Permanent Residence
PICA
PICA considers permanent residence for foreign nationals who have worked in Jamaica for more than three years, retirees, spouses of Jamaicans, dependants of permanent residents, and former unconditional landing holders through marriage. Applicants prove they can support themselves, provide police and medical certificates, and give two Jamaican references.
1 entry rule for Jamaica based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Yellow fever certificate needed after a stay in countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (WHO list)
Travellers aged 1 year and over arriving from a yellow fever risk country (or after more than 12 hours' airport transit in one) need a valid yellow fever certificate.
WHO International Travel and Health, Annex 1: Countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring proof of vaccination against yellow fever (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) WHO ITH Country List: Vaccination requirements and WHO recommendations for international travellers, 2022 edition (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) Checked October 19, 2026
Life in Jamaica
Money
3
Currency
Jamaican Dollar
JMD
Jamaican Dollar
Cost of living
62
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
25–30%
Income tax (national)
GCT 15% · social security 7.25%
Income up to the threshold (JMD 1,902,360 from April 2026) is tax-free; 25% above it up to JMD 6 million, 30% above JMD 6 million.
Living
1
Happiness
#47 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Long-term foreign workers, retirees, spouses of Jamaicans and their dependants.
Eligibility
EmploymentEmployment
You need to have worked in Jamaica for more than 3 years.
- Applies to the employment route
Official wording
Worked in Jamaica for more than 3 years.
RetirementRetirement
Retired foreign nationals who want to retire in Jamaica.
MarriageMarriage
Married to a Jamaican national.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementDependants
- Document checklistPassport valid for at least 6 months
- FeesPermanent residence application fee
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 2 more requirements
- 10 documents
- 1 fee
- 3 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Jamaica
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
Other routes to Jamaica
- Visit & tourismVisitor stay and extension of stay
- StudyStudent extension of stay
- Work permitsWork Permit
- FamilyWork Permit Exemption by marriage
- Status in-countryUnconditional Landing
- CitizenshipJamaican citizenship by naturalisation
Permanent residence in other countries
- JapanPermanent Resident (Eijuusha) - including Highly Skilled Professional fast track
- KyrgyzstanTemporary and permanent residence permit
- St. Kitts & NevisSt Kitts and Nevis temporary, annual and permanent residence
- South KoreaPermanent Residence
- LiechtensteinSettlement permit
- Sri LankaPermanent Residence Visa
