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In this section we provide detailed information about working in the Cayman Islands and suggest how to go about finding jobs in Grand Cayman. We explain the work permit process and what sort of jobs are available. We then list companies that are often looking to recruit and give names and email contacts of the human resources managers. We also list law firms, accounting firms and recruitment agencies that can help you in your search for jobs in the Cayman Islands. Finally we list Cayman's employment numbers by industry.
An Overview
The Cayman Islands is well known as both an international finance centre and a popular tourist destination. In keeping with this, employment opportunities are most prevalent in the financial services and tourism industries. Since most other industries exist mainly to service the needs of the local market (e.g. medical, construction, entertainment) other opportunities can be somewhat restricted. The Cayman Islands has an educated local workforce, but there are inevitably more positions to be filled than there are qualified candidates. The bottom line is that if you are determined, patient and flexible you should be able to find something suitable regardless of your qualifications and experience.
For a multitude of reasons, including the continued growth and prosperity of the financial services and tourism sectors in the Cayman Islands and new immigration laws and policies that now only allow expatriate workers to remain on the Island for seven years (please see the Immigration chapter for more information), the number of employment opportunities and vacancies on the Island are still high even factoring in the economic downturn.
EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS
Work Permits
Strict work permit regulations exist to ensure that Caymanians and their dependants are given preference for any position, and this can be something of a minefield for the uninitiated.
The rules present some unique hurdles to the expatriate job-seeker and a basic understanding of this process is required to set the employment market in context and to avoid finding yourself in a position that is improvident at best and disastrous at worst.
Unless contracted to Government, expatriates must hold a valid work permit in order to work and reside in the Cayman Islands. The administration of work permits is the responsibility of the Cayman Islands Government Department of Immigration (commonly referred to simply as 'Immigration'). There is also an understandable emphasis on the training of local staff to ensure that they have an opportunity to develop their skills. The onus is on the employer to demonstrate to Immigration that the position cannot be filled by a Caymanian. In order to do so, the employer must first advertise the position locally and also register the vacancy with the Department of Employment Relations (which, among many other responsibilities, assists local people in finding employment). Only after all efforts to recruit locally have failed can the employer rightfully justify a work permit application. This process must be repeated periodically (usually annually) depending on the employer's circumstances.
Work permits can take several months to process. Temporary work permits (for 3 to 6 months) can be granted much faster but are generally discouraged in favour of full (i.e. one year) permits and should therefore be used only in exceptional circumstances. An eight month tourism permit is currently being discussed which would span the high season, after which the worker would have to leave the Island.
Note that a work permit is granted for a specific position with a specific employer. This means that a work permit holder is not entitled to work in any other capacity on the Islands and any significant changes to the person's role within the organisation must be approved by Immigration.
Also, if you want to switch employer and take up employment with a different company on the Island, your current employer must provide a letter to Immigration releasing you from your work permit. You should therefore be doubly sure that any position is right for you before committing to a long-term contract. Once in employment, you should take some time to consider your situation before your employer applies for your work permit renewal, as you are effectively bound to them from the time of application until the expiry of the permit, unless the permit is cancelled at the employer's request.
It is unlikely an employer will be granted a work permit unless a) the applicant is professionally qualified or very well experienced in a relevant field, or b) there is literally no interest in the position from the local workforce (which is actually fairly common). This creates something of a 'Catch 22' for those expatriates without a professional qualification. The better the position, the higher the level of interest from the local workforce and the less likely it is that an expatriate will be granted a work permit.
There are certain occupations that, understandably, hold little appeal for Caymanian job-seekers. These are mainly positions that offer little job security, irregular or anti-social hours of work, or a somewhat unpredictable or unreliable income stream. Examples of such lines of work are office temping, nursing, construction, food and beverage service and most commission-based sales positions.
Immigration regulations dictate that individuals may not reside in the Islands while a work permit application is in process (the exception to this is named dependants - see below). This effectively means that you must either secure work before travelling, or plan to return home to await the outcome of your work permit application.
