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grumpygirl
  8/24/2014 14:24 EST

I need help understanding the process of staying in jamaica permanently. I know the passport is stamped for 3 months and you can file for another 3 month extension. I also know that I must travel back to the US to maintain my citizenship, but I can only go back to jamaica for 3 months? I am married to a Jamaican man who is also a permanent citizen of jamaica, but the plan has always been for me to move there in dec 2015 when my son graduates high school. Once i leave the US in dec 2015 for jamaica, i will not have a place to come back to to stay for 3 months. I will of course come back to the US to visit, but do not want to be forced to stay in the US for 3 months a year. That is not feasible. Does anyone know if that will have to be done in my situation since I will be living with my husband there? Any advice is much appreciated. Thank you.

Gardis
  8/24/2014 17:28 EST

You need professional advice from an immigration lawyer. There is a column in the Daily Gleaner written by a Jamaica based immigration lawyer. Why not write her and see what she says about your situation. Shouldn't be hard to learn the answer.

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grumpygirl
  8/24/2014 18:14 EST

yes i read the paper every day and have seen articles pertaining to these situations, i just was not sure if they would really reply. thank you for directing me to there.

LoriB
  8/24/2014 20:42 EST

You can apply for Permanent Residency due to your marriage to a Jamaican citizen. Check the PICA website, it has all the information.

christineklein
  8/25/2014 08:50 EST

No need for an immigration lawyer.... as LoriB says, you can get permanent residency because you are married to a Jamaican. Be sure to apply as soon as you get here as the process takes a while (as does most things when the government is involved). You can do this at anytime even before you move here. You don't give up your US citizenship, you become a resident of Jamaica.

mangowalk
  9/25/2014 06:22 EST

Just apply for Permanent Residence, it takes under two weeks to be process by Pica, processing fees is 10.000 ja doller

You do.not.need an Attorney process is straight forward.

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Nellkay
  9/27/2014 09:41 EST

Hi Grumpy Girl - I just moved to Jamaica this past July. I too am married to a Jamaican resident and am in the process of getting my residency. You don't need a lawyer but you do need a few documents, I was given the information from the immigration office. Not just word of mouth but an actual sheet of paper with the instructions (I say this because if you go online and look it is not correct. Plus we talked with a JP and confirmed what we need to process. You need 1. birth certificate or citizen certificate of the Jamaica spouse 2. Marriage certificate original and a certified copy.(certified means signed by a JP). 3. Passport for both husband and wife 4. Affidavit signed by both husband and wife stating that they share a common matrmonial home in Jamaica. (again letter needs to be signed by you, your husband and a JP) 5. Two certified passport photos of you (again backs of photos are stamped and signed by a JP) 6. One certified passport photo of your husband (back of photo signed by JP). Both you and your husband must attend the Ministry of Labour, 1F North Street Kingston with the above documents. There is a charge of $14,400 Jamaican dollars (roughly $140 US but you need to pay in Jamaica dollars) You are issued a letter of exemption that is unrestricted and is good for 3 years. Processing and delivery is done these same day you go to Kingston. There Certificate along with the passport of the non-Jamaican is then taken to the Immigration Authorities for your passport to be endorsed. They stamp your passport as open meaning you can come and go in and out of the country. There is also a process For renewal (which clearly we haven't done yet as I just moved here!) but it seems pretty simple. Hope this helps and good luck! Where on the island are you moving to?

Nellkay
  9/27/2014 09:49 EST

P.S. - Open stamp on your passport also means you don't have to leave Jamaica after 3 months, 6 months or at all if you don't want to!

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