Now that we’ve proven that working remotely can actually work in practice – not just in theory – remote opportunities from the world’s most desirable locations are starting to pop up left, right, and centre. Bermuda was opening its doors to the agile professional back in July, a resort in the Maldives was seeking an eloquent marketer to man its bookstore almost exactly a month ago, and now, the Cayman Islands is offering residencies to all the digital nomads out there.
Under the recently launched Global Citizen Concierge Program, this is an invitation for workers to divide their time across the territory’s three islands – Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Little Cayman – for a maximum two-year period. As implied by the very existence of this initiative, all three islands have done a bang-up job of containing COVID-19, so you can breathe easy knowing it’s safe to mingle. Within reason, of course.
The Cayman Islands residencies do, however, come with certain conditions. Most notably, you’ll have to demonstrate a minimum annual salary of the following via employment letter from elsewhere (i.e. not from the Cayman Islands):
- US$100,000 for individuals
- US$150,000 for couples/civil partners
- US$180,000 for individuals/couples/civil partners with dependent children
Other family members – e.g. siblings, parents, grandparents, grandchildren, etc. – are also eligible to apply if they are “wholly or substantially dependent” on the applicant.
Applicants must also have a valid passport, notarised bank reference letter, proof of health insurance, police check, as well as a visa for those who live outside of Australia, UK, US, Canada, and certain European countries.
As an added bonus, there’s a degree of flexibility when it comes to staying at the Cayman Islands through the Global Citizen Concierge Program. All you have to do is arrive within 12 months of your application’s approval, then “come and go as you please”.
The only hard requirement is that you stay for a total of 90 days every 12-month period (and follow quarantine regulations). Think of it as a contractually mandated holiday. And once your maximum two-year period is up, simply re-apply for another two years if you feel so inclined.
Residency certificates cost US$1,469 per year for two people, with dependents incurring an additional US$500 each – good luck.
