GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands (CMC) – The Cayman Islands government has approved drafting instructions to introduce immigration term limits for non-Caymanians working within the civil service, with an implementation date targeted for January 1, next year.

Premier André Ebanks said the changes initiate one of the aims of his government to reform immigration policy in this British Overseas Territory.

“We are moving words into action. These changes are pro-Caymanian, prepared in consultation with the civil service, as our aim is to work in partnership. I thank Her Excellency the Governor and the Deputy Governor for their effective action in developing these proposed amendments, which align the public service with our national immigration approach while safeguarding key essential services,” he said.

The premier said that the National Coalition for Caymanians government will also be moving private sector immigration reform forward as a priority.

A government statement said that the decision by Cabinet earlier this week “is a result of extensive consultation of employers and employees within the civil service, and detailed statistical and policy analysis of the implications of such a policy”.

It said that the civil service term limit policies will include additional enhancements such as increasing the required break in stay after reaching term limits from one year to two years before re-employment, designating specific positions as exclusively for Caymanians to strengthen local career pathways, introducing contractual terms requiring the training and development of Caymanian professionals to ensure succession planning and the strengthening of rules around private sector employees joining the civil service.

“The framework will also incorporate necessary safeguards such as exemptions to uphold the independence of the judiciary to ensure that they remain unaffected in line with the Constitution, and also preserving the Governor’s special responsibilities for the Civil Service under Section 55 of the Constitution. There will also be a requirement for any approved exemptions to be reported,” the statement added.

It said that from the date of commencement, term limits will apply to both existing and new non-Caymanian civil servants. Existing non-Caymanian employees will have January 1, 2026, as the start date for their term limit.

The government said that this approach will avoid service disruption, particularly with the Department of Education Services, Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, the Cayman Islands Prison Service and the Department of Children and Family Services, which collectively hire the majority of non-Caymanians within the civil service.

“I am satisfied that these amendments fully respect my constitutional responsibilities, including internal security, and do not impinge upon the Governor’s reserved functions under the Constitution. The proposed exemptions ensure continuity in critical areas while supporting Caymanian advancement,” said the Governor, Jane Owen.

Deputy Governor and Head of the Civil Service, Franz Manderson, said that while it is important to align public sector employment rules with private sector immigration policies, “we must accept that term limits alone will not translate into more jobs or the upward mobility for Caymanians in the workplace.

“Therefore, the Civil Service have developed an enhanced term limit policy which provides additional mechanisms for hiring Caymanians.

“Additionally, it must be recognised that many essential services, such as provided by our police officers and prison officers, are not available anywhere else in the Islands. Therefore, any changes must be carefully implemented to ensure we remain fully equipped to deliver the services our people depend on to make their lives better,” he said.

It is expected that the changes to introduce immigration term limits for non-Caymanians working within the Civil Service will fall under the Public Service Management Act and Personnel Regulations which govern the employment of civil servants, the government statement said.