Expats from a large number of countries have
long had their sights set on moving to Jamaica. It is no wonder, as
this is one of the most famous
islands in the Caribbean. It is
also the largest English-speaking territory in the Americas, after
the USA and Canada, of course. Not only that, but its rich culture
and history coupled with natural beauty, good people, and fine
year-round weather make it a tropical paradise for anyone looking for
a change of scenery and new opportunities.

You probably do not need to be sold on the idea
if you are reading this, so let’s get down to brass tacks. How do
you move to Jamaica? Here is the complete moving guide.

Finding work

If you have
decided to move to Jamaica, your first step should be trying to find
work. Americans can spend up to 6 months on the island without a
visa, but anything longer than that will require one. To apply for a
work permit, you will already have to have a position lined up.
Obviously, the hospitality industry is thriving in Jamaica, but so
are others. Many investors come wishing to look
into mining, for example. The
music industry is also highly developed, with several renowned
studios. These are some of your basic options, though you can
probably find work in any area as well. You should know that
Jamaicans get first consideration for any position. However, there
are also skill sets that are lacking on the island.

Once you have an offer of employment,
you will be able to apply for a work permit. Your employer will do
the bulk of the work here, and once it is done, you will be able to
apply for a work visa at the embassy or consulate.

If
you are looking to retire in Jamaica, you will have to apply for a
residency visa to stay longer than six months. You can easily find
the requirements for either of these visas and other permits on the
Jamaican government website, no matter what nationality you are.

Moving to Jamaica

If you plan to
leave
the States permanently, you will
not want to handle this process yourself, but instead hire a reliable
company that handles international moves. Look into several moving
companies and their offers, ask for quotes, and pick the best deal.

It is advisable
to be careful when picking what you will bring with you. The more
things you have, the pricier your move will be. Furthermore,
streamlining everything you own will make it much easier to move in
and start fresh.

The language

As mentioned
above, one of Jamaica’s official languages is English. This makes
things much easier for expats from all across the world, especially
from the US, Canada, and the Commonwealth. However, this island
country has another official language - the Jamaican patois. Patois
or Patwa is an English Creole that developed as a result of the slave
trade. It is a combination of English and different African
languages. Its influences are heavily varied, including the
Aboriginal language Arawak and a host of other languages.

Getting around
and getting things done won’t pose a problem for you if you use
English. However, you may want to familiarize yourself with some
phrases and terms of the Jamaican patois before you move to Jamaica.
However, if you are a white Westerner, it would probably be a bad
idea to try to speak Patois to Jamaicans. People could see it as
offensive because of the historical background of the place and this
language.

Rent or buy

Same as anywhere
else, whether you decide to rent or buy when you move to Jamaica will
come down to your circumstances. As a rule, renting property is
affordable here, though prices may vary depending on the area. A
one-bedroom apartment in Central
Kingston costs around $500,
while the same in an upscale neighborhood could go as high as $1,200.
If you are moving on your own and want to save some money, there are
plenty of options for renting a room in a shared property. There is
also the choice of furnished vs. unfurnished, but whatever your
desire, you would do good to hire a real estate agent to help you
find the right rental.

If you are
planning a more permanent move to Jamaica and want to buy a property,
you will be happy to know that there are no restrictions on
foreigners buying property. All you need to get started is a Tax
Registration Number (TRN), which you can get from the Jamaican Tax
Administration website. However, being a foreigner makes it
particularly advisable to hire both a real estate agent and a lawyer
to help you traverse these waters. When it comes to loans and
mortgages, certain Jamaican banks will offer these to foreigners, but
it will probably be cheaper for you to apply for a loan in your home
country. This is another task you have to take care of before you
leave, so make sure to be
ready when the time comes to
relocate.

Healthcare

Healthcare is often one of the
trickiest pieces of an international relocation, and a move to
Jamaica is no different. If you are moving to Jamaica on a work visa,
your health insurance will depend on your employment package. The
country has a two-tier healthcare system. However, you might be
unpleasantly surprised by the quality of care, especially when coming
from the US or similar. Expats are usually advised to take out a
private policy with a medical evacuation clause. Conditions that are
more serious might have to be treated off the island.

IMAGES:

https://pixabay.com/photos/jamaica-sun-ocean-sea-caribbean-1046596/

https://pixabay.com/photos/jamaica-geggae-music-guitar-3071365/

https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-pointing-at-black-and-gray-film-camera-near-macbook-pro-1051075/

https://www.pexels.com/photo/building-metal-house-architecture-101808/