Work Permit
Ministry of Labour and Social Security
Foreign nationals need a work permit from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to work in Jamaica. The application goes through the employer, sponsor, contractor or a legal representative. Investors apply through JAMPRO. Permits are tied to the employer, and changing jobs needs a new application.
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
Foreign workers with a Jamaican employer, contractors, and investors.
Eligibility
Who applies
The employer, sponsor, contractor or legal representative. Investors apply through JAMPRO.
Recruitment of Jamaicans
Answer the employer section questions about your efforts to recruit a Jamaican national.
Official wording
The employer section of the form asks about efforts to recruit a Jamaican national (questions 43-50).
Professional registrationRegulated professions
Some professions, such as doctors, engineers and nurses, must attach certified registration.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementWork visa
- Document checklistWork Permit/Exemption Application form
- FeesWork permit 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.
- 1 more requirement
- 8 documents
- 1 fee
- 5 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Jamaica
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
