In becoming a citizen of Jamaica persons will be able to bask in the pride of national achievement and identify with other great Jamaicans such as Bob Marley, Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce, Tessane Chin and Louise Bennett among others.

Advantages of becoming a Jamaican Citizen:

Some of the advantages of becoming a Jamaican citizen include but not limited to the ability to:

  • Acquire a Jamaican Passport
  • Work without a work permit
  • Vote in General and Local Government Elections
  • Receive Social benefits and get access to government programmes
  • Exemption from international Fees at Jamaica’s premier universities
  • Duty free allowance from customs and at the airport
  • Right to free speech
  • Register non-Jamaican Spouse as a citizen of Jamaica

 

CITIZENSHIP IN CASE OF DOUBT

QUALIFICATION

This category of citizenship is for individuals, who have a claim to Jamaican Citizenship by birth, but have no documentary proof (e.g. Jamaican birth certificate) to support that claim. The applicant should also have evidence that unsuccessful efforts were made to secure a Birth Certificate from the Registrar General Department.

 

PROCEDURE:

Applicants should make their request in writing addressed to the Minister of National Security for a document to identify them as a Jamaican. Applicant’s Letter along with the one given by the Registrar General’s Department must be submitted to the Citizenship Unit of the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency, 8 Waterloo Road, Kingston 10. If you are applying from overseas, applications must be submitted through the Jamaican Embassy, High Commission or Consulate nearest to you.

The letter must contain the reason for the request and as much useful information as possible regarding the applicant’s background including but not limited to the following:

  • Name
  • Gender
  • Date and place of Birth
  • Name of parents
  • Number of children born to applicants parents
  • Infant Baptismal record (if applicable)
  • Schools attended
  • Present occupation
  • Applicants Martial status
  • Number of children born to applicant
  • Present/Past Occupation

 

DOCUMENTS

(Only original documents are accepted)

  • Three (3) Statutory Declarations forms in support of the application. These should be completed on the forms by three (3) different persons preferably relatives of the applicant, who are at least seven (7) years older than the applicant. Paragraph 7 of the form should include answers to the following questions:
  1. How many children did the applicant’s parents have?
  2. Of the number of children for the applicant’s parents, what position did the applicant take?
  3. Was the applicant baptized during infancy? If this is the case and the record is unavailable, please state why?
  4. Did the applicant attend school? If yes where? If the record of admission is unavailable please state why?

 

  • Birth certificate of two eldest children(if applicable)
  • Marriage certificate (if applicable)
  • School Record(if applicable)
  • Baptismal record(if applicable)
  • Two Passport photographs of the applicant certified by a Justice of the Peace for local applications or by a Notary Public, Justice of the Peace, Commissioner of Oaths for overseas applications. The name of the applicant along with the name, number and signature of the certifying officer should be included. Certification should not be older than 6 months. Photographs must be dated. No embossed seal.
  • (Required Applicable Fees)

 

PICA reserves the right to request additional and or updated information during the processing of the application.

 

CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT

CURRENT OFFERING: EXPEDITED SERVICE CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT (LOCAL AND LONDON APPLICANTS ONLY)

QUALIFICATIONS

An applicant qualifies for Citizenship by descent where:

A. (i) She / He was born outside of Jamaica before the 6th August 1962.

    (ii) His / Her mother or father on the 6th August 1962 became or would have, but for his/her death, become a citizen of Jamaica.

 

B. She/He was born outside Jamaica after the 5th August 1962 and whose mother/father at the date of his/her birth is/was a citizen of Jamaica by birth, descent or registration by virtue of marriage to       a Jamaican.

 

PROCEDURE

1. The application form which is obtainable at PICA, the Jamaican High Commissions, Embassies and Consulates as well as online at www.pica.gov.jm, should be completed and submitted along with the following documents:

(i) The applicant’s Birth Certificate;

(ii) The applicant’s father’s or mother’s Birth Certificate or Certificate of Jamaican Citizenship or Adoption Certificate issued by the Registrar General’s Department (RGD);

(iii) Two (2) passport sized photographs of the applicant certified by either a Justice of the Peace, Commissioner of Oaths, Notary Public, Lawyer or Doctor. (The applicant’s name along with the name, number and signature of the certifying officer and the certification date no older than 6 months should be included).

