The Cayman Islands Passport and Corporate Services Office advises residents to ensure that their official documents are up to date and secure for emergency and medical travel, especially for the hurricane season.

Passports and other vital documents, such as birth, marriage, naturalization, registration certificates and Caymanian status and permanent residence documents, should be kept together in waterproof bags or containers, and stored securely in a place that is easily accessible during emergencies.

The office advises:

  • Ensure passports and other travel documents are valid.
  • Make copies of key documents, including passports, birth and marriage certificates, naturalization and registration certificates.
  • Store original documents and copies securely in separate locations.

During emergency situations, particularly an approaching storm, which may require travel or evacuation, original documents should be kept at hand and secured in waterproof bags or containers.

Also, if applying for a United Kingdom passport, submit only copies of the valid British Overseas Territories Citizen – Cayman Islands passport.  Actual passports should not be sent during the hurricane season.

For people travelling to the United States, either before or immediately after a hurricane, the passport office notes the following:

  • Holders of British Overseas Territories Citizen (BOTC) – Cayman Islands passport or U.K. passports containing a U.S. visitor’s visa may travel to the U.S. on commercial, charter or air ambulance flights.
  • Holders of BOTC – Cayman Islands passports without a U.S. visitor’s visa must first obtain U.S. visa waivers from the Passport and Corporate Services Office to travel to the U.S. on commercial or air ambulance flights.
  • Holders of BOTC – Cayman Islands passports should ensure that the passports are valid for at least six months after the intended date of departure from the U.S.
  • Holders of U.K. passports without a U.S. visitor’s visa, but with an approval from the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), may travel to the U.S. on commercial or air ambulance flights.

“Residents traveling to other countries should make appropriate plans beforehand and should also know and comply with the travel requirements of respective destinations,” the passport office notes. “Accordingly, planning ahead and being prepared will help reduce the stress and anxiety everyone faces when emergencies threaten or occur.”

Residents should also note that travel documents cannot be issued when weather conditions require the closure of government offices, including the Passport and Corporate Services Office.

U.S. Travel Requirements

  1. All travelers to the U.S. from a Visa Waiver Program country are required to have a biometric passport (also known as an e-passport).
  2. Travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries must also have an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) to enter the U.S.
  3. Travelers with a Cayman passport do not need an ESTA, but must have a single-entry visa from the Passport and Corporate Services Office.

It is advised to have all travel documents in order in case of a medical emergency. For more information, contact:

PASSPORT AND CORPORATE SERVICES OFFICE
94A Elgin Avenue
George Town
Web: immigration.gov.ky
Tel: (345) 949-8344

VISA WAIVER PROGRAM AND ESTA
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Web: cbp.gov
Tel: (202) 325-8000

 

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