Foreign citizens and citizens of Commonwealth of Nations who plan to work on the island, regardless of the nature of the job, must obtain a work permit or work permit before entering the country.

Note: the Commonwealth of Nations is an international organization in which countries with different social, political and economic backgrounds are considered equal in status and cooperate within common values and goals.

The work permit is at the discretion of the Ministry of labour and social welfare of Jamaica. A work permit must be obtained before arriving in Jamaica.

Persons who come to Jamaica for employment purposes must have the following documents with them:

• valid passport;

• round trip ticket;

• work permit issued by the Ministry of Labor and social protection of the population;

• visa, if available.

If you live in Jamaica, you must be insured by a Jamaican health insurance company.

Employment contracts

Employment contracts in Jamaica can be either oral or written. Written contracts must contain terms and conditions that specify the parties, the end date (if for a certain period), the job description, working hours, salary, bonus (if any), and other points agreed upon by the parties. Employment contracts can be either fixed-term or indefinite.

It is allowed to check cases before employment. These may include medical examinations and criminal background checks. Employers usually notify the candidate in advance of the investigation and ask for permission to conduct an audit.

Applications for a work permit on behalf of self-employed persons must be submitted with a cover letter indicating:

• The nature and duration of the work provided

• Certified copies of the applicant's credentials

• Two (2) passport photos

• Person's resume

• Police registration of a person.

The application form can be obtained at the MLSS offices at 1F North Street in Kingston or at any MLSS parish office across the island. The application form can also be found on the Ministry's website: 

www.mlss.gov.jm 

A non-refundable processing fee of JMD 14,400 must be submitted together with the application. If the permit is granted by MLSS, the applicant must pay a work permit fee before the permit can be issued.

Permit validity period work permit fee (JMD):

• Up to 3 months USA 27,000

• 3-6 months USA 54,000

• 6-9 months USA 81,000

• 9-12 months USA 108,000.

The period for obtaining a work permit is approximately 4-6 weeks.

Exemption from a visa or work permit is possible for the following persons:

• Mission managers and staff accredited in Jamaica are exempt from work permits (visa required);

• Direct transit and transit passengers;

• United States, German, and Canadian Peace Corps personnel are exempt from work permit and registration;

• Persons working for the United Nations with Laissez Passer are exempt from a visa and work permit;

• Persons who work for owners or operators of aircraft operating international flights and have landed in Jamaica to perform duties on these aircraft are exempt from visa, work permit and registration;

• Directors, inspectors and auditors of any company operating a branch in Jamaica can stay up to fourteen (14) days in one calendar year without a visa or work permit;

• Writers, journalists, television workers, sculptors and artists (except industrial painters) can stay for various periods of up to thirty (30) days in one calendar year without a work permit, subject to JIS approval;

• Persons sent by the government of any sovereign state may stay for various periods of up to fourteen (14) days during one calendar year.

For more information about the application procedure (where to apply, what form to fill out, how long it will take, etc.), please contact the competent authorities at the Ministry of Labor and social protection: http://www.mlss.gov.jm/