Foreign Seamen

Seamen embarking from or landing in Jamaica are required to be in possession of valid passports or other acceptable travel documents establishing national status and identity.  A Seaman’s Discharge Book is acceptable, except in the case of a stateless seaman, who should have a travel document from the country issuing the discharge book.

Seamen who are members of the crew of a ship visiting Jamaica do not require visas to land while the ship remains at port, but they must depart with the ship.

Seamen travelling to Jamaica to join a ship in Jamaica, or passing through Jamaica to join a ship abroad, require transit visas unless they are nationals of countries which do not require visas to enter Jamaica.

Seamen travelling as passengers and those signed on ship’s articles as supernumeraries at nominal rates of pay will be treated as ordinary passengers if and when granted leave to land.  They will require visas unless they are nationals of countries which do not require visas.

Applications from foreign nationals to enter Jamaica to work on dredgers should be referred to the Ministry of National Security.  Such persons will be required to obtain work permits issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.