As a well-regulated international financial centre with world-class infrastructure and political stability, the Cayman Islands offers an ideal environment for businesses to flourish. As a result, the business sector in Cayman is flourishing with around 122,700 active registered companies as of June 2025.
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The Cayman Islands’ regulatory framework is being continuously enhanced to ensure that the Cayman Islands remains aligned with and indeed sometimes exceeds international standards and expectations. With a well-developed common law system based on English law and a local base of world-class corporate service providers, many international businesses have chosen to incorporate or register in the Cayman Islands.
As diverse businesses — from film and finance to tech development — move to Cayman to take advantage of the Special Economic Zone, Cayman’s improved legislation will provide even more confidence to international clients, heightening the profile of the jurisdiction.
For more information on what is required to set up a Trade and Business License see the Department of Commerce and Investments (DCI) website.
To start the Trade and Business Licensing process yourself or to renew a trade and business license, see the Department of Commerce and Investments’ link to their online application and renewal portal.
Below is your business set-up guide.
Legal Requirements for Starting a Businesskeyboard_arrow_right
A business in the Cayman Islands can be run as an individual sole trader operation, a partnership or a company. It is also possible for a foreign company to register in the Cayman Islands so as to be permitted to operate locally for such purposes. Find out more about the legal formalities of starting a business in the Cayman Islands.
Sole Trader
Are you setting up a business in Cayman? To find out how to run a business as a sole trader, check out our complete guide for businesses owners.
Companies and Partnerships
Learn about business partnership structures in Cayman with our comprehensive guide to setting up business partnerships in the Cayman Islands.
Companies & LLC
Foreign businesses that do not wish to establish a Cayman Islands subsidiary have the option of registering a branch operation in Cayman.
Foundation Companies
The Government continues to enact legislation to create new financial products to maintain Cayman's position as a leading offshore financial centre.
Cayman Islands Brancheskeyboard_arrow_right
An overseas company which 1) establishes a place of business; 2) commences carrying on business within the Cayman Islands (even ‘offshore’ business); or 3) proposes to own real estate situated in the Cayman Islands, must register as a ‘foreign company’ (essentially registering a branch) under Part IX of the Companies Act.
Read MoreIntellectual Property Legislationkeyboard_arrow_right
The Cayman Islands Government has modernised the country’s intellectual property laws in order to provide better protection of the rights of persons involved in creative and business endeavours. By improving copyright, trade mark, patent and design rights legislation, Government also has improved the local commerce framework.
Funds & Investment Businesskeyboard_arrow_right
Common fund vehicles used in the Cayman Islands to operate mutual and private funds include the Exempted Company, the Segregated Portfolio Company, the Unit Trust and the Exempted Limited Partnership. Limited Liability Companies may be established and may serve as the fund vehicle, although they are more commonly used as holding vehicles or other vehicles within the fund structure. This is your funds and business investment guide in the Cayman Islands. Before you read on, you may also want to check out Cayman Resident’s page on Cayman’s Financial Services industry.
Read MoreCayman Enterprise City (CEC)keyboard_arrow_right
Cayman Enterprise City (CEC) an award-winning development project which consists of three special economic zones focused on attracting knowledge-based and technology-focused businesses to set up a physical presence in the Cayman Islands.
Read MoreCayman Islands Department of Commerce & Investment (DCI)
The Cayman Islands Department of Commerce & Investment is responsible for the grant and regulation of licensing for most business in the Cayman Islands. This includes the administration and issuance of Trade & Business Licences, Local Company (Control) Licences, Tobacco Permits, Liquor Licenses, Music & Dancing Licenses, Public Film Exhibition Premises Licences, and Special Economic Zone Company Licences.
DCI is also responsible for issuing Cinema Licenses, the enforcement and compliance of Second Hand Dealers and Intellectual Property matters and guidance and registration for Designated Non-Financial Business and Professions (DNFBP).
Small Business
Government continues to support small businesses through its Micro and Small Business Incentives.
Micro businesses, defined as those that employ four people or fewer (excluding the owner) and which have an annual gross revenue not exceeding CI$250,000, can apply for a 100% reduction in their licensing fees. Small businesses, which are those that employ up to 12 people (excluding the owner) and have annual gross revenue of CI$750,000 or less, can apply for reductions of up to 75% depending on the location of the business, with those in the Sister Islands, Bodden Town, North Side and East End able to apply for the greatest relief.
For more information on government support for small business, contact the Department of Commerce & Investment on (345) 945 0943 or email info@dci.gov.ky.
The Cayman Islands Centre for Business Development is a business support organisation established by the Cayman Islands Government to support the growth and development of micro and small businesses across the Islands. Through a long-term relationship-based approach, CICBD's business advisors provide consulting, training and coaching services to strengthen the competences of small business entrepreneurs. CICBD provides services to enterprises at all stages of the business life cycle and works with business owners to co-create customised solutions for their specific needs. For more information on how CICBD can help, email: CICBD@gov.ky, call (345) 244 8009 or visit their website at www.cicbd.gov.ky.
