Entry/Exit Requirements

All U.S. citizens traveling by air outside of the United States are required to present a valid U.S. passport to exit or enter the United States.  U.S. citizens cannot travel on naturalization certificates or expired passports.  If you plan on travelling by sea, you must present a valid passport book or passport card.  Local authorities however prefer passport books as many are unfamiliar with passport cards.

Cruise ship passengers who plan to travel on documentation other than a U.S. passport should be aware that in the event of an emergency that requires return to the United States on a commercial aircraft they will be required to obtain a U.S. passport.  The Consular Agency in Montego Bay can facilitate emergency passport issuance, but these take 2-3 days to receive.  Only the Embassy in Kingston can provide same day service.  Immigration authorities require most tourists to have a return ticket and be able to show sufficient funds for their visit.  If you are traveling to Jamaica for work or an extended stay, you will need to have a current U.S. passport and a visa issued by the Jamaican Embassy or a Jamaican Consulate.  There is a departure tax for travelers, which is regularly included in airfare.  For further information, please  contact the Embassy of Jamaica at 1520 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036, telephone (202) 452-0660; the Jamaican Consulate General in Miami (25 SE 2nd Ave # 850 Miami, FL 33131-1699, tel:(305) 374-8431), the Jamaican Consulate General in New York (767 3rd Ave # 2 New York, NY 10017-9032, tel: (212) 935-9000); or honorary consuls in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Seattle or Los Angeles.

Visit the Embassy of Jamaica website for the most current visa information. 

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors or foreign residents of Jamaica. 

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website.  For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.