Guidance

Living in Jamaica

Advice for British people living in Jamaica, including information on health, education, benefits, residence requirements and more.

From:
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Published
16 May 2016
Last updated
4 August 2023 — See all updates

Information for British citizens moving to or living in Jamaica, including guidance on passports, working in Jamaica and healthcare.

This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Jamaica. Read about how our High Commission in Kingston, Jamaica can help.

This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Jamaican authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.

Support for British Nationals Abroad: A Guide sets out how British nationals can stay safe abroad and how the FCDO can help if you do get into difficulty.

Read general guidance on moving or retiring abroad.

To stay up to date: follow the British High Commission Kingston on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Before you go

See our Travel Advice for Jamaica for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.

Visas and residency

Check the entry requirements for Jamaica in our travel advice.

Information on residency must be obtained from the passport immigration and citizenship agency, PICA www.pica.gov.jm/.

Passports and travel

You can apply for or renew your British passport from Jamaica. You are required to print and send the form, processing can take longer than on-line UK application. You should check information on processing time and take this into account when deciding to apply.

Check the Jamaican Travel Advice for passport validity requirements.

Healthcare in Jamaica

You may need to register for healthcare as a resident in Jamaica.

Review the list of medical facilities in Jamaica. For more information on hospital and health facilities, you can visit the Ministry of Health http://moh.gov.uk/.

NOTE: UK Travel insurance providers will not generally cover your healthcare costs if you live overseas.

Medicine

If you are on a prescription for any medication you should ensure you have a supply of it, or are able to obtain it when in Jamaica.

Certain medicines may not be available in Jamaica (including major brands readily available in the UK), and you may be prohibited from taking them into the country. You should consult your GP before travelling to Jamaica to find out about any alternative medication. You might need a special permit.

Please contact the Jamaica customer Agency http://www/jacustomer.gov.jm/index.php and the Ministry of Health pharmaceutical and regulatory affairs http://moh.gov.uj/divisions-agencies/divisions/standards-and-regulation-division/.

Read the guidance if you need to travel with medicines.

Working in Jamaica

If you are planning to move to Jamaica and work, you may need a visa. Read the Jamaican government’s guidance on working in Jamaica as a foreign national and how to get a visa.

Information on entry and work permits are provided and at the discretion of the Ministry of Labour http://www.mlss.gov.jm/pub/index.php and the local immigration department, PICA http://www.pica.gov.jm Permits should be obtained prior to arrival in Jamaica.

Requirements and qualifications for jobs are at the employer’s discretion.

Studying in Jamaica

If you plan to study in Jamaica, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel, you can check with the local immigration department, PICA http://www.pica.gov.jm and https://www.mlss.gov.jm/?s=work+permit+

Contact the relevant higher education provider in Jamaica to check what fees you have to pay.

Tax

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Jamaica so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. Ask the relevant tax authority your questions about double taxation relief.

You should get professional advice on paying tax in Jamaica. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Jamaica.

Read guidance on:

Benefits

Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim them.

Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.

Pensions

Read State Pension guidance if you have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.

If you retire in Jamaica, you can claim your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension.  Contact the International Pension Centre for further information.

Jamaican pensions are managed either privately or by the government. The arrangement are determined by the employer. Eligibility for local pension must be obtained from the Ministry of Labour http://www.mlss.gov.jm/pub/index.php.

Life certificates for UK State Pensions

If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you must respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you do not.

Money and banking

A list of banks and other financial institutions that operate in Jamaican be found on the bank of Jamaica website http://boj.org.jm/financial_sys . Information on taxes, such as property, GCT and income can be found on the tax administration department http://jamaicatax.gov.jm/tax/type.

Visa and MasterCard are the most commonly accepted, followed by American Express, Discover and Diners Club.

Accommodation and buying property

See buying a property abroad.

Driving in Jamaica

Read the guidance on what actions you must do to drive legally in Jamaica https://jis.gov.jm/information/get-the-facts/how-to-obtain-a-drivers-licence/.

Driving abroad.

If you’re asked for a letter authenticating, certifying or validating your UK driver’s licence, you should contact your UK issuing office (e.g. the DVLA).

For travelling by road in Jamaica see this guidance.

Information if you wish to transport your vehicle from Jamaica.

You can drive in Jamaica using a UK driving licence for up to 6 months. A Jamaican driving license can be obtained from the Tax administration department http://www.jamaicatax.gov.uk.

Disabled drivers

If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Jamaica, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.

Voting

You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:

Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnership

Births

If your child is born in Jamaica you should register the birth with the local authorities. You can then register with the UK authorities and apply for a UK birth certificate.

If your child has British nationality, you do not need to register the birth with the UK authorities to apply for a British passport.

Deaths

If someone dies in Jamaica read our guidance on:

Marriage and civil partnership

Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.

Pets

The Animal Diseases (Importation) Control (Amendment) 2017 now allow the importation of dogs and cats from countries other than the United Kingdom. For further information for importing and exporting pets see here:

http://www.moa.gov.jm/content/veterinary-services-division

Emergencies

Returning to the UK

Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on bringing family members, tax and access to services.

Updates to this page

Published 16 May 2016
Last updated 4 August 2023 + show all updates

  1. Section on Covid-19 removed.

  2. January 2023 update.

  3. Coronavirus section added with a link to guidance on vaccines

  4. First published.

Sign up for emails or print this page

Contents

Related content