Living in Jamaica
Advice
Information forabout Britishmoving peopleto, living inor Jamaica,retiring includingin informationJamaica on– health,including education,visas, benefits,working, residencehealthcare requirements and more.
driving.
- From:
Foreign&CommonwealthOfficeand- Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
- Published
- 16 May 2016
- Last updated
-
413AugustJanuary20232026 — See all updates
Getting help with living in Jamaica
Help from the Jamaican government
InformationFor forany Britishquestions citizensabout moving to or living in Jamaica, includingyou guidancemay onbe passports,able workingto inget help from the:
- High Commission of Jamaica in the UK
- Jamaican Passport, Immigration and
healthcare.Citizenship Agency (PICA)
ThisThe guideUK setsgovernment outand essentialthe informationBritish forHigh BritishCommission citizensin Kingston cannot give personalised advice on moving toto, living or livingretiring in Jamaica.
Professional Readhelp aboutin howJamaica
You ourcan Highalso Commissionget inhelp Kingston,from Jamaicaprofessionals canin help.Jamaica, including:
- lawyers
- notaries
- funeral directors
Help from the UK government
ThisRead informationthe istravel providedadvice asfor aJamaica guideto only.understand Youthe shouldrisks getyou definitivemay informationface fromif theyou Jamaicanlive authorities.in Theor Foreign,visit CommonwealthJamaica. &This Developmentincludes Officethe (FCDO)latest isinformation noton:
- visas
liableandforentryanyrequirements - laws
inaccuraciesandinculturalthisdifferences - safety
information.and security
SupportRead forour Britishguidance Nationalson Abroad:moving, Aliving Guideor retiring abroad.
Get setshelp outfrom howthe BritishUK nationalsgovernment canabroad, stayincluding safein abroadan emergency.
Visas, residency and howcitizenship
Make thesure FCDOyou canmeet helpthe ifentry yourequirements dofor getJamaica intobefore difficulty.you travel.
Visas and residency
ReadIf generalyou guidancewant on movingto orstay retiringin abroadJamaica for longer than 90 days, you must apply for an extension of stay.
ToYou can get an extension of stay upto:
- work
- study
- live
towithdate:familyfollowin Jamaica - live in Jamaica without working
For more information, read the Britishimmigration Highguidance Commissionfrom Kingstonthe onJamaican Facebook,Passports, InstagramImmigration and Twitter.Citizenship Agency.
Registering as a resident
FacebookOnce:youUKinJamaicaarrive,–dependingBritishonHighyourCommissionindividual circumstances, you may need to register your residency inKingstonJamaica.For information, or if you have any problems or questions about registering your residency, contact:
- the Jamaican Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA)
Twitter:aUKinCaribbeanlawyer in Jamaica
Permanent residency
You may be able to apply for permanent residency in Jamaica.
To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply:
- read guidance on permanent residence in Jamaica
Instagramcontact:theUKinCaribbeanJamaican Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA)
BeforeCitizenship
Jamaica recognises dual citizenship. This means that you
godo not have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become a Jamaican citizen.SeeToourfindTraveloutAdviceifforyou’reJamaicaeligible forup-to-dateJamaicaninformationcitizenship:- read guidance on
entryJamaicanrequirements,citizenship - contact
localthelawsJamaican Passport, Immigration andcustoms,CitizenshipsafetyAgencyand(PICA) - contact
emergencies.the High Commission of Jamaica in the UK
and citizenship applicationsVisasHelp
andwith visa, residencyCheckThetheentryBritishrequirementsHighforCommissionJamaicainourKingstontravelcannotadvice.Informationhelponwith Jamaican visa, residencymustorbecitizenshipobtainedapplications.For
fromany questions or issues, contact:-
the
passportJamaicanimmigrationPassport, Immigration andcitizenshipCitizenshipagency,Agency (PICAwww.pica.gov.jm/). - the High Commission of Jamaica in the UK
- a lawyer in Jamaica
Passports and travel
YouReadcanourapplyguidanceforon moving, living orrenewretiringyourabroad. This covers how to:- apply for a British passport from
Jamaica.abroad - travel
Youurgentlyarewithoutrequiredyour British passport
Dual citizens travelling to
printtheandUKWhen
sendtravelling to theform,UK,processingBritishcancitizenstakemustlongercarrythanaon-linevalidUKBritishapplication.passportYouorshouldcertificatecheckofinformationentitlement. Read guidance onprocessingdualtimecitizenship.Resident
andchildrentaketravellingthiswithoutintoaaccountparentwhenordecidinglegal guardianChildren aged 17 and under may need to
apply.carry a consent letter, their birth certificate or guardianship papers if they’re travelling out of Jamaica without one parent or a legal guardian.CheckFor more information contact the:- High Commission of Jamaica in the UK
- Jamaican
TravelPassport,AdviceImmigrationforandpassportCitizenshipvalidityAgencyrequirements.(PICA)
Healthcare in Jamaica
YouReadmayourneedguidancetoonregistermoving,forliving or retiring abroad. This covers how to:- plan your healthcare
- take
asmedicine abroad
Jamaica does not have a
residentreciprocalinhealthJamaica.agreement with the UK.ReviewMakethesurelistyouofhavemedicalappropriatefacilitieshealthininsuranceJamaica.Fortomorecoverinformationanyonhealthcarehospitalcosts.andYouhealthcanfacilities,get insurance from Jamaican or international providers.
