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 travel document should have at least six months’ validity. Visitors are also required to show evidence of sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay in Jamaica 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. Click Here for Visa Requirements

It is important to note that 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.

Also note that nationals from Kosovo and Taiwan (Republic of China) require an Affidavit of Identity which is issued by the Embassy.

VISA APPLICATION GUIDELINES

MAILED APPLICATIONS:

Please note that the Embassy of Jamaica will only process mailed applications from residents of the District of Columbia and the following states:

  • Maryland (MD)
  • Virginia (VA)
  • California (CA)
  • Washington (WA)

Applicants residing in other states must refer to the following link to determine whether their applications should be mailed to the Consulate General of Jamaica in New York or the Consulate General of Jamaica in Florida:
See Service Areas

Applications mailed to the Embassy of Jamaica originating from states not listed above will be returned.

IN-PERSON APPLICATIONS (BY APPOINTMENT ONLY):

Alternatively, applicants may make an appointment to submit their documents in person, through the website of the Embassy of Jamaica: https://www.embassyofjamaica.org/.

General Requirements – ALL APPLICANTS

  • Original National Passport (photocopies are not accepted).
  • Completed Affidavit Form (for nationals of Kosovo, Palestine or Taiwan only): See Affidavit Form
  • Application Fee: Please note that all visa applications attract a $15 consular fee, in addition to the relevant visa fee.See Fee Structure
  • Proof of Accommodation in Jamaica (hotel/Airbnb reservation, or if staying at someone’s residence while in Jamaica, signed letter from that person & copy of his/her valid government-issued ID)
  • Travel Itinerary. Those who intend to enter Jamaica for reasons other than work/ permanent residency must provide a return itinerary to the USA. If the applicant does not reside in the USA, an itinerary showing the return leg to their country of residence must be submitted. Tentative itineraries are accepted.
  • Proof of Legal Status in the USA to facilitate seamless return from Jamaica to the USA.

Additional Supporting Documents (by Purpose of Travel)


Tourism – most recent bank statement & job letter OR if the trip is being sponsored, letter from sponsor, sponsor’s most recent bank statement and copy of sponsor’s passport.

Business – letter from USA company clearly outlining the activities that will be undertaken in Jamaica, length of stay, expenses that will be covered, etc.

Employment – Work exemption permit letter from Ministry of Labour and Social Security in Jamaica and letter from organization (employer).

Entry visa on the basis of being married to a Jamaican – marriage certificate and copies of spouse’s Birth Certificate and bio page of passport.

Entry visa for persons who will be applying for permanent residence in Jamaica on the basis of retirement – proof of retirement and most recent bank statement.

Student – acceptance letter from school in Jamaica and most recent bank statement OR if the trip is being sponsored, letter from sponsor, most recent bank statement and copy of sponsor’s passport.

Processing Time and Submission

The processing time for visa applications submitted to the Embassy is between ten to fifteen business days. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications no less than three weeks but no more than six weeks from the date of the intended travel date. Applicants should ensure that all relevant documents are submitted to the Embassy, to avoid delays in the processing of their applications.

Please note that this timeline facilitates the investigative and decision-making process conducted by the immigration authorities in Jamaica. The Embassy of Jamaica holds no responsibility for any decisions taken regarding the issuance or non-issuance of visas.

Payment

Mailed Applications
Payment is to be made by Money Order payable to the “Embassy of Jamaica”. Applicants are required to submit either a prepaid, self-addressed envelope with the application or submit an additional payment of $20 to cover the mailing fee. Personal money orders are not accepted.

In-Person Applications
Payment may be made by:

  • Cash
  • Money Order (payable to the ‘Embassy of Jamaica’). Personal Money Orders are not accepted.
  • Debit/Credit card (this will attract a small transaction fee)

Applicants are required to submit either a prepaid, self-addressed envelope with the application or submit an additional payment of $20 to cover the mailing fee.


Visa fees are non-refundable.

IMPORTANT NOTES

Only mailed visa applications originating from the following district/states will be processed by the Embassy: District of Columbia (D.C.), Maryland (MD), Virginia (VA), California (CA) and Washington (WA).

