West Bay

Passport validity requirements

To enter the Cayman Islands, your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay. 

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

You can enter the Cayman Islands for up to 30 days without a UK passport if you have photo identification and a certified copy of a UK birth certificate, or a naturalisation certificate.

Visa requirements

You can visit the Cayman Islands without a visa for up to 6 months, for business or tourism.

After 6 months, you can apply for an extension – applications are considered on a case-by-case basis.

To work, study or request residency, check the Cayman Islands immigration requirements. It is not usually possible to apply for a work permit while you are in the country as a visitor.

Checks at border control

Border officials may ask to see a return or onward ticket and proof of funds.

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Cayman Islands guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of the Cayman Islands. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. This includes gambling appliances.

Check customs regulations if you want to import pets, plants, or animal or plant products.

It is illegal to take some marine and animal specimens from the islands. If in doubt, check with the customs office before buying such items.

Taking money into the Cayman Islands

You must make a customs declaration if you bring more than 10,000 in Cayman Island dollars or the same amount in foreign cash.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of the Cayman Islands. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. This includes gambling appliances.

Check customs regulations if you want to import pets, plants, or animal or plant products.

It is illegal to take some marine and animal specimens from the islands. If in doubt, check with the customs office before buying such items.

Taking money into the Cayman Islands

You must make a customs declaration if you bring more than 10,000 in Cayman Island dollars or the same amount in foreign cash.

Emergency services in the Cayman Islands

Telephone: 911 (ambulance, fire, police, police marine unit)

Marine emergencies

Divers hyperbaric chamber: 911

The Royal Cayman Islands Coast Guard: (345) 649 6722

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Risk information for British companies

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in the Cayman Islands on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

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Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

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Laws and cultural differences

The Cayman Islands is a British Overseas Territory and has its own laws.

Sunday trading

Religion and family are of significant cultural importance across the Cayman Islands. Many shops, banks and services close on Sundays.

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

There are harsh penalties for those caught with drugs of any kind. Penalties can include imprisonment for up to 35 years, and fines of unlimited amounts.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex civil partnerships were legalised in 2020. Hotels and resorts are generally welcoming, regardless of sexual orientation. Local attitudes can be conservative and some people may not approve of same-sex couples showing affection in public.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.