When you travel somewhere outside of the country, you will need to obtain visas for your visit. The requirements laid out for obtaining this visa will depend on the country you intend to visit. Depending on your origin country, you may enter another countries territory without a visa.
As for Jamaica, you must obtain a visa when entering the country unless you come from 116 Jamaica visa free countries. Visitors from these nations can stay in Jamaica for up to 6 months without a visa. Holders of service and diplomatic passports from Cuba also do not need a visa for entry.
Passengers who are connecting flights through any Jamaica international airports are allowed to transit without a visa.
How To Get A Jamaica Visa
Just as in all other nations worldwide, the Jamaica visa policy requires one to obtain a visa when visiting the country. Unless you come from one of the Jamaica visa free countries listed here, you can apply for a visa through any of these methods.
Embassy Application
If you have asked yourself, "how to get a Jamaican visa," then the Jamaica embassy is undoubtedly the best way to go about it. You will face little if any challenges when using this method. If you get stuck while making your application, the embassy staff will assist you.
To make the application at the embassy, you will first need to download the Jamaica visa application form from the official embassy website. After this, you will fill in your details on the form, signing it, and attaching all the supporting documents required. At this point, you can book an appointment with the Jamaican embassy and then proceed to the offices to make your application.
Anyone how makes an embassy application is required to present themselves physically to the embassy. Make sure you get the correct form for your visa type to prevent delays in processing.
After you arrive at the embassy at your appointed time, an immigration officer will take you through an interview after reviewing your documents. The officer will then decide whether to approve or deny depending on whether you meet all requirements according to the Jamaica visa policy.
If you are not a resident of one of the countries appearing on the official Jamaica visa free countries list, visit the embassy and apply for a visa before visiting Jamaica. Please note that the immigration officer holds sole discretion on the approval of your Jamaican visa. If your visa is approved, you can decide to collect it from the embassy or send it to you.
For the embassy applications, you can do one of the following;
- Walk-in Applications
For walk-in applications, the embassy will process the visa within 24 – 48 hours or 5 – 7 business days, depending on the country of citizenship. For applications from the latter category, the embassy will need to send the application to the Passport, Immigration & Citizenship Agency in Jamaica (visit the official embassy website for a list of countries that will require the 5 – 7 business days for visa approval). All those with passports from these nations are advised to apply at least 2 weeks before the date of travel.
- Mailed-in Applications
For mailed-in applications, the embassy will process the visa within 5 business days or 7 – 10 business days, depending on the country of citizenship. For applications from the latter category, the embassy will need to send the application to the Passport, Immigration & Citizenship Agency in Jamaica (visit the official embassy website for a list of countries that will require 7 – 10 business days for visa approval). All those with passports from these nations are advised to apply at least 3 weeks before the date of travel.
Jamaica Visa On Arrival
Another answer to the question, 'how to get a Jamaican visa'? Is to make an application on arrival to the country. You should ensure that you have all the required documents for the visa application before heading to the country. You might get deported from the country and its territories for lacking some of the requested documents.
Foreign citizens that do not come from one of the Jamaica visa free countries will need to apply for a Jamaica visa on arrival at the port. This option, however, is not available to all nations that will require a visa. Only citizens from these 25 nations can apply for a visa on arrival.
Even though the Jamaican government does not recognize Taiwan passports, its citizens can get a visa on arrival if they have an affidavit of Identity. In addition, the United Arab Emirates has signed a visa waiver with Jamaica exempting holders of diplomatic and official passports from requiring a visa. The waiver will also allow ordinary citizens of the UAE to obtain visas on arrival to Jamaica. This waiver, however, is yet to be ratified.
The Jamaica visa fee on arrival to the country will set you back 100-350 USD for all citizens.
Visa Processing Agency
There are a few agencies that can help you apply for a Jamaica visa. In most cases, the visa you will get through this process will be the tourism visa. However, in some cases, a few of them will help you process a business visa and a transit visa.
This process is often stress-free as the agencies will help you fill the Jamaica visa application form and even ensure that you meet all the Jamaica visa requirements. The agencies will assist in filling the application with the embassy, and when your Jamaica visa application is approved, the agency will collect the visa for you and send it.
You should, however, make sure that you engage a professional and trustworthy agency. Since there is money involved (as the agencies will charge a small fee), a few people are taking advantage and corning people out of their hard-earned money.
Jamaica visa requirements
When you are applying for a Jamaica visa, you should be advised that there are a few options for visa availability. Below are the documents you will need when applying for the different visas. We recommend that you carry any other additional documents with you that might help with the approval process.
Below is a list of visa you can apply for;
- Jamaica tourist visa
- Jamaica entry visa (student)
- Jamaica entry visa (work)
- Jamaica entry visa (spouse of Jamaican national)
- Jamaica entry visa (permanent residency)
The Jamaica visa requirements for all the above are;
- Payment of the Jamaica visa fee- to be made to the embassy bank account through Wire Transfer
- You should have a passport that will remain valid for another 6 months after the date of application
- Return ticket confirming departure out of Jamaica
- Jamaica visa application form. The form needs to be filled and signed
- A recent passport size photograph with a white background
- Passport holders need to have at least a blank page on their Passport. We, however, recommend you having two
- You will need to show adequate financial support for the length of your visit to Jamaica (this could be your bank statement)
- Hotel confirmation or letter of invitation to show the address where you will stay while in Jamaica
Tourist Visa
You will not need any additional documents for the Jamaica tourist visa.
Entry Visa (Student)
You will need to provide;
- Letter from learning institute showing reason and length of stay in the country
- Medical certificate showing that the applicant is free from contagious or infectious diseases
Entry Visa (Work)
You will need to provide;
- Letter from Jamaican Ministry of Labour approving your work permit or granting exemption from the work permit
Entry Visa (Spouse Of Jamaican National)
You will need;
- Marriage Certificate
- Spouse's birth certificate along with a certified copy of your Jamaican spouse's Passport
Entry Visa (Permanent Residency)
You will need;
- Letter from Passport the Jamaican Immigration and Citizenship Agency
- Spouse's birth certificate along with a certified copy of your Jamaican spouse's Passport
In addition, the applicant should meet the following criteria;
- The applicant must not be facing a sentence in a foreign state for any extraditable crime
- The applicant must not be the subject of a deportation order in force under Chapter 9 of the Aliens Law
- The applicant must not be the subject of any landing prohibition issued by the Minister of National Security
- The applicant must be of sound mind
Jamaica Visa Processing Time
According to the official Jamaican embassy website, the processing time for a Jamaica Visa is approximately 10 to 14 business days. This time is, however, only for the applications made at the Jamaican embassy. If you choose to apply through a visa application agency, the processing time may differ by a few days.
The government of Jamaica has put in a lot of effort to make sure the visa application process is easy. With the country also having signed treaties with many other countries allowing movement into its territories without visas, the government has opened up many growth opportunities.
The Caribbean nation has some of the best tourist attractions, from reef-lined beaches to mountains and rainforests. The people also have a rich and unique culture, when in the country you will get to learn plenty of new things. This Caribbean country should be your next holiday destination.