The requirements for the Jamaican tourist visa are as follows:

  • Valid passport with at least six (6) months validity.
  • One passport-sized photograph in colour.

  • Completed Visa Application Form J
  • Proof of immigration status in country of residence.
  • Proposed flight itinerary (Round trip)

  • Job or sponsorship letter
  • Recent bank statements/ pay advice of applicant.
  • Invitation letter from family or friend (if applicable)
  • Accommodation reservation .

Cost: Consult the Visa Fee Schedule

Processing time:

  • Valid passport with at least six (6) months validity.
  • One passport-sized photograph in colour.

  • CompletedVisa Application Form J
  • Applicants residing in Washington should submit applications at least 30 business days prior to the date of travel.
  • Applicants external to Washington should submit applications at least 35 business days prior to the date of travel.

The requirements for the Jamaican business visa are as follows:

  • Valid passport with at least six (6) months validity.
  • One passport-sized photograph in colour.

  • Completed Visa Application Form J
  • Proof of immigration status in country of residence.
  • Proposed flight itinerary (Round trip).

  • Job letter.
  • Invitation letter from company or institution in Jamaica .
  • Recent bank statements/ pay advice of applicant.
  • Accommodation details.

Cost: Consult the Visa Fee Schedule.
The visa fee is payable by deposit or wire transfer to the Embassy’s bank account. Kindly send an email to contacto@embassyjamiaca.com.mx to request the Embassy’s banking information.

Processing time:

  • Applicants residing in Washington should submit applications at least 30 business days prior to the date of travel.
  • Applicants external to Washington should submit applications at least 35 business days prior to the date of travel.

The requirements for the Jamaican work visa are as follows:

  • Valid passport with at least six (6) months validity
  • One passport-sized photograph in colour.

  • Completed Visa Application Form J
  • Proof of immigration status in country of residence.
  • Proposed flight itinerary (Round trip).

  • Job letter.
  • Letter from Ministry of Labour, Jamaica approving work permit or granting exemption from the work permit requirement.
  • Invitation letter from company or institution in Jamaica
  • Recent bank statements/ pay advice of applicant.
  • Accommodation details.

Cost: Consult the Visa Fee Schedule.
The visa fee is payable by deposit or wire transfer to the Embassy’s bank account. Kindly send an email to contacto@embassyjamiaca.com.mx to request the Embassy’s banking information.

Processing time:

  • Applicants residing in Washington should submit applications at least 30 business days prior to the date of travel.
  • Applicants external to Washington should submit applications at least 35 business days prior to the date of travel.

The requirements for the Jamaican student visa are as follows:

  • Valid passport with at least six (6) months validity.
  • One passport-sized photograph in colour.
  • CompletedVisa Application Form J
  • Proof of immigration status in country of residence.
  • Proposed flight itinerary (Round trip).
  • Letter of acceptance from educational institution which student will be attending.
  • Proof of adequate funds to cover expenses for one (1) year in the first instance or the full period of stay if less than one (1) year.
  • Medical certificate or letter from physician confirming applicant is free of communicable diseases .
  • Accommodation details .

Cost: Consult the Visa Fee Schedule cost of the Jamaican visa based on your nationality.
The visa fee is payable by deposit or wire transfer to the Embassy’s bank account. Kindly send an email to contacto@embassyjamiaca.com.mx to request the Embassy’s banking information.

Processing time:

  • Applicants residing in Washington should submit applications at least 30 business days prior to the date of travel.
  • Applicants external to Washington should submit applications at least 35 business days prior to the date of travel.

The requirements for the Jamaican diplomatic visa are as follows:

  • Valid diplomatic passport .
  • One passport-sized photograph in colour
  • Completed Visa Application Form J
  • Diplomatic Note from Embassy, Consulate or International Organization

Cost: Issued gratis

Processing time:

  • Single entry diplomatic and courtesy visas from applicants within Washington can be processed within 5 business days.

Cruise Passengers of any nationality do not in general, need visas to enter Jamaica. They must, however, have a valid passport and proof that they are eligible to enter/ re-enter other ports of call for the cruise. Please note that Taiwanese nationals require an Affidavit of Identity

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.