Name of the Organization : Ministry of Labour and Social Security
Type of Facility : Apply For Work Permit
Country : Jamaica
Official Website : https://www.mlss.gov.jm/
MLSS Apply For Work Permit
** The Work Permit Section of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security is responsible for the administration of the Foreign Nationals and Commonwealth Citizens (Employment) Act and the Caribbean Community Free Movement of Skilled Persons Act (Copies of the acts are available at the Jamaica Printing Services.
Related : Ministry of Labour & Social Security Apply For Public Assistance Jamaica : www.statusin.org/4587.html
These Office of the Prime Minister on the Laws and Regulation Website).
** 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), the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (Jampro – Investors) 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.
Eligibility
1. Work Permit Exemption :
** 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.
** The request for an exemption is usually made by way of a letter from the relevant organization addressed to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour, providing details such as the full name of the applicant, his/her nationality, period for which exemption is being sought and an explanation of duties to be performed by the applicant.
2. Marriage Exemption :
Persons who are eligible for Marriage Exemption under Part I of the Schedule of the Foreign Nationals and Commonwealth Citizen (employment) Exemption Regulations i.e. in view of their marriage to Jamaican nationals are required to attend the Ministry of Labour, 1F North Street Kingston (see checklist for guidance) with their spouses in order to obtain a Marriage Exemption Certificate.
Procedure for obtaining a Marriage Exemption by Foreign Nationals married to Jamaican Spouse :
A processing fee of Fourteen Thousand Four Hundred Jamaican dollars (Ja$l4,4OO) is to be paid (using the Ministry Payment voucher), at any branch of the National Commercial Bank submitted on attendance. The vouchers can be obtained at the Work Permit Department or any Regional/Parish Office island wide.
Both Husband and wife must attend at the Ministry of Labour, 1F North Street, Kingston with the following documents :
** Birth Certificate or Citizenship Certificate of Jamaican Spouse (original and certified copy).
** Marriage Certificate (original and certified copy).
** Passport of both husband and wife.
** Affidavit signed by both husband and wife stating that they share a common matrimonial home in Jamaica. This must be certified by a Justice of the peace.
** Two certified passport size photographs of husband or wife (expatriate).
** One certified passport size photograph of husband or wife (Jamaican).
** A copy of the Decree Absolute if either or both the husband and wife have previously been divorced.
** A copy of death certificate if a former spouse has died.
Please Note :
** Expatriate males are issued an Exemption Certificate which is valid over three (3) years period.
** Expatriate s are issued a letter of Exemption which is unrestricted.
** Marriage should exceed ONE MONTH be attending the Ministry for processing.
** Processing and delivery is done the same day attended.
** The Certificate along with the passport of the Non- Jamaican is to be taken to the Immigration Authorities for the passport to be endorsed.
For Renewal
Both parties must attend at the Ministry at least one (1) month before the expiry date and should take along the following documents.
1) Exemption Certificate previously issued.
2) Both Passports
3) Declaration duly signed by both parties and certified by a Justice of Peace or Notary Public
Please Note :
** The Certificate along with the passport of the Non-Jamaican is to be taken to the Immigration Authorities for the passport to be endorsed.
** Processing and delivery of document is done the same day attended at Work Permit Department
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
Download Form : https://www.mlss.gov.jm/
Application forms and cover letters are to be submitted in triplicate with two sets of documents specified in instruction :
** 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).
Documents to be submitted
ii. Proof of Qualification :
** Certified copies of proof of academic or professional qualifications or letters of accreditation.
** 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 :
For new applications :
** The record should be issued by the appropriate Security Authority in the country of the domicile of the applicant.
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 :
** Certified copy of Business Registration Certificate for unincorporated enterprises.
** 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:
** It should be taken in colour with a flat finish against a plain background.
** It should provide a full frontal view of the head, neck and the top of the shoulders with ears clearly visible.
** There should be no reflection from eyeglasses or background shadows that may obscure the image.
** The size of the face should be 25mm to 35mm, from the chin to the top of the head.
** The applicant should not wear any head covering while taking the photograph except where required for religious reasons.
** Should be enclosed in an envelope and should not be stapled
** Should be certified by a Notary Public or a Justice of the Peace.