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Royal Palms and Sea Grape Beach in The Cayman Islands

Royal Palms and Sea Grape Beach have some advantages and disadvantages. Both places are worth a visit depending on your budget and the activities you want to try

Choosing the right beach in the Cayman Islands is important; a place that has good drinks and a small crowd is generally a good choice. Location is also important; you should pick a beach that has places to sit in the shade or a beach that offers umbrellas. Royal Palms and Sea Grape Beach offer some of these things; however, each beach is unique, so picking the best one really depends on how you want to spend your day.

Royal Palms in the Cayman Islands is a top class beach, but it gets crowded depending on the time of the year. If you want to kick your feet up, read a good book, and listen to the ocean waves, do not visit this beach during spring break. When spring arrives, this beach gets tons of college students and party people who like to play music, dance, and have a good time. This will totally ruin your relaxing quiet day on the beach reading your book. If you want to experience a peaceful day on this beach, try visiting during late summer, but if you like to party during the spring, Royal Palms is a great place to go.

This beach has excellent drinks, but they are quite expensive; a single beer costs $5.99. The food is also pricey, you may find yourself staring at the food while at the vendor stands rather than buying something. If you have the cash to spend, you will enjoy the beach’s food and drinks, so if you plan to party, and then eat and drink afterwards, start saving your money in advance. Besides the expensive food and drinks, the beach does offer free chairs, which is great because you will not have to use towels to sit on the hot sand.

The beach area is beautiful, but there are no areas with shade, so you will need an umbrella, which is not free; it costs $10.00 to rent one. The beach also has rocks and pebbles in a few places so be cautious if you plan to walk around without shoes. Overall, Royal Palms Beach in the Cayman Islands is a nice choice; just save your cash if you plan to buy food or drinks.

Sea Grape Beach is much sandier than Royal Palms, so it is a better choice if you want to walk around shoeless. More sand also makes this an idea place for small kids; more sand means your kids can make more castles. Another great thing about this Cayman Island’s beach is that it offers a few places that provide plenty of shade, so you may not need an umbrella.

There are some negative things about this beach as well, mainly dealing with its size and the available services. Sea Grape Beach is narrow, so if you plan to play a game of football, you will not have a lot of space to run great plays. After playing any kind of sport, you may want something to drink; you can visit the bar, but sometimes the staff makes customers wait 20 minutes for service. Besides these problems, Sea Grape Beach is still worth a visit a least once while you are in the Cayman Islands.

Royal Palms and Sea Grape Beach are nice places to spend your time while you are in the Cayman Islands. Choose Royal Palms if you like crowds, drinks, and food, and pick Sea Grape if you prefer more sand and basic family fun.

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Cayman Islands Real Estate

When looking for opportunities to make investments on  the Cayman Islands real estate sector or even if you are looking to purchase property for your own use, there are several considerations that need to be taken into account. Generally there is a wide range of real estate that is available and if you are in a position to afford it, the Cayman Islands is a wonderful place to own property bearing in mind its position as a holiday destination, as well as a financial and business hub.

Since the Cayman Islands is a tax-free nation, you will only need to pay a one-time stamp duty for the purchase of property there. There are also no restrictions on foreign ownership of real estate on the islands. It is of course advised that you consult a property lawyer on the Cayman Islands before signing off on any documents of purchase or rental of property on the islands.

If you are planning to purchase vacant land, and build your own building on the island, then you will need to ensure that this fulfills the requirements stipulated by the Cayman Islands Building Control Department and work with a local construction company. You will also need to bear in mind that construction materials, which are commonly imported, have a duty of about 22% on their landed value. This can impact on the cost of building and therefore unless you have the budget for it, it may be better to purchase readily built property.

When looking for a real estate agent to work with, you should explore using one who is registered with the Cayman Islands Real Estate Brokers Association (CIREBA). This association monitors the practices of all its members and you can therefore be assured that you will be dealing with an agent who is professional and honest.

In terms of choices of properties available, there average figures are approximately as follows. This data has been obtained from the CIREBA Multiple Listing System and is valid as of June 2010.

NoType of property

Average price

1.3-bedroom condominium

US$430,000.00

2.2-bedroom condominium

US$350,000.00

3.Vacant land of varying sizes

US$150-CI$200 per sq foot

It may be useful to note that according to CIREBA, there has been a drop in property prices between 2009 and 2010 and this has resulted in a decrease of the value of property by between 10 to 20 percent. This of course suggests that it is a good time to purchase property on the Cayman Islands.

If you are planning to purchase a condominium, it is useful to remember that there will be a monthly maintenance fee of between CI$250 – CI$500 that is payable for the maintenance of the common facilities.

The key advantages to purchasing property on the Cayman Islands is the fact that there are no direct taxes, that they have a open and stable governing system and on the basis that there is a large expatriate population there who are constantly on the lookout for rental accommodations and business premises. In addition, the Cayman Islands provides a good infrastructure in terms of facilities and of course, the very tiny but essential fact that the Cayman Islands is the perfect holiday destination!

