The Cayman Islands Customs and Border Control Service (CBC) is introducing a month-long amnesty from 1 November to 30 November 2026 to provide persons who have overstayed their lawful permission to remain in the Cayman Islands with an opportunity to depart voluntarily without prosecution solely for the offence of overstaying. The initiative is a temporary measure designed to encourage voluntary compliance and provide a clear opportunity for affected individuals to leave the Islands before CBC resumes a heightened focus on identifying and addressing immigration breaches following the amnesty period. The amnesty will end on 30 November 2026, and CBC is making it clear that this is a one-time opportunity, not an ongoing or recurring arrangement. From 1 December 2026, CBC, working alongside other law enforcement agencies, will actively pursue persons found to be in breach of the legislation. Appropriate enforcement action will be taken, including arrest, prosecution and deportation, as applicable.
CBC will seek the maximum penalties permitted by law against individuals found to be unlawfully residing in the Islands. Minister for District Administration and Home Affairs, the Honourable Nickolas DaCosta, said: “This one-off amnesty provides a reasonable opportunity for persons who have overstayed their lawful permission to remain in the Cayman Islands to depart voluntarily and take responsibility for their circumstances. We recognise that there may be individuals who wish to return to their home countries and would benefit from a clearly defined opportunity to do so. However, it is important that the public understands that this initiative is temporary and will not be repeated as an ongoing arrangement. The Government has a responsibility to ensure that our laws are respected and applied consistently. Once this amnesty ends on 30 November, the focus will shift firmly to enforcement against those who remain in breach of the law. 1 We must balance fairness and the opportunity for voluntary compliance with our duty to protect our borders, maintain public confidence in our immigration system and ensure that those who comply with the law are treated fairly.
I encourage anyone affected to use this opportunity and depart within the specified period.” A Clear Opportunity to Depart Voluntarily Eligible individuals must make their own travel arrangements and actually depart the Cayman Islands between 1 November and 30 November 2026 to qualify from the amnesty. Simply booking a flight or making travel arrangements is not sufficient. Individuals must have left the Islands by 30 November 2026 for the applicable administrative fees and penalties to be waived and to avoid prosecution solely for the offence of overstaying. Individuals are encouraged to arrange their travel arrangements early to ensure they depart within the designated period. There is no requirement to contact CBC in advance. The amnesty will not be extended for persons whose travel is booked but who are unable to depart by the deadline. This one-off initiative supports CBC’s efforts to strengthen immigration compliance and address unlawful residence. It applies only to the offence of overstaying and does not extend to other criminal offences, outstanding warrants or matters involving public safety or national security.
Additionally, it provides a time-limited opportunity for persons who are unlawfully residing in the Islands to take responsibility for their circumstances and depart voluntarily. Firm Enforcement Following the Amnesty CBC emphasises that its primary responsibility is to protect the Cayman Islands’ borders and uphold the laws governing entry, residence and departure. While the amnesty provides an opportunity for voluntary compliance, it does not diminish CBC’s commitment to effective border security and immigration enforcement. Following the close of the amnesty on 30 November 2026, there will be no further opportunity under this initiative to benefit from the waiver of applicable administrative penalties or the protection from prosecution for overstaying.
CBC, in coordination with other law enforcement agencies, will intensify efforts to identify persons who continue to reside unlawfully in the Islands and pursue enforcement action in accordance with the law. Under section 105(1) of the Customs and Border Control Act (2024 Revision), a person who unlawfully remains or resides in the Cayman Islands is liable, on summary conviction, to a fine of CI$20,000 and imprisonment for five years. Deportation can also have significant consequences for future entry. Under section 109(e) of the Act, a person who has previously been deported, removed or repatriated from the Islands is a prohibited immigrant and is barred from re-entering the Cayman Islands unless entry is lawfully authorised under the Act.
2 The existing administrative penalty framework provides for fixed fines for persons remaining or residing in the Islands for up to 60 days beyond the time permitted for the person to remain or reside in the Island. • CI$500 for a first offence; and • CI$1,000 for a second or subsequent offence. These provisions were introduced under the Customs and Border Control (Amendment) Act 2025 and took effect on 1 October 2025. The applicable administrative penalties will be waived for eligible individuals who depart during the amnesty period in accordance with its conditions. Director of Customs and Border Control, Marlon Bodden, said: “CBC’s primary responsibility is to protect the borders of the Cayman Islands and ensure that our laws are upheld. This amnesty gives eligible individuals one clear opportunity to depart voluntarily, with the benefit of the specified waivers, before a renewed and coordinated enforcement effort begins. After 30 November 2026, CBC will actively seek out persons who are unlawfully residing in the Islands, working alongside our law enforcement partners to identify breaches and take appropriate action. Those found to be in violation of the law will be subject to the applicable enforcement process, and CBC will pursue the maximum penalties permitted by law. We want to be clear about our expectations. This is a one-off initiative, not an indication that overstaying will be tolerated or that future breaches will be treated leniently.
We encourage eligible individuals to make the necessary arrangements and leave by the deadline. Following the amnesty, our focus will be on enforcement, accountability and protecting the integrity of our borders.” CBC also reminds employers, sponsors and members of the public that knowingly assisting or facilitating another person’s unlawful residence may constitute an offence under the Act and may result in prosecution and significant penalties. CBC encourages anyone eligible for the amnesty to act promptly and ensure that their departure takes place on or before 30 November 2026. Individuals should not assume that the opportunity will be extended or made available again. The Cayman Islands Customs and Border Control Service remains committed to facilitating legitimate travel, strengthening immigration compliance, enforcing the law fairly and consistently, and safeguarding the security and integrity of the Cayman Islands’ borders.
Through this one-off initiative and the enforcement action that will follow, CBC seeks to reinforce public confidence that immigration laws are taken seriously and that breaches will be addressed. For general enquiries, persons may contact CBC at 649-4579, email CBC.OnlineSupport@gov.ky, or visit gov.ky/web/cbc.