Home » Jamaica » Jamaica – Work Permits and Working Legally

Jamaica – Work Permits and Working Legally

Working Legally in Jamaica

It is necessary for expats to obtain a work permit to work legally in Jamaica. The work permit is required for all foreign nationals who are seeking employment in Jamaica, regardless of the type of work, duration of stay, or nationality. The employer must make the application for the work permit on behalf of the foreign national.

Types of Work Permits for Expats in Jamaica

The types of work permits for expats in Jamaica are:

  • General Employment Work Permit: This type of work permit is for foreign nationals who are seeking employment in Jamaica for a period of one year or more.

  • Contract Work Permit: This type of work permit is for foreign nationals who are seeking employment in Jamaica for a specific project or contract.

  • Temporary Work Permit: This type of work permit is for foreign nationals who are seeking employment in Jamaica for a period of up to six months.

Work Permit Application Process in Jamaica

The procedure to apply for a work permit in Jamaica involves the following steps:


Get Our Best Articles Every Month!

Get our free moving abroad email course AND our top stories in your inbox every month


Unsubscribe any time. We respect your privacy - read our privacy policy.


  1. The employer must first make a request for a work permit to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

  2. The Ministry of Labour and Social Security will then review the request and determine if the foreign national is eligible for a work permit.

  3. If the foreign national is eligible, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security will issue a Work Permit Approval Letter to the employer.

  4. The employer must then submit the Work Permit Approval Letter and other required documents to the Jamaican Consulate or Embassy in the foreign national’s home country.

  5. The Jamaican Consulate or Embassy will then issue the work permit to the foreign national.

The application process for a work permit in Jamaica can take anywhere from two to six weeks, depending on the type of work permit being applied for and the processing time of the Jamaican Consulate or Embassy.

Work Permit Documents in Jamaica

The following documents are required to apply for a work permit in Jamaica:

  1. Work Permit Approval Letter from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

  2. Completed work permit application form.

  3. Passport with a validity of at least six months.

  4. Two passport-sized photos.

  5. Proof of financial means to support oneself during the stay in Jamaica.

  6. Police clearance certificate from the foreign national’s home country.

  7. Educational and professional qualifications.

Work Permit Costs in Jamaica

The cost of applying for a work permit in Jamaica can vary depending on the type of work permit being applied for and the processing time of the Jamaican Consulate or Embassy. Typically, the cost of a work permit in Jamaica ranges from JMD 50,000 to JMD 200,000.

Reliable Information on Working Legally in Jamaica

Expats can go to the following websites for reliable information on working legally in Jamaica:


Latest Videos

Expat Focus

848 subscribers

Move abroad easily with Expat Focus.

Expat Focus
How easy is it for a foreigner to find a job in Denmark, if they haven’t been fortunate enough to line up something for when they arrive? What sectors are they most likely to find work in, and what are some need-to-knows about Danish workplace culture? My guest to answer all of these questions and more is Kate Dahl, a career consultant for internationals in Denmark.

How easy is it for a foreigner to find a job in Denmark, if they haven’t been fortunate enough to line up something for when they arrive? What sectors are they most likely to find work in, and what are some need-to-knows about Danish workplace culture? My guest to answer all of these questions and more is Kate Dahl, a career consultant for internationals in Denmark.

YouTube Video UCB21b-C4O2aXm7H18_GsXMQ_WxdwaxP4LIg

Expat Careers In Denmark

Expat Focus 25 September 2023 11:00 am

Writer and Editor Kirsten Raccuia is known for her Sand in My Curls blog, which until recently, was all about her expat life in Malaysia. We last spoke at the height of the global pandemic, when she and her husband were closing in on a decade in Penang. Fast-forward a couple of years, and they’re in a new country, Mexico. I’m chatting with Kirsten again to find out what factors influenced their decision to move, and why Mexico? And what it was like to close the Malaysia chapter of their life abroad.

Writer and Editor Kirsten Raccuia is known for her Sand in My Curls blog, which until recently, was all about her expat life in Malaysia. We last spoke at the height of the global pandemic, when she and her husband were closing in on a decade in Penang.

Fast-forward a couple of years, and they’re in a new country, Mexico. I’m chatting with Kirsten again to find out what factors influenced their decision to move, and why Mexico? And what it was like to close the Malaysia chapter of their life abroad.

YouTube Video UCB21b-C4O2aXm7H18_GsXMQ_2iutaBgsCRk

Moving From Malaysia To Mexico

Expat Focus 15 August 2023 3:23 pm

A topic that comes up quite often in our Facebook groups is moving abroad with children. What’s the ideal age? Especially if they're going to need to learn a new language? What about the best time of year to move? And how do you make the assimilation process, from learning new cultural norms to making new friends, as smooth and enjoyable as possible? My guest today is someone who can speak from experience. Sharon Green is the founding editor of online publication SHE DEFINED. And in 1998, just before she turned 12, Sharon migrated with her family from Durban in South Africa to Melbourne in Australia. Sharon’s going to share her experience of being a third culture kid, and how it has shaped her sense of belonging as an adult.

A topic that comes up quite often in our Facebook groups is moving abroad with children. What’s the ideal age? Especially if they're going to need to learn a new language? What about the best time of year to move? And how do you make the assimilation process, from learning new cultural norms to making new friends, as smooth and enjoyable as possible?

My guest today is someone who can speak from experience. Sharon Green is the founding editor of online publication SHE DEFINED. And in 1998, just before she turned 12, Sharon migrated with her family from Durban in South Africa to Melbourne in Australia.

Sharon’s going to share her experience of being a third culture kid, and how it has shaped her sense of belonging as an adult.

YouTube Video UCB21b-C4O2aXm7H18_GsXMQ_62EMRLnSni4

Growing Up As A Third Culture Kid In Australia

Expat Focus 26 July 2023 6:48 pm

Load More... Subscribe
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Important: No API Key Entered.

Many features are not available without adding an API Key. Please go to the YouTube Feed settings page to add an API key after following these instructions.