
- Issue fee (permanent residence, from 1 May 2026)
- KYD 200,000
- Estimated additional costs
- From 1 May 2026: permanent residence issue fee CI$200,000 (previously CI$100,000); 25-year certificate issue fee CI$50,000 (previously CI$20,000); application fee about USD 610 (CI$500); a yearly fee per dependant of about USD 3,660; and a CI$500 fee for the yearly declaration.
- To be confirmed
- Government fees · Due diligence fees · Investment holding period
Checked against official programme sources
Residence requirements
- Residence requirements
- No strict minimum stay while the investment and residence conditions are kept.
- Renewal requirements
- Permanent certificate, or 25 years renewable.
- Potential route to citizenship
- May lead to British Overseas Territories Citizenship after meeting residence requirements.
Checked against official programme sources
Due diligence and documentation
Applicants and included dependants undergo background and source-of-funds checks by the relevant authority. Documentation requirements are confirmed during preparation — no documents are needed for an initial consultation.
Considerations, limitations and risks
Important restrictions
The independent-means certificates do not allow work; 250 permanent certificates a year.
- Published entry thresholds are not comprehensive costs; taxes, professional fees and dependent charges may apply.
- Immigration law, visa access and naturalisation rules can change without notice.
- Individual eligibility depends on nationality, financial background, due diligence and program-specific criteria.
Status and authority
- Operational status
- Operational
- Official government authority
- Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman (WORC)
- Legal basis
- Caymanian Protection Act (2022 Revision), the name given to the Immigration (Transition) Act from 1 May 2026, with the Caymanian Protection (Fees) Regulations, 2026.
- To be confirmed
- Nationality restrictions
Programme rules change; your advisor confirms every figure before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to invest for Cayman permanent residence?
CI$2 million (about USD 2.4 million) in developed real estate, plus government fees.
What is the minimum investment for Cayman Islands Residence by Investment?
CI$2,000,000 in developed real estate (permanent residence); CI$1,000,000 including CI$500,000 in real estate (25-year certificate, Grand Cayman).
Can my family be included?
Spouse and financially dependent children.
Is there a minimum stay requirement for Cayman Islands Residence by Investment?
No strict minimum stay while the investment and residence conditions are kept.
How long does the process take?
Timeframes depend on the authority and the completeness of your application. An advisor can provide current guidance.
Does the Cayman Islands Residence by Investment lead to citizenship?
May lead to British Overseas Territories Citizenship after meeting residence requirements.
Is approval guaranteed?
No. Every application is decided by the government concerned after due diligence, and requirements can change.
Discuss Cayman Islands with an advisor.
Share your objectives in confidence. An advisor will outline the options that may be relevant to your family and circumstances.