Apply In Person

1. Persons seeking to obtain a work permit exemption are required to apply to the Work Permit Department of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) through their prospective employer, contractor, or legal representative. You can view the MLSS office details via this link:Link
2. Obtain the application form from any of the MLSS offices or download it from their website through this link: Link (Application form).
3. If you are seeking work permit exemption for a period of thirty days or less, complete question one to fourteen and question twenty-nine of the application form and if you are seeking a work permit exemption for a period of more than thirty days, complete question one to nineteen and question twenty-nine of the application form while your prospective employer should complete part two of the application form. Note the application form should be complete in triplites
4. Then your employer will write a formal letter addressed to the permanent secretary of the MLSS clearly stating:

   • You full names
   • Your nationality
   • Period for which exemption is being sought
   • An explanation of duties to be performed by you the applicant.

5. Attach all the required documents to the complete application form and the formal letter and visit any branch of the National Commercial Bank (NCB) to pay the non-refundable processing fee and obtain the payment receipt.
6. Once your application form and all supporting information and documents have been completed, signed, stamped, and certified where required, Submit the complete application including the payment receipt to the MLSS office for verification. Note that Application forms and cover letters are to be submitted in triplicate with two sets of required supporting documents
7. The receiving MLSS officer will verify your application and forward it to the relevant authority for approval
8. The application will be reviewed and if it meets the required standards, the MLSS will approve your application
9. Once approved, your employer will be notified of the approval and will be required to pay the work permit exemption fee and the Permit becomes effective from the date it was approved.
10. Upon payment, the employer can obtain the work permit exemption from the MLSS office and issue it to you

• A cover letter outlining the nature and duration of the work to be undertaken. Details of investment proposal should also be stated (Documentary proof of proposed investment(s) should be submitted)
• 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.
• A resume outlining the professional or business experience of the applicant.
• Police record
• Proof of Business Registration
• Where an applicant is self-employed or where an enterprise is in operation for at least a year, 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 photographs
• Tax Payer Registration Number (TRN)
• Payment receipt

Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS)-Labour Division
Address: 1F North Street, Kingston Jamaica, West Indies
Tel: (876) 922-9500-9
Fax: (876) 922-6902/ (876) 922-0996
Contact details: Link

• Foreign Nationals and Commonwealth Citizens are eligible to apply

A non-refundable processing fee of JMD$14,400
Permit fee

• Up to 3 months: JMD $27,000
• 3 – 6 months: JMD $54,000
• 6 – 9 months: JMD $81,000
• 9 – 12 months: JMD $108,000
• Work permit fees details: Link (New Fees)

• The work permit exemption can be valid for a period of less than 30 days or more than 30 days depending on your application

• Application form: Link (Application form)

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

• Applications for a work permit exemption are usually processed in approximately 4 to 6 weeks.

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
Attach videos using the following tag <&video type='website'>video ID|width|height<&/video&> from external websites.
Please remove the '&' inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver,
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is displayed.
e.g In the following url 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M' Video ID is 'Y0US7oR_t3M'.

• Work Permits are not transferable. Whenever you wish to withdraw your services from one employer and take up another employment before the expiration of the current Work Permit, you are 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.

• Names
• Address
• Contacts
• Nationality
• Passport details
• Qualifications
• Work experience
• Marital status
• Business details

• A valid work permit exemption proves that you are allowed to work in Jamaica

Enter other informations which might help.

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

• MLSS: Link

More information which might help people.