Cabinet has approved amendments to the Cayman Islands’ customs and border control regulations to enhance border security and improve traveller screening.
The revised rules – cited as the Customs and Border Control (Visas, Entry and Landing) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 – will take effect on 2 April.
They introduce visa requirements for Peru, Venezuela, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, formalise unchanged fees, and add exemptions for short cruise transfers and operational crew.
In a press release on 30 March, home affairs minister Nickolas DaCosta said the amendments represent a “proactive and essential” measure to safeguard borders and uphold 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,” he said.
Under the new visa requirements, nationals of Peru and Venezuela will now require visas for both entry into and transit through Cayman.
Meanwhile, nationals of Haiti and the Dominican Republic will require in-transit visas when travelling via Cayman.
The schedule of visa fees and extensions is now incorporated into the regulations. Fees remain unchanged.
The amendments also introduce specific exemptions to facilitate legitimate travel.
This includes 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.
Exemptions also include operational crew members including commercial airline crew, private jet charter crew and air ambulance personnel operating on behalf of a recognised health facility.
Bruce Smith, director of Customs and Border Control, 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.”
Visa information and application guidance are available here.
