WORQ FAQs General Customer Care and Queries

Frequently Asked Questions related to Work Permits & PR and General Customer Care Queries Updated as of 8th July 2020

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Q. When will the WORC Offices reopen?

A. WORC is currently making appointments for the following services offered at the Apollo House West location only: o o o o o

Customers making debit and credit card payments (by appointment only) Application submissions (by appointment only) Unemployed Caymanians seeking assistance with registering on JobsCayman (by appointment only) Customers making payments and collecting Status and PR certificates (by appointment only) Customers Paying Administrative Fines (by cashier’s cheque only)

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Drop off of documents, e.g. deferrals, cancellation letters, missing info (no appointment needed)

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Services are offered Monday – Friday 9am-3pm

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To make an appointment please call our mainline at 945-9672 or toll free 1(800)534-9672

Q. Can I make a payment by debit or credit card?

A. Online payments can now be made via the JobsCayman portal. Click here for online payment instructions.

Online debit/credit card payments can be made for the following: •Temporary Work Permits (which will be issued for 3 months) •Temporary Work Permit Extensions (which will be issued for 3 months) •Renewal of Annual Work Permits

•Permission To Continue Working (PCW) •Business Staffing Plan (BSP) Grant •Business Staffing Plan (BSP) Renewal •Work Permit Grant Applications •Permanent Residence - Eight Year Residence •Permanent Residence - Surviving Spouse of a Caymanian •Variation of Permanent Residence – No RERC Certificate •Permanent Residence - Spouse of a Permanent Resident •Residency and Employment Rights Certificate - Spouse of a Caymanian •Permanent Residence - Dependant of a RERC Holder •Residency Certificate - Persons of Independent Means •Residency Certificate –Substantial Business Presence •Residency Certificate of Direct Investment Appointments can be made for customers who wish to pay in-person by debit/credit cards.

Please contact Customer Care at 945-9672 to make an appointment. o

Q. How do I get a visa waiver to go to the USA? A. Please contact the Passport Office at 943-7678 or email passport&corporate@gov.ky

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Q. How do I get a visitor extension at this time?

A. Visitor Extensions are handled by Customs and Border Control (CBC). The CBC Visitor Extension Process has been varied due to COVID-19 measures. Visit www.cbc.gov.ky

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Q. If we have a work permit amendment which needs to be submitted for a job title change (e.g. a lateral department transfer, or a promotion) whether as a planned change from before or a change due to our current scenario and challenges, are we able to do this electronically with either an online or credit card payment (where we aren’t able to attend in person with a cheque) or can we hand deliver it somewhere?

A. We are now accepting all types of amendments. Email your amendment application to WORCpermitsubmissions@gov.ky and make payments via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) using your bank’s online services. The EFT confirmation must accompany the application (click here for EFT guide).

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Q. If we have a work permit amendment which needs to be submitted for adding a dependant (e.g. new-born baby or spouse), what is that process?

A. Please note: We are now accepting all types of amendments. o The fee for this type of amendment is $100. Email your amendment application to WORCpermitsubmissions@gov.ky and make payments via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) using your bank’s online services. The EFT confirmation must accompany the application (click here for EFT guide).

Important: A copy of the approved/successful EFT payment must accompany the application. Copies of EFT payments that are pending or still processing will not be accepted.

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Q. My Permanent Residence annual payment is now due what should I do?

A. Annual PR payments can be done through Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) using your bank’s online services. Once you have made your EFT payment, a copy of the payment must be submitted via email to: WORC-CSPRSubmissions@gov.ky. The email subject line must state the PR holder’s name and file number. The body of the email must state what the payment is for. (click here for EFT guide).

Important: A copy of the approved/successful EFT payment must accompany the application. Copies of EFT payments that are pending or still processing will not be accepted.

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Q. How can I check the status of a work permit application?

A. Contact WORC Customer Care: Call 945-9672 or 1(800)534-9672 | WhatsApp or text 925-7199 | Email WORC@gov.ky

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Q. Where can I pay for and submit work permit applications?

A. Work Permit Application forms can be downloaded on the Applications page of this site. Email the completed application to WORC-CSPRSubmissions@gov.ky and make payments via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) using your bank’s online services. The EFT confirmation must accompany the application (click here for EFT guide).

Important: A copy of the approved/successful EFT payment must accompany the application. Copies of EFT payments that are pending or still processing will not be accepted.

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Q. Can someone continue working after their work permit expires during this time?

A. In accordance with the Immigration (Transition) (Amendment) Bill, 2020, it is now mandatory for individuals with work permit facilities that expired on or after the 27th March 2020 to submit an application to renew their work permit or, in the case of a temporary work permit, an application for the grant of a work permit before 30 June 2020. Employers must be registered on the JobsCayman portal and the job ad posted for 14 calendar days on the portal before applying for the renewal or grant.

In reference to the above, please note the following: o You can continue to work as long as it is on the same terms and with the same employer whilst your application is being processed; o

You DO NOT NEED a visitor’s extension whilst your application is being processed.

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Application forms can be downloaded on the Applications page of this site. Email the completed application to WORCPermitSubmissions@gov.ky and make payments via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) using your bank’s online services.

The EFT confirmation must accompany the application (click here for EFT guide).

This applies to Work Permit Grants, Work Permit Renewals and Temporary Work Permit applications that have expired. o

Q. What types of applications is WORC accepting at this time?

A. All application types are now being accepted.

Work Permit Applications can be submitted to WORCPermitSubmissions@gov.ky.

Caymanian Status or Permanent Residency applications can be submitted to WORCCSPRsubmissions@gov.ky.

Forms can be found on the Applications of this site. Payment for the relevant application is to be made prior to submission of the forms via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) using your bank’s online services. The EFT confirmation must accompany the application (click here for EFT guide).

