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 Information for Returning Residents
The process of re-locating to Jamaica after a period of residence abroad involves direct contact with Government Agencies and Departments, as well as with airlines, shippers and customs brokers. In order to simplify the relevant procedures, a Returning Residents Facilitation Unit has been established at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in Kingston.

The Unit is staffed by a team of officers who are familiar with the various regulations pertaining to importation, immigration and other relevant matters. As such, it liaises closely with Jamaica's Overseas Missions as well as the following Ministries, Departments and Agencies:

  • The Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of National Security on matters of nationality, citizenship and immigration procedures;
  • The Department of Customs and Excise on matters relating to eligibility for concessions, and the importation and clearance of personal and household effects, tools of trade, vehicles and other items;
  • The Trade Board Limited on matters relating to the issue of import licenses;
  • The Ministry of Public Utilities, Transport and Energy on matters relating to motor vehicle registration, and provision of utility services to persons re-establishing their home in Jamaica.
  • JAMPRO on matters relating to investment and business start-ups.
In each of these Missions a Consular Officer has been designated to assist Returning Residents. You are invited to contact the Mission nearest to you, and seek clarification on any aspect of planning your return to Jamaica. If you are unable to make a personal visit to a Mission, please make contact by mail, telephone or fax, and your request will be dealt with promptly.

In countries where there is no Diplomatic or Consular Mission assistance, information can be sought from the Returning Residents Facilitation Unit in Kingston, Similarly, if you are in Jamaica on a visit prior to relocation, you are encouraged to visit the Returning Residents Facilitation Unit for any information you may require.

 

 Eligibility And Basic Provisions For Returning Resident Status
In order to be considered a Returning Resident under the laws of Jamaica, and benefit from the concessions relating to personal and household effects and/or tools of trade, you must satisfy the following conditions:
  • Be a Jamaican national who is eighteen (18) years old;
  • Have been resident overseas for not less than three consecutive years;
  • Be returning to Jamaica to reside permanently.
Three special cases have been identified:
  1. Non-Jamaican male spouses of women who qualify as Returning Residents will be afforded the same concessions as their wives. This provision had previously applied only to non-Jamaican female spouses of Returning Residents.
  2. Students who are eighteen (18) years old and who have studied abroad for more than one (1), but less than three (3) years will qualify for concessions with respect to tools of trade and personal and household effects.
  3. Jamaicans who gave up their citizenship (and can provide proof of that previous status) who wish to return home will be granted the status of a Returning Resident, with the attendant benefits.
Your eligibility for concessions as a Returning Resident is formally established by the Department of Customs and Excise. This must be done after your arrival in Jamaica, and before you begin the process of clearing your personal and household effects and/or tools of trade. The Jamaican Gleaner has produced a special supplement for Returning Residents which is available from the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington, Jamaican Consulates in the U.S. and Canada, and the Jamaican High Commission in London.

 

 POLICE CERTIFICATE - JAMAICA
Police records can be obtained from the Office of the Superintendent of Records and Identification, C.I.B. Headquarters, East Queen Street, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies, submitting the following:
  • Two(2) sets of fingerprints (i.e. two of each hand) certified by local immigration service.
  • Official birth certificate.
  • Money order valued at J$1000.00 payable to the C.I.B. Headquarters.
  • Three (3) passport-size photographs, one of which must be certified (whether by a notary public or lawyer, Justice of the Peace, family physician, bank manager, dentist, police officer).
  • Name and address of Embassy, Consulate or Immigration authority to which certificate should be sent. Please note that certificate can neither be sent to you nor your lawyer.
  • Approximate date when certificate will be required.
  • Last home address in Jamaica.

 

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