CITIZENSHIP – GENERAL INFORMATION

Citizenship by Adoption

Jamaican Citizenship by Adoption refers to a non-Jamaican child legally adopted in Jamaica in accordance with the Children (Adoption) Act. The child can claim citizenship through either the adoptive mother or father, who must be Jamaican citizens at the time adoption occurred.

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Proof of Citizenship

Adoption certificate issued by the Registrar General’s Department of Jamaica.

Citizenship by Descent

Jamaican Citizenship by Descent refers to anyone born outside of Jamaica to parents (mother or father or both) who are citizens of Jamaica at the time of birth.

Proof of Citizenship: Certificate of citizenship issued by the Passport, Immigration & Citizenship Agency (PICA) of Jamaica.

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Requirements

• Completed Application for Jamaican Citizenship by Descent form
• Original birth certificate of applicant
• Original birth certificate of mother or father
• Applications for persons under 18 must be signed by parent with parent's valid ID
• Two recent passport-sized photographs (both photos should be certified by Notary Public if mailed)

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Fees & Processing Time

• No Fee – if previously held a Jamaican passport
• US$150 – if never held or cannot produce a previous Jamaican passport (money order payable to Consulate)
• Processing Time: Compliant Applications – 6 months

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NOTE: Persons submitting citizenship by descent applications in-person at the Consulate, may also apply for their passports at the same time. Mailed-in applications should include a self-addressed prepaid envelope (FEDEX, UPS, or USPS express, priority, registered or certified mail) to facilitate the return of your original documents if so desired, while awaiting the processing of your applications.

Citizenship by Marriage

The following documents are required:

• A Completed Application R1 Form in duplicates
• Original birth certificate and passport of the Jamaican National
• Original birth certificate and passport of the applicant (spouse)
• Original marriage certificate
• Recent (at most 6 months old) police record of the applicant
• Two (2) Passport sized photographs of the applicant taken within the last six months (Walk-in applicants need not notarize their photographs. For mailed-in applications, the reverse side of both photographs must be certified as “I certify this to be a true photo of [FULL NAME OF APPLICANT]” and must be stamped, signed, and dated by the notary)
• Applications should be submitted within 6 months of the photo certification date
• A Letter addressed to the Minister of National Security and Justice requesting registration as a Citizen of Jamaica
• Fee of US $310 in the form of a money order made payable to “Consulate General of Jamaica” for mailed-in applications or via cash, credit/debit card or money order for walk-in applicants.

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Processing Time

Processing period for Citizenship by Marriage Applications provided that application fulfills all requirements AFTER being transmitted to the Passport, Immigration & Citizenship Agency (PICA) in Jamaica):

Approximately twenty-four (24) – thirty-six (36) months.

In the case of Citizenship by Marriage, applicants may apply for their passports through the Consulate General AFTER receiving their Certificates of Citizenship.

Mailed-in applications should include a self-addressed prepaid envelope (FEDEX. UPS, or USPS express, priority, registered or certified mail) to facilitate the return of your original documents, while awaiting the processing of your applications.

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Important Notes

Applicants may apply for their Jamaican passports through the Consulate General after receiving their Certificates of Citizenship.

Mailed-in applications should include a self-addressed prepaid envelope (FEDEX, UPS, or USPS express, priority, registered or certified mail) to facilitate the return of your original documents while awaiting the processing of your applications.

Application for Residency

The first step in obtaining Permanent Visa status for Jamaica and eventually a Jamaican travel document is to establish residency either through Visa / Work Permit Application or Registration.

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Residency Requirements

To reside in Jamaica, applicants are required to submit the following documents and particulars:

• A Valid National Passport
• Evidence of financial status and means of support – e.g., particulars of pension, bank account, property owned or business investments
• Certified Copy of Birth Certificate
• Marital status – Marriage Certificate, particulars of spouse, children and other dependents
• Medical Certificate of good health
• Police Certificate from the state from which you are migrating
• Two (2) Passport-size photographs
• Reasons for seeking permanent residence in Jamaica
• Names and addresses of two reputable references or acquaintances

All permanent residence applications are done directly with the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) in Jamaica. Further information on this process is available on their website at www.pica.gov.jm, by telephone at 876-754-7422, or via email at info@pica.gov.jm.

