The Numbers Racket

The latest data is in. As of 30 September, there are presently 37,256 expatriates in the Cayman Islands with valid/current work permits (including some 1,458 government contracted workers). These numbers do not include thousands of Permanent Residents.

Jamaicans hold 41% of all current work permits, whilst Filipino’s are at 17.5 %.

The actual numbers for the top 10 nationalities are:

• Jamaica: 15,248
• Philippines: 6,530
• India: 2,100
• United Kingdom: 2,039
• Nepal: 1,341
• Canada: 1,182
• Honduras: 1,152
• United States: 889
• Nicaragua: 708
• South Africa: 673

As we ramp up for the “busy season”, these numbers are expected to grow. That, notwithstanding the fact that as more and more people are granted Permanent Residence, marry a Caymanian or a Permanent Resident, or become Caymanian, they are no longer part of these statistics.  At present, there are some 619 persons listed as living in Cayman on a PCW (Permission to Continue Working). Almost all of these will be applicants for Permanent Residence with pending applications.

Jamaicans and Filipinos constitute well over 10% of the population on work permits and so continue to be awarded 0 Points for their demographic as part of the PR Points System. Indians and Brits are at 5.64 %, 5.47 % respectively. Given that these nationalities fall between 5% and 10%, persons with these nationalities of origin are entitled to 5 Points for their demographic.

All others are entitled to 10 Points.

These statistics do not however reflect the numbers of foreign nationals living here. That number is significantly higher. If several thousand Permanent Residents and Dependants (including expatriate dependants on work permit holders and Caymanians) are counted – the total is now almost certainly around 50,000.