Jamaica’s New Digital Entry Process: Say Goodbye to Paper Forms
Are you planning a trip to the vibrant island of Jamaica? Well, you’re in for a treat! Beginning September 1, 2023, travelers coming to Jamaica will experience a significant change in their arrival process. Say farewell to those paper immigration forms you used to fill out on the plane, and say hello to the brand new online immigration form. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about this exciting update.
What’s Changing?
The traditional paper Immigration/Customs (C5) Form is getting a digital makeover. This online form is now mandatory for all travelers, whether you’re a Jamaican resident or a visitor to this tropical paradise. It’s a joint effort between the Passport, Immigration, and Citizenship Agency (PICA) and the Jamaica Customs Agency to streamline your arrival process.
When and Where to Fill Out the Form
The best part is that you can complete this form up to 30 days before your scheduled return to Jamaica. No more last-minute stress on the plane and trying to dig in your bag for a pen! To get started, simply visit www.enterjamaica.com. Once you’ve successfully filled out the form online, you’ll receive an email confirmation.
But what if you forget?
No worries! Jamaica has got you covered. Most international airports in Jamaica now offer Wi-Fi access, so you can still fill out the form upon landing. No need to stress about it during your flight.
Why the Digital Entry Form?
Now, you might wonder why this change is happening. Well, it’s part of a broader effort to digitize entry processes across the Caribbean. The aim is to enhance border security and, surprisingly, make your arrival smoother and quicker. Donovan White, Jamaica’s Director of Tourism, assures us that “arriving in Jamaica just got easier.” That is really good news considering that Jamaica is notorious for extremely long immigration lines when entering the country.
Instead of spending precious vacation time in long immigration lines, you’ll breeze through customs and immigration controls, getting you to the beach faster.
What Information Do You Need to Share?
The new digital entry form, known as the Immigration/Customs C5 card, requires some basic personal information which mirrors the paper form previously provided. Here’s what