Immigration Policy Reform

Unmanaged population growth has put pressure on all areas of society, from division in our communities to overloaded infrastructure and the environmental impact. Our immigration system needs to ensure Caymanians are put first for jobs and career opportunities, while still enabling our business community to thrive.

 

We will prioritise developing a National Workforce Development Strategy and Human Capital Plan and reform our work permit system accordingly.

As our workforce is made up of many different nationalities, our aim is to foster inclusion by introducing programmes that encourage work permit holders and residents from overseas to understand our community values and integrate better in our society.

TCCP will promote a stronger, fairer work permit system by:
  • Reforming the eligibility requirements for temporary work permits
  • Accelerating the decision making process in relation to regular work permits
  • Making certain categories of work permits more difficult to obtain
  • Improving the administrative function of the work permit system
  • Strengthening and expanding the enforcement function of WORC in relation to work permits
  • Making the WORC online job portal more effective and accessible to ensure Caymanians can easily find and apply for available opportunities
  • Ensuring coordination between the Scholarship Secretariat, WORC and civil service recruitment to prioritise job placements for returning graduates
  • Reviewing and correcting loopholes in the Immigration Act and regulations
TCCP will promote a fairer permanent residency system through:
  • Implementing a required rollover system in the civil service with eligible persons being grandfathered in
  • Revamping the PR points system to make it more equitable to obtain and reflect the priorities of the National Human Capital Plan
  • Removing the requirements to invest in property as a means of earning points to help address housing shortages
  • Strengthening and expanding the enforcement function of WORC and CBC in relation to permanent residency

Workforce development

  • Introducing employer incentives for Caymanian workforce development
  • Conducting national skills surveys to align workforce development with job market needs
  • Mandating employers to register all jobs as part of the national workforce register, including those based overseas
  • Reintroducing a minimum two-year national public service requirement for all scholarship recipients which is accompanied by a structured professional development plan
  • Introducing a nonprofit to provide year-round employment for marginalised Caymanians entering or re-entering the workforce to help them obtain gainful employment
  • Develop tiered funding structures that prioritize high-need industries, such as financial services, healthcare, IT, and skilled services and trades.
  • Prioritize funding for training programs that address skills gaps in key industries
  • Prepare a National Workforce Development Strategy and Human Capital Plan

A targeted permit system and a more discerning path to permanent residency will bring a better balance to our workforce, opening doors for Caymanians and supporting the long-term success of our economy and society.