Please can you check on how long you are allowed to be away if you have status and are naturalised with a Cayman passport?


Ask Auntie, CNS Local Life, Caymanian statusAuntie’s answer: As suggested by your question, there is normally a time constraint on living overseas if you hold Caymanian status. Section 27(1) of the Immigration Law (2015 Revision) says, “The right to be Caymanian granted by the Board may be lost – (b) where the holder has ordinarily resided outside the Islands for a period of five years and can no longer be said to be settled in the Islands.”

However, an official at the Department of Immigration clarified the meaning of “may be lost” since to me that also implies it “may not be lost”. The Caymanian Status and Permanent Residency Board under that same section will consider whether the person will be allowed to continue to maintain the right to be Caymanian or lose that status. “This will depend on whether the evidence/response provided to the board has been satisfactory,” the official explained.

I cannot say what evidence will be acceptable as I believe that will have to be decided on a case-by-case basis.

Send questions to auntie@caymannewsservice.com

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