The detailed consideration for buying property on the Cayman Islands

When purchasing a piece of property on the Cayman Islands, you will find that this may be a better option than renting property there, as the rentals can be quite expensive, and of course there is the advantage that the property will ultimately be yours. Further, there are no restrictions on purchase or property for personal use and there is no tax payable on the property. Transfers are generally easily done, and if you are purchasing vacant land to build your own home, then even building time on the islands is fairly quick.

In terms of stamp duties and other charges that arise, there is a one-time stamp duty fee of 6 or 7.5 percent based on the sale price or the valuation price of the property, depending on where the property is located. There is also a duty that will have to be paid if you are taking a mortgage. For mortgages of CI$300,000 or less, the amount is 1% and for more than CI$300,000 the duty is 1.5%. In addition, a valuation will have to bee conducted and this can cost upwards of CI$350.00 depending on the property type and its location.

There is also the cost of legal and registration fees to be considered and this is usually based on about 1% of the purchase price. When you are transferring the title, the Transfer of Land form must be registered with the Lands and Survey Department. The form costs CI$150.00 and there are other forms that need to be submitted as well. Your lawyer will be able to advise you about this.

If you are planning to build on vacant land, you will have to pay for the cost of building permits and this is calculated on the square footage of the land, in addition to the other costs mentioned earlier.

Mortgages on the Cayman Islands

There are many reputable banks that will be able to provide you with a mortgage. The interest rates on the Cayman Islands are calculated based on the New York Prime plus between 1-3%. Do expect to pay an initial deposit of about 10-35% of the value of the property and you should be able to take a mortgage for the remainder over a duration of between 15-25 years, depending on your financial standing, age etc. The mortgage rates are competitive between the different banks on the Cayman Islands and it may be a good idea to approach several banks before signing off on one.

Always ensure that before you apply for the loan, that a proper valuation is done on the value of the property. This will ensure that you have a complete understanding of the full value not only of the property, but also of the fittings and other things that come with it.

In addition to the basic mortgage, many banks on the Cayman Islands require that a life insurance policy is assigned in favor of them for the amount of the mortgage. You will therefore be better off if you explore the different quotations and coverage terms for this in order to ensure that you get the best deal possible.

Cayman Islands property management services

If you are not planning to reside on the Cayman Islands as your primary home, then it may be worthwhile to consider using the services of a property management company. This organization will then be responsible to ensure that your property is maintained, that it is let out and that all the financials for this are in order. This will unburden you from handling the issues of tenants and tenancy agreements and a host of other peripheral issues. You will of course be required to pay them a regular monthly fee for their services.

Conclusion

If you have your heart set on purchasing your dream home on the Cayman Islands, remember that there are certain little factors that can make a difference to what you purchase. Always get your lawyers and / or the real estate agent to ensure that all strata title fees are paid to date, that water bills are current and that the property has had the services of pest control experts as well. It is useful to try to also ensure that the air-conditioning has been regularly serviced by the current owner, so that you will not incur unnecessary expenses when you take possession of the property.

If you have decided to explore the options available, look for a reliable real estate agent with reference to CIREBA and do provide the agent with specific information about your budget, preferred location, size of the accommodation, and when you want the sale to be concluded.

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Cayman Islands Banking Information

Financial services on the Cayman Islands

In the last two decades, the financial services sector on the Cayman Islands has become a major industry and it is considered to be a major international financial services center. Known for its focus on banking as well as captive insurance, hedge fund formation as well as structured finance and securitization, this is regulated by the the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority.

The banking industry on the Cayman Islands

A less known fact to all the tourists who visit the Cayman Islands is that it is the fifth largest banking center in the world. There are 279 banks on the Cayman Islands of which 19 are licensed to deal with both local and international clients, while the remaining backs are licensed to operation on an international basis only.

It is estimated that the banking sector contributes 50 percent to all government revenue and as at 2010, the Cayman Islands is ranked 5th in terms of value of liabilities and 6th in terms of assets booked.

Offshore banking specifically is big business on the Cayman Islands. This means that you are able to store your funds in a country that provides minimal or no tax on foreign investments.  One of the reasons the Cayman Islands has strong appeal in this arena is because they provide a politically and economically stable platform that is beneficial to investors.

In addition, there are confidentiality clauses that the Cayman Islands endeavor to comply with as long a it does not contravene their international regulatory obligations. This guarantees that your private information will be kept in good faith unless the source of funds requires investigation by an external body.

Many individuals who place their funds on the Cayman Islands are drawn by the fact that internationally qualified and experienced personnel will be involved in the handling of the funds and investments. The quality of services provided therefore is very high and the risk substantially reduced.

Hedge funds on the Cayman Islands

Forty of the world’s fifty largest banks have branches on the Cayman Islands.

In terms of hedge fund registration, the Cayman Islands is the leading offshore hedge fund jurisdiction. As of 2008, it had 10,000 hedge fund registrations with an estimated growth of 12 percent per annum in this area.

