Thinking about a longer reach next year, maybe in the hundred day range. Is there anything I need to do to stay longer than 90 days or is that not a thing and am I good to go? Thanks
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Thinking about a longer reach next year, maybe in the hundred day range. Is there anything I need to do to stay longer than 90 days or is that not a thing and am I good to go? Thanks
After 90 days, you can go to the PICA office in MoBay and get up to 90 more days extension. It is a relatively simple process, PICA is located in the Fairview Shopping Center.
Further information...
https://www.pica.gov.jm/immigration/extension-of-stays
You'll be applying as a Visitor.
Thanks
And just remember, the renewal is mandatory, not necessarily a sure thing, and you do have to justify why you want to stay longer. I had a friend that was a few days passed the 90 day visa. He thought he could go in and play stupid, saying he forgot, or couldn't get a ride to MoBay. When he got to PICA they took his pass port and ordered him to pay $60,000J ($50,000 fine + $10,000 renewal fee). If he couldn't pay the fine he would be escorted to the airport and an agent would walk him down the jetway and give him his passport back as he entered the plane. They also said if he returned to Jamaica the fine would still have to be paid before he could get passed immigration. Immigration takes the visitor visa thing very seriously.
The extension is nearly guaranteed. In the 30 years I have been here I have only "heard" of one instance of a person being denied, and I am skeptical of the source of that information.Quote:
Originally Posted by brownsd54
As long as you are honest and DON'T break any laws, like overstaying your visa, you should have no issues.
But remember the fine print with Immigration in any country, the final decision is up to the Immigration officer. Hopefully they are not having a bad day or you pissed them off for reason.
Jamaica relies on tourism for much of its GDP, so it in their benefit to extend an existing visa. You will be spending more money on the island!
Who, how, when, is anyone actually checking how long you stayed? The airline boarding pass folks look at the picture/signature page. Same goes with immigration. I've never noticed anyone actually looking at the date on the incoming stamp on the way out.
There are these things called computers that store all that information. They are kept up-to-date on your comings and goings. :cat:Quote:
Originally Posted by Kold Ass Mofo
Ok I've seen the Jamaican immigration folks scan the passport upon arrival. I've never noticed the airline counter or the immigration folks scanning a passport when leaving. Just looking at the picture to make sure it is you.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob
It's important to make sure you extend properly... If you overstay PICA will charge you a fine of $50,000 JMD plus $10,000 JMD to extend the visa if they will let you do so (decisions on this are done on a case-by-case basis).
It's really simple, DON'T OVERSTAY YOUR GOVERNMENT ISSUED VISA!!!
You will be busted by every country on the planet. Governments do not like it.
The ONLY exceptions are when the planes are not flying, like after 9/11, Covid, or a hurricane.
If you have overstayed, trying to get an extension is next to useless. Just go to the airport on departure and then be ready to pay your $50,000 fine and possibly be barred from Jamaica for at least a year.
Once again, DO NOT OVERSTAY!
I "overstayed" once although it was more of a paperwork error. My work permit exemption was valid for an additional year but my passport expired. They tell you to come in with the new passport and pay a small fee to change over the stamp... When I did that they informed me I had "technically" overstayed by a few months (despite having travelled in and out with the old stamp and new passport a few months prior).Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob
I had to pay the $50,000 fee plus the $5,000 to move my stamp to the new passport. It was definitly a money grab but that's how things work, and it was my fault for failing to remember that PICA eats technicalities for breakfast.
the 50k is a civil fine paid to PICA. If they reffer you for criminally overstaying or you get caught by police for some reason it's punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 JMD or 30 days in Jail, as well as deportation & a 5 year ban from entry. My situation was much less severe because I was already a legal resident who just hit a paperwork technicality - but even then stay on top of it and don't wind up with the headache. Having the citizenship now is such a burden lifted off my shoulders - I only have to worry about renewing a passport every 10 years instead of various immigration documetns every 1-3 years
DO NOT OVERSTAY YOUR GOVERNMENT ISSUED VISA!
The Doctor's situation is unique as explained, and no regular visitor to the island would be treated that way.
An old time Boardie, a regular annual visitor, who passed away years ago overstayed once and received the fine as well as an 18 month ban on returning to Jamaica.
The procedure for getting an extension, as long as you have obeyed the laws, is painless, less than us$80 and is nearly a guarantee.
DON'T OVERSTAY!
100% Don't overstay...Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob
I hope my post wasn't construed as an argument for it. Rather - I was hoping to get across that even in the best situation it is expensive and a headache. DON'T OVERSTAY.
I've never known anyone who's been denied an extension who went about things the legal way - so just do it that way and save yourself legal, financial and all other kinds of trouble