(iv) Marriage Certificate (where applicable);

(v) Applicant’s valid ID (If adult 18 years and older);

(vi) Jamaican parent’s government issued ID (Valid Passport or Driver’s License); if application is for a minor;

(vii) Court issued document evidencing Legal Guardianship where applicable;

(viii) Official Change of Name Document (Court Order, Deed Poll registered through the Court or the country’s Records Office, etc.) where applicable;

 

2. Compliant regular applications are processed within twenty-five (25) working days and local expedited within fifteen (15) working days.

 

PHOTOGRAPHS

Requirements for photographs:

• 2 identical photographs*
• Photographs should be taken in colour with a matte/dull finish, against a plain background
• Applicants of light complexion should avoid wearing white clothing and should have photographs taken against a pastel shaded background
• Applicants of dark complexion should wear coloured clothing and photographs should be taken against a white background.
• Applicants with grey/white hair should have their photograph taken against a pale blue or pastel background
• There must be no other person or object in the photograph
• There should be no background shadows
• A full frontal pose is required
• There should be no creases or ink marks on the photograph
• Exposed shoulders and chest must be avoided
• Bright coloured clothing is not recommended
• Eye glasses should not have tinted lenses
• Heavy (thick) frames should be avoided
• Headgear is permitted ONLY for religious purposes. Facial features including the outline of the face from the bottom of the chin to top of the forehead must me clearly shown
• Photographs submitted with an application become the property of the Government of Jamaica
• No embossed seal

* The 2 passport-sized photographs should be certified by a consular officer, Justice of the Peace, Notary Public Commissioner of Oaths, Medical Doctor or lawyer. Certification should not be older than 6 months. Photographs must be dated. The name of the applicant along with the name, number and signature of the certifying officer should be included.

 

CHANGE OF NAME

• Where a new name is introduced by any document(s) supporting the application, the applicant is required to submit a Deed Poll, Court Order or Apostille to support the use of that new name(s).
• Deed polls not issued by a State Authority to evidence change of name should be treated on a case use of the new identity in a passport; cases should be referred to the Director/Operations Manager for guidance. Change of name completed by persons in the UK will be accepted only if issued by the UK Deed Poll Services and High Court.

 

WHO MAY SUBMIT APPLICATION

Applications may be submitted by the following:-

 

• Adults acting in their own right to the application
• Parents on behalf of minor children
• Parents may submit applications on behalf of their adult child with his/her authorization
• Legal Guardian
• Attorneys making formal representation on behalf of parent or legal guardian (Persons who hold law degrees and are not Attorneys may not submit applications on behalf of anyone).

 

COST AND METHOD OF PAYMENT

Applications submitted locally will attract a non-refundable fee of JMD$10,000.00 for regular service and JMD$15,000.00 for expedited service. Payment for local applications will only be accepted in Jamaican dollars. Payments will be accepted by cash, debit or credit (local Customers)
Fees for the various foreign currencies are accepted but are only applicable to applications submitted through the Jamaican High Commissions Consulates/Embassies. The required costs are quoted as follows: USD$100.00; CAD$110.00; GBP£60.00; EUR€74.00
• Personal cheques from customers are not accepted.
• NB Overseas Customers. Fee does not include cost of mailing certificate from Mission to Customer
• The processing fee is waived for applicants applying for Citizenship by Descent who previously held a Jamaican passport.

 

FEE SCHEDULE

 

CURRENT OFFERING: EXPEDITED SERVICE CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT (LOCAL AND LONDON APPLICANTS ONLY)

 

Processing Time (Regular Service)

Regular Fee (Non- refundable)

Expedited Service Processing Time

Expedited Fee

Total Cost

Local Application for Citizenship by Descent

Compliant applications will be processed within 90 Working Days

J$10,000.00

 

Compliant applications will be processed within 45 Working Days

J$5000.00

J$15,000.00

Overseas Application for Citizenship by Descent

Compliant applications will be processed within 90 Working Days

US$100.00, CAD$110.00

 

GBP£60.00, EUR€75.00

Compliant applications will be processed within 45 Working Days

 

GBP£60.00

GBP£120.00,

NB Overseas Customers. Fee does not include cost of mailing certificate from Mission to Customer.

