POLICY

Jamaica’s Immigration procedures are based on the provisions in the following legislation:

• Immigration Restriction (Commonwealth Citizens) Act (1945)
• Aliens Act (1946)
• Passport Act
• Foreign Nationals and Commonwealth  Citizens ( Employment ) Act
• All other legislation having bearing on Immigration and Passport aimed in general at controlling movement of foreigners entering and remaining in the country.

A distinction is made between Aliens and Commonwealth Citizens based on the definition of “Alien” in section 2(1) of the Jamaican Nationality Act which defines an “Alien” as a person who is not a Commonwealth Citizen, a British protected person or a citizen of the Republic of Ireland.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1.0 TRAVELLING TO JAMAICA ON BUSINESS:

Foreign nationals entering the island to conduct short term business (not exceeding thirty (30) days for each visit and 180 cumulative days within a year) are processed in accordance with the entry requirements applicable to visitors from their respective countries. They are required to present valid passports, completed Immigration Forms (appendix 1) and return tickets. Nationals of countries listed in appendix 2 whose purpose of visit is business and where their stay will exceed thirty days for each visit will be required to have a visa prior to entry.

1.1 EMPLOYMENT:

Foreign nationals wishing to accept employment must obtain permission from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. On approval they (Aliens) should apply to the nearest or most convenient Jamaican or British Mission for a visa supported by the following documents.

• A valid passport.
• A valid work permit approval or work permit exemption letter issued by the Ministry of Labour
• A return ticket valid for a year

The following are also essential in determining a traveller’s eligibility for entry in Jamaica:

• Completed Immigration form for entry and departure.
• Be in a position to support himself/herself and his/her dependents
• A return ticket to his/her country of residence with re-entry facilities where he/she is domicile outside of country of birth
• Passenger may not be declared admissible medically unfit by a Health Officer
• If there is evidence of a conviction in a foreign country for any extraditable crime
• If he/she is the subject of a deportation or removal order.
• If he/she the subject of Prohibition order
 
1.2 RESIDENCE

1.2.1 PERMANENT RESIDENCE

Permanent Resident Status is usually conferred, on application on:

1. Those foreign nationals who have lived in Jamaica for a minimum of two (2) years continuous residence provided they meet certain criteria.

2. Adults or minors who have claim to Jamaican nationality without meeting any residence requirements;

3. Spouses of Jamaican nationals;

4. Retired persons who have  resided in Jamaica for over three years;

5. Minors who have no claim to Jamaican nationality but who have resided in the island for a period exceeding two years.

Applicants for permanent residence / citizenship are required to submit the following:

• Current passport (and previous passport used to enter the island)
• Evidence of financial standing and proof of assets (such as, a lien on property or bank statements)
• Certified copy of birth certificate, marriage certificate and/or decree absolute/nisi
• Medical certificate from certified medical practitioner
• Police Record (no older than two years) issued from the state one is migrating from
• Two (2) passport sized photographs
• Reason for seeking permanent residence
• Names and contact information of two reputable Jamaican acquaintances or referees.

1.3 Unconditional Landing

Unconditional Landing is granted to persons who have claim to Jamaican citizenship either by descent, by marriage. It may also be given to a Jamaican National in possession of a foreign passport.  Unconditional landing is not applicable once Jamaican citizenship has been formerly renounced.

Persons applying for unconditional landing are required to present the following documents:

For Spouse

• Citizenship certificate
• National passport
• Marriage Certificate

For Minor

• National passport
• Certified copy of birth certificate
• Certified copy of Jamaican mother or Jamaican father’s birth certificate. (Please note that where father’s birth certificate is being used, father’s name should appear on the child’s birth certificate)
• Notarised letter from parent (where not resident in Jamaica) granting approval to reside in Jamaica

For a Jamaican National, who holds a foreign passport

• Certified copy of Jamaican birth certificate issued by the Registrar General’s Office
• Passport of foreign country
• Certified Marriage Certificate or Deed Poll (to support change of name(s), where applicable)

Persons who are married to Jamaican nationals may apply for an Exemption Certificate from the ministry of Labour and Social Securities.  On approval this should be presented to Immigration Headquarters with natural passport to have their status varied.  The endorsement granted in this case reads “To Accept Employment” and is renewable every three years.  Aliens registration and visa may also be required.

1.4 STUDENTS:

Persons seeking to enter the island to pursue academic studies should possess:

• A valid passport
• Valid visa for each entry (if Alien)
• Original letter from an accredited academic institution granting admission
• A return ticket valid for one year
• Accommodation
• Proof of financial support or grants during their tenure
• Students over 16 years old must be registered as Aliens after arrival

Students are also subject to the guidelines mentioned in 1.1 above.

