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PASSPORT SERVICES
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
A: What is the CARICOM Passport?
Q: The CARICOM Passport is an official travel document that can be used for travel within and outside the Caribbean. It will now become the standard issue for the Jamaican passport.
Q: Would I need to obtain a CARICOM Passport before my current passport expires?
A: Persons with a valid passport, who wish to have a CARICOM Passport, may do so. This will be treated as a renewal of your document, which means that the passport being renewed will be cancelled and returned where there is a valid visa. If you do not wish to change a valid passport you may continue to use it until it expires. Holders of the blue hand-written passports are being encouraged to apply for a CARICOM Passport, even if their current document is still valid.
Q: Would the process, requirement and cost for obtaining a CARICOM Passport remain the same?
A: The process, requirement and cost for obtaining the CARICOM passport will remain the same as was previously required.
Q: What privileges do I gain from having a CARICOM Passport?
A: The introduction of the document will facilitate smoother processing of CARICOM nationals transiting the region. It is intended to foster a greater sense of community within the region and would be a tangible demonstration of one’s membership in the Caribbean family.
GENERAL QUESTIONS – THE JAMAICAN PASSPORT
Q: What is the validity of the passport?
A: The Jamaican passport is valid for ten years for an adult and five years for children 17 years and under.
Q: How long does it take to process the passport?
A: Kingston – seven (7) working days
Montego Bay – fourteen (14) working days
Overseas applications (submitted through the Jamaican Missions) – twenty (20) working days
(FROM THE DATE OF SUBMISSION OF THE APPLICATION AND ALL RELEVANT DOCUMENTS)
Q: Can I send my application to Jamaica to be renewed if I am overseas?
A: No. Applications should be submitted through the nearest Jamaican Mission to the applicant.
Q: What do I need to do if I need to travel urgently and my passport is expired?
A: Contact the Customer Service Section of the Passport Office for further information at the following telephone numbers: 754-5249/754-5092/754-4675/906-1497 or the nearest Jamaican Mission if overseas.
Q: What documents should I present if I am an adult applying for a passport for the first time?
A: Proof of citizenship: Original birth certificate or adoption certificate. For applicants born outside of Jamaica, a certificate of registration, naturalization or letter of certification or citizenship should be submitted.
Proof of identity: Driver’s licence, voter’s ID or work/student ID subject to approval by the Passport Officer and two photographs, one of which should be certified by the Certifying Official who signed the application form.
Q: What documents should I present if I am renewing my passport?
A: Original birth certificate or other proof of Jamaican Citizenship, expired passport, two photographs (one of which should be certified by the Certifying Official who signed the application form).
Q: Who can certify the application form and photograph?
A: There are a number of persons including Justices of the Peace, School Principal, Bank Manager, Dentist, and Attorney-at-Law. See section 4.1 for a complete list.
Q: Is the old birth certificate accepted by the passport office?
A: Yes, the Passport Office accepts the old as well as the new birth certificates.
Q: Why is identification required if I am applying for a passport for the first time or replacing my passport
A: It is needed to prove the identity of the applicant beyond a reasonable doubt.
Q: Do I need to give my thumbprint?
A: No, it is only a requirement for persons who are unable to write.
Q: I am a minor and my parents are abroad, deceased or cannot be located, how do i go about applying for a passport?
A: Contact the customer service section of the Passport Office for further information. The telephone nos. is as follows: 754-5249, 754-5092, 754-4675, 906-4402, 906-1497, 906-4329 or visit the office in person if it is convenient to you.
Q: Is it necessary to take my child to the passport office?
A: No. However, all children over the age of three years must make an appearance at the Immigration Office. If you reside in the rural areas, you may visit the nearest Divisional Office of the Jamaica Constabulary Force with the child, where the Immigration Officer examines the applications, then encloses the documents in a sealed envelope. You should not open the envelope. Thereafter, the application should be submitted to the Passport Office, 25 Constant Spring Road for processing.
If you reside in the Corporate Area you should visit the Passport Office.
Q: What documents are required to renew my child’s passport?
A: Expired passport, birth certificate, parent’s or guardian’s ID, two photographs, one of which should be certified by the Certifying Official who signed the application form.
Q: What documents are required to apply for my child’s passport if I am applying for the first time?
A: Original birth certificate, parents’ ID, two photographs, one of which should be certified by the Certifying Official who signed the application form
Q: If I am a married woman, what documents should I present to renew my passport?
A: Original marriage certificate, birth certificate, expired passport, two photographs. Married men need not present marriage certificates.
Q: If I am a divorced woman and wish to keep my married name, what documents should I present to renew my passport?
A: Original divorce decree or marriage certificate along with the birth certificate, expired passport, two photographs, one of which should be certified by the certifying official who signed the application form
Q: What measures do I take if my passport has been lost / stolen?
A: Report it immediately to the nearest police station or to the Passport Office.
Q: What documents should I present along with the application for a lost/stolen passport?
A: Police report, birth certificate, supplementary ID, two photographs, one of which should be certified by the Certifying Official who signed the application form and the original marriage certificate where applicable.
UNCONDITIONAL LANDING
Q: What is Unconditional Landing and who qualifies?
A: Is an endorsement given to persons who can substantiate a claim to Jamaican Citizenship by virtue of four categories: Birth; Descent; Naturalization/Citizenship & Caricom.
Q: What documents do I need to apply for unconditional landing?
A: All documents must be original. Married females must present marriage certificates. Adoption Certificates & Deed Polls where applicable.
Birth – birth certificate; passport
Descent – birth certificate; passport; Father/Mother’s birth certificate & identification (passport or driver’s licence)
Naturalization/Citizenship – Naturalization/Citizenship Certificate; passport & birth certificate (child & parent).
Caricom – passport; Certificate of Recognition of Caribbean Community Skills (issued by Min. of Labour); birth and/or marriage certificate of dependent.
Q: How long does the process take and is there a cost?
A: The process takes approximately twenty (20) minutes. There is no cost at this time.
Q: Does Jamaica recognize dual nationality?
A: Yes, Jamaica recognizes dual citizenship.
Q: Where can I apply?
A: At the Immigration, Citizenship and Passport Services Division now known as the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) located at 25 Constant Spring Road, Kingston 10.
EXTENSION OF STAY
Q: What is extension of stay?
A: An extension of stay is granted when alien and commonwealth nationals enter the island and seek to alter their status.
Q: What documents do I need to get an extension of stay?
A: This is dependent on the type of extension you wish to receive.
Q: How long does the process take and where do I apply?
A: The process takes five (5) working days and applications can be made at the Immigration, Citizenship and Passport Services Division now known as the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) located at 25 Constant Spring Road, Kingston 10.
Q: Does the entire family have to have entry visas if coming from an alien country?
A: Yes
Q: What are the types of extensions available?
A: Work Permit; Dependent; Permanent Resident; Unconditional; Student; Marriage Exemption
Q: Is there a cost when applying for an extension?
A: Currently, Commonwealth nationals are exempt from all fees, however all alien nationals are required to purchase multiple journey visas (the price varies accordingly). Additionally all alien nationals are required to be registered once they will be in the island for a period exceeding six (6) months. The cost for registration is two thousand dollars ($2,000 JMD)
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