Cayman Islands
Zone Employment Certificate
The Zone Employment Certificate (ZEC) enables entrepreneurs to establish a company within a Cayman Islands Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and obtain a 5-year renewable work and residency visa. Created under the Special Economic Zones Act, 2011 and administered by the Special Economic Zone Authority (SEZA), the program targets knowledge-based businesses in technology, science, media, commodities and derivatives, and maritime and aviation sectors. Companies operate through Cayman Enterprise City (CEC) with 100% foreign ownership and zero corporate, income, and capital gains taxation through 2061.
- Business must fall within an eligible SEZ sector: internet and technology, biotechnology and life sciences, media and marketing, commodities and derivatives, maritime and aviation services, or green/environmental technology
- No specific educational qualifications required
- Minimum expected salary of approximately USD 45,000 per year (plus USD 7,500 per dependant)
- No minimum capital investment to incorporate a Special Economic Zone Company (SEZCo)
- Valid passport
- Police clearance certificate from previous country of residence
- Valid health insurance covering the Cayman Islands
- Notarised/certified colour copy of valid passport
- CV/resume
- Police clearance certificate
- Medical questionnaire
- Health insurance documentation
- Pension plan details
- Certificate of Incorporation, Register of Directors, Register of Members
- Memorandum and Articles of Association
- Notarised utility bill and address verification or bank/professional character reference
- Company setup: USD 15,000 to USD 25,000 per person (includes Zone Trade Certificate, ZEC, and serviced office space)
- Company incorporation: USD 3,500 to USD 5,500 in government fees and legal charges
- Existing Cayman exempted companies may convert to SEZCo status for CI$600
The ZEC is valid for 5 years and renewable. After 8 years of continuous residence, holders may apply for permanent residency through a points-based system requiring a minimum of 110 points, covering occupation, education, local investment of at least CI$50,000, financial stability, and community involvement.
Spouses and children (under 18, or up to age 24 if in full-time education) can be added as dependants at no additional cost. Dependants receive residency rights for the same 5-year period as the primary holder.
SEZCos are exempt from all direct and indirect taxes through 2061, including corporate tax, income tax, capital gains tax, sales tax, and payroll tax. Business equipment can be imported with 100% duty exemption. Personal items may be imported duty-free during the first 6 months of residency.
ZEC holders may only work for their SEZ-licensed company. Holding a standard work permit concurrently or taking employment with a non-zone company is prohibited. The ZEC is tied to the specific SEZCo -- if the holder leaves the company, the certificate is no longer valid.
The process begins with CEC evaluating whether the business falls within an eligible sector. The applicant then incorporates a SEZCo through a local attorney, signs a licence agreement with CEC, and CEC submits the Zone Trade Certificate and ZEC applications to SEZA. ZEC approval is granted within 5 business days. The entire process from engagement to operational status takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks.
- SEZCos may conduct business worldwide but activities within the Cayman Islands are restricted to offshore business -- they cannot compete with local domestic companies
- No requirement to prefer Caymanians for employment, and no local job advertising required
- Virtual asset service providers are an approved SEZ business category
- Companies must maintain a genuine physical presence and registered office in the Cayman Islands
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Other Digital Nomad Visas in North America
Country↑ | Program↕ | Income↕ | Investment↕ | Capital Required↕ | Duration↕ | Dependants↕ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
🇦🇮 Anguilla | Residence by Investment | — | — | ||||
🇦🇮 Anguilla | Work from Anguilla Certificate | — | — | ||||
🇦🇬 Antigua and Barbuda | Citizenship by Investment Programme | — | — | ||||
🇦🇼 Aruba | Investor/Shareholder Residence Permit | — | — | ||||
🇦🇼 Aruba | One Happy Workation | — | — | ||||
🇦🇼 Aruba | Retiree / Interest Rate Earner Residence Permit | — | — | ||||
🇧🇸 Bahamas | Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS) | — | — | ||||
🇧🇸 Bahamas | Economic Permanent Residence Certificate | — | — | ||||
🇧🇸 Bahamas | Permit to Reside (Independent Economic Resident) | — | — | ||||
🇧🇧 Barbados | Special Entry and Reside Permit (Category 1: High Net Worth Investor) | — | — | ||||
