Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman (WORC) recorded 1,010 complaints and issued CI$63,527.50 in fines for breaches of immigration laws in the first ten months of 2026.
The agency also closed 492 investigations, completed 483 risk management reviews and conducted 4,033 annual declaration reviews, according to its latest compliance update.
WORC said public cooperation remains important to its efforts to investigate suspected offences and enforce the Cayman Islands’ work permit requirements.
Among its recent enforcement cases, seven people were charged with making false representations involving suspected fraudulent or irregular Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) score reports submitted in support of work permit applications.
WORC compliance officers identified discrepancies in the documents after conducting enquiries and verification with Cayman Business Solutions, the local TOEIC testing provider.
The investigation led to the individuals being arrested and subsequently charged.
Mervin Manderson, WORC’s Deputy Director of Compliance, said in a press release on 3 November that the agency was working across its departments to improve its verification procedures and identify potential breaches.
“Our compliance team is working closely with the work permit team and customer care to strengthen our verification and detection processes and support effective enforcement action,” he said.
“Making false representations is a serious offence and, if convicted, individuals may face significant penalties, including imprisonment.”
WORC also highlighted the importance of witnesses supporting investigations through to prosecution, citing a separate case involving allegations over work permit fees and employment arrangements between a local business owner and former employees.
Manderson said the investigation could not proceed to court after most former employees declined to support the prosecution and a key witness who had initially provided evidence withdrew their support.
“I am extremely proud of my team and everyone who contributed to a recent investigation relating to allegations concerning work permit fees and employment arrangements involving a local business owner and former employees,” he said.
“In that situation, a key factor was that most former employees were unwilling to support the prosecution, and a key witness who had initially provided evidence subsequently withdrew their support. Therefore, a case could not be brought before the court.”
WORC director Jeremy Scott said cooperation is necessary throughout the investigative and prosecution process.
“The outcome of this matter underscores the importance of cooperation throughout the investigative and prosecution process,” he said.
“We encourage anyone with relevant information to come forward so that matters can be properly assessed and, where appropriate, advanced through the courts.”
WORC is encouraging people with information about suspected immigration offences to provide truthful accounts and cooperate with authorities.
Complaints can be submitted anonymously through an online form at worc.ky or by emailing [email protected]