Note also that your spouse or children are not automatically entitled to reside in Cayman even if you hold a valid permit - he or she must be a named dependant on the permit, and a separate application may be required. The Immigration Department will consider, along with other factors, your ability financially to support your dependants. Dependants cannot be named on temporary work permits. See the Immigration chapter for more information.
In 2004 the Cayman Islands introduced an immigration 'roll over' policy which now allows all overseas expatriate workers to remain on the Island working and residing for a maximum of seven years unless the individual has specialised skills and expertise that can be deemed as crucial to the company and/or community. It is now possible for all businesses (and mandatory for businesses that employ more than 15 expatriate workers) to submit a business staffing plan to Immigration. Once this business staffing plan has been reviewed, discussed and approved it clarifies those positions within the company that are considered exempt. An exempt role/position may allow you to remain on the Island for more than the term limit of seven years and may possibly afford you the ability to apply for Permanent Residency.
Finding a Job
As previously mentioned there are an endless number of employment opportunities available in the Cayman Islands and if you are residing overseas it can be very difficult to submit employment applications directly with local companies that are then taken seriously. Most companies on the Island receive a continuous and endless barrage of employment applications from overseas, but very few are deemed to be genuine. The minefield of applying for employment on the Island is further complicated due to the requirement to advertise any position prior to a work permit application or annual renewal. A flick through the local classifieds may give a misleading picture of the job market. Employers are discouraged from giving any indication that the position may be a work permit renewal, as this can discourage local applicants. With well over twenty thousand work permits in issue at any one time, many apparent vacancies will actually be in support of a prospective work permit application or renewal.
This makes trying to find a position by reading employment classifieds something of a-needle-in-a-haystack endeavour. For most job-seekers, responding to such ads should only be a part of a more proactive, direct strategy.
The most effective approach to finding good employment in the Islands depends on what type of role you are suited for and how soon you wish to relocate.
Financial Services Professionals
Many positions exist for professionally qualified accountants, particularly those with investment or insurance industry experience (but this is by no means essential). The Cayman Islands recognises most Commonwealth and international accounting designations.
Due to the proliferation of choice for qualified accountants, it may be wise to consider registering with a Cayman Islands-based recruitment agency that specialises in financial services recruitment. They will be able to advise you on the prospects and appropriate salary for someone with your experience and qualifications. Many of the largest financial services employers on the Island find most of their professional staff through recruitment agencies. Note that most agencies prefer to represent you exclusively and it is inadvisable (for various practical reasons) to sign up with multiple agencies.
Another advantage of using a recruitment agency is that they may be able to offer you a temporary contract (normally six months), whereas most firms expect a minimum two-year commitment for a permanent contract. Accepting a temporary contract is often the fastest way to come to the Islands and gain the kind of experience that makes you a marketable candidate.
Lawyers must generally have at least three years post-qualification experience in a British Commonwealth jurisdiction as well as previous financial services experience, preferably in mutual/hedge funds, insurance, insolvency, structured finance or commercial litigation. Again, contacting a reputable agency is a good way to assess the prospects and find out about current vacancies.
Other Skills & Professions
For those with qualifications, skills or ambitions not related to financial services, finding good employment may require a little more research and legwork. Most reputable recruitment agencies will be able to point you in the right direction and some may have vacancies within your field so it will be a matter of researching those agencies that may or may not be able to help you.
In addition a good approach can be to use the internet or Yellow Pages, make a list of potential employers and simply write to them enclosing your resume. For your cover letter, remember to include such important details as when you will be available, why you would like to relocate to the Cayman Islands, your marital status and your partner's occupation (if applicable). Although these last two points might be considered personal and irrelevant details in most countries, many employers will be interested as this can be an indirect indication of the level of your commitment and stability as an expatriate worker. Note that most employers will not reply unless they have a suitable vacancy. It is good practise to follow up your resume with a call to the Human Resources department to confirm receipt and enquire as to any current vacancies. This approach applies equally well whether you are seeking a position as a surgeon or cocktail waitress!
