Jamaicans holding foreign passports are now allowed to enter Jamaica and remain for six months without having to make arrangements for additional time to stay in the island.
National Security Minister Robert Montague has signed the ‘180-day allowance’ order which became effective on August 1, 2017, according to a press release on Saturday by the National Security Ministry.
Previously, Jamaicans with dual nationality travelling on non-Jamaican passports would be treated as foreigners and allowed to stay in Jamaica for the period granted to that particular nationality.
Minister Montague said the move is in keeping with the Government’s thrust to encourage Jamaican citizens in the diaspora to visit and spend more time in their home land.
“Following consultations, we implemented the 180-day allowance after Jamaicans in the diaspora expressed concern about the limited period they were allowed to stay when visiting Jamaica,” said Minister Montague.
The estimated size of the Jamaican diaspora is between three and five million of which a significant number are holders of foreign passports.
The move is in keeping with the Ministry’s five pillar plan to create a safer and more prosperous Jamaica.
