Jamaican Passport Eligibility

Jamaican passports are issued to Citizens of Jamaica this is in accordance with the Passport Act (1962) and Passport Regulations (1962 last amended December 22, 2013). All passport applicants are required to submit Proof of Citizenship and Identity to an authorised officer.

 

Application process

Each customer may be required to visit one of PICA’s local offices, online platform (adult only) or for overseas customers, a Jamaican Consulate/High Commission nearest to him/her, to submit an application.

Renewal applications may be mailed to:

  • Any Jamaican High Commission/Consulate nearest to the applicant
  • Local applications should be mailed to 25 Constant Spring Road, Kingston 10. Please contact the relevant mission/consulate for further information on the mailing process
  • The application form may be completed online by going to the following page (Jamaican Application form)
  • You are required to print your application and take it to a certifying official, after which you will present your application with the required documents to the office that is most convenient to you

 

Please contact PICA’s Customer Service Unit if you are having difficulty accessing any of PICA’s offices or Overseas Mission/Consulate. PICA reserves the right to request additional information during the application process.

 

Security Information

The Jamaican passport is a valuable document that proves identity and citizenship as well as facilitates travel.

As a passport holder it is your responsibility to care of this important identity document. Although a Jamaican passport is issued in your name, it remains the property of the Government of Jamaica and maybe withheld or withdrawn at any time. It should not be altered in any way by the holder and should not be allowed to pass into the possession of any unauthorized person.

The possession of a Jamaican passport does not exempt the holder from the compliance with the immigration regulations in force in any country or from the necessity of obtaining a visa or other entry permit that may be required. 

Please see privacy policy.

 

Identity Theft and You 

What is identity theft?

Identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information and uses it without your permission. It is a serious crime that can wreak havoc with your reputation, finances, travel plans and much more. Resolving the matter can take time, money and may require patience.

 

Protect your passport 

Never give out personal information contained in your passport (including photocopies) unless you are confident that it is for a trusted organization or individual. Please note that the passport bearer assumes all responsibility for giving information contained in the passport to a third party.

What to do right away

Report it to the police and PICA

 

Security and Your Passport 

A Jamaican passport is one of the most important identity documents one can possess and therefore must be kept in a safe place at all times. Once a passport has been reported lost or stolen, it is no longer valid and should not be used for travel. This is to ensure that it is not used for fraudulent purposes. Attempted use of a passport that was reported lost or stolen may result in difficulties and or delays at ports of entry.

What is the best way one can prevent a passport from being stolen?

Our advice is:

  • Try to keep your passport is a safe place that is known to only you.
  • If you are travelling with it do not leave it unattended
  • Do not practice leaving your passport with anybody for any prolonged period
  • Limit who you give your passport to carry out transactions on your behalf
  • Do not travel around with it unnecessarily
  • Keep all your identity documents in a safe place to avoid the theft of your personal information
  • If you are using your passport for identification purposes ensure that it is at a reputable organization and ensure that the document is returned to you
  • Do not allow persons to travel with your passport
  • Do not leave your passport in parked vehicles
  • Always keep a copy of your valid passport in a safe place.

 

What are common mistakes people make that lead to their passport being stolen?

  • Giving it to people to do transactions on their behalf
  • Leaving it unattended in vulnerable areas ( Business places, in draws in a common living area)
  • Travelling with it in a handbag even though it will not be required for use on that journey
  • Travelling with it in their back pockets thus being vulnerable to pick pockets

 

What to do if your passport is lost or stolen while abroad?

  • First report any passport losses or thefts to the local police in the country you’re in as soon as possible. You’ll need the crime reference details for the embassy.
  • Secondly report the theft or loss to the embassy, consulate or high commission of the country you are in.
  • When you make a report to the embassy, consulate or high commission, they will give you a Lost or Stolen Notification form. The Embassy, Consulate or High Commission will record the loss or theft of your passport and forward the information to PICA. PICA will then deactivate your passport to reduce the risk of someone else using your identity

About Your Jamaican Passport

The Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency produces four (4) types of Jamaican passports: adult ordinary passports; minor ordinary passports; diplomatic passports and official passports.

Adult ordinary passports – These are passports issued to any adult Jamaican.

Minor ordinary passports – These are passports issued to any Jamaican child under 18 years of age

Diplomatic passports – These are passports issued to an authorized set of persons who represent Jamaica in diplomatic and other international affairs such as Ministers of government.

Official passports – These are passports issued to government officials who will be representing Jamaica’s interests overseas

 

Issue and validity 

Jamaican ordinary passports are issued by the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency in Jamaica and Jamaican Diplomatic Missions or Consulates and are valid to travel to all countries. Passports issued to persons over 18 years of age are valid for 10 years and those issued to persons under 18 years of age are valid for 5 years, unless otherwise endorsed.

Recovered Passports

In the event that a passport that was lost has been recovered, it must be presented to the nearest PICA location or Jamaican Consulate/Mission to avoid inconvenience for future use.

If a passport is found by you that belongs to another person it must be surrendered to the nearest PICA location or Jamaican Consulate/Mission. It is a breach of the Passport Act to keep another person’s passport in your possession without permission.