Unconditional boarding is a type of extension of stay, granted to foreigners, that allows them to live in Jamaica, be able to attend school or work without obtaining a student visa or work permit, respectively.

Persons entitled to unconditional landing:

• Jamaicans who hold non-Jamaican passports;

• Persons born abroad to Jamaican parents;

• Caribbean Community Certificate holders (free movement of qualified persons);

• Persons who are naturalized or registered as Jamaican citizens.

Documentation requirements:

Persons of Jamaican heritage

• Valid passport;

• Original birth certificate;

• If the application is submitted with the help of one of the parents, you will need a birth certificate of one of the parents, as well as a marriage certificate (if possible and the name has been changed) or a survey certificate (where applicable and if there is a name change);

• The parents' birth certificate must include their name, patronymic (if possible) and last name. If the birth certificate does not contain a last name, a valid or expired Jamaican passport is required to confirm the last name. If the application is submitted through the father, his name must be on the applicant's birth certificate;

• If the application is submitted with the help of a grandparent, then in addition to the birth certificate of the grandparent, the birth certificate of the parents, a valid passport, a marriage certificate (where applicable and if there is a name change) or a survey (where appropriate and if there is a name change). The grandparents' birth certificate must contain their first name, patronymic (if necessary) and last name and must be in the same order as they are indicated on the parents' birth certificate. If your grandparents' birth certificate does not include their last name, a valid or expired Jamaican passport is required. 

Jamaicans holding non-Jamaican passports

• National passport;

• Original Jamaican birth certificate or Jamaican passport.

Minors

• Original birth certificate, birth certificate of parents with their first name, patronymic (if any) and last name. If the birth certificate doesn’t  contain a last name, a valid or expired Jamaican passport is required to confirm the last name;

• The name of the father must be included in the applicant's birth certificate if the application is submitted through the father;

• If the application is submitted through the mother and she is married, her marriage certificate is required if she uses the name in the marriage.

Оthers

• For other categories of persons, a certificate of citizenship or a Certificate of Caribbean citizenship should be submitted together with their passport.

Please note that applications for unconditional boarding can only be submitted in Jamaica.

For more information, please contact the Jamaican passport, immigration and Citizenship Agency at: www.pica.gov.jm

Naturalization allows a foreign national to obtain Jamaican citizenship. The procedure is different in each individual case.

What is naturalization?

Naturalization is the last step in the process of integration into the Jamaican way of life. This gives you the right to vote and run. Since Jamaica recognizes dual citizenship, applicants for a Jamaican passport do not risk losing their original citizenship, provided that the country of Origin also allows dual citizenship.

Who can apply?

Naturalization may be granted to a person if:

• A person who has reached the age of eighteen (18) years of age;

• The person has a good character and is financially capable.

What are the requirements for a place of residence?

A person must have lived in Jamaica for at least five (5) years immediately prior to applying.

What documents are required?

• Birth certificate

• The passport that the applicant originally used to enter Jamaica

• Marriage certificate (if any)

• Current passport (if different)

• Work permit card or certificate of exemption from work permit

• Evidence of community activities that you may be involved in, such as a service club, etc. 

• Two (2) passport-sized photographs certified by the magistrate (the applicant's name together with the surname, number and signature of the certifying official, and the certification date is not older than 6 months). Without relief printing.

• Certificate of compliance with tax obligations (personal and business). If the applicant / spouse deals with a wholesale income tax return

• Income verification (for example, the last 3 payroll receipts, company financial statements, pension certificate, employment letter. They must not be older than 6 months).

• Last bank statement (no older than 6 months). 

What is the naturalization procedure?

You must submit an application (in two copies) in the naturalization form (N1), which can be obtained from the printing services of Jamaica.

The form should be carefully read and then completed and signed in the presence of a Justice of the peace, notary, or person authorized to perform the oath.

Four (4) links are required as program sponsors. These persons must be of Jamaican descent and must not be government employees, relatives, lawyers or agents of the applicant.

Before applying, a notice of your intention to apply for naturalization must appear in the daily newspaper. This notice should be published twice (2) in separate cases at intervals of at least one (1) week and submitted together with the application.

After you have completed the above, the application must be submitted to the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency along with the following original documents. 

How much does it cost to apply for naturalization?

During the naturalization process, a Jamaican citizen is charged a non-refundable data processing fee of JMD $50,000.00. Payment will only be accepted in Jamaican dollars. 

Please note that after approval, the applicant must certify the certificate with the state stamp service for an additional fee of 1000.00 JMD.

How long does the procedure take?

The process lasts approximately 24 months, after which a certificate of naturalization will be issued. After that, the oath of Allegiance will be taken, and the successful applicant will take the oath as a Jamaican citizen.