If you’re resident in Jamaica, youcanmayvisitalsothebeMinistryableofto register for a National Healthhttp://moh.gov.uk/Fund (NHF) card.NOTE:UKToTravelfindinsuranceoutprovidershowwilltonotgetgenerallymedicalcovertreatment:- contact your
healthcareinsurancecostsprovider - read
ifguidanceyouonlivehealthoverseas.MedicineIfinyouJamaica - visit
aretheonJamaicanaMinistryprescriptionof Health and Wellness website - find medical facilities for
anyBritishmedicationNationalsyouinshouldJamaica
Working
ensureinyouJamaicaRead
haveouraguidancesupplyonofmoving,it,living orareretiringableabroad.toThisobtaincoversitworkingwhenabroad,inincludingJamaica.documents you may need from the UK government.CertainTomedicineswork in Jamaica, you maynotneedbeaavailableworkinpermit.JamaicaThe(includingJamaicanmajorMinistrybrandsofreadilyLabouravailableandinSocialtheSecurityUK),explainsandhowyoutomayapplybeforprohibitedafromworktakingpermit.You
themmayintoalso need to register under thecountry.NationalYouInsuranceshouldScheme,consultayourcompulsoryGPsocialbeforesecuritytravellingschemetoforJamaicaanyonetoemployedfindinoutJamaica.For
aboutmoreanyinformationalternativeonmedication.visaYouandmightworkneedpermitarequirements,specialcontactpermit.the:Please- Jamaican
contactPassport,theImmigrationJamaicaandcustomerCitizenship Agencyhttp://www/jacustomer.gov.jm/index.php(PICA) - Jamaican
andtheMinistry ofHealthLabourpharmaceuticalandregulatorySocialaffairshttp://moh.gov.uj/divisions-agencies/divisions/standards-and-regulation-division/Security.
Recognition of qualifications
ReadIftheyouguidancewantifto work in Jamaica, you may need totravelgetwithyourmedicinesforeign qualifications recognised.WorkingDriving in JamaicaIfReadyouourareguidanceplanningontomoving,movelivingtoorJamaicaretiringandabroad.work,Thisyoucoversmayhowneedto:- drive
aabroadvisa.legally - take
ReadyourtheUKJamaicanvehiclegovernment’sabroad - get
guidancedrivingonlicenceworkingletters
You can drive in Jamaica
asforaupforeigntonational6andmonthshowusingtoyourgetvalidaUKvisa.Informationphotocardondrivingentrylicence.andToworkcontinuepermitsdrivingareafterprovided6andmonths,atyouthemustdiscretiongetofatheJamaicanMinistrydrivingoflicence.Tax
LabourAdministrationhttp://www.mlss.gov.jm/pub/index.phpJamaicaand(TAJ)theprovideslocalinformationimmigrationondepartment,drivingPICAandhttp://www.pica.gov.jmvehiclesPermitsinshouldJamaica.For
bemoreobtainedinformation,priorreadtoaboutarrivalroad travel inJamaica.Requirementssafety andqualificationssecurityforinjobsthearetravelatadvicetheforemployer’sdiscretion.Jamaica.
driversStudyingDisabled
inJamaicaIfYouyoumayplanbe able tostudyapplyinforJamaica,ayoudisabledmustparkingmeetpermitallorvisaarequirements“disabilitybeforesticker”youintravel,Jamaica.youForcanmorecheckinformationwithcontact thelocalJamaicaimmigrationCouncildepartment,forPICAPersonshttp://www.pica.gov.jmwithandDisabilitieshttps://www.mlss.gov.jm/?s=work+permit+(JCPD).ContactIftheyourelevanthavehigheraeducationUKproviderBlueinBadgeJamaicaandtolivecheckinwhatJamaica,feesyouhavemust return it topay.the original UK issuing authority.Tax
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.