If you have a bachelor's degree and a few years of office experience, you may want to consider office temping. This is a good way to make friends and contacts when you first arrive, which can prove to be invaluable in the search for good, permanent employment. Because you will be tied to the temping agency for the duration of your contract and work permit, you should do as much research as possible on prospective employers before signing up. A good agency will be able to provide references from current and past staff-members, together with contact details, which will allow you to confirm their authenticity yourself. For other specific industries the situation is as follows:
Management positions are usually filled from overseas simply because there are not enough qualified Caymanians to fill these positions. We recommend you find a list of the local construction companies in the Cayman Islands Yellow Pages and contact them directly. When a position comes available they often go through the resumes they have on file and see if someone is qualified for the position.
: The Cayman Islands Government prefers people to apply directly and, as with all civil service jobs, an official application form along with your resume and cover letter must be submitted. Check their website for jobs: www.gov.ky/recruitment.
To satisfy local laws all MEP workers must be licensed and then be authorised to work in the Cayman Islands by the relevant board. Plumbers are licensed by the Plumber's Examination and should contact the Water Authority about specifics of the process (www.waterauthority.ky). Electricians must satisfy the CI Electrical Board of Examiners that their qualifications meet the requirements of the Electricity Regulations. In all cases a certified copy of your licence, trade references and a recommendation from your Cayman employer must be submitted along with your application. You will not receive a work permit until you have completed this process.
The local grocery stores are often looking for staff. They would be happy to hear from you directly. The contact details for their HR departments are as follows: Fosters Food Fair, PO Box 1040, Grand Cayman KY1-1004, HR department email: careers@fosters-iga.com or you can see their available jobs on their website www.fosters-iga.com/careers.htm. Kirk Supermarket, PO Box 72, Grand Cayman KY1-1102, HR department email: kirkHR@candw.ky.
Hotels and restaurants usually hire in September and October to fill positions in time for high season which starts in December. Visit the Good Taste website at www.caymangoodtaste.com where you can contact the restaurants of your choice. They recommend you mail your resume directly to them (you can also find a list in the Yellow Pages) and they will call to interview you over the phone if they are interested. Positions they usually need to fill include guest service agents, food and beverage servers and bartenders.
There is not such a demand for expats in IT positions as Caymanians are very well qualified in this field. Having said that, positions are available in the software development and network administration fields but the roles will be for a limited time (possibly 5 years maximum) and you will be required to train a Caymanian. These positions are often filled through employment agencies. Expats would probably have more luck finding a job in a software consultancy firm rather than an in-house position in a large company. IT positions are often advertised in the local papers and quickly snapped up by qualified Caymanians. A Microsoft Certification is often required.
Teaching jobs within one of the Government schools can be found on their website (www.brighterfutures.gov.ky) but you must submit an official application, your resume and a cover letter addressed to the Human Resources Operational Manager of the Department of Education Services when you apply. For private schools see the Education chapter and apply directly.
The local hospitals, HSA and CTMH, are always looking for nurses and doctors. For the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority (HSA) you can either apply directly by mailing your resume to PO Box 915, Grand Cayman KY1-1103 Attn: Human Resources Department or you can go on their website (www.hsa.ky) where you can see jobs that are available and fill out an application form. You can also email them on hsjobs@hsa.ky. The Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital is also happy to receive resumes directly. You can email Judy Ebanks on email: Judyann@candw.ky or mail your resume to PO Box 273, Grand Cayman KY1-1107.
There is a high demand for corporate administrators and legal secretaries in support roles. These positions tend to be filled by employment agencies. Often an employment agency will hold a six month work permit for you that will then turn into a full-time position with a company you have temped for. There are a few PA positions and these positions are often filled by Caymanians. Support staff in accounting firms are often local.
