karenhall720
9/24/2016 19:33 EST
This Question is for those who are currently living in Jamaica. Do I need a return ticket when I go to Jamaica to Live?, Do I need a visa?, Who do I contact when making the decision?, My plans are to go there in November to Live.... Please advise me so that I wont make any mistakes.... thanks in advance....
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royal
9/25/2016 06:37 EST
Hi Karen, are you a Jamaican citizen? Do you have a Jamaican passport?
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RickBlaine
9/25/2016 08:55 EST
Hi Karen;
First, if you are coming to Jamaica to live you'll need a Jamaican passport or a VISA or a work permit (or letter of employment). If you are coming as a tourist you will not need a VISA (U.S. Residents are exempt from a tourist visa requirement, however in most cases immigration at the airport will stamp your passport for up to 90 days.
If you are traveling as a tourist and have a U.S. passport the airline, in most cases, will require you to have a return ticket to the U.S. or they will not allow you to board! In Jamaica at immigration they might ask for proof of a return ticket. I've never been asked however they have the right to ask and see evidence of return.
Once in Jamaica you can apply for an Extension of Stay. This may be based on Visitor, Student, Employment, Marriage or Dependency exemption. As a Visitor you can stay for up to 60 days with an Extension however you must supply a letter stating reason extension is being sought.
The Student & Employment exemptions are fairly self explanatory. If you are married or are getting married (to a Jamaican National) than you can apply for a Marriage Exemption (which I'm going through now). If you are a direct descendant of a Jamaican National you can apply for an Exemption.
Once in country you'll need to go to the PICA office to apply for any of the above. If you over stay you are subject to immediate deportation and can be banned from re-entry.
Most all the information you require is available at http://www.pica.gov.jm/
To be any more specific as to what you'll need and how to go about it requires a lot more information from you other than "My plans are to go there in November to Live"
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RickBlaine
9/25/2016 08:58 EST
Correction: (in the 3rd paragraph) I wrote "As a Visitor you can stay for up to 60 days" this should be "As a Visitor you can stay for up to 6 months"
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RickBlaine
9/25/2016 12:27 EST
Please excuse my curiosity; but WHY are you moving here and WHAT are your intentions?
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RickBlaine
9/25/2016 14:35 EST
Yes, I'm American (U.S. Citizen) and my wife is Jamaican which allows me to stay and apply for residency.
Unfortunately, Jamaica doesn't have a residency path for retiring expats. Only Jamaican nationals living abroad and those of Jamaican heritage.
So unless you're going to leave the island every 90 days and return I don't see how you'll be able to stay (legally) indefinitely.
With that said; I don't recall a single instance where JCF or anyone else (tax office, bank, etc) looked at or cared how long I've been in country or the date on my passport stamped. We've been stopped several times for spot "safety checks" and the officer didn't care or want my passport, just my license and the car documents. When I got my TRN (which is the first thing you need to do) they wanted copies of my passport only. Financial institutions want ID & TRN.
Good luck
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Clarendon72
9/25/2016 15:06 EST
Hi Karen,
It would be food to give some more explanation regarding your plans in order to get some direction on the forum.
From what you have stated so far you will not be in a position to move in November.
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karenhall720
9/25/2016 15:16 EST
Ok. Thanks. But im not sure when i will get married. I just didn't want to put this on the forum. But good too know
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karenhall720
9/25/2016 15:16 EST
Ok. Thanks. But im not sure when i will get married. I just didn't want to put this on the forum. But good too know
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LoriB
9/25/2016 19:46 EST
Jamaica DOES have a Residency path for retiring expats:
Persons can apply for Permanent Residence on the following basis:
Employment – Working in Jamaica for three years or more
Marriage – being married to a Jamaican national
>> Retirement – Persons who no longer work in their home country and are desirous of living in Jamaica
http://www.pica.gov.jm/immigration/general-immigration-information/permanent-residence/
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LoriB
9/25/2016 19:56 EST
Karen, per some of your questions, it sounds like your FIRST trip will be in November, is that correct?
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Gardis
9/25/2016 20:23 EST
Karen,
You cannot be helped until you describe your situation in more detail, why you are moving, from where are you moving, and what income source you will have, if any, when you arrive in Jamaica. You stated you are going only for the 2nd time. You mentioned very cryptically about marriage. Are you marrying a Jamaican? It makes a lot of difference. Rick very generously answered at length and all you could think to reply was to ask if he was an American (why that is of any import, I am not clear. You are asking the questions, not him), Take some time, provide some context, and maybe someone can help you.
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luvvinlife
From: Jamaica
9/25/2016 20:29 EST
Thank you..I was hoping someone would respond to the aforementioned misinformation
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RickBlaine
9/25/2016 21:04 EST
Good luck attempting to get permanent residence based on what you read on PICA. One of the requirements is an Extension of Stay, which is granted on VISITOR, STUDENT PERMIT, EMPLOYMENT, MARRIAGE, DEPENDENCY status and Evidence of financial status and means of support – eg. Particulars of pension, bank account, property owned and business investments.
There is NO dollar amount so I can only presume it's case by case whereas other countries set a specific minimum amount.
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LoriB
9/25/2016 21:04 EST
Karen, Why? In your original post on this thread you are asking first-timer questions.
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