The Cayman Islands compliance with international regulatory frameworks

In support of its booming financial services center, the Cayman Islands has committed to regulatory reform in compliance with the OECD and therefore participates in information exchange with other OECD members around the world. In addition, bearing in mind that the Cayman Islands are part of the United Kingdom, it has also implemented the European Union Savings Directive on the islands. While the Cayman Islands are not subject to the laws of the European Union, its compliance with the European Union Savings Directive ensures equitable financial dealings with the other countries of the European Union.

The IMF has had good things to say about the Cayman Islands and recognizes that there is a well-experienced and qualified workforce that handles the financial services sector and that there is overall compliance with the international regulatory frameworks including those related to anti-money laundering responsibilities (excluding tax offences).

Opening a bank account on the Cayman Islands

If you are considering opening a bank account on the Cayman Islands, there are literally hundreds of banks to choose from, both local and international. Usually to open a bank account, reference from your home bank or the bank in your country of origin is required. Funds are usually deposited in US Dollars or other currency and can be done by check from your home bank. It takes an estimated two weeks for the checks to clear. Alternatively fund can also be transferred via banker’s draft or wire transfer.

Because of the excellent rates that are offered, most international visitors open fixed-interest accounts. There require a minimum of US$5,000 deposit and you can negotiate the interest rates based on the duration you plan to lock in the amount deposited.

If you are planning to open a normal banking account, a minimum of US$1,000 will be required and the account can be maintained in any international currency.

Banking on benefits on the Cayman Islands

There are several key advantages of banking on the Cayman Islands. Quite apart from the tax free structure, the fact that there is no capital gains fax or any other asset or income based tax, and ultimately that there are no exchange controls therefore allowing free movement of funds in and out of the Cayman Islands in any currency.

The scope of the banking services is also very wide and coves everything from investment management, trust administration and asset management and protection, company formation and commercial banking as well as private banking. Not only individuals but corporations as well establish banking facilities on the Cayman Islands because of these benefits.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a platform to make international investments and have the funds to set up an international bank account, one of the locations that you should seriously consider for this option is the Cayman Islands. Professional run, internationally well regarded, economically and politically stable, not only will setting up such an account give you the opportunity to make wise financial investments under the guidance of experts, but will give you a reason to holiday in the sun on thy beautiful Cayman Island beaches as you check on your investments!

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Cayman Islands Schools and Education

Being a British Overseas Territory, the system of education on the Cayman Islands is clearly influenced by this. Bearing in mind that there are many international students who live on the Cayman Islands, courtesy of the fact that their parents live and work on the islands, it is relevant to consider the educational opportunities that are available there.

Introduction to Education on the Cayman Islands

Not only is there is the opportunity to enroll for pre-school as well as primary and secondary school on the Cayman Islands, it is also possible to attain a variety of higher education qualifications while there.

In general, the Cayman Islands boasts high levels of education at all levels. There is the opportunity to enroll your child at a public school which is run by the government, or alternatively at a private school. The government policy on education requires that all children aged between 4 years and 9 months to the age of 17 years be enrolled at school. Therefore if you are an expatriate who lives and works on the islands, and you have school going children, it is imperative that you fulfill this requirement.

As a general rule, the Caymanian government encourages expatriates to send their children to private schools. This may be a good idea taking into account that you may only be on the islands for a limited number of years, and you will want to ensure that your children have access to education that will allow them to shift to another country, or your home country when the time comes.

If you do have a budget constraint in terms of sending your children to a private school, which you will have to pay for separately, the alternative is to make an application to a public school. The Caymanian government will entertain such requests taking into account your income bracket as well as whether there are places available in the public schools.

Note that Caymanians and permanent residents will not be required to pay for their children to attend public schools.

It is strongly advised that you explore the private school education options before uprooting your family and bringing them to the island with you.

Documentary evidence

If you are an expatriate worker, then in order for your family to live with you, you will have to met with immigration officials and provide copies of your work permit as well as apply for dependency permits for your family. If you have school-aged children, you will need to provide documentary evidence that they have been accepted into a local private school before your work permit can be stamped allowing them to come onto the island as your dependants.

It is also relevant to note that some private schools require the child to sit for an entrance examination or a placement test prior to acceptance. Once acceptance is confirmed, you will need to make an initial deposit to confirm enrolment before the school year commences.

The Caymanian government requires that all children starting school on the Cayman Islands complete a health screening before the school year begins, or before the child starts school on the island. This documentation will include your child’s immunization records as well. You will be required to obtain a Health Screening Certification and can opt to do this either at the Public Health Department or privately.

The health screening will include not only a general medical requirements but also sight and hearing tests as well as blood typing and speech and mental development. It is fairly comprehensive and you should allocate about half a day for the screening to be completed. It is also useful to bring along any documentation of family medical history that you have available in order to simplify this process.

If you are transferring your child from another school, it will be useful to bring along copies of transcripts and other academic and non-academic data for the purposes of your application to the new school.

At its discretion, the government can require students aged between 10 to 17 years to be drug tested (and you should not take this negatively) and also require character references for the child.