The major recruiters in the retail field are Island Companies and Kirk Freeport. Both would be happy for you to contact them directly on Careers@islandcompaniesltd.com and Kirk Freeport on Work@kirkfreeport.net.
Staff are often hired locally and promoted from within. Some jobs do occasionally become available and recruitment is done through employment agencies and directly wherever possible. See the Telecommunications page for a list of the telecommunications companies in Cayman.
(the local electricity company) hires mostly locally. Of its 200+ employees only a handful are expats. They are very pro-Caymanian and will always look to promote from within. They are an excellent example of a company very into investing in and developing their employees.
Another corporation that might be looking for motivated people at the forefront of their field is Dart, which is developing Camana Bay.
Recruitment & Employment Agencies
Affinity Personnel Solutions
150 Shedden Road
PO Box 2198, Grand Cayman KY1-1105
Tel: (345) 943 2020 Fax: (345) 943 2022
Email: affinity@candw.ky
Baraud International Recruitment
Century Yard, Cricket Square
PO Box 2040, Grand Cayman KY1-1105
Tel: (345) 945 1781 Fax: (345) 945 1782
Email: info@baraud.com
www.baraud.com
CML Offshore Recruitment
Grand Pavillion Commercial Centre, West Bay Road
PO Box 30237, Grand Cayman KY1-1201
Tel: (345) 949 1345 Fax: (345) 949 7891
Email: info@cmlor.com
www.cmlor.com
SteppingStones Recruitment & Training Ltd.
3rd Fl, Fidelity Financial Centre, West Bay Road
PO Box 10091 , Grand Cayman KY1-1001
Tel: (345) 946 7837 Fax: (345) 946 7836
Email: jobs@steppingstonescayman.com
www.steppingstonescayman.com
Accounting Firms
If you need the services of an accounting firm or are considering working for one, the following list covers some of the principal accountancy firms operating in the Cayman Islands.
Legal Services & Attorneys-at-Law
If you need legal services, or are considering working in a law firm, the following list covers most of the firms operating in the Cayman Islands.
Appleby
Clifton House, 75 Fort Street, George Town
PO Box 190, Grand Cayman KY1-1104
Tel: (345) 949 4900 Fax: (345) 949 4901
Email: info@applebyglobal.com
Bodden & Bodden Attorneys at Law
Grand Pavilion Commercial Centre
802 West Bay Road
PO Box 10335, Grand Cayman KY1-1003
Tel: (345) 943 0303 Fax: (345) 949 2335
Email: info@bcsl.ky
Campbells
4th Fl, Scotia Centre, George Town
PO Box 884, Grand Cayman KY1-1103
Tel: (345) 949 2648 Fax: (345) 949 8613
Email: campbells@campbells.com.ky
Charles Adams Ritchie & Duckworth
2nd Fl, Zephyr House, 122 Mary Street, George Town
PO Box 709, Grand Cayman KY1-1107
Tel: (345) 949 4544 Fax: (345) 949 7073
Email: info@card.com.ky
Conyers Dill & Pearman
2nd Fl, Boundary Hall, Cricket Square, George Town
PO Box 2681, Grand Cayman KY1-1111
Tel: (345) 945 3901 Fax: (345) 945 3902
Email: cayman@conyersdillandpearman.com
Diamond Law Associates
4th Floor, Cardinal Plaza
Cardinal Avenue, George Town
PO Box 2887, Grand Cayman KY1-1112
Tel: (345) 769 9352 Fax: (345) 769 4352
Email: info@dla.ky
Harney Westwood & Riegels
3rd Floor, Genesis Building
13 Genesis Close, George Town
PO Box 10240, Grand Cayman KY1-1002