The UK has
aa double taxation agreement with Jamaica so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.Contact
AskTaxtheAdministrationrelevantJamaicatax(TAJ)authorityforyourany questions about double taxation relief.You
shouldwillgetneed to apply for a Tax Registration Number to do business with institutions including banks and schools.Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in
Jamaica.Jamaica.FindToanEnglish-speakingdo this, find a lawyer in Jamaica.ReadPensions
Claiming
guidanceyouron:UK pensionTaxReadifouryouguidanceleaveonthemoving,UKlivingtoorliveretiring abroad. This covers:Taxhowonto claim your UKincomeStateifyouliveabroadPensionTaxwhereiftheyouUKgetgovernmentapayspensionanandannualliveincreaseabroad
Claiming
abroadatoJamaicanprotectpensionYou
yourmayStatebePensionableandentitlementtootherclaimbenefitsaandJamaicanallowances.
Benefits
Checkpension whichif UK benefits you canhave claimworked whilein abroadJamaica and howcontributed to claimthe them.
ManyJamaican income-relatedNational benefitsInsurance suchScheme as(NIS). PensionContact Credityour andlocal Housingsocial Benefitsecurity cannotoffice beto paidfind ifout you’rewhether abroadyou forcan more than 4 weeks.claim.
PensionsBenefits
Claiming UK benefits
Read StateRead Pensionour guidance ifon youmoving, haveliving livedor inretiring Australia,abroad. CanadaThis orcovers Newhow Zealandto andclaim youUK arebenefits claimingabroad, orincluding waitingChild toBenefit.
Claiming claimJamaican benefits
Contact your UKlocal Statesocial Pension.
Ifsecurity youoffice retireto infind Jamaica,out whether you can claim your UKbenefits Statein PensionJamaica.
Buying or newand UKrenting Stateproperty Pension.
Contactin theJamaica
Read Internationalour Pensionguidance Centreon moving, living or retiring abroad. forThis furthercovers information.
Jamaicanbuying pensionsand arerenting managedproperty eitherabroad.
You privatelycan oralso byread the government.Jamaican Thegovernment’s arrangementguidance areon determinedhow byto theinvest employer.in EligibilityJamaican forReal localEstate.
Contact pensiona mustlawyer bein obtainedJamaica fromif theyou’re Ministryconsidering ofbuying Labourproperty http://www.mlss.gov.jm/pub/index.php.or land.
LifeVoting certificatesin for Jamaica
UK State Pensionselections
IfRead youour getguidance a ‘lifeon certificate’moving, fromliving theor UKretiring Pension Serviceabroad,. youThis mustcovers respondhow asto:
- vote
soonin UK elections from abroad - register as
possible.anYouroverseaspaymentsvoter
Jamaican mayelections
You becannot suspendedvote ifin Jamaican elections unless you dohold not.Jamaican citizenship.
MoneyStudying andin bankingJamaica
AIf listyou ofplan banksto andstudy otherin financialJamaica, institutionsyou thatshould operateread inthe immigration Jamaicanguidance from be found on the bankJamaican ofPassports, JamaicaImmigration websiteand http://boj.org.jm/financial_sysCitizenship .Agency. InformationYou onwill taxes,probably suchneed asa property,student GCTextension andof incomestay
For canmore beinformation:
- read
foundguidance onthetraveltaxgrantsadministrationfordepartmentstudentshttp://jamaicatax.gov.jm/tax/type.VisastudyingandabroadMasterCardorareontheplacementsmost(England) - contact
commonlyyouraccepted,higherfollowededucationbyproviderAmericaninExpress,theDiscoverUKandorDinersJamaica - contact
Club.AccommodationtheandJamaicabuyingTertiarypropertySeeEducationbuyingapropertyabroadCommission.
Driving in JamaicaChildren
Read theour guidance on whatmoving, actionsliving youor mustretiring doabroad. toThis drivecovers legallymoving inabroad Jamaicawith https://jis.gov.jm/information/get-the-facts/how-to-obtain-a-drivers-licence/.
Drivingchildren, abroad.including:
If
- getting
you’repermissionaskedtofortakeayourletterchildauthenticating,abroad - claiming
certifyingorvalidatingyourUKdriver’sChildlicence,Benefityouabroad - child
shouldmaintenancecontactpaymentsyourifUKaissuingparentofficelives(e.g.abroad
Schools theand DVLA).education
ForThe travellingJamaican byMinistry roadof inEducation, JamaicaSkills, seeYouth thisand guidance.