Public / State Schools

If you are considering enrolling your child in a public school, you will be required to pay a nominal fee of CI$750 per year for primary school, an annual fee of CI$900 for middle school and an annual fee of CI$1200 for high school. Note that this does not cover the cost of books and study materials and school uniforms that will have to be paid for separately.

In order to enroll your child in a government or public school, you will have to register your child with the Department of Education before the end of July. For the purposes of enrolling your child, the documentation that is required includes :

The child’s birth certification

Your passport

The original immunization card

Documentation proving the child’s residency category – this is normally found with reference to the child’s passport or a status letter issued by Immigration

Proof of residential address via a utility bill or a tenancy agreement which should be notarized.

Ideally you should take the originals of these documentation as well as two copies of each for the purposes of submission to the Department of Education.

It is useful to remember that there is no guarantee that your child will be allocated a seat in a public school and you will have to prove that you are unable to afford to send your child to an international school in order for your application to be considered.

Private schools on the Cayman Islands

There are a variety of options available for private school on the Cayman Islands. Depending on whether you are interested in providing your child with exposure to the British school syllabus or the American school system, you can choose the schools accordingly. The two private schools that conduct the British school system are Cayman Pre and High School, and St Ignatius. Enrolment is available for children aged 4 years by September of the relevant year. If you are opting for the American school system, then you should consider enrolling your child either at Cayman International School or Triple C. Here you can enroll your child from the age of 5 years.

If you have children who have already completed high school, there is the option of attending the International College of the Cayman Islands and the University College of the Cayman Islands for higher education.

A useful tip is to register your child early in any of these institutions as there is no guarantee that there will be seats available when the time comes.

Private school fees

On average the school fees on the Cayman Islands for private schools is considered to be reasonable compared to many parts of the world. If you are looking at preschools, expect to pay about CI$8,000 per year for a full day. Alternatively, you can opt to enroll your child at a church-based school where the fees are only about CI$350 per month but note that religious studies are given a fair amount of focus in such schools.

If your child is aged between 5 or 6 years of age and about 11 years, then you should expect to pay about CI$3,000 to CI$15,000 per annum in school fees; while children in high school between the ages of 13 years to 17 years will be required to pay between CI$3500 to CI$17,000 per annum.

The general rule in private schools is that the first child will be required to pay full fees and each subsequent child enrolled from the same immediate family will be entitled to rebates of between 10 to 15 percent on the tuition fee. Fee payments are either to be made on a term basis or annually.

Special needs education on the Cayman Islands

The Caymanian government views the provision of special needs education as something that needs to be done and every effort has been made by the government to ensure that special needs kids have a solid learning platform.

If you are an expatriate with a special needs child, there are some options of private schools for special needs children that are worthwhile considering. In this regard, the government is very proactive in identifying special needs children and specifying the appropriate learning platforms that will be required.

One of the schools to be considered in this regard is the Lighthouse School.

Conclusion

All in all, for expatriate children, there is the opportunity to enroll in schools that provide international levels of education and since there is the opportunity to opt either for the American or British system of learning, most expatriates are able to rest easy that their children will be able to get world class education on the Cayman Islands.

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Cayman Islands Health Care

With a permanent population of about 55,000 people, it is not expected that the Cayman Islands will have great medical care, but you will be surprised at the medical services and facilities that are available.

Not only are there both public and private hospitals available, but there are also specialists medical doctors for a wide range of medical conditions that are able to assist people living on the Cayman Islands. In addition, there are also airlift facilities available for emergencies and other medical needs beyond what is available on the Cayman Islands, should the need arise.

Introduction to health care on the Cayman Islands

In addition to the general medical facilities, the Cayman Islands provides listing of doctors in almost every field of medical care and there are even dentists, orthodontists and alternative medicine professionals that can provide medical consultation and services.

In addition, the Cayman Islands has a listing of several pharmacies that are equipped to provide for all the medical needs of the island. All medical professionals are required to be registered by the Caymanian government and it is always possible to check their licenses before making an appointment. The Cayman Islands also has regular visiting specialists that provide their services to the different hospitals there.

Hospitals on the Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands have two government hospitals that are fully equipped with the necessary medical facilities. The government facility is known as the George Town Hospital and includes dental facilities as well. The primary health care provide on Grand Cayman is the 124-bed Cayman Island’s Hospital. On Cayman Brac there is the Faith Hospital and on Little Cayman, the Little Cayman Clinic. All these institutions provide up-to-date health care facilities.

There is also a 24-hour private hospital – the 18-bed Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital that has the best medical facilities on the islands.

Separately, there are also other related organization such as the Cayman Islands Red Cross as well as the Cayman Against Substance Abuse and Alcoholics Anonymous.

Health insurance

It is important to note however that medical care on the island can be expensive. If you do not already have medical insurance, it is advisable to get medical and hospitalization insurance before you call the island your home. It is also useful to remember that health insurance is a compulsory requirement on the Cayman Islands.