Important: A copy of the approved/successful EFT payment must accompany the application.

Copies of EFT payments that are pending or still processing will not be accepted.

Note: Job Vacancies for Temporary Applications do not need to be advertised on the JobsCayman Portal. However, these applications will still be vetted to see if there are any suitable and available Caymanians.

- Cover Letters are now required to accompany all relevant forms Note: Effective 1st August, 2020 the following previously waived information will be required to accompany the relevant forms: - Medical Questionnaire, X-Rays & Lab reports - Police Clearance Certificates Q. How do I enquire about vendor payments and customer refunds?

A. Email IMM-ACCTS-PAYABLE@gov.ky or Call: 244-2037 Orlando Desdunes | 244-2078 Elle Forbes| 244-3355 Donovan McCoy | 244-2058 Lisa Ritch | 244-2053 Ceretta Montoya o

Q. How do I make a complaint?

A. Customers wishing to lodge a complaint should do so by email only, by contacting worccomplaints@gov.ky

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Q. Where do I go to get an endorsement stamp?

A. Effective 20 March, until further notice, WORC will no longer provide passport endorsement stamps. If your Work Permit has been approved and you have received a Work Permit License (approval letter), your Work Permit License (approval letter) will act as the authority you need for any travel purposes.

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Q. I have a question about Caymanian Status or Permanent Residency, who do I contact?

A. For Work Permits or Caymanian Status or Permanent Residency questions email WORCAdministration@gov.ky

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Q. How do I cancel a work permit?

A. Work Permit cancellation forms can be found and downloaded under Applications.

Send the completed form via email to WPcancellations@gov.ky . In the email include the following information: File Number | Employee Full Name | Employee Date of Birth (DD/MM/YY) and Reason for Cancellation.

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Q. Can I extend a current work permit?

A. Yes. Email your request for an extension to WORCPermitSubmissions@gov.ky and make payments via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) using your bank’s online services.

The EFT confirmation must be attached to your emailed request (click here for EFT guide). NOTE: Please ensure that your email provides a detailed justification as to why this extension is needed at this time. The email subject line must state the employee’s name and file number.

Important: A copy of the approved/successful EFT payment must accompany the application. Copies of EFT payments that are pending or still processing will not be accepted.

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Q. If I am coming to the end of a 6-month permit, can I apply for an additional 3month permit?

A. Yes. Application forms can be downloaded (here). Email the completed application to WORCPermitSubmissions@gov.ky and make payments via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) using your bank’s online services. The EFT confirmation must accompany the application (click here for EFT guide).

Important: A copy of the approved/successful EFT payment must accompany the application. Copies of EFT payments that are pending or still processing will not be accepted.

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Q. If I have an approved work permit but the employee has not arrived within the Cayman Islands yet, can I change the start date?

A. We are now accepting all types of amendments. Email your amendment application to WORCpermitsubmissions@gov.ky and make payments via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) using your bank’s online services. The EFT confirmation must accompany the application (click here for EFT guide).

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Q. Can PR holders vary their PR to allow for them to work in other areas/occupations?

A. We are now accepting all types of amendments. Email your amendment application to WORC-CSPRpermitsubmissions@gov.ky and make payments via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) using your bank’s online services. The EFT confirmation must accompany the application (click here for EFT guide).

Note: For persons who have been laid off as a result of the COVID-19 impact and are changing employers, there is no facility for obtaining a visitors extension and therefore,

can legally remain on Island while their application is in process however they are not allowed to work.

Note: For persons who have resigned employment, a release letter is required for a new work permit application.

Note: Persons with Term Limits that expired during the “Shelter in Place” restrictions may: -(1) continue working on the same terms and conditions as their current work permit if they do not intend to apply for Permanent Residency, however, for only as long as it takes for them to be able to leave the Islands (they should immediately make arrangements to leave the Islands by contacting Cayman Islands Government TravelTime at 244-3333 or emergencytravel@gov.ky) or; -(2) if they wish to apply for Permanent Residency, submit a PR application form and a PCW form to WORC-CSPRSubmissions@gov.ky. Application forms can be downloaded from the Applications page of this site. Payment can be made using Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) using your bank’s online services (click here).

The EFT confirmation must accompany the application (click here for EFT guide). No supplemental documents should be submitted at this time and no applications will be processed during the “Shelter in Place” restrictions. This facility is simply a means of preserving the Term Limit without penalty.

Note: For employers whose work permit applications were approved prior to the Owen Roberts International Airport (ORIA) closure but before their employee could travel to Cayman, their work permits: -(1) can be cancelled with a full refund except for the filing fee) Note: Employers whose work permit employees are not deemed essential and are therefore precluded from working may apply for a refund of the work permit fee (less the administrative filing fee) provided there is 6 months or more remaining on their work permit. No refunds will be issued if there is less than 6 months remaining on a work permit.

Note: Employers whose work permit employees are not permitted to work during the “Shelter in Place” restrictions or whose work permits have expired and there is no work available are asked to contact Cayman Islands Government TravelTime at 244-3333 or emergencytravel@gov.ky) and make arrangements for their staff to leave the Islands.

Note: Due to the uncertainties of the COVID-19 impact, persons currently on 6-month permits may extend their temporary employment for an additional period of 3-months if their jobs are deemed essential and provided there are no suitably qualified Caymanians available.

Note: Cayman Brac/Little Cayman Applications: Cayman Brac/Little Cayman Applications can be submitted as follows: Work Permit Application forms can be downloaded. Email the completed application to WORCPermitSubmissions@gov.ky and make payments via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) using your bank’s online services. The EFT confirmation must accompany the application.

Note: Submissions can also be made in person at District Administration