Jamaica permanent residence

PICA accepts permanent residence applications in these categories: employment, for foreign nationals who have worked in Jamaica for more than three years; retirement, for retired foreign nationals who wish to retire in Jamaica; marriage to a Jamaican; dependants of a permanent resident; and previous holders of unconditional landing by virtue of marriage to a Jamaican.

PICA does not publish a minimum income for the retirement category; applicants show their financial status and means of support, for example pension details and bank statements.

All documents must be originals. Submit a passport valid for at least six months; evidence of financial status and means of support such as pension details and bank statements; for business owners, the certificate of registration, tax compliance certificate, income tax returns and audited accounts for the last full year; your original birth certificate, translated if not in English; the Jamaican spouse's birth certificate or Jamaican passport and the marriage certificate or decree absolute where relevant; children's birth certificates; a local medical certificate; and police certificates from your previous country of residence and, if you have lived in Jamaica for six months or more, from Jamaica.

Add two identical passport photos certified by a Justice of the Peace, evidence of property or assets in Jamaica or overseas, a letter stating why you seek permanent residence and letters from two reputable Jamaican referees, both addressed to the CEO of PICA, an entry visa if applicable and the fee.

As part of the approval process, applicants are interviewed by PICA's Investigation and Surveillance Unit. The application fee is JM$100,000, and applications are usually processed within three to six months.

A permanent resident may live and work in Jamaica without restrictions on their stay and without a work permit or Jamaican citizenship, but does not have the same constitutional rights as a citizen. Non-Commonwealth residents need a re-entry visa to travel, at JM$500 to JM$2,000 depending on nationality, and those over 16 register with PICA for JM$2,000.