Work permits no longer required for Permanent Residents
01/09/2010
Non-Jamaicans who have acquired permanent residence status to live on the island are no longer required to obtain a work permit to work in Jamaica. This after an agreement was reached between the Ministry of Labour and the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) recently.
This new provision applies to current and future holders of permanent residence status.
Permanent resident status is usually granted to non-Jamaican citizens who wish to live permanently on the island. To qualify persons must be:
Retired persons who have resided in Jamaica for over three (3) years;
Spouses of Jamaican nationals not necessarily meeting any prolonged residence requirements; (that is, spouses do not need to be residing in Jamaica for any specified period of time);
Adults and minors who have claim to Jamaican nationality without meeting any residence requirements; (that is, spouses do not need to be residing in Jamaica for any specified period of time);
Minors who have no claim to Jamaican nationality, but who have resided in the island for a period exceeding two (2) years; and
Persons employed in Jamaica after completing a period of residence of not less than five (5) years.