Visa requirements for international students differ by nationality. Students are generally allowed to stay in Jamaica for one year without leaving, but they will need to bring proof of enrollment to a local college or university.

Students who wish to study in Jamaica must provide the following:

• Valid passport (at least six months after your return from Jamaica);

• Visa for each entry (if required);

• Confirmed return ticket, valid for one year;

• An acceptance letter from the school or institution where the student (s) will study; and sufficient funds to cover expenses for one (1) year primarily;

• Name of the person (s) who is (are) responsible for the student (s) while studying at the school.

Students over the age of 16 must be registered as foreigners to apply for staying on the island to complete their studies at the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency at 25c Constant Spring Road, Kingston 10. Direct email address:

[email protected] 

Be prepared to fill out the following forms visiting the extension department:

• Re-entry visa application (where applicable);

• Application for extension of stay;

• Registration card of a foreigner (also, if any).

Students, who have entered into appropriate agreements with the educational institution, prior to arrival, can be dropped off for one year at each admission. Students without proper training can be dropped off for two months. Once the necessary measures are taken and the relevant evidence is obtained, the chief immigration officer can extend this period to one year.

Find out about the current requirements of a particular university on the website or by e-mail of the educational institution.

Learn more about education in Jamaica here:

https://wenr.wes.org/2019/09/education-in-jamaica 

What makes you eligible for a student visa in Jamaica?

Future students must meet the following criteria:

• You must provide an acceptance letter confirming that the applicant has been offered a full-time place of study at a particular educational institution. 

• Candidates must be able to demonstrate evidence of sufficient funds to support themselves in the country. 

• You must prove that the course price has been paid in full. 

• You must draw up to private health insurance and provide documentary evidence of this. 

• The candidate's intention to return to their country after the end of the training period must be obvious.

• All immigrants in Jamaica must respect and comply with national immigration laws, instructions and formalities.

• Research should only be conducted in approved and licensed educational institutions.

In addition, each school and university may have unique or additional requirements, so we suggest that you contact the institution you are considering directly.

Here are direct links to international student offices/information about the University of the West Indies – https://www.mona.uwi.edu/iso/ and Northern Caribbean University – https://www.ncu.edu.jm/admissions/internationalstudents.aspx.