Visitors To Jamaica

Requirements for Entry into Jamaica

All visitors are required to be in possession of a national passport or other acceptable travel document establishing nationality and identity and bearing a photograph. The passport or other travel document must be valid for the period of intended stay in the island. Visitors are also required to show evidence of sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay and be in possession of a return or round-trip ticket to another country to which they are admissible.

Nationals of certain countries require, in addition to travel documents, an entry visa. This is normally issued, on application, by a Jamaican Consular office.

It should be noted that that applicants who possess a valid United States Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), regardless of nationality do not require a visa to visit Jamaica, if travel is being done directly between the USA and Jamaica.

The decision in respect of admission and length of stay in the country rests with the Immigration Officer at the port of entry in Jamaica. This applies whether or not a visa is a prerequisite for entry.

General Conditions for Admission

A person desirous of visiting Jamaica:

  • Should be in possession of a valid visa unless exempted from this requirement under any of the prescribed regulations
  • Must be in a position to support himself/herself and accompanying dependents for the duration of the stay
  • Should not be of unsound mind
  • Should not be the subject of a certificate submitted to the Immigration Officer by a health officer indicating that for medical reasons, permission to land is not desirable
  • Should not have been sentenced in a foreign country for any extraditable crime within the meaning of the Extradition Acts 1870 and 1906
  • Should not be the subject of a deportation order in force under the Aliens Law, Chapter 9
  • Should not be the subject of a landing prohibition order from the Minister of National Security

Please note that nationals from Kosovo, Palestine, and Taiwan (Republic of China) require an Affidavit of Identity, which is issued by the Consulate General.

Entry Requirements

The entry requirements for the tourist visa are as follows:

  • Valid passport
  • One (1) passport-size photograph
  • Completed Visa Application Form J (signature is required)
    • For Section 4: "Arriving at" refers to the Port of Entry into the USA; "on" refers to the date of arrival; and "coming from" refers to the Port/Country of Departure.
    • For "References": Persons without a personal contact in Jamaica may use the address of their hotel, Airbnb, or host accommodation.
  • Valid return visa to the United States
  • Valid employment authorization document which allows reentry to the USA
  • Approval letter from the USCIS
  • Flight itinerary (Round-trip ticket)
  • Hotel/Airbnb Booking or Letter from host in Jamaica (accompanied by a copy of the host's ID)
  • Bank statements covering the last three (3) months
  • Recent letter from employer / proof of business ownership (if self-employed) / proof of retirement (if retired) / letter from academic institution (for students)

If being sponsored, the guarantor (sponsor) should provide the following:

  • A signed Letter of Guarantee (including accommodation details, if covered)
  • Official government issued photograph ID,
  • Bank Statement
  • Marriage Certificate (if being sponsored by a spouse)

Visa Fees

  • Visa fees will comprise the Fees as outlined in the Visa Fees Schedule, which must be added to a consular/ administrative fee of US$20 and a Courier fee of $40.00;
  • If you are submitting by mail, kindly ensure that the Money Order is made payable to the Jamaican Consulate or the Consulate General of Jamaica, Miami;

Processing Time

  • Applicants should submit applications at least 30 business days prior to the date of travel.

The entry requirements for the business visa are as follows:

  • Valid passport
  • One (1) passport-size photograph
  • Completed Visa Application Form J (signature is required)
    • For Section 4: "Arriving at" refers to the Port of Entry into the USA; "on" refers to the date of arrival; and "coming from" refers to the Port/Country of Departure.
    • For "References": Persons without a personal contact in Jamaica may use the address of their hotel, Airbnb, or host accommodation.
  • Valid return visa to the United States
  • Valid employment authorization document which allows re-entry to the USA
  • Approval letter from the USCIS
  • Flight itinerary (Round-trip ticket)
  • Hotel/Airbnb Booking or Letter from host in Jamaica (accompanied by a copy of the host's ID)
  • Bank statements covering the last three (3) months
  • Recent letter from employer / proof of business ownership (if self-employed)
  • Letter of Invitation from the Jamaican Organization / Company / Authority

Visa Fees

  • Visa fees will comprise the Fees as outlined in the Visa Fees Schedule, which must be added to a consular/ administrative fee of US$20 and a Courier fee of $40.00 (if applicable);
  • If you are submitting by mail, kindly ensure that the Money Order is made payable to the Jamaican Consulate or the Consulate General of Jamaica, Miami;

Processing Time

  • Applicants should submit applications at least 30 business days prior to the date of travel.

The entry requirements for the work visa are as follows:

  • Valid passport
  • One (1) passport-size photograph
  • Completed Visa Application Form J (signature is required)
    • For Section 4: "Arriving at" refers to the Port of Entry into the USA; "on" refers to the date of arrival; and "coming from" refers to the Port/Country of Departure.
    • For "References": Persons without a personal contact in Jamaica may use the address of their hotel, Airbnb, or host accommodation.
  • Valid return visa, in case of foreign nationals other than those from the USA
  • Flight itinerary (Round-trip ticket)
  • Accommodation Details
  • Bank statements covering the last three (3) months

Work Permit:

The employment of non-Jamaicans in Jamaica is governed by the Foreign Nationals and Commonwealth Citizens (Employment) Act, 1964, which seeks to ensure that qualified Jamaicans are given first consideration for employment opportunities. It is recognized, however, that the expertise needed for economic development is not always available locally, and provision is made for non-Jamaicans to obtain work permits for special skills.

