Jamaica: immigration

How long does it take to get Jamaican citizenship?

Applications for Jamaican citizenship by descent are processed within 25 working days, according to the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA). Applications by marriage, naturalisation and registration of Commonwealth citizens or minors are prepared for the minister's approval within 24 months.

Citizenship by descent is for people born abroad to a Jamaican parent. The other routes need the minister's approval. PICA's citizenship pages list the forms and documents for each route, and the Jamaican Nationality Act sets the rules. A certified copy of a lost certificate costs J$5,000 locally.

Official sources: PICA · PICA: citizenship

How many Jamaicans are refugees or asylum seekers abroad?

At the end of 2025 there were 2,642 refugees and 7,541 asylum seekers from Jamaica worldwide, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). The number of pending asylum claims was 9,460 a year earlier.

Refugees are people whose claims have been accepted. Asylum seekers are people whose claims have not yet been decided, so the second number depends on how fast host countries process cases. Jamaica itself hosts very few refugees: UNHCR counts 31 in 2022. UNHCR's refugee data finder lets users filter by country of origin and country of asylum.

Official sources: UNHCR: Refugee Data Finder

How much is a Jamaican passport?

An adult passport costs J$6,500 for regular service, according to the fee schedule of the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA). The fee is US$80 or £50 for applications made overseas. A child's passport costs J$4,000.

Faster service costs more: an adult rush passport is J$9,500 in three working days, J$11,500 next day and J$16,500 the same day. Replacing a lost, stolen or damaged adult passport costs J$11,500 at regular speed. Regular processing takes 7 working days in Kingston, 14 in Montego Bay and 20 working days after receipt in Kingston for overseas applications. The page states the schedule took effect on 1 June 2015, so check it before applying.

Official sources: PICA: Passport Fees

How many foreign-born people live in Jamaica?

According to the UN Population Division, the share of people born abroad in Jamaica was 0.8% in 2024. It is 26th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 4.8%. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 157th highest.

Are more people leaving Jamaica than arriving?

According to the UN Population Division, net migration in Jamaica was -11,053 in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 0; its low point was 2005, at -17,071. Latin America & Caribbean median: -967; Jamaica is 24th highest of 33. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 133rd highest.

How many refugees are in Jamaica?

UNHCR puts the number of refugees in the country in Jamaica at 31 in 2022. That is the highest since at least 2009. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 701, and Jamaica placed 22nd highest of 29. Of 168 countries with 2022 data, 149th highest.

How many refugees come from Jamaica?

2,642: that is the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Jamaica for 2025, according to UNHCR. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 710, and Jamaica placed 14th highest of 33. Worldwide: 86th of 189.

How much are remittances to Jamaica?

According to the World Bank, personal remittances received in Jamaica was 16.3% of GDP in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 23.2% of GDP; its low point was 2011, at 14.6% of GDP. Latin America & Caribbean median: 3.3% of GDP; Jamaica is 4th highest of 27. Worldwide: 10th of 127.