🇧🇧 Barbados | Special Entry and Reside Permit (Category 2: Retired Property Owner) | — | — | ||||
🇧🇧 Barbados | Welcome Stamp | — | — | ||||
🇧🇿 Belize | Long Stay Visitor Permit | — | — | ||||
🇧🇿 Belize | Qualified Retired Persons Incentive Program | — | — | ||||
🇧🇿 Belize | Temporary Residence Permit (Investment) | — | — | ||||
🇧🇲 Bermuda | Economic Investment Residential Certificate | — | — | ||||
🇧🇲 Bermuda | Global Entrepreneur Work Permit | — | — | ||||
🇧🇲 Bermuda | Permission to Reside on an Annual Basis | — | — | ||||
🇻🇬 British Virgin Islands | Right to Reside Permit | — | — | ||||
🇨🇦 Canada | Digital Nomad Policy | — | — | ||||
🇨🇦 Canada | Quebec Immigrant Investor Program | — | — | ||||
🇨🇦 Canada | Self-Employed Persons Program | — | — | — | |||
🇨🇦 Canada | Start-Up Visa Program | — | — | ||||
🇰🇾 Cayman Islands | Certificate of Direct Investment | — | — | ||||
🇰🇾 Cayman Islands | Certificate of Permanent Residence for Persons of Independent Means | — | — | ||||
🇰🇾 Cayman Islands | Residency Certificate for Persons of Independent Means | — | — | ||||
🇰🇾 Cayman Islands | Zone Employment Certificate | — | — | ||||
🇨🇷 Costa Rica | Digital Nomad Visa | — | — | ||||
🇨🇷 Costa Rica | Residencia Temporal Inversionista | — | — | ||||
🇨🇷 Costa Rica | Residencia Temporal Pensionado | — | — | ||||
🇨🇷 Costa Rica | Residencia Temporal Rentista | — | — | ||||
🇨🇺 Cuba | Real Estate Resident Visa | — | — | ||||
🇩🇲 Dominica | Work In Nature Extended Stay Visa | — | — | ||||
🇩🇴 Dominican Republic | Residencia Permanente en Calidad de Inversionista | — | — | ||||
🇩🇴 Dominican Republic | Residencia Permanente en Calidad de Jubilado o Pensionado | — | — | ||||
🇩🇴 Dominican Republic | Residencia Permanente en Calidad de Rentista | — | — | ||||
🇸🇻 El Salvador | Definitive Residency for Investors | — | — | ||||
🇸🇻 El Salvador | Freedom Visa | — | — | ||||
🇸🇻 El Salvador | Temporary Residency for Pensioners | — | — | ||||
🇸🇻 El Salvador | Temporary Residency for Rentistas | — | — | ||||
🇬🇩 Grenada | Citizenship by Investment Programme | — | — | ||||
🇬🇩 Grenada | Remote Work Permit | — | — | ||||
🇬🇹 Guatemala | Permanent Residence for Rentistas or Pensioners | — | — | ||||
🇬🇹 Guatemala | Temporary Residence for Intellectuals, Researchers, and Scientists | — | — | — | |||
🇬🇹 Guatemala | Temporary Residence for Investors | — | — | ||||
🇬🇹 Guatemala | Temporary Residence for Self-Employed Workers | — | — | ||||
🇬🇹 Guatemala | Temporary Residence for Workers with Foreign Employer | — | — | ||||
🇭🇳 Honduras | Investor Residency | — | — | ||||
🇭🇳 Honduras | Pensionado Residency | — | — | ||||
🇭🇳 Honduras | Rentista Residency | — | — | ||||
🇯🇲 Jamaica | Permanent Residence (Retirement) | — | — | ||||
🇲🇶 Martinique | Talent Porteur de Projet — Business Creation | — | — | ||||
🇲🇶 Martinique | Talent Porteur de Projet — Innovative Economic Project (French Tech Visa) | — | — | ||||
🇲🇽 Mexico | Permanent Resident Visa for Retirees and Pensioners | — | — | ||||
🇲🇽 Mexico | Temporary Resident Visa by Economic Solvency | — | — | ||||
🇲🇽 Mexico | Temporary Resident Visa for Investors | — | — | ||||
🇲🇸 Montserrat | Permit of Economic Residence | — | — | ||||
🇲🇸 Montserrat | Remote Employment Stamp | — | — | ||||
🇨🇼 Netherlands Antilles | @Home in Curacao | — | — | ||||
🇨🇼 Netherlands Antilles | Investor Permit | — | — | ||||
🇨🇼 Netherlands Antilles | Rentier or Retired Residence Permit | — | — | ||||
🇳🇮 Nicaragua | Investor Permanent Residence | — | — | ||||
🇳🇮 Nicaragua | Residencia Temporal Pensionado | — | — | ||||
🇳🇮 Nicaragua | Residencia Temporal Rentista | — | — | ||||
🇵🇦 Panama | Permanent Residence Permit for Retirees and Pensioners | — | — | ||||
🇵🇦 Panama | Professional Foreign Residence Permit | — | — | — | |||
🇵🇦 Panama | Qualified Investor Permanent Residence | — | — | ||||
🇵🇦 Panama | Short Stay Visa for Remote Workers | — | — | ||||
🇰🇳 Saint Kitts and Nevis | Citizenship by Investment Programme | — | — | ||||
🇰🇳 Saint Kitts and Nevis | Temporary Residence Permit | — | — | ||||
🇱🇨 Saint Lucia | Citizenship by Investment Programme | — | — | ||||
🇱🇨 Saint Lucia | Live It Extended Stay Program | — | — | ||||
🇵🇲 Saint Pierre and Miquelon | Visitor Temporary Residence Card | — | — | ||||
🇹🇨 Turks and Caicos Islands | Independent Means Residence Permit | — | — | ||||
🇹🇨 Turks and Caicos Islands | Permanent Residence Certificate (Investment) | — | — | ||||
🇹🇨 Turks and Caicos Islands | Self-Employed Work Permit | — | — | ||||
🇺🇸 United States | EB-1A Extraordinary Ability | — | — | — | |||
🇺🇸 United States | EB-2 National Interest Waiver | — | — | — | |||
🇺🇸 United States | EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program | — | — | ||||
🇺🇸 United States | International Entrepreneur Parole | — | — |