Tel: (345) 949 8599 Fax: (345) 949 7071
Email: cayman@harneys.com
Higgs Johnson Truman Bodden & Co
PO Box 866, Grand Cayman KY1-1103
Tel: (345) 949 7555 Fax: (345) 815 0576
Email: cayman@higgsjohnson.com
Maples and Calder
Ugland House
South Church Street, George Town
PO Box 309, Grand Cayman KY1-1104
Tel: (345) 949 8066 Fax: (345) 949 8080
Email: info@maplesandcalder.com
Mourant du Feu & Jeune
3rd Floor, Harbour Centre, George Town
PO Box 1348, Grand Cayman KY1-1108
Tel: (345) 949 4123 Fax: (345) 949 4647
Nelson & Company
31 The Strand, 46 Canal Point Drive
PO Box 2075, Grand Cayman KY1-1105
Tel: (345) 949 9710 Fax: (345) 945 2188
Email: info@nellaw.com
Ogier
4th Fl, 89 Nexus Way, Camana Bay
PO Box 1234, Grand Cayman KY1-1108
Tel: (345) 949 9876 Fax: (345) 949 9877
Email: cayman@ogier.com
Priestleys Attorneys at Law
Unit 11, Galleria Plaza
638 West Bay Road
PO Box 30310, Grand Cayman KY1-1202
Tel: (345) 946 1577 Fax: (345) 947 0826
Ritch & Conolly
4th Fl, Queensgate House
113 South Church Street
George Town
PO Box 1994, Grand Cayman KY1-1104
Tel: (345) 949 7366 Fax: (345) 949 8652
Email: info@rc.com.ky
Samson & McGrath
5th Fl, Genesis Building, George Town
PO Box 446, Grand Cayman KY1-1106
Tel: (345) 949 2740 Fax: (345) 949 0073
Email: info@samsonandmcgrath.com
Solomon Harris
3rd Fl, First Caribbean House, George Town
PO Box 1990, Grand Cayman KY1-1104
Tel: (345) 949 0488 Fax: (345) 949 0364
Email: info@solomonharris.com
Stenning & Associates
Unit 8, Thompson Building
58 Mary Street, George Town
PO Box 30330, Grand Cayman KY1-1202
Tel: (345) 945 0220
Email: stenning@stenning.ky
Stuarts Walker Hersant Attorneys at Law
4th Fl, Cayman Financial Centre
36A Dr. Roy's Drive, George Town
PO Box 2510, Grand Cayman KY1-1104
Tel: (345) 949 3344 Fax: (345) 949 2888
Email: info@stuartslaw.com
Thorp Alberga
2nd Fl, Harbour Place
103 South Church Street
PO Box 472, Grand Cayman KY1-1106
Tel: (345) 949 0699 Fax: (345) 949 8171
Email: info@thorpalberga.com
Turner & Roulstone
3rd Fl, Strathvale House
90 North Church Street
George Town
PO Box 2636, Grand Cayman KY1-1102
Tel: (345) 943-5555 Fax: (345) 943-9999
Email: info@tandr.ky
Walkers
Walker House, 190 Elgin Avenue
George Town
Grand Cayman KY1-9001
Tel: (345) 949 0100 Fax: (345) 949 7886
Email: info@walkersglobal.com
Employment by Industry
2009 (APRIL) Total Caymanian Non-Caymanian
Agriculture & Fishing 697 211 486
Construction 5,796 2,175 3,621
Restaurants, Bars, 1,887 1,689 1,198
Hotel & Condominiums 2,413 474 1,939
Private Households with Employed Persons 2,752 329 2,423
Education, Health & Social Work 2,971 1,205 1,766
Financial Services 3,773 2,416 1,358
Manufacture including Printing & Publishing 790 336 454
Public Administration 2,095 1,653 442
Real Estate, Renting & Business Activities 5,020 2,145 2,875
Other Community, Social & Personal Services 1,912 982 931
Transportation, Post & Telecommunications 1,687 1,206 482
Electricity, Gas & Water Supply 553 371 182
Wholesale & Retail 4,732 2,229 2,503
All Other Industries 370 - -
Total 37,450
To move back to the Cayman Islands Immigration information click here
To move forward to the Establishing a Business in Cayman chapter click here
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