1.5 DIPLOMATIC AND OFFICIAL PASSPORT HOLDERS:

All diplomats who are accredited to Jamaica and holders of Official passports are required to possess the following on arrival:

• Diplomatic or Official passport
• Valid entry visa, where applicable. (Visas are issued gratis by the nearest Jamaican Consulate prior to arrival)
• Note verbal from the Diplomatic or Consular Mission to which diplomat is assigned indicating the purpose and length of visit.

Diplomats, their staff contingent and United Nations passport holders are exempt from the requirements for a work permit and Alien Registration.

1.6   EXEMPTION FROM VISAS AND/OR WORK PERMITS

 Persons, who are employed by owners or operators of aircraft operating an international service and land in Jamaica to perform duties on said aircraft are also exempt from work permit, visa and registration requirements.

 Passengers who are in-transit for up to three days to another destination.

1.7  CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY (CARICOM) TRAVELLERS:

A CARICOM national who enters the island with the intention of establishing a business, providing a service or skilled labour is subject to the following requirements:

Self-employed business person:

• Subject should hold a valid passport issued from a qualifying CARICOM country
• A police certificate of character
• Proof of registration with the Chamber of Commerce in the applicant’s Member State or with the agency responsible for registering of businesses (establishing a business)
• Document required by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security
• After initial entry documentation to be presented to Ministry of Labour and Social Security fro necessary certification 

Self-employed service provider:

• Subject should hold a valid passport issued from a qualifying CARICOM country
• A police certificate of character
• Certificate of incorporation or registration or license of a business and/or a professional license
• Any other document required by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security
Skilled Labour:

• Subject should hold a valid passport issued from a qualifying CARICOM country
• A police certificate of character
• A Certificate of Recognition of Caribbean Community Skills Qualification
• Any other document required by Ministry of Labour and Social Security

The CARICOM national is required to visit the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to submit his/her qualifying certificate and other credentials.  When this process is complete, he/she is then required to attend the Immigration Headquarters to have his/her status varied. The person processing the CARICOM skilled Nationals Certificate may apply for Unconditional Landing using same.  This endorsement automatically exempts him/her from a work permit or work permit exemption.

All CARICOM nationals are:

• entitled to free movement
• freedom to acquire property
• freedom to engage in gainful employment

However, a CARICOM national may not be granted entry into the island if he is:

• likely to become a charge of the state
• of unsound mind
• suffering from a communicable disease
• deemed by the Minister to be undesirable visitor or inhabitant of the island
• subject of a deportation or removal order

PROCEDURES

1.8  GENERAL PROCEDURES ON ARRIVAL AND AFTER:

Upon arrival, business travellers may be granted up to thirty (30) days to remain in the island.  However, Persons who will enter into employment, remain as dependents or pursue studies are granted two weeks at the port of entry.  During these two weeks they are required to visit the Immigration Headquarters to have their status varied. Those who will be employed should attend the Headquarters with the original Work Permit or Work Permit Exemption letters, tickets and their passports.  All clients are required to complete an Extension of Stay Form. Work Permit holders after Immigration processing are given a work permit certificate and advised to report to the Ministry of Labour where the certificate is submitted and work permit card issued.

Passports are duly endorsed and visas issued for the period of employment. While no fee is attached to issuance of endorsements, visas do attract a fee, which varies according to nationality. Please note that most Commonwealth nationals and nationals from the Republic of Ireland do not require visas.

Section of the Aliens Act requires the registration of all Aliens remaining in Jamaica for more than six months.  Persons are required to submit 2-3 passport sized photographs and pay a fee of Two Thousand (Jamaican) dollars (J$2,000.00).  They are then issued a registration booklet at the Headquarters or in the rural parish to which they are assigned.  This booklet should be in the applicant’s possession at all times.

Dependents

Dependents are processed similarly along with the employed family member.  One exception is that their passports are endorsed with the condition “No Employment”.  They should also provide certified supporting documents to show their relation to each other (for example, birth certificates and marriage certificates) with official translation where necessary by the relevant institution.

Students

A master list is prepared and submitted with the names of all enrolled foreign students and their passports or travel documents.  Passports are endorsed  and returned in said manner with the notion “Student”.  Students may be required to attend for an interview in special cases.

MANDATE OF THE IMMIGRATION SERVICE:

The Immigration Service aims to fulfil its mandate to all its clients by offering high quality service and informing the general public of the various services it offers. As an organ of the Ministry of National Security it also strives to uphold the law and to protect the Jamaican citizenry by vigilantly all of Jamaica’s ports of entry.