If you are an expatriate worker on the island, you will need to consult your employer about whether medical insurance is a part of your benefits package, and if your family is living with you, whether they are covered by the package as well. The general rule on the Cayman Islands is that the employer can deduct up to 50 percent of the cost of employee health insurance, and 100 percent of the cost of employee dependant health insurance from the wage package offered therefore the details of this are very important.

If you are planning to purchase your own medical and health insurance, do consider the scope of coverage that you are interested in. There are packages available that include dental and optical care as well as pharmaceuticals and this may be a viable solution, if you tend to get ill easily.

When purchasing health insurance, the insurers will review the premiums based on age, any pre-existing medical conditions as well as the specifics of what you want covered. Alternatively if you already have a health insurance package from your country of origin, you will want to explore whether this can be extended to the Cayman Islands or whether you can convert the package into a global one, that will cover your stay on the islands as well.

When you are seeking medical attention, it is always advisable to check with the medical professionals about the ballpark cost of the medical treatment required and to then check with your insurers whether this falls within the coverage.

Conclusion

The best advice that can be provided about ensuring the highest levels of health care on the islands is to make sure that your health insurance is current and that you have signed up for a comprehensive package of care, particularly if you are planning to live with your family on the Cayman Islands.

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Cayman Islands Immigration Information

There are many reasons to visit the Cayman Islands although for most people, it is commonly a holiday filled with sea, sun and adventure. For others, there is the opportunity to wok in the Cayman Islands or even to study there and there are different entry requirements that will have to be fulfilled in the achievement of each of these different purposes.

As a general rule, every person visiting the Cayman Islands will be required to produce a passport for entry. It is necessary to ensure that your passport is current and that it is valid for a minimum of six month more from the date of your exit from the Cayman Islands.

Ideally it will also be necessary to produce your return ticket at the request of the immigration officials and if your stay on the Cayman Islands is for a longer period, you may have to show proof of funds as well.

If you are a citizen or resident on the Cayman Islands, you will need to produce documentation to prove your citizenship or right of residence. Amongst the documents that are acceptable proof of this include a naturalization certificate or a certified copy of your birth certificate.

Applying for a visa to visit the Cayman Islands

If you come from a country that requires a visa in order to visit the Cayman Islands, the best way to apply for a visa is from the British Embassy or Consulate near you. Details for the different countries are found at UK Overseas Missions.

If you are planning to visit the Cayman Islands more frequently, you may want to consider applying for a multiple-entry visa. This allows you to enter the Cayman Islands over a period of either twelve, twenty-four or thirty-six months without having to apply for a visa for every single visit. The discretion to grant a multiple-entry visa rests solely with the relevant officer.

A visa application commonly takes between 7-14 days to be processed therefore ideally, you should apply for your visa to visit the Cayman Islands at least three weeks before your journey in order to ensure that there are no unnecessary delays.

Generally, a visa will entitle a person to stay on the Cayman Islands for up to six months and if any extensions are required, an early application should be submitted to the Chief Immigration Officer.

If you are visiting the Cayman Islands as a tourist, you are advised not to try to convert your visa into a work permit. While the Chief Immigration Officer has the discretion to grant you a work permit, chances are, they will not do so, even if it is for temporary employment on the islands. Note however that if you are coming onto the islands for a specific project, and will work on this project for a period not exceeding 7 days, then no work permit is required.

Visas will be denied to persons whom the Immigration Authorities classify as prohibited immigrants and this includes individuals who are have created health hazards to the community, anyone involved in prostitution in any form, any person who has been deported from the Cayman Islands in the past, anyone who has been convicted of offences in any country and who was penalized with a 12 month jail sentence or more and other reasons.

Applying for a work permit on the Cayman Islands

There are several different categories of work permits on the Cayman Islands.

Temporary work permits which are normally for a period of six months, are issued by the Chief Immigration Officer.

Annual work permits are also available and are issued either by the Chief Immigration Off or the Business Staffing Plan Board or the Work Permit Board. The maximum period that an annual work permit may be renewed is nine years for employees that are designated as key employees, but for employees that are not designated as key employees, the maximum renewal period is seven years.

In order to be designated as a key employee, the worker must fulfill one of the following criteria, and this must be verified by the employer. The employee must :

Have specific expertise in his field of work;

Be directly involved in training Caymanians or developing their skills in a specialized field;

Be a professional whose skills and expertise are in short supply globally and this specific skill must be of benefit to the Cayman Islands;

Show that his presence on the islands contributing to his employer or Caymanians is essential and his departure will cause serious hardship or be detrimental to the islands;

Establish that his business contacts are essential for the continued success of business on the islands;

Show that his specific case is exceptional and therefore it is justifiable to allow him to be designated as a key employee.

One of the main criteria for applying for work permits is the language requirement. All prospective employees must confirm that they have fluent in the English Language. If you are not from an English speaking country, then it will be necessary to sit for an English test either before arriving on the islands, or upon arrival.

If you are planning to work on the Cayman Islands for more than 3 months, it is also necessary to take a medical examination which includes HIV / VDRL tests and to fill in a medical questionnaire as part of the work permit application.

