Jamaica CARICOM free movement

Nationals of 11 other CSME states in an approved skills category (such as university graduates) can work in Jamaica without a work permit once they hold a CARICOM Skills Certificate, with indefinite stay after verification. ^{1 2 3}

Requirements

• The person is a national of one of the 12 CSME states that apply free movement of skilled nationals. ^{3 4 5}
• Approved categories include university graduates, associate degree holders, artistes, musicians, sportspersons and media workers. ¹
• Registered nurses, teachers with diplomas, artisans and household domestics with at least CVQ level 2 also qualify. ¹
• CARICOM nationals outside the approved categories still need a work permit. ^{1 3}
• Certificate fees are J$2,000 to apply, J$8,000 to collect, and J$2,000 for each dependent. ^{1 5}
• Passport biodata page signed by a Justice of the Peace, a police report covering the last 3 years, and certified qualifications. ¹
• Unconditional landing needs a passport valid for at least 6 months and the CSME certificate verified by the Ministry of Labour. ²
• Obtain a Certificate of Recognition of CARICOM Skills Qualification from a competent authority in the home state before moving. ^{1 3}
• On arrival the person is granted a 6-month stay and must submit the certificate to the Jamaican competent authority for acceptance. ¹
• The Ministry of Labour and Social Security verifies the certificate and issues a letter to take to PICA. ¹
• PICA grants the CARICOM unconditional landing stamp on presentation of the verified certificate. ^{2 1}
• The unconditional landing stamp lasts until the passport expires and is then transferred to the new passport. ²

Stay

• 6-month stay on arrival while the certificate is verified; indefinite stay (unconditional landing) once verified.
• Initial permitted stay: 6 months.
• On arrival up to 6 months: Skills certificate submitted to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security for verification; work is allowed meanwhile.
• After verification: Unconditional landing stamp from PICA; valid until the passport expires.

Nationality

Nationals of the CSME free movement states: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago. Open to: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, VC, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago.

Work

No work permit needed. The holder can work during the verification period and, with unconditional landing, live and work in Jamaica.

Family

Dependents are added to the certificate (J$2,000 each) and can apply for unconditional landing with the holder, with original marriage and birth certificates.

Checked 2026-10-10

Official sources

1. Apply for Skills Certificate at Labour Ministry Only · Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Jamaica · checked 2026-10-10
2. Unconditional Landing · Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), Jamaica · checked 2026-10-10
3. CSME - CARICOM Single Market and Economy · Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, Trinidad and Tobago · checked 2026-10-10
4. CSME Certificate Portal · Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Guyana · checked 2026-10-10
5. Caribbean Single Market Economy · Labour Market Information System, Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Jamaica · checked 2026-10-10