Non-Jamaicans seeking employment in Jamaica are required to obtain work permits. Work Permits are issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security in Jamaica, and all applications must be submitted directly to that Ministry:

Ministry of Labour and Social Security
1F North Street, Kingston, Jamaica W.I.
Tel: (876) 922-9500 to 12
Email: mlss@govjm.com
Website: www.mlss.gov.jm

Visa Fees

  • Visa fees will comprise the Fees as outlined in the Visa Fees Schedule, which must be added to a consular/ administrative fee of US$20 and a FedEx fee of $20.00(if applicable);
  • If you are submitting by mail, kindly ensure that the Money Order is made payable to the Consulate General of Jamaica;

Processing Time

  • Applicants should submit applications at least 30 business days prior to the date of travel.

The entry requirements for the student visa are as follows:

  • Valid passport
  • One (1) passport-size photograph
  • Completed Visa Application Form J (signature is required)
    • For Section 4: "Arriving at" refers to the Port of Entry into the USA; "on" refers to the date of arrival; and "coming from" refers to the Port/Country of Departure.
    • For "References": Persons without a personal contact in Jamaica may use the address of their hotel, Airbnb, or host accommodation.
  • Valid return visa to the United States
  • Valid employment authorization document which allows reentry to the USA
  • Approval letter from the USCIS
  • Flight itinerary (Round-trip ticket)
  • Hotel/Airbnb Booking or Letter from host in Jamaica (accompanied by a copy of the host's ID)
  • Bank statements covering the last three (3) months
  • Recent letter from academic institution (for students)

If being sponsored, the guarantor (sponsor) should provide the following:

  • A signed Letter of Guarantee (including accommodation details, if covered)
  • Official government issued photograph ID
  • Bank Statement
  • Marriage Certificate (if being sponsored by a spouse)

Visa Fees

  • Visa fees will comprise the Fees as outlined in the Visa Fees Schedule, which must be added to a consular/ administrative fee of US$20 and a Courier fee of $40.00 (if applicable);
  • If you are submitting by mail, kindly ensure that the Money Order is made payable to the Jamaican Consulate or the Consulate General of Jamaica, Miami;

Processing Time

  • Applicants should submit applications at least 30 business days prior to the date of travel.

Diplomatic Visa

The entry requirements for the diplomatic visa are as follows:

  • Valid Diplomatic passport
  • One (1) passport-size photograph
  • Completed Visa Application Form J (signature is required)
  • Diplomatic Note from the Diplomatic Mission or Consular Post
  • Hotel Reservation / Accommodation Details (if not referenced in the Diplomatic Note)
  • Flight itinerary

General Information

If you are travelling with your spouse or family members, please ensure that each accompanying family member has a valid diplomatic passport. You must also provide the relevant supporting documents, such as a birth certificate for children or a marriage certificate for your spouse, as applicable.

Cost:

  • Issued gratis
  • If the Visa is not being collected by a bearer, the payment of the FedEx fee of US$40 would be required. If you are submitting by mail, kindly ensure that the Money Order is made payable to the Consulate General of Jamaica.

Processing Time

  • Single-entry diplomatic and courtesy visas within our consular jurisdiction can be processed within 24 – 48 hours.

Jamaican Visa Fee Schedule

Cruise Passengers of any nationality do not need visas to enter Jamaica. They must, however, have a valid passport and proof that they are eligible to re-enter the United States of America or a country to which they are admissible.

All foreign nationals who are transiting through Jamaica for a period not exceeding seventy-two (72) hours do not require a transit visa except holders of a Cuban passport. Travellers should ensure that they have a complete flight itinerary, which clearly indicates their connecting flight/s to the intended destination.

Foreign Seamen Requirements

Seamen embarking from or landing in Jamaica are required to be in possession of valid passports or other acceptable travel documents establishing national status and identity. A Seaman’s Discharge Book is acceptable, except in the case of a stateless seaman, who should have a travel document from the country issuing the discharge book.

Seamen who are members of the crew of a ship visiting Jamaica do not require visas to land while the ship remains at port, but they must depart with the ship.

Seamen travelling to Jamaica to join a ship in Jamaica, or passing through Jamaica to join a ship abroad, require transit visas unless they are nationals of countries which do not require visas to enter Jamaica.

Seamen travelling as passengers and those signed on ship’s articles as supernumeraries at nominal rates of pay will be treated as ordinary passengers if and when granted leave to land. They will require visas unless they are nationals of countries which do not require visas.

Applications from foreign nationals to enter Jamaica to work on dredgers should be referred to the Ministry of National Security. Such persons will be required to obtain work permits issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

Foreign nationals wishing to travel to Jamaica, but who have a criminal record must request permission to enter Jamaica. The following documents must be transmitted via mail or e-mail to the Consulate General:

nsulate General:

  1. Formal, signed letter from applicant requesting permission to travel to Jamaica and indicating intended purpose of travel, length of stay and place of stay in Jamaica.
  2. Scanned copy of bio-data page of valid passport.
  3. Official Court Document detailing the criminal offence/s and the sentence/s received.
    • If the offence/s is/are of a sexual nature, a document indicating whether the applicant is or has ever been on the sex offenders’ registry and notice of termination where applicable should also be transmitted.
  4. Copy of the disposition/outcome of case.
  5. If currently on probation/parole, official letter from probation/parole officer granting release to travel.
  6. If submission is being done by mail or in-person, please make attention:
Consul
Consul General
Consulate General of Jamaica
44 West Flagler Street, Suite 400
Miami, FL 33130

If submission is being done via email: A copy of the signed letter and supporting documents may be emailed to consul@jamaicacgmiami.org.

General Information

Upon receipt of your request and supporting documents, the Consulate will forward same to the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) in Jamaica for approval.

The processing time is between ten (10) and fifteen (15) business days and there is no guarantee that permission will be granted to enter Jamaica. Please ensure all required documents are transmitted to avoid delays in the processing of your application.

Please also note that approval is granted only for the indicated period of travel and must be sought prior to future occasions of intended travel to Jamaica.