Get a work permit for a foreign worker
Anyone who is not Jamaican needs a work permit from the Ministry of Labour before they can work here.
✓ Links tested 24 Oct 2026 · Facts checked 24 Oct 2026
Work permits and forms (Ministry of Labour)
Opens the official government site.
Who can do this
The employer or a lawyer applies for the worker. CARICOM nationals with a skills certificate and spouses of Jamaicans may get an exemption instead.
What you need
Tick things off as you gather them.
Steps
- Get the forms from the Ministry website or the Work Permit Unit.
- Fill them in using ink and BLOCK CAPITALS. Write N/A where a question doesn’t apply.
- Get a payment voucher from the Work Permit Unit or a parish office, and pay the processing fee at NCB.
- Hand in the forms, documents and receipt at the Work Permit Unit.
- If approved, the employer pays the permit fee and the permit is issued.
- Waiting more than 8 weeks? Email workpermit@mlss.gov.jm with the subject “Operation Streamline”.
Cost
Processing fee $17,250, paid at NCB, not refundable. The permit fee depends on the permit.
How long
Cases waiting more than 8 weeks can ask to be sped up.
Can’t go online?
Work Permit Unit, 1F North Street, Kingston: 876-922-9500. Westmoreland parish office, 18¼ Lewis Street, Savanna-la-Mar: 876-955-2532.