Given the uncertainty in coordinating airbridge and evacuation flights, an amnesty has been implemented with immediate effect against prosecution of persons for overstaying, and will remain in effect until further notice.
Section 101 of the Customs & Border Control Law 2018 provides the Director of CBC with powers to remove certain persons who are unlawfully in the islands, where those persons are not a Caymanian, a permanent resident, a work permit holder, nor the holder of a Residency and Employment Rights Certificate, a Residency Certificate for Persons of Independent Means or a holder of a student visa.
Estimates indicate that several hundred persons are currently residing in the Cayman Islands without permission to remain.
Nationalities with the highest amount of overstayers are:
• Jamaica
• Philippines
• United States
• Honduras
• United Kingdom
• India
• Canada
The amnesty is intended to reflect the spirit of compassion and humanitarianism which underpins the Government’s approach to policies in response to COVID-19.
For persons who have overstayed their time in the Islands or who are otherwise in the Islands illegally, the amnesty seeks to remove ‘fear of prosecution’ as a potential barrier to making urgent arrangements for departure from the Islands via special evacuation flights or other airlift coordinated opportunities.
Persons who fall into this category are requested to contact the emergency travel hotline at 244-3333 or via email at emergencytravel@gov.ky.
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