Information ifprovides youinformation wishabout tothe transportschool yoursystem vehiclein from Jamaica.Jamaica.
YouAll canchildren driveaged in6 Jamaicato using16 amust UKattend drivingschool licenceor forhome upschool toin 6Jamaica.
For months.more Ainformation, Jamaicanread drivingthe licenseJamaican cangovernment’s:
- frequently
beaskedobtainedquestionsfromabouttheeducationTaxinadministrationJamaica - National
departmentStandardshttp://www.jamaicatax.gov.ukCurriculum (NSC).
Disabled driversChildcare
IfThe youJamaican haveEarly aChildhood UKCommission Blue Badge(ECC) and livethe inJamaican Jamaica,Ministry youof mustEducation, returnSkills, itYouth toand theInformation originalare UKresponsible issuingfor authority.
Voting
Youearly maychildhood beeducation ableand tocare vote in someJamaica.
Read UKguidance elections. You can:on:
CheckcertifiedifEarlyyouChildhoodareInstitutionsableintovoteJamaica.RegistertheasJamaicaanEarlyoverseasChildhoodvoterCurricula.
Births, deaths, marriagemarriages and civil partnershippartnerships
Births
If your child is born in JamaicaJamaica, you should register the birth with the localJamaican authorities. YouRead can then register with the UKJamaican authoritiesgovernment’s andguidance applyon forbirth aregistration UKin birth certificateJamaica.
IfRead yourour childguidance hason Britishmoving, nationality, youliving door notretiring needabroad. toThis covers how to:
- register the birth with the
UK authoritiesUK authorities to get a UK birth certificate - apply for
ayour child’s first British passport.
Deaths
IfRead someoneour diesguidance inon Jamaicamoving, readliving ouror guidanceretiring on:abroad. This covers:
Whatwhat to doifafter someone dies abroad.how to register the death with the UK authorities
BereavementIf guidancesomeone fordies Jamaica.in Jamaica, read guidance on:
ReviewwhatthetolistwhenofsomeoneEnglish-speakingdies in Jamaica- funeral directors in Jamaica
- getting a death certificate in Jamaica
MarriageMarriages and civil partnershippartnerships
FindRead out howour youguidance canon moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or get a civil partnership abroad.abroad.
Pets
TheSame Animalsex Diseasesmarriages (Importation)and Controlcivil (Amendment)partnerships 2017are nownot allowlegally therecognised importationin ofJamaica. dogsFor andinformation catsabout fromLGBT+ countriesrights otherin thanJamaica, theread Unitedguidance Kingdom.on Forsafety furtherand informationsecurity forin importingthe andtravel exportingadvice petsfor see here:
http://www.moa.gov.jm/content/veterinary-services-divisionJamaica.
Emergencies
Divorce and separation
DialReadtheour guidanceJamaicaon moving,119livingforthepolice,ambulanceorfireretiringbrigade,abroad.orThisdialcovers how110.DialtothegetJamaicaa119divorcetoorreportend amissingcivilchild.partnership.IfTheyouJamaicanhaveSupremebeenCourttheoffersvictimsomeofinformationaonrapehowortosexualgetassaulta divorce inJamaica,Jamaica.readConsider
theseekingGuidancelegalforadvicevictimsfromofarapelawyerandinsexualJamaica.Documents
assaultfor British people in Jamaica.Read
SeeouralsoguidancetheonGuidancedocuments forvictimsBritishofpeoplerapeabroad. This covers:- legalising and
sexualcertifyingassaultUKabroad.documents - marriage and civil partnership documents
Ifaffirmationsyou’reandtheaffidavits- witnessing
victimsignatures
Lawyers,
oftranslatorsaandcrime,notariesTo
havefindbeenanarrested,English-speaking lawyer, translator orarenotaryaffectedinbyJamaica,areadcrisis, contactguidancetheonHighprofessionalCommissionservicesKingstonif you’re abroad.- legalising and
Pets
ReadIftheyou want to bring your pet with you to Jamaica, read guidanceonon:- importing
internationalliveparentalanimalschildtoabductionJamaica - taking
ifyourchildpetmaydog,becatatorriskferretoftothis.a non-EU country
Returning to the UK
Read
theguidanceonreturning tothe UK permanentlythe UK permanently.whichThis includes information on bringing familymembers,members back to the UK, tax and access to services.Disclaimer
We provide this information as a guide only. For definitive information, contact the Jamaican authorities.
Read our consular information disclaimer.
- importing