How to obtain Work Permit for your Expat Team in Jamaica

 Persons seeking to obtain a work permit are required to submit an application to the Work Permit Department of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) through their prospective employer, contractor or legal representative.

Employers submitting work permit applications on behalf of prospective employees are required to submit a cover letter to the Permanent Secretary of the MLSS, outlining:

1. The reasons for the application
2. The duration of the work being undertaken
3. Any efforts to recruit local persons to carry out the work stipulated

A Work Permit is a document (card) bearing a number and photograph that is issued to an expatriate which authorizes that individual to work in Jamaica according to its stipulations for a specified period of time.

Persons seeking to obtain a work permit are required to make an application to this Ministry through their prospective employer, contractor (individuals),) or through legal representation.

The Foreign Nationals and Commonwealth Citizens (Employment) Exemptions Regulations 1964 lists the different categories of persons who are eligible to receive exemptions from the requirements of work permits.

 

APPLICATION FORM REQUIREMENTS

 

It is important that all applicants for a work permit and work permit exemption in Jamaica take careful note of the instructions contained herein, These instructions are designed to assist you in properly completing each application and also to ensure that you supply the Ministry of Labour & Social Security with all relevant information to allow for careful consideration and ease in processing your application.

Application forms and cover letters are to be submitted in triplicate with two sets of documents specified in instruction 4.

• You should complete the application thoroughly, writing in ink and using block capitals. It is an offence punishable by law to supply any false or misleading statement or false documents in support of your application for a work permit or work permit exemption.
• Part I of the application (questions 1-29) should be completed by the applicant. The prospective employer of the applicant should complete Part II (questions 30-51) of this form. Employers should note carefully and provide the information required in questions 43-50 concerning the steps taken to recruit a Jamaican national for the job to be undertaken by the applicant.
• Please note that Part III of this Form is strictly for Official use only and therefore you should not write or mark in that section as this may invalidate your application.
• Applicants seeking a work permit on the basis of being self-employed should complete Parts I and II of this form.
• You should sign and date your application in the spaces provided at Questions 29 and 51 on your form. Applications that are not properly signed and dated will not be processed.
• Any question on the application that is not relevant to you, the applicant, should be marked with the letters N/A
• A non-refundable fee is payable for processing the application.
• Where approval has been granted for a work permit, prospective employer of the applicant will be notified. Upon receiving the Notice of Approval, a Work Permit Fee is payable by the employer before the Work Permit may be issued. The Work Permit becomes effective from the date it was approved.
• Payment vouchers are available at the Work Permit Section of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, IF North Street, Kingston and at any of the Parish Offices islandwide.
• Payments are to be made at any branch of the National Commercial Bank (NCB).
• THE MINISTRY WILL NOT ISSUE A WORK PERMIT WITHOUT EVIDENCE OF THE PAYMENT OF FEES.

Work Permits are not transferable. Whenever a person to whom a Work Permit has been granted wishes to withdraw his/her services from one employer and take up employment with another before the expiration of the current Work Permit the applicant is required to submit a letter from the previous employer when making a new application, advising whether or not there is any objection to the applicant accepting employment elsewhere in Jamaica.

 

 DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED WITH APPLICATIONS

 

Applicants should submit a cover letter outlining the nature and duration of the work to be undertaken. Details of investment proposal(s) should also be stated (Documentary proof of proposed investment(s) should be submitted).

1. Proof of Qualification

1. Certified copies of proof of academic or professional qualifications or letters of accreditation.
2. A letter of recommendation or written reference from the previous employer of the applicant or evidence of the business/commercial/professional activity of the applicant abroad.

iii. In cases where any of the above named documents are prepared in a language other than English, a certified English translation of the relevant document should be supplied.

A Justice of the Peace or a Notary Public with a valid Commission should certify the documents. Authorised members of staff of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security may certify copies of the documents upon presentation of the original documents.

• A resume outlining the professional or business experience of the applicant.
• A police record:

1. For new applications:
   The record should be issued by the appropriate Security Authority in the country of the domicile of the applicant.
2. For renewals:
   The record should be issued by the relevant section of the Ministry of National Security Jamaica. NB. Please note that the police record submitted should bear a date of investigation not greater than one year prior to the date of submission to this Ministry.

• Proof of Business Registration

1. Certified copy of Business Registration Certificate for unincorporated enterprises.
2. Certified copy of Certificate of Incorporation and the Memorandum of Association for duly registered companies. Articles of Association are not needed.

• Where an applicant is self-employed or where an enterprise is in operation for at least a year, or the applicant is applying for renewal of a Work Permit, a Tax Compliance Certificate should be submitted.
• Certified copies of pages from the passport of the applicant showing, (a) proof of identity, (b) passport number, (c) date of issue and expiry, (d) landing status in Jamaica and (e) relevant visas (where applicable).
• Two (2) photographs in the case of a Work Permit and one (1) in the case of a Work Permit Exemption.(See Instruction Below)
• The attached Tax Payer Registration Number (TRN) fonn, completed and signed by the applicant.
  NB. Applications for Renewal of a Work Permit or a Work Permit Exemption in excess of thirty (30) days should be accompanied by (a) certified copies of current -updated documents where these documents have expired since the last application (b) copies of salary statement of the last three (3) months salary (c) cover letter as outlined in instruction (i) above.

Photographs

Photographs submitted with an application become the property of the Government of Jamaica.
Photographs should be professionally produced and taken not more than six (6) months prior to application, with the following specifications:

1. It should be taken in colour with a flat finish against a plain background.
2. It should provide a full frontal view of the head, neck and the top of the shoulders with ears clearly visible.
3. There should be no reflection from eyeglasses or background shadows that may obscure the image.
4. The size of the face should be 25mm to 35mm, from the chin to the top of the head.
5. The applicant should not wear any head covering while taking the photograph except where required for religious reasons.
6. Should be enclosed in an envelope and should not be stapled
7. Should be certified by a Notary Public or a Justice of the Peace.

 

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