Business & investor visas
Jamaican Investor Route (via JAMPRO)
A pathway for investors to obtain work authorisation in Jamaica through the national investment agency JAMPRO.
Expert reviewed Official guidance referenced
Under review — check current rules
No investor-specific fee, minimum investment threshold or validity period is confirmed on official pages — do not state figures without verifying with JAMPRO and MLSS.
Important information
Immigration rules and fees can change. This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the latest requirements on the official Jamaica government website before you apply.
- Official name
- Work permit (investor application via JAMPRO)
- Route type
- Investor work authorisation
- Referring body
- Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO)
- Deciding body
- Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS)
- Application fee
- JMD$17,250 per application (non-refundable)
- Per the MLSS work-permit fee notice effective 1 April 2019; confirm the current fee.
- Work permit fee
- Duration-based: up to JMD$195,500 per annum
- Tiered by permit length (up to 3 months JMD$48,875, rising to JMD$195,500 for 9–12 months); paid by the employer/sponsor on approval.
- Processing time
- About 10 business days with complete documentation
- MLSS estimate where no further verification is required.
- Where to apply
- Ministry of Labour and Social Security, submitted through JAMPRO
- Transferability
- Not transferable; changing employer requires a new application with evidence of the previous termination
- Legal basis
- Foreign Nationals and Commonwealth Citizens (Employment) Act, 1964
Who it is for
- Foreign investors establishing or operating a business in Jamaica
- Entrepreneurs whose work authorisation is sponsored through JAMPRO
How to apply
- Engage JAMPRO as the referring body for the investment
- Submit the work permit application through JAMPRO to the MLSS
- On approval, have immigration status endorsed by PICA
Documents you may need
- Cover letter outlining the nature and duration of the work
- Certified copies of academic and professional qualifications
- Reference from a previous employer, or evidence of the business activity
- Police record — from your home country for new applicants (dated within one year)
- Certified copies of the passport pages showing identity, number, dates and landing status
- Two passport-size photographs
- Proof of business registration (where applicable)
- Tax Compliance Certificate where self-employed or where the enterprise has operated for a year or more
- Certificate from the relevant regulatory body for registered professions (for example architects, attorneys, nurses, engineers, doctors, pharmacists)
Frequently asked questions
The work permit system is employer/sponsor led, but investors and entrepreneurs establishing or running a business in Jamaica do not have a conventional employer, so their application is channelled to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security through JAMPRO, the national trade and investment promotion agency.
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.