Important Changes to WORC Services

Grand Cayman, 27 May 2024 – In an effort to better service customers, Workforce Opportunities & Residency Cayman (WORC) will be going through a transition period and changes in services will occur.

JobsCayman Portal Goes Offline

Effective 11:59 pm on Wednesday, 29 May, the current JobsCayman portal will no longer be available. This includes payments, job seeker registration, employer registration, posting job ads, and applying for jobs.
 

Customer Care Relocates to Artemis House – 67 Fort Street George Town

Effective, Monday 3 June, the Customer Care services will relocate to Artemis House. Customers will be able to access the same services that were offered at Apollo House West such as:

  • Payments
  • Submission of Applications
  • Passport Endorsement Stamps


Customers can park at the Apollo House West parking lot and follow the signs to Artemis House.  All other WORC services remain at Apollo House West which include the Employment Services and Training & Development Unit for Caymanians seeking employment or training.

 

WORC Online Services & Temporary Payment Arrangements

 As the existing JobsCayman online portal goes offline,  a site offering reduced online services will be available on 3 June. This site is temporary and will allow the final developing and testing of the new WORC Jobs & Online Payment  Services which is anticipated to launch on 18 June 2024.

The temporary site will have the following key functionalities:

  • Employers can continue to post job advertisements on worc.ky, and
  • Job-seekers can still search and apply for jobs on worc.ky.


However, payments must be made in-person. Customers submitting three (3) or more applications are encouraged to utilize the corporate drop bag to reduce wait times. Customer Care Officers will be on hand to review documents and ensure drop off is handled as efficiently as possible.

Passport Endorsement Stamps for Immediate Travel

WORC requests that during this time of transition only persons with immediate travel plans who want to secure a passport endorsement stamp to do so within ten (10) days before travelling. This measure will assist WORC in managing the high demand of this service as the summer approaches and persons travel plans increase. Persons are also reminded that a valid permit license can also be used as a travel document.

WORC appreciates your understanding and cooperation as these changes commence to enhance our service delivery. The office number remains the same at 945-9672, toll free 1-800-534-9672 or email WORC@gov.ky. For further updates on these changes visit worc.ky or follow on Facebook and Instagram.

Legal Requirement for Vaccination Lifted

The legal requirement for non-Caymanian residents and their accompanying dependents to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 has been lifted.

Effective, 9 June 2023, applicants for new work permits, work permit renewals, permanent residence, certificates for specialist caregivers and student visas, as well as persons submitting applications to add dependents or applications for Cabinet entry permits, among other applications, will no longer have to show proof of vaccination.

On the 5th May 2023 the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General accepted the advice offered by the International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee (the Committee) regarding the COVID-19 pandemic that it is now an established and ongoing health issue which no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. However, this must be interpreted within the context that the Committee noted that SARS-CoV-2 has been and will continue circulating widely and is evolving.

Chief Medical Officer Nick Gent stated “When the provision for mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for work permit holders and permanent residency applicants was created, it made sense as a public health measure at the time.  However, as we have all seen, much has changed in the last three years since the start of the pandemic. Immunisation remains a vital tool in protecting the population against severe disease, and recency of immunisation is key to maximise the benefits from vaccines.  Thus, ensuring that recent arrivals on our Islands have access to COVID-19 vaccination and boosters as a public health programme is far more beneficial than relying on immunisations that have been given prior to their arrival.”

He further stated “It is important that our public health measures evolve and adapt to ensure that they remain effective in light of the changing reality of the pandemic.”

Minister of Border Control Hon Dwayne Seymour said “As Minister for Border Control and Labour, I thank my Cabinet colleagues for agreeing to lift the legal requirements for vaccinations. The decision was made after careful consideration of the advice from the Medical Officer of Health, and the Cayman Islands now joins a number of international countries transitioning to a post-COVID reality.”

Persons or employers submitting applications to Workforce Opportunities & Residency Cayman (WORC) or persons seeking student visas through Customs & Border Control can download the necessary applications which have been amended to reflect the removal of the vaccine requirement by visiting www.worc.ky or www.cbc.gov.ky

Grand Cayman

Apollo House West,
87 Mary Street,
George Town, Grand Cayman

Telephone

+1 (345) 945-9672
+1 (800) 534-9672 (TOLL FREE)

Email

WORC@gov.ky

Cayman Brac

District Administration Building,
19 Kirkconnell Street,
Stake Bay, Cayman Brac

Telephone

+1 (345) 948-2222