back to negril

My boyfriend and I would like to return to Negril, instead of flying back to Canada early :( Right now, we are still in Ocho Rios, but we had such an amazing time in Negril! Our plan was that we were supposed to do some more volunteer work (that's how we started our time here), but it seems as if that might not possible.

If anybody knows a hotel/resort owner who would like to services of a DJ and/or a Yoga Teacher/Thai Massage Practitioner, in exchange for room and board, please let us know!

And I am available to teach group or private yoga classes, as well as give you the bestest massage you will ever have for very cheap! Consider it a contribution to our stay in Jamaica fund :) We're supposed to be here until December!

Lisanicolet,

First of all, welcome to the board! You will find an amazing amount of great people and information here, glad to have you join us!

The question you ask is one that often is thought of by many of our visitors to Jamaica. You are definitely not alone. But, there are many legal and economic issues that you need to be aware of regarding working in Jamaica.

While there are a few exceptions, whenever a foreigner wants to work in Jamaica, be it as a volunteer, in exchange for room/board or for pay, you will need to apply and be granted a work permit by the government of Jamaica. This is the same as virtually every country on the planet, Jamaica is no different in that regard. The current cost to apply for the permit is approx. $160us and the fee for the actual permit would be a minimum of about us$300 for a three month permit. The employer generally would pay this amount - but in your case, you may be the one to have to foot that bill.

Besides this legal issue, there is the economic issues to remember. As a foreigner working in Jamaica, there is usually some skill that you posses that a Jamaican would not in order to be granted the work permit. The point of the permit system is to insure that Jamaicans are given the chance for the job you would be doing. Allowing a paying job to be taken away from a resident of any developing country is not a very good thing for that country to do - it makes no economic sense.

hey there!

yes, i totally get it. as a person of jamaica heritage, i have no intention of taking jobs from jamaicans.

however, i am came here with my boyfriend to do volunteer work. we were screwed over by the first people for whom we were volunteering, though we stayed with them for almost a month. we then arranged another placement, but due to the hurricane, our accommodations were no longer suitable (they have no idea when they will be getting current and water again, and have damage) and our placement was no longer possible. so as volunteers, we came with good intentions, but little money. in fact, the little money was all we had to our name. we have encountered many difficulties on this trip, and we have a return ticket booked for the end of november. all we are trying to do is figure out a way to sustain ourselves here right now.

i am in the process of applying for my dual citizenship, so in the future, working should not be a problem.

for now, we are trying to figure it out. and we are safe, here, in negril due to the kindness of some people :)