A foreign national seeking to extend their stay in the island, can do so by submitting an application for an extension.

An extension, if approved, is a stamp placed in the passport that grants the holder extended time in the island in addition to the time initially granted to them by Immigration when they entered the island.

An application for an extension should be submitted before the expiration of the landing time and failure to do so will result in the foreign national being in breach of Immigration laws which will incur penalties.

Categories of Extension of Stay includes:

VISITOR:

Commonwealth citizens are allowed a maximum of 12 months stay on the island and Non-Commonwealth citizens are allowed a maximum of 6 months stay on the island as a visitor.

Documents needed:

  • Valid passport no less than 6 months to the expiration date
  • Return Ticket
  • Letter stating reason for extension
  • Entry visa (if applicable)
  • Required fee

STUDENT:

Foreign nationals that are enrolled in an educational institution registered by the Ministry of Education

Students are required to visit PICA office within 2 weeks of their arrival into the island to have an extension/endorsement placed in their passport.

Documents needed:

  • Valid passport no less than 6 months to the expiration date
  • Letter of registration from an educational institution registered by the Ministry of Education addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, PICA
  • Return ticket valid for one (1) year
  • Entry visa (if applicable)
  • Required fee

EMPLOYMENT:

Foreign nationals who are gainfully employed must have their stay extended/their passport endorsed to regularize their Immigration status to reflect their work period.

Documents needed:

  • Valid passport no less than 6 months to the expiration date
  • Work permit / receipt / work permit exemption / work permit letter from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security
  • Entry visa (if applicable)
  • Required fee

MARRIAGE EXEMPTION:

This applies to foreign nationals who are married to a Jamaican national and intends to extend their stay on that basis.

The Jamaican national is expected to attend the Immigration office when the applicant is submitting their application.

Documents needed:

  • Valid passport no less than 6 months to the expiration date
  • Marriage exemption certificate from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security if spouse intends to work in Jamaica
  • Original birth certificate / original Jamaican citizenship certificate / machine readable Jamaican passport of Jamaican spouse
  • Entry visa (if applicable)
  • Original marriage certificate
  • Required fee

DEPENDENCY:

This applies to foreign nationals not working in the island but are dependent on a spouse or parent (60 years and over) who works in the island.

Documents needed:

  • Valid passport no less than 6 months to the expiration date
  • Principal applicant’s passport / original citizenship certificate / work permit or exemption letter from Ministry of Labour and Social Security
  • Original document to establish relationship example original marriage certificate, original birth certificate or adoption certificate
  • Entry visa (if applicable)
  • Required fee

Extensions of stay are processed within three (3) working days for all the categories.