The Cayman Islands Department of Immigration (DOI) will introduce a requirement for overseas English language testing (ELT) for prospective employees whose first language is not English, on 1st July 2014.

This testing requirement is envisioned to be more accommodating and convenient as it will enable persons to make appointments and sit tests in his/her own country prior to travelling to the Cayman Islands.

Prior to arrival in the Islands, a prospective employee who has an ELT requirement placed as a condition of their temporary or full work permit, should arrange to be tested by one of the two recognized overseas English Testing Centres. These are the International English Language Test (IELTS) and Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC), each of which has test centres operating in multiple countries.

To be successful in this phase of their work permit application a prospective worker must score within the following ranges:

International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Band Score Level 6

https://www.ielts.org

Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC): Band Score Level B2

http://www.ets.org/epn_directory

Prospective employees should arrange to attend a relevant centre in their respective countries. In the event that there is no centre in their country, arrangements may be made at the nearest centre. In this situation only, applicants may travel to the Cayman Islands for testing.

Fees for testing are set by each centre and are the responsibility of the prospective employee prior to arrival in the Islands. Making appointments is also the responsibility of the prospective employee and he/she is expected to keep confirmed appointments with the relevant centre.

Overseas testing requirements are not applicable for work permit renewals in circumstances where ELT conditions are placed by the Work Permit Board or Chief Immigration Officer (CIO). In such cases on-Island testing will be facilitated.

Local immigration staff will serve as administrators and will have test score viewing capabilities for both centres. Staff will also update workers’ information in the Immigration Management Support System (IMSS). The Board or CIO will communicate the results in writing to the prospective employer.

While tests taken at these prescribed centres prior to 1st July 2014 will be accepted, applicants may not use test results older than two years for Immigration purposes in the Cayman Islands.

For the convenience of local employers and employees, the DOI website www.immigration.gov.ky will also provide information on the aforementioned requirements, including any updates.

For the official Cayman Islands Government web portal, www.gov.ky