New Visa Requirements to Strengthen Border Protections

Cabinet has approved amendments to the Customs and Border Control (Visas, Entry and Landing) Regulations (2025 Revision) to enhance border security and improve traveller screening. The revised Regulations — cited as the Customs and Border Control (Visas, Entry and Landing) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 — will take effect on Thursday, 2 April 2026.

The Honourable Nickolas DaCosta, JP, MP, Minister for District Administration and Home Affairs, emphasized that "these amendments represent a proactive and essential measure to safeguard our borders and uphold our international obligations. By reinforcing our visa framework, we ensure that the Cayman Islands are not exploited as a transit point for irregular or unlawful migration."

The amendments strengthen the Cayman Islands' visa framework to ensure the jurisdiction is not used as a transit point for irregular or unlawful migration, while maintaining compliance with international obligations and continuing to facilitate legitimate travel.

Key Changes

New Visa Requirements

• Nationals of Peru and Venezuela will now require visas for both entry into and transit through the Cayman Islands.
• Nationals of Haiti and the Dominican Republic will require in-transit visas when travelling via the Cayman Islands.

Fees

• The schedule of visa fees and extensions is now incorporated into the Regulations. Fees remain unchanged.

New Visa Exemptions

The amendments also introduce specific exemptions to facilitate legitimate travel, including:

• Cruise ship passengers completing short-term transfers — those who, within 24 hours of arriving, transfer to another cruise ship, depart on the same vessel, or leave by air.
• Operational crew members — including commercial airline crew, private jet charter crew, and air ambulance personnel operating on behalf of a recognised health facility.

Bruce D. Smith, Director of CBC, said, "These regulatory updates strengthen our operational capability to effectively screen travellers and manage risk at our borders. CBC remains committed to facilitating legitimate travel while ensuring that appropriate controls are in place to protect the Cayman Islands."

Members of the public are encouraged to review the Customs and Border Control (Visas, Entry and Landing) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026, and ensure they meet all requirements before travelling. Visa information and application guidance are available at: https://gov.ky/web/cbc/travel/visas-extensions.

The Cayman Islands Government remains committed to maintaining a secure, well-regulated, and internationally compliant border management system that protects the Cayman Islands' reputation as a safe and responsible jurisdiction.