The Cayman
Islands is an amazing expat location that offers an excellent
standard of living, a safe environment, and great weather
year-round. The Islands boast a strong economy, a very
high GDP per capita, and a tax-free status on incomes. Many
expats have noticed the great potential this destination has and
decided to move here permanently. If you find this idea appealing but
you’re afraid of quitting your job, read on for some helpful
tips on how to find a job in the Cayman Islands.

The Cayman Islands’ expatriate population

Around 50,000 people live on the Grand
Cayman, the largest of the three islands. The island has a large
expat population of around 15,000 people (125 different
nationalities). Most of them hail from the United States, the United
Kingdom, Canada, Jamaica, Central and South America, and the
Philippines. Hong
Kong citizens are increasingly moving abroad and some of
them are looking for a job in the Cayman Islands, too.

The Grand Cayman job market

Expats from all around the world are
flocking to the Islands looking for work. Most Cayman companies
receive many overseas applications from job-seekers hoping to find a
job in the Cayman Islands. This doesn’t come as a surprise
since many sectors of the Grand Cayman job market are thriving. The
two major industries are finance and tourism. Other big industries
include education, construction, and medical.

How to find
a job in the Cayman Islands

The Cayman government does not
restrict foreign land ownership, but it does insist on strict
immigration rules. Employers must favor Cayman citizens over
foreigners. In case there are no Cayman candidates suitable for a
certain position, foreign candidates can be considered.

If you want to work in the Cayman
Islands, you need to find
a job before moving to the Caribbean.
The strict immigration
rules can make finding employment in the Cayman Islands as an expat
time consuming and complicated. However, one third of the Islands’
population consists of expat workers, as there are not enough locals
for all the positions that are in high demand. Expats often find work
in hotels, bars, restaurants, construction, retail and water sports. 

If you want to get a job in the
Cayman Islands as a non-resident, you’ll need a work permit before
moving here. When you get a work permit, you can register with
the National Workforce Development Agency (NWDA) in order to access
their job database. You can also look for available positions in the
local classifieds and the internet. Word of mouth and meeting with
employers face to face would be the best ways to find
a job. Unfortunately, this is not the most practical option if
you live far away.

Bear in mind that the local
employment classifieds may be misleading and responding to them
should only be a part of a more direct and proactive job hunting
approach. What the best strategy is depends on what type of
position you are interested in and when you want to relocate.
Contacting one of the recruitment agencies based on the Islands
would be a great first step.

Popular jobs for expats

• The tourist
  industry, one of the most developed sectors on the Cayman Islands,
  employs many of their citizens. Tourism is aimed at the luxury
  market and offers first-class accommodation and entertainment. The
  Islands welcome nearly a million visitors each year and most of them
  come from North America. Due to the seasonal nature of this
  industry, finding a job in the Cayman Islands in tourism can be
  difficult for an expat. 
  
• The Cayman Islands is a popular
  business and financial centre. The financial service sector has some
  of the best jobs in the top companies. If you are an expat with
  expertise and qualifications in finance, your chances of finding a
  job on the Cayman Islands are pretty good, especially in insurance
  or investment. Many large financial services employers find new
  employees through recruitment agencies. If you wish to work for one
  particular employer, contact them directly to express your interest
  in the position before registering with a recruitment agency.
  
• Many teachers who work in the
  Cayman Islands come from the United
  States, Canada, and England. If you are interested in a teaching
  position, the best time for job hunting is between December and
  February every year. Teaching and education jobs in government
  schools are advertised during this period on the website of the
  Ministry of Education where you can find the job application form.
  
• When it comes to construction
  jobs, expats are usually hired for management positions as there are
  not enough qualified local professionals. To apply for a job, it is
  recommendable to find a list of local construction firms and
  approach them directly, although many companies have started
  collaborating more closely with local recruitment agencies.
  
  
• IT positions are also in demand in
  the Cayman Islands. As the tech industry continues to grow,
  organizations need more and more skilled professionals within areas
  such as cryptocurrency, blockchain, and cyber-Security. The number
  of positions available in software development and network
  administration in increasing. Project management and business
  analyst positions are also available.
  
• There are various office support
  jobs you can apply for in the Cayman Islands. Jobs that are in
  demand include trust officers, legal secretaries, corporate
  administrators, and compliance administrators. Personal assistants
  and support staff in accounting firms are usually Caymanians. Office
  support jobs are typically found through an agency. You would
  probably start with a six-month work permit that is later upgraded
  to a full-time position in the company you have worked for.
  
  
• All electrical and plumbing
  professionals need a local license in order to find a job in the
  Cayman Islands. The Plumber’s Examination Board issues plumbing
  licenses. CI Electrical Board of Examiners checks whether the
  candidates’ qualifications meet the requirements of the
  Electricity Regulations. In addition to your job application, you
  must submit a certified copy of your license, trade references, and
  a recommendation from the jurisdiction you want to transfer from.
  Only after you complete this process can you receive your work
  permit. If you are a qualified MEP worker, contact local MEP
  (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) companies directly to find out
  whether they have any openings.