Applying for permanent residence on the Cayman Islands

If you have been living on the Cayman Islands for at least eight years, then it is possible to apply for Caymanian Status and Permanent Residency for yourself, your spouse and your dependents. It will cost CI$300 to make the application and upon approval, there are specific grant fees that will have to be paid. The grant fees are payable based on your income per annum and there is a specified schedule of such payments.

In order to make an application of permanent residency, there is a point system that is used. The criteria that is taken into account that will impact on this point system include :

Family members on the islands;

Financial investments on the islands;

Specific skills and expertise that can be contributed for the benefit of the islands and the Caymanian community;

Actual contribution to the Caymanian community.

The scoring system requires applicants to achieve a minimum of 100 points out of 205 points in order to be eligible for permanent residency.

It is possible to apply for permanent residency for your spouse and once this is attained, your spouse will be able to work on the Cayman Islands and in relation to your children it will also be possible to apply for permanent residency for them as well as long as they are dependents. However once the child attains the age of twenty-four years or completes their full time tertiary education, the permanent residency rights of the child comes to an end.

If your application for permanent residency is refused for any reason, it is possible to appeal this decision with the Caymanian Status and Permanent Residency Board. This appeal must be lodged with the Board within 28 days of receiving the rejection and will cost CI$250.00.

Applying for a student visa on the Cayman Islands

If you or your child are planning to study on the Cayman Islands, it is possible to apply for a student visa on condition that the study will be conducted on a full time basis at a recognized educational institution.

It will be necessary to apply for a study visa where you are not Caymanian, not married to a Caymanian, not a permanent resident and do not have an Employment Rights Certificate. The requirements for the application are that the person applying must be eighteen years or older, in going to enroll in a Cayman Islands educational center on a full time basis, that you intend to leave the islands upon completing your education there, and you are not named as a dependent in any work permit or permanent residency certification.

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Cayman Islands Flights Information

Taking a break and getting away need not be an expensive affair. With proper planning and a little budgeting, it may be possible to plan and execute a reasonably priced holiday to an international destination. One of these favored destinations is the Cayman Islands. With the advent of budget airlines and cheap fares, online booking and group rates, it may well be possible to get an affordable and yet exotic holiday away to the Cayman Islands for a little sea and sun, or love and romance, depending on what you are after.

Flying to the Cayman Islands

If you are planning a holiday on the Cayman Islands, your main travel arrangements will result in you landing on the Grand Cayman Islands. This island is the largest of the group of islands and has the international airport known as the Owen Roberts International Airport. There are flights from all over the world that land at this little airport each day, and it will be possible to search for and book such travel arrangements online or through your travel agent.

The island of Cayman Brac has the Gerrard Smith Airport and most flights that land there are local flights between the islands. These two airports are the main points of entry for international and local travellers. Little Cayman is a tiny island and only has facilities for inter-island flights that are normally on smaller planes.

There are more than 55 flights coming into the Cayman Islands each week and almost half these flights come in from Miami. The common airlines to book flights on are American Airlines and of course, Cayman Airlines.

Some details on airlines that you can contact for flight information :

American Airlines : 800-433-7300

With daily flights from Miami to Grand Cayman.

Cayman Airways : 800-422-9626

With flights out of many American airports as well as out of Jamaica to Grand Cayman.

Continental Airlines : 800-231-0856

With flights out of Newark and Houston into Grand Cayman.

Delta Air Lines : 800-221-1212

Flies out of Atlanta to Grand Cayman.

Northwest Airlines : 800-225-2525

Flies out of Detroit but only between December to April.

USAirways : 800-328-4322

If you are flying into the Cayman Islands and wish to explore Little Cayman or Cayman Brac, then the way to travel to these islands is via inter-island service flights. These flights are provided by local airlines, Cayman Express and Cayman Airways and also by USAirways. The Cayman Express flies four times each day to both islands and Cayman Airways has a jet service to these islands.

General customs regulations

Most airports follow similar regulations when dealing with passengers. These include :

Passengers over 18 years may bring in 200 cigarettes / 100 cigarillos / 25 cigars / 250g of tobacco

Passengers of 18 years may bring in 1 liter of spirits / 4 liters of wine / 1 case [not exceeding 9 liters] of beer

Prohibited items include counterfeit coins, appliances for gambling, controlled drugs.

For the import of firearms / ammunition / explosives, a permit issued by the Commissioner of Police / District Commissioner is required.

Visitors are not allowed to export lobster, conch or conch meat.

Pets such as birds, dogs and cats require a permit from the Cayman Islands Department of Agriculture. There are specific regulations governing this which are available at www.caymanislandscustoms.com.

Baggae will be cleared at the first airport that you land in on entry to the Cayman Islands.

When departing from the Cayman Islands, you will be required to pay a Departure Tax of CI$20 or USD25 unless you are in transit for less than 24 hours, are a member of air crew or children under the take of 12 year.

There is no restriction on the amount of currency that you can bring into or take out of the Cayman Islands.

