Apply for licenses and permits

Applying for licenses and permits

Anyone who wishes to carry on a trade or business in or from the Cayman Islands must hold a valid licence issued under the Trade and Business Licensing Act, in respect of each place where such business is carried on. A Trade and Business License (TBL) is issued by the Department of Commerce and Investment. 

Businesses must be Caymanian owned and controlled. In the case of sole proprietorships, the owner must be Caymanian. A company must be at least 60% Caymanian owned and controlled, and must be registered with the Cayman Islands Registrar of Companies. If the company does not meet this requirement, it may also require a Local Companies (Control) License (“LCCL”). An LCCL is issued to companies that are not Caymanian controlled or owned (if so approved) who wish to 'carry on business' in the Cayman Islands. Most non-Caymanian companies require both a TBL and LCCL. However, there are instances where an LCCL is required, but they are licensed to operate under another Law and do not require a TBL.

Exemptions

The requirement to hold a Trade and Business License does not apply to: 

a)   any trade or business licensed or registered to be carried on as a trade or business under another Law without reference to this Act, including where that other Law exempts a person to whom it applies from registering, being licensed or paying a fee;

b) the Caymanians who produce and sell agricultural products or cottage industry products, including, for example, jams, jellies, heavy cakes, sauces and thatch work; and 

ba) any Caymanian who is self-employed and who creates for sale artistic, dramatic, musical or literary works.
 

c) artisans, craftspersons and other persons who do not carry on a business of their own but are themselves employed by other persons;
 

d) self-employed Caymanians who fish; or (e) any corporation or body which satisfies the Board that it has been formed for purposes of social or public welfare, religion, charity, art or science and that it applies its income and profits solely for promoting such purposes and does not permit the payment of any dividends to its members.

Applications for a Trade and Business License can be done online through the Department of Commerce and Investment at https://online.gov.ky/dci/faces/guidance

You can also visit the Department at the following locations: 

Grand Cayman Office (Main)

Department of Commerce & Investment
133 Elgin Avenue, George Town
2nd Floor, Government Administration Building
George Town, Grand Cayman 
Email: General Enquiries: info@dci.gov.ky
Business Licensing: licensing@dci.gov.ky
Website: www.dci.gov.ky
Business Hours: 8:30am - 5:00pm | Monday – Friday
Counter Hours: 9:00am - 4:00pm | Monday – Friday

Cayman Brac & Little Cayman (Sister Islands Office)

Department of Commerce & Investment
Bodden & Bodden Building #143
Stake Bay, Cayman Brac
T: (345) 948.2400 f: (345) 948.2409
Email: lbodden@dci.gov.ky
Business Hours: 8:30am - 5:00pm | Monday – Friday
Customer Hours: 9:00am - 4:00pm | Monday – Friday

Supporting documentation will be required and will depend on the category of licence you are applying for. You can find more information on the requirements for licenses on the DCI website here: www.dci.gov.ky/licensing/trade-business-licensing/guidance.

In certain circumstances, and depending on the nature of the proposed business, approval and/or permits may be needed from other Government Departments, for example the Public Transport Board, The Health Practice Commission (or underlying boards), Port Authority and others. If you are in doubt as to whether your business requires inspection or additional permits, please contact the Trade & Business Licensing Board Secretariat at info@dci.gov.ky

Licence and other fees can be found here: https://www.dci.gov.ky/licensing/trade-business-licensing/schedule-of-fees

The cost of trade and business licensing fees has been significantly reduced for micro- and small-business owners; under the Government’s incentive programme. The reductions came into effect on 1 January 2018, and will run until 31 December 2023.

Incentives Offered:

Micro-businesses: A 100% reduction in licensing fees for business owners in Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac & Little Cayman.

Small businesses: A 50% reduction in licensing fees for business owners in West Bay & George Town. A 75% reduction in licensing fees for business owners in Bodden town, North Side & East End. A 50% reduction in licensing fees for business owners in Cayman Brac & Little Cayman (this is in addition to reduction in fee already in place in the Act). 

Requirements:

All micro- or small-business owners must obtain a Trade and Business licence before commencing operations, and pay the CI$75 non-refundable processing fee for their licence application.

The Trade and Business Licensing Board must be informed of any changes to the business that would alter the owner’s eligibility for the incentive. Failure to inform the board may result in disqualification from the programme. Such changes include: An increase or decrease in the number of employees, change of business location, and a change in annual gross revenue. Auditing services, and financial services firms are not covered by this incentive programme.