Living in Jamaica
Information about moving to, living or retiring in Jamaica – including visas, working, healthcare and driving.
Getting help with living in Jamaica
Help from the Jamaican government
For any questions about moving to or living in Jamaica, you may be able to get help from the:
The UK government and the British High Commission in Kingston cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in Jamaica.
Professional help in Jamaica
You can also get help from professionals in Jamaica, including:
- lawyers
- notaries
- funeral directors
Help from the UK government
Read the travel advice for Jamaica to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit Jamaica. This includes the latest information on:
- visas and entry requirements
- laws and cultural differences
- safety and security
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.
Get help from the UK government abroad, including in an emergency.
Visas, residency and citizenship
Make sure you meet the entry requirements for Jamaica before you travel.
Visas and residency
If you want to stay in Jamaica for longer than 90 days, you must apply for an extension of stay.
You can get an extension of stay to:
- work
- study
- live with family in Jamaica
- live in Jamaica without working
For more information, read the immigration guidance from the Jamaican Passports, Immigration and Citizenship Agency.
Registering as a resident
Once you arrive, depending on your individual circumstances, you may need to register your residency in Jamaica.
For information, or if you have any problems or questions about registering your residency, contact:
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
- contact the Jamaican Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA)
Citizenship
Jamaica recognises dual citizenship. This means that you do not have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become a Jamaican citizen.
To find out if you’re eligible for Jamaican citizenship:
- read guidance on Jamaican citizenship
- contact the Jamaican Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA)
- contact the High Commission of Jamaica in the UK
Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications
The British High Commission in Kingston cannot help with Jamaican visa, residency or citizenship applications.
For any questions or issues, contact:
-
the Jamaican Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA)
- the High Commission of Jamaica in the UK
- a lawyer in Jamaica
Passports and travel
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- apply for a British passport from abroad
- travel urgently without your British passport
Dual citizens travelling to the UK
When travelling to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. Read guidance on dual citizenship.
Resident children travelling without a parent or legal guardian
Children aged 17 and under may need to carry a consent letter, their birth certificate or guardianship papers if they’re travelling out of Jamaica without one parent or a legal guardian.
For more information contact the:
Healthcare in Jamaica
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- plan your healthcare
- take medicine abroad
Jamaica does not have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK.
Make sure you have appropriate health insurance to cover any healthcare costs. You can get insurance from Jamaican or international providers.
If you’re resident in Jamaica, you may also be able to register for a National Health Fund (NHF) card.
To find out how to get medical treatment:
- contact your insurance provider
- read guidance on health in Jamaica
- visit the Jamaican Ministry of Health and Wellness website
- find medical facilities for British Nationals in Jamaica
Working in Jamaica
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.
To work in Jamaica, you may need a work permit. The Jamaican Ministry of Labour and Social Security explains how to apply for a work permit.
You may also need to register under the National Insurance Scheme, a compulsory social security scheme for anyone employed in Jamaica.
For more information on visa and work permit requirements, contact the:
- Jamaican Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA)
- Jamaican Ministry of Labour and Social Security
Recognition of qualifications
If you want to work in Jamaica, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised.
Driving in Jamaica
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- drive abroad legally
- take your UK vehicle abroad
- get driving licence letters
You can drive in Jamaica for up to 6 months using your valid UK photocard driving licence. To continue driving after 6 months, you must get a Jamaican driving licence.
Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) provides information on driving and vehicles in Jamaica.
For more information, read about road travel in safety and security in the travel advice for Jamaica.
Disabled drivers
You may be able to apply for a disabled parking permit or a “disability sticker” in Jamaica. For more information contact the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD).
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Jamaica, you must return it to 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 a double taxation agreement with Jamaica so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.
Contact Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) for any questions about double taxation relief.
You will need 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. To do this, find a lawyer in Jamaica.
Pensions
Claiming your UK pension
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- how to claim your UK State Pension
- where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension
Claiming a Jamaican pension
You may be able to claim a Jamaican pension if you have worked in Jamaica and contributed to the Jamaican National Insurance Scheme (NIS). Contact your local social security office to find out whether you can claim.
Benefits
Claiming UK benefits
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit.
Claiming Jamaican benefits
Contact your local social security office to find out whether you can claim benefits in Jamaica.
Buying and renting property in Jamaica
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad.
You can also read the Jamaican government’s guidance on how to invest in Jamaican Real Estate.
Contact a lawyer in Jamaica if you’re considering buying property or land.
Voting in Jamaica
UK elections
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- vote in UK elections from abroad
- register as an overseas voter
Jamaican elections
You cannot vote in Jamaican elections unless you hold Jamaican citizenship.
Studying in Jamaica
If you plan to study in Jamaica, you should read the immigration guidance from the Jamaican Passports, Immigration and Citizenship Agency. You will probably need a student extension of stay
For more information:
- read guidance on travel grants for students studying abroad or on placements (England)
- contact your higher education provider in the UK or Jamaica
- contact the Jamaica Tertiary Education Commission
Children
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:
- getting permission to take your child abroad
- claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
- child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad
Schools and education
The Jamaican Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information provides information about the school system in Jamaica.
All children aged 6 to 16 must attend school or home school in Jamaica.
For more information, read the Jamaican government’s:
Childcare
The Jamaican Early Childhood Commission (ECC) and the Jamaican Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information are responsible for early childhood education and care in Jamaica.
Read guidance on:
Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships
Births
If your child is born in Jamaica, register the birth with the Jamaican authorities. Read the Jamaican government’s guidance on birth registration in Jamaica.
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
- apply for your child’s first British passport
Deaths
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- what to do after someone dies abroad
- how to register the death with the UK authorities
If someone dies in Jamaica, read guidance on:
- what to when someone dies in Jamaica
- funeral directors in Jamaica
- getting a death certificate in Jamaica
Marriages and civil partnerships
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
Same sex marriages and civil partnerships are not legally recognised in Jamaica. For information about LGBT+ rights in Jamaica, read guidance on safety and security in the travel advice for Jamaica.
Divorce and separation
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.
The Jamaican Supreme Court offers some information on how to get a divorce in Jamaica.
Consider seeking legal advice from a lawyer in Jamaica.
Documents for British people in Jamaica
Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers:
- legalising and certifying UK documents
- marriage and civil partnership documents
- affirmations and affidavits
- witnessing signatures
Lawyers, translators and notaries
To find an English-speaking lawyer, translator or notary in Jamaica, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.
Pets
If you want to bring your pet with you to Jamaica, read guidance on:
Returning to the UK
Read returning to the UK permanently. This includes information on bringing family 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.
Updates to this page
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Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand. Includes new information for dual citizens travelling to the UK ('Passports and travel' section).
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Section on Covid-19 removed.
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January 2023 update.
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Coronavirus section added with a link to guidance on vaccines
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First published.