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Cruises to Cayman Islands

If you are thinking about booking cruises to Cayman Islands we are sure that you are going to quickly notice that there are so many choices that are available at the moment. In most cases people are going to start their cruises from Grand Cayman. There are daily departures that are arranged by different companies. The one thing that you need to understand is the fact that there are many people that keep coming back and will book their cruises well in advance. If this is your first time you need to be prepared to find it a little tough to locate free cruise space when coming here during peak season. However, it is well worth booking in advance. These cruises to Cayman Islands are popular with people from all around the world because they will show you tremendous landscapes, beautiful beaches, there are no beggars, street vendors or crime. There are even duty free shops right in Grand Cayman that you can use in order to buy gifts for people back home.

Most of the cruises to Cayman Islands will cover much more than these three close islands. There are cruises that will go to Jamaica or Cozumel. To put it really simple, different tropical locations are available. It is actually recommended to build the tour based on personal wishes if possible or book way ahead so you can find free spots in the tours that you are going to want to go on.

Booking Cruises to Cayman Islands

The first step in booking a wonderful cruise is to make a list of all the options that are available. You can go to local tour operators and see their offers. There is a very strong chance that you are going to find many interesting deals this way. Make sure that you visit all the operators that you find because offers will vary from one to the other. All is based on the deals that they have available and the contracts signed with different tour operators. This basically means that some might have better deals for some areas when compared with others.

We should also look online. There are different tour operators that have an online site and that will give you access to really good cruise deals. They are great because they are usually located in other areas. By also searching through their offers you basically get rid of the problem of being limited at a local level.

Things to Consider When Choosing Destinations

Whenever you plan a trip it is a really good idea to be informed. The biggest problem with these vacations is the fact that there are many places that you can visit. A simple cruise cannot cover them both. Because of this you are better off researching all possible tourist destinations first. The internet is filled with a lot of information about any place that you might visit. Read about all the destinations that are included in cruise packages. This is helpful in determining what cruise to actually go on. We are sure that you want to book one that includes most of the locations that you want to visit.

Nowadays a lot of people have money problems but this is not a reason why you should not consider such a cruise. In this case it is recommended that you book ahead so that you can take advantage of the many possible discounts. Also, keep in mind that online tours are usually cheaper. This is due to the fact that they can save a lot of money by not operating in many offices. Such a fact eliminates the need to pay extra salaries and rent so the price tags are cheaper.

Another thing that you might want to consider is booking a cruise as you go directly to Cayman Islands. This basically means that you can avoid tour operators. However, such an approach will only bring in a good price in the event that you book ahead. In addition, you will have to make all the other travelling arrangements alone. If there is a need to spend a night somewhere before you go on the cruise, this also has to be planned properly. The good news is that all is easy and you will be able to do it if this is what you want.

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Cayman Islands Tours and Day Trips

One of the biggest problems that you are going to have if you are travelling to this area is the fact that there are too many Cayman Islands tours available. It is quite easy to end up booking a tour that will not spend enough time in areas that you actually want to see more. That is why it is really important to make sure that you spend enough time when researching and planning your trip in the area. The good news is that it is not actually that difficult and there are many options that are available at the moment together with different resources that can be utilized.

The first step is to think about what kind of tour you want to be a part of. There are Cayman Islands day trips and even week tours available. In order to decide you will most likely look at your personal budget but this will be discussed in detail a little later. Do not make the mistake of first thinking about the price tag because this can actually get you a worse deal than you can actually gain. In addition, you most likely already know how much you can afford and can get a clear idea of what to look for based on this. Most people will arrange different Cayman Islands day trips in order to take advantage of the many tourist attractions that they are going to find in the area.

The second step is to go to local tour operators and see what offers they have. It is a guarantee that some of them are going to offer you different deals. Make sure that you write all the deals down so that you do not miss anything. Now we have to also look online. The Internet offers us access to other tour operators that are not located near us. Thanks to the evolution of technology and banking, we can now easily book Cayman Islands tours online. The offers that you are going to locate also have to be written down. The truth is that there is a big chance that you are to find better deals online due to the diversity that is possible.

Now that we have all the tours written down, let us think about what they include. It is basically time to research the tourist destinations a little so that you know exactly what you can expect. In most situations a tour will include housing, transportation and different extras. Look at every single element and learn more about what you can experience there by using the internet. Hundreds of travel sites will let you know all about what you can visit. In addition, make sure that you also talk to or read what people that have already been there are saying. This approach offers a more in depth analysis of the conditions that can be expected and the fun that you can have.

It is now time to make our choice. We can now properly analyze all the tours that we found and see exactly what we want to book. This is when we need to look at how much money we can spend. The great news is that we can also see discounts and this allows us to choose the tours that are most suitable for meeting our personal wishes while falling right into our budgets. If you have some money that will be free, consider the addition of extra Cayman Islands day trips. There is most likely a location where you are going to have one or more free days to enjoy your stay. You can make these even more memorable with the addition of extra day trips.