  • The processing fee is waived for applicants applying for Citizenship by Descent who previously held a Jamaican passport.
  • Application for expedited service must be submitted to the Jamaica High commission/Embassy /Consulate 2 to 3 working days before the scheduled date of dispatch of the application to PICA.

NB: For any additional information or clarification please contact us at PICA or the nearest Jamaican High Commission/Embassy/Consulate.

 

QUALIFICATION

A non-national is eligible to make an application for citizenship by virtue of Marriage if he or she is married to a Jamaican citizen.

PROCEDURE

  1. The application should be made (in duplicate) on the Registration Form, R1 which is obtainable at the Jamaica Printing Services, 77 ½ Duke Street, Kingston or PICA, the Jamaican High Commissions, Embassies and Consulates as well as online at www.pica.gov.jm .
  2. The Form should be read carefully, then completed and signed in the presence of either a Justice of the Peace, a Notary Public or someone authorized to administer Oaths.
  3. The application must be submitted to the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency, 8 Waterloo Road, Kingston 10 or the nearest Jamaican High Commission/Embassy or Consulate supported by the following original documents.

DOCUMENTS

• Official Marriage Certificate
• Husband and Wife’s Official Birth Certificate/ Certificate of Jamaican Citizenship
• Husband and Wife’s Current Passport
• Decree Absolute (where applicable)
• Police Certificate from country of last Residence (previous to Jamaica)
• Official Change of Name Document – Court Order, Deed Polls registered through the court or the Country’s record office, etc (where applicable)
• Two Passport sized photographs of the applicant certified by a Justice of the Peace, Notary Public, Commissioner of Oaths or Consular Officer. The applicant’s name along with the name, number and signature of the certifying officer and the certification date no older than 6 months should be included). No embossed seal.

 

PHOTOGRAPHS

• 2 identical photographs are required with an application *
• Photographs should be taken in colour with a matte/dull finish, against a plain background
• Applicants of light complexion should avoid wearing white clothing and should have photographs taken against a pastel shaded background
• Applicants of dark complexion should wear coloured clothing and photographs should be taken against a white background.
• Applicants with grey/white hair should have their photograph taken against a pale blue or pastel background
• There must be no other person or object in the photograph
• There should be no background shadows
• A full frontal pose is required
• There should be no creases or ink marks on the photograph
• Exposed shoulders and chest must be avoided
• Bright coloured clothing is not recommended
• Eye glasses should not have tinted lenses
• Heavy (thick) frames should be avoided
• Headgear is permitted ONLY for religious purposes. Facial features including the outline of the face from the bottom of the chin to top of the forehead must me clearly shown
• Photographs submitted with an application become the property of the Government of Jamaica
• No embossed seal
* The 2 passport-sized photographs should be certified by a consular officer, Justice of the Peace, Notary Public Commissioner of Oaths. The name of the applicant along with the name, number and signature of the certifying officer should be included. Certification should not be older than 6 months. Photographs must be dated.
Compliant applications will be prepared for submission to the Minister for approval within twenty-four (24) months.

 

COSTS

Applications submitted locally will attract a non-refundable fee of JMD$10,000.00 for regular service and JMD$15,000.00 for expedited service. Payment for local applications will only be accepted in Jamaican dollars.

Fees for the various foreign currencies are accepted but are only applicable to applications submitted through the Jamaican High Commissions, Consulates/Embassies. The required costs are quoted as follows: USD$100.00; CAD$110.00; GBP£60.00; EUR€74.00

All documents must be originals. PICA reserves the right to request additional and/or updated information during the process of the application. The established processing time is not guaranteed for applications referred for investigation.

The Descent Application Form was revised by the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency on February 19, 2021