The Agency’s Citizenship Unit is responsible for processing applications for Jamaica citizenship as well as applications for renunciation and reinstatement of citizenship.

The laws that govern the operation of this Unit are The Jamaica Constitution and The Nationality Act.
Applications can be submitted for the following categories at the Consulate of Jamaica Miami.

Jamaican Citizenship by Birth refers to the following:

Any person born in Jamaica prior to August 6, 1962, who was on that date a citizen of the United Kingdom and its colonies.
Any person born in Jamaica after August 5, 1962

Proof of citizenship:
Birth Certificate issued by the Registrar General’s Department of Jamaica

Citizenship by Adoption

Jamaican Citizenship by Adoption refers to the following:
A non-Jamaican child who has been legally adopted in Jamaica in accordance with the Children (Adoption) Act; can claim Jamaican citizenship through either the adoptive mother or adoptive father and who must be Jamaican citizens at the time adoption occurred

Proof of citizenship:
Adoption certificate issued by the Registrar General’s Department of Jamaica

Citizenship by Descent
Jamaican Citizenship by Descent refers to:
Anyone born outside of Jamaica to parents (mother or father or both) who are citizens of Jamaica at the time of birth

Proof of Citizenship:
Certificate of citizenship issued by the Passport, Immigration & Citizenship a agency of the Ministry of National Security in Jamaica

Requirements - Certificate of Descent
A Completed Application for Jamaican Citizenship by Descent form - ( Click Here )
Original birth certificate
Original birth certificate of mother or father
Applications submitted for persons under 18 years old must be signed by the parent and accompanied by the parent’s valid identification
A notarized copy of a government issued ID (valid driver’s license or passport)
Two recent passport-sized photographs - one of which is to be certified as a true photo of applicant by a Notary Public if applying through the post/mail

Important information to avoid delays in processing application:

1. Father’s name must appear on applicant’s birth certificate if claiming citizenship through father
2. Spelling of parents’ names must be consistent with spelling on applicant’s birth certificate and on parent’s birth certificates
3. Applicant must ensure that errors on documents are corrected by offices where they were issued prior to submitting application

Fees:
No Fee – Persons who currently have a passport, even if expired, do not need to pay a fee when applying for their certificate of Jamaican citizenship. However, they still need to pay processing and handling fee (see below).
$150.00 – Persons who never held a Jamaican passport or who cannot produce a previous Jamaican passport (issued prior to Sept 2001) are required to pay this fee via money order payable to the Consulate General of Jamaica - Miami. Personal and cashier’s check are not accepted.

Processing Time:

Compliant Applications - Approximately four (4) months after submission to PICA. 
Non - Compliant Application- In excess of four (4) months. 
N.B Application must fulfill all requirements before transmission to PICA.

Applicants may only apply for their passports AFTER receiving their Certificates of Citizenship.

The first step in obtaining Permanent Visa status for Jamaica and eventually a Jamaican travel document is to establish residency either through Visa / Work Permit Application or Registration.

Residency Requirements

To reside in Jamaica each person should submit the following documents and particulars:
A Valid National Passport;
Evidence of financial status and means of support - e.g. particulars of pension, bank account, property owned or business investments;
Certified Copy of Birth Certificate;
Marital status - Marriage Certificate, particulars of spouse, children and other dependents;
Medical Certificate of good health;
Police Certificate from the state from which you are migrating;
Two (2) Passport size photographs;
Reasons for seeking permanent residence in Jamaica;
Names and addresses of two reputable references or acquaintances.

All applications are referred to Jamaica for approval which can take from 6 to 8 months.

Residency through Work Permit

Persons applying for residency who will require employment to maintain themselves in Jamaica must also apply for a Work Permit. On approval of the Work Permit which is usually based on a job offer, a visa is automatically granted.

Commonwealth citizens are allowed to enter Jamaica without visas and not required to have a Work Permit, although it is advisable that they apply for a Permit prior to arrival, where employment will be sought.

Permanent Residents are still required to be in possession of a valid permit issued by the Ministry of Labour, if they are engaged in gainful employment. However, they need not seek any further extension of stay, but must obtain a multiple reentry visa from the Immigration Officer prior to any overseas travel. All aliens over sixteen (16) years of age who expect to live in Jamaica for over six (6) months are required to register as aliens at a fee of J$1,000.00. Permanent Resident Status may be withdrawn if it becomes necessary, at the discretion of the Minister.

Please note: The granting of permanent residency does not automatically convey the right to work. A work permit is still required.
Approval is given by:
Ministry of National Security
NCB North Tower
2 Oxford Road, Kingston 5, Jamaica
Tel: (876) 906-4908
Fax: (876) 754-3601
Email: information @ mns.gov.jm

A person may be granted naturalization after a minimum period of five (5) years residency in Jamaica on application following his/her residency through either Visa or Work Permit application.

Required documents are:
A Certified copy of Birth Certificate
The Passport used to enter Jamaica
A Current Passport if different
A Work Permit or Exemption Certificate
Evidence of involvement in any community activities
Two (2) Passport size photographs

A Jamaican Passport or Travel Document may be issued on application to a non - Jamaican only after the person has obtained a Certificate of Registration or Naturalization from the appropriate authorities in Jamaica.

Citizenship by Marriage

The following documents are required:
Original Birth Certificate and certified copy of Passport of the Jamaican National
Original Birth Certificate and certified copy of Passport of the applicant (spouse)
Original Marriage Certificate
Recent ( at most 6 months old) Police Record of the Applicant
Two (2) Passport sized photographs of the Applicant (one notarized)
A Completed Application R1 Form in duplicate (obtainable on the website at tab “Online Forms)
A Letter to the Minister of National Security and Justice requesting registration as a Citizen of Jamaica.

A Fee of US$310.00 payable by Money Order to the Consulate General of Jamaica

Processing Time:

Processing period for Citizenship by Marriage Applications (provided that application fulfills all requirements AFTER being transmitted to the Passport, Immigration & Citizenship Agency (PICA) in Jamaica):

Twenty-four (24) months

In the case of Citizenship by Descent and Citizenship by Marriage, applicants may apply for their passports through the Consulate AFTER receiving their Certificates of Citizenship.

The applicant should be of full age and capacity, who is either a national of a foreign country or has been assured of such nationality on the condition that he/she renounces Jamaican Nationality.

The following documents are required:
A Application Form Click Here 
Applicant's Birth Certificate or Certificate of Jamaican Citizenship.
A Jamaican Passport.
Proof of other nationality (notarized copy of passport or citizenship certificate).
Two (2) passport-sized photographs, certified by a Justice of the Peace, Notary Public or someone authorized to administer Oaths.

Procedure:

The form should be read carefully, completed and signed in the presence of a Consular Officer, Notary Public, or someone authorized to administer Oaths.

Application should be submitted to the Consulate at the following address:
Consulate General of Jamaica Miami
Court House Tower
44 West Flagler Street, Suite 400
Miami. FL 33130

Cost: U$1050.00 payable by Money Order to the Consulate General of Jamaica or cash if applicant visits the Consulate.

Processing Time:
Processing period for Renunciation of Citizenship Applications ( provided that application fulfills all requirements AFTER being transmitted to the Passport, Immigration & Citizenship Agency (PICA) in Jamaica ) is twenty-four (24) months