The last thing that needs to be mentioned is the fact that you need to work with the best tour operators possible. Read reviews about the providers too, so that you are sure that what they presented is exactly what you are going to get. Sometimes a travel agency will leave out some aspects or will present others in a way that is totally attractive. If you are a little careful you are surely going to spot all the bad offers and focus on those that offer real quality and that basically guarantee that you will have a great time.

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Vacations in the Cayman Islands

Cayman Islands Vacations are preferred by those tourists that want to go on a relaxing getaway and get rid of the hassle of the day to day life. All the people that you are going to find here are friendly and we are faced with a slow paced island that is perfect for relaxation purposes. We are faced with a very interesting tourism destination that is well developed but you should never expect to locate a fast paced excitement and different urban thrills. These islands are not for that. What you will find in the area is a huge area filled with beaches. Different underwater activities are going to leave you astounded and the sky is usually sunny the entire year. You can visit any of the 3 islands in Cayman Islands, Little Cayman and Grand Cayman and we are sure that you will not be disappointed by what you find in terms of atmosphere and hospitality.

Different Activities in Cayman Islands – Diving

There are numerous things that you can do here and it is impossible to get bored. Most tourists will want to go on a diving adventure because of the fact that the underwater paradise that you can see is incredible. You should know that scuba enthusiasts are coming from all around the world in order to visit as many of the over 200 dive sites as possible. We are in front of one of the best diving experiences that you can get anywhere. There is even a shipwreck that you can dive in and over 40 different operators that you can work with.

Dining – Restaurants

We also need to talk about dining experience because we have around 150 totally different restaurant choices available. There are great sidewalk cafes where you can serve fresh Caymanian and some highly exquisite French or Italian bistros that offer oceanfront dining in luxury. Our recommendation is to make sure that you try some native dishes as they are great. This includes conch and shellfish plates. Never leave the Cayman Islands without trying the tremendous rum cake and the fried plantains. What makes everything perfect is that there are different price options for different budgets so you will surely find a perfect place to dine in style.

Nightlife

If you are young we are sure that you are also thinking about nightlife. While the Cayman Islands are mostly renowned for relaxing, there are still different nightlife locations that you can go to. In this case Georgetown has to be on your list as you can enjoy live entertainment, dancing, booze cruises and a lot more here. Keep in mind that the dance halls, nightclubs and bars will close at 3 AM during weekdays. On Saturday they close at midnight and on Sunday they never open.

Accommodations

Since you are most likely thinking about a vacation here already, we are sure that you are interested in accommodations.

The bottom line is that Cayman Islands Vacations are tremendous and you will surely remember your time there for the rest of your life.

[travelmantis-blog]

Arts Theater and Music on Sanibel Island

There are, of course, all of the usual things that you would expect on Sanibel Island to provide a dream tropical vacation experience....sandy beaches, excellent hotels and dining facilities and a whole array of outdoor activities from bird watching to scuba diving and from boating and fishing to shell collecting and exotic animal viewing. There are all of the expected tours and, of course, night life...lots and lots of night life. All of those things are things that you would expect to find in a tropical island resort but there is more on Sanibel Island....there is also great entertainment!

One of the premier companies on Sanibel Island that provides cultural events and wonderful entertainment for both residents as well as visitors to Sanibel Island and to Captiva Island is Big Arts. The Big Arts mission statement states that mission like this: “The mission of Big Arts is to provide cultural programs of high quality to the residents and visitors of Sanibel and Captiva.”

Big Arts started when a group of artists envisioned a cultural center on the island. Because of the vision today Big Arts members and participants enjoy a wide array of performing and visual arts events and the residents and visitors participate in more than 160 educational classes and workshops each and every year.

Visiting the Big Arts Campus can be the highlight of a vacation on Sanibel Island. Phillips Gallery opened in 1990. It was to be used as an art gallery, concert hall, and classroom. The West Wing and Sculpture Garden weren’t added until 1997. It was designed by Big Arts member, Irwin Stein. The West Wing includes Schein Hall. Schein Hall boasts a 414 seat concert hall with classrooms and studios for art, music, dance and education.

If your Sanibel Island vacation should be in the month of March you are in for a real cultural treat! That is when the Sanibel Music Festival happens. The Sanibel Music Festival draws world-renowned performing artists to the island during the month of March. You will be able to listen to string quartets, the world’s finest pianists, and operettas every week. The idea of the Sanibel Music Festival is to provide the highest standard of classical music to the residents and visitors of Sanibel Island as well as to promote the careers of emerging classical music performers by giving them an opportunity to perform and gain valuable experience. It is what is called a win/win situation.

The Schoolhouse Theater is open year round so no matter what time of the year your Sanibel vacation is scheduled you can enjoy some of finest entertainment available anywhere. Schoolhouse performers and guest performers stage musical reviews and wonderful plays. The plays are made up of many favorites and often contain some very surprising twists that might make you cheer or cry but that will most certainly entertain you.  

There are all of the usual and expected tropical island vacation activities available on Sanibel Island and there are also some unique and unexpected cultural opportunities as well.