Residency through Work Permit

Persons applying for residency who will require employment to maintain themselves in Jamaica must also apply for a Work Permit. On approval of the Work Permit, which is usually based on a job offer, a visa is automatically granted.

Commonwealth citizens are allowed to enter Jamaica without visas and are not required to have a Work Permit, although it is advisable that they apply for a Permit prior to arrival where employment will be sought.

Permanent Residents are still required to be in possession of a valid permit issued by the Ministry of Labour if they are engaged in gainful employment. However, they need not seek any further extension of stay but must obtain a multiple re-entry visa from the Immigration Officer prior to any overseas travel.

All Non-Commonwealth Nationals over sixteen (16) years of age who expect to live in Jamaica for over six (6) months are required to register as aliens at a fee of J$2,000.00. Permanent Resident Status may be withdrawn if it becomes necessary, at the discretion of the Minister.

Please note: The granting of permanent residency does not automatically convey the right to work. A work permit is still required.

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Approval is given by:

Ministry of National Security
NCB North Tower
2 Oxford Road, Kingston 5, Jamaica
Tel: (876) 906-4908
Fax: (876) 754-3601
Email: information@mns.gov.jm

Renunciation of Jamaican Citizenship

The formal process of giving up one’s Jamaican nationality/citizenship is referred to as renunciation. The applicant should be of full age and capacity who is either a national of a foreign country or has been assured of such nationality on the condition that he/she renounces Jamaican nationality.

A person who is desirous of renouncing his/her Jamaican nationality is required to complete the Declaration of Renunciation Form, in triplicate, and pay the requisite fee.

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The Renunciation Process

The completed application form should be submitted accompanied by the following documents:

• Applicant’s Birth Certificate/ Adoption Certificate/ Citizenship Certificate
• Jamaican passport
• Valid ID of applicant
• Evidence of other nationality (Copy of evidence of citizenship must be certified by a Notary Public or Consular Officer).
• Two (2) passport-sized photos of the applicant of the applicant taken within the last six months. Walk-in applicants need not notarize their photographs. The reverse side of one of the photos must be certified as “I certify that this is a true photograph of … (FULL NAME OF APPLICANT) and should be stamped, signed and dated by the notary.
• Applications should be submitted within 6 months of the certification above.
• On approval of application, before the certificate is delivered, the applicant is required to surrender his/her Jamaican passport.

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Fees

The fee for this type of application is US$1,050.00, payable by Money Order to the Consulate General of Jamaica or cash if visiting the Consulate.

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Processing Time:

Processing period for Renunciation of Citizenship provided that application fulfills all requirements AFTER being transmitted to the Passport, Immigration & Citizenship Agency (PICA) in Jamaica):

Approximately twenty-four (24) – thirty-six (36) months.

Mailed-in applications should include a self-addressed prepaid envelope (FEDEX. UPS, or USPS express, priority, registered or certified mail) to facilitate the return of your original documents, while awaiting the processing of your applications.

Restoration of Jamaican Citizenship

The restoration of Jamaican Citizenship is applicable only to former Jamaican nationals who acquired Jamaican Citizenship by virtue of Birth, descent, or adoption and subsequently renounced it.

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Procedures

• The application form, Restoration of Citizenship Form R5
• The form should be read carefully, completed in duplicate and signed in the presence of a Notary Public (if application is not being submitted in-person)
• Completed application forms must be submitted along with the following original documents:

DOCUMENTS

• Letter of renunciation
• Proof of current citizenship
• Two (2) Passport sized photographs of the applicant taken within the last six months. Walk-in applicants need not notarize their photographs. Photographs for mailed-in applications must be certified as “I certify this to be a true photo of (FULL NAME OF APPLICANT)” and should be stamped, signed and dated by the notary. If this is unable to hold on the photographs, the photos may be pasted on a blank paper and notarized following the aforementioned guidelines.

Cost: A fee of US $1,050 in the form of a money order made payable to “Consulate General of Jamaica” for mailed-in applications or in the form of cash or money order for walk-in applicants.

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Processing Time:

• Compliant applications will be prepared for a decision within twenty-four (24) – thirty-six 36 months.

The Consulate General of Jamaica reserves the right to request additional and or updated information during the processing of the application.

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