work permit for the caribbean ?

[azwarian]

hi guys,

im planning on heading to the caribbean around october of this year and cruise around working for a year or two :cool2:

my destination will either be the caymans, utila or bahamas.

i was wondering if anyone is able to shed any information in regards to work permits and how long they take to process?

eg. if i decide on the caymans, is it best to get a work permit first (im australian) or apply once i secure a job and have found employment?

any advice or recommendations would be muchly appreciated.

many thanks in advance

 

[Alex777]

hi guys,

im planning on heading to the caribbean around october of this year and cruise around working for a year or two :cool2:

my destination will either be the caymans, utila or bahamas.

i was wondering if anyone is able to shed any information in regards to work permits and how long they take to process?

eg. if i decide on the caymans, is it best to get a work permit first (im australian) or apply once i secure a job and have found employment?

any advice or recommendations would be muchly appreciated.

many thanks in advance

In the Cayman Is., you do not get the work permit; your employer does. So, you must have the job first.

The time they take to process varies according to various factors. I have seen one issued in a week and have seen one that took 2 months.

Good Luck!

 

[azwarian]

ahh I see, thanks for clearing that up Alex, appreciate the help mate!!

 

[Dantheengineer]

Similar here in the Bahamas Az. It's fairly tightly policed too. We had an Immigration raid on my job site just a month ago. They took away four people who were without papers. Naturally, my best workers.

What industry are you in? There is a "circuit" for dive instructors that kinda runs through here. Certainly, I know more than a handful of expat instructors that have gone to or come from Cayman Is. and one who came through Utila.

 

[azwarian]

for sure mate, depending where you go it sounds pretty official and well policed hence why I'd like to sort it out now before I leave

im in the diving industry as well and am currently discussing things with a potential employer in the caymans so fingers crossed all goes well !!

 

[Alex777]

for sure mate, depending where you go it sounds pretty official and well policed hence why I'd like to sort it out now before I leave

im in the diving industry as well and am currently discussing things with a potential employer in the caymans so fingers crossed all goes well !!

Feel free to PM me if you have questions.

 

[Mark Derail]

Why would a permit be necessary for a DM who works for tips only - thus ca$h ?

I can see why an instructor w/salary would.

 

[Alex777]

Why would a permit be necessary for a DM who works for tips only - thus ca$h ?

I can see why an instructor w/salary would.

Any kind of work here is against the law unless you are Caymanian, a Permanent Resident, or have a work permit. That is pretty common throughout the Caribbean. It is necessary (IMHO) to ensure that locals are not shut out of the job market. I am not aware of any DMs here who work only for tips: you need a salary to pay the rent.

 

[DeputyDan]

my destination will either be the caymans, utila or bahamas.

FYI: Three completely separate countries and governments - thus three completely separate sets of rules.

 

[Dantheengineer]

for sure mate, depending where you go it sounds pretty official and well policed hence why I'd like to sort it out now before I leave

im in the diving industry as well and am currently discussing things with a potential employer in the caymans so fingers crossed all goes well !!

Sweet! Well good luck!
If you ever head this way (New Providence, Bahamas), i think the largest employers for expats would be Stuart Coves or perhaps the liveaboards (Black Beards/Aqua Cat etc)
Hope it works out for you.