Caymanian Protection Act and Regulations Officially Take Effect

1 May 2026 | Press Release | By: Martha Connolly

A new chapter in immigration policy begins today, 1 May 2026, as the Cayman Islands Government brings the Immigration (Transition) (Amendment and Validations) Acts 2025 and 2026 and their accompanying Regulations into force, strengthening protections for Caymanians and modernising the regulatory framework.

This marks a significant milestone in the Government’s broader immigration reform as it directly supports the Government’s Strategic Policy Statement 2026–2028, particularly Broad Outcome 1: Education, Immigration and Workforce Development, which calls for strong education and immigration systems that support a highly skilled and adaptable Caymanian population.

These legislative updates include stronger pathways to Caymanian status, updated compliance and enforcement mechanisms, revised residency and employment frameworks, changes for work permit grants, updated feed structures and new certificate categories. These changes represent a comprehensive overhaul designed to better align immigration processes with the evolving needs of the Cayman Islands.

Legislation now in effect include:

The Immigration (Transition) (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2025 changes the name of the legislation known as the Immigration (Transition) Act (2022 Revision) to the Caymanian Protection Act (2022 Revision).

Hon. Michael Myles, Minister for Caymanian Employment & Immigration, stated:
“The commencement of the Caymanian Protection Act is a proud and important moment for the Cayman Islands. This law is the result of significant work, careful consultation, and a shared commitment to building an immigration system that better serves our people. I want to thank the teams across Government, WORC, our policymakers, legal drafters and all stakeholders who helped bring this work to this important stage. I also ask our customers and stakeholders to exercise patience as WORC transitions into this new operating environment. These reforms are positive and necessary, but meaningful change takes time as we settle into a new normal.”

The Government encourages all stakeholders to review the Regulations and accompanying guidance materials at their earliest opportunity. Resources, including FAQs and the Immigration Reform Guidebook, are available at https://gov.ky/immigrationreform. Email queries and questions to mcei@gov.ky.

 

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