Everything you need to know about a Jamaica Visa

British citizens do not require a visa to travel to Jamaica. They are authorized to stay in the nation for up to 90 days without a visa -- a span which can be extended upon arrival by applying for an extension through the Jamaican Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency.

Note: Once you arrive at the airport, the immigration authorities will stamp the entry and exit dates on your passport. You cannot overstay this allowable limit under any condition, unless you have obtained the proper authorization. Otherwise, you may be detained or fined.

As per Jamaican immigration laws, your passport needs to be valid for the intended stay period in the nation. Although it is legally not required, we strongly recommend you to have a passport that has a validity of six months at all times during your travel. 

Additionally, you should also carry proof of sufficient funds, onward/return travel tickets, and documents that grant you entry into the next destination on your itinerary.

Visa requirements for foreigners staying in the UK

If you stay in the UK without a British citizen passport, you may or may not need to apply for a visa prior to your travel through the Jamaican High Commission in the United Kingdom. In order to check whether or not you need a visa, clickhere.

Now, if you do not fall in that list, you will need a visa. The generic list of documents for all ordinary entry visas are listed below:

• A visa application form, completely filled in with all the required details and signed in original by the applicant
• One recent, passport-size photo
• A passport with a validity that covers the intended stay period in Jamaica
• If traveling for business purposes, a cover letter from the company in the UK. You must also produce a re-entry visa or a UK residence permit if you are returning to the UK since you do not hold a British citizen passport
• Recent bank statements to prove that you have sufficient funds to sustain your stay in Jamaica
• Confirmations of hotel bookings or evidence that you have made arrangements for accommodation
• The required visa fee, payable in cash and in person

Once you have all the documents with you, you can visit the consular section in person and submit the whole package.

If the visa is approved, you should receive it within 3 business days.

Citizens of certain nations are also eligible for a visa at the port of entries. If you belong to any of those countries, you need to carry a valid passport, a return ticket, proof of sufficient funds, and hotel reservations or any other evidence of accommodation.

Once you enter Jamaica on a visa, you can also apply for an EOS (Extension of Stay), provided you lodge an application before the expiry of the time granted on the visa. You cannot overstay your visa without an EOS.

If you do, you can be fined, detained, or deported. You must ensure that the passport you submit in such as case holds a validity of at least 6 months.

You can apply for an EOS if you travel to Jamaica on a visit visa, student, employment, marriage, or dependant visa. For extending a regular tourist or business visa, you need to submit your passport, a return ticket, a letter explaining the reasons for an extension, entry visa to the next destination on the itinerary, and evidence of financial stability.

Working in Jamaica

If you are a foreigner who wishes to seek employment in Jamaica, you must follow the rules defined by the Foreign Nationals and Commonwealth Citizens (Employment) Act, 1964.

As per this act, for any opportunities, qualified Jamaicans are the first choice for any advertised post. But since the required skills are not always available within the nation, the government allows non-Jamaicans to obtain work permits to work in the country.

Now, if you need to apply for a work permit, you can submit an application to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security in Jamaica. Below are the contact details:

Ministry of Labour and Social Security

1F North Street, Kingston, Jamaica W.I.

Telephone: 00 1876 922 9500-12

Email: mlss@govjm.com

Website: www.mlss.gov.jm

Staying permanently in Jamaica

If you own a residence permit, you can stay in Jamaica for a long term without any restrictions and can engage in almost all productive activities within the country.

You do not even need a work permit. If you wish to apply for permanent residence, you need to appear for an interview with PICA’s Investigation and Surveillance Unit.

You can be a permanent resident in Jamaica if you are an employee, retired person, married to a Jamaican, a dependent, or had previously held Unconditional Landing status because of being married to a Jamaican native.

In order to apply for a residence permit, you need:

• A valid passport
• An entry permit when the applicant is a national of Non Commonwealth countries or Commonwealth countries, which do not fall in the list of visa-exempt nations
• Two passport-size photos
• Proof of financial stability in the form of pension details, bank statements, property owned and business investments
• If you own a business, you have to submit a Certificate of Registration, Tax Compliance Certificate, Income Tax Returns, and a financial statement from the previous year
• A birth certificate in original. If you have a Jamaican spouse, you need to submit a birth certificate or Jamaican passport of your partner
• A marriage certificate or divorce decree, if applicable
• If accompanied by children, their birth certificates must be submitted as well
• A medical certificate from the authorities in Jamaica
• A police certificate from the previous nation of residence
• If you own a property or assets in Jamaica, evidence of the same
• A letter that explains the purpose of seeking a residence permit and a letter from two references in Jamaica. Both these letters need to be addressed to: The Chief Executive Officer, Passport, mmigration and Citizenship Agency, 25 Constant Spring Road, Kingston 10
• The required processing fees

You need to submit all the documents in original. The permit processing time usually varies from 3 to 6 months.

UK Emergency Travel Documents

UK Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs) are accepted by the Jamaican authorities at points of entry to and exit from the country. If the next destination on your itinerary is the United States, you cannot use an ETD to enter the nation. You must have a US visa to gain entry into the US.