The Passport & Corporate Services Office (P&CSO) reminds holders of British Overseas Territories Citizen (BOTC) – Cayman Islands (CI) passports to ensure the validity of their documents before making travel arrangements.

If you have applied for a first time passport or the renewal of a passport, we advise not to make travel plans/reservations until in possession of the said passport. Ensure you have given yourself sufficient time in order for the documents to be processed and returned to you for your planned travel.

BOTC – CI passports are now printed in the United Kingdom (UK), therefore, the time required by the P&CSO to issue a BOTC – CI passport (first time or renewal) is four to six weeks. The processing time for a replacement of a lost or stolen passport is six to eight weeks.

When appearing at the P&CSO to submit applications for a first time passport or renewal of a passport, please ensure you include the supporting documentation to prove your eligibility for the same. This will ensure a smooth and efficient transaction when submitting the passport application/s.

Persons visiting the United States (US) must ensure that their BOTC – CI passports are valid for at least six months beyond the date of intended departure from the US. US Visas should also be checked to ensure that they are current.

Applications for US Visa Waivers, for a single entry into the United States direct from the Cayman Islands, take three working days to process. US Visa Waivers cannot be issued to any BOTC – CI passport holder whose police record lists a criminal conviction of any kind or who has previously been denied a US Visa.

After applications have been submitted to the P&CSO and a date and time for collection has been arranged, applicants must also ensure that their documents are collected on time.

Anyone intending to travel to the US on a British Citizen – United Kingdom passport, without a valid US Visitor’s Visa, must first obtain online authorisation through the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA). The web address is https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov.

Residents travelling to other countries should make appropriate plans beforehand and should also know and comply with the travel requirements of respective destinations.

The public is also reminded of the P&CSO’s opening hours: Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 4pm. P&CSO staff members are not permitted to open the office after-hours or on weekends to issue passports or other travel documents. Neither can they allow the pick-up of documents which were not collected during the working hours as pre-arranged.

For further information relating to passports, visit our website at http://www.immigration.gov.ky
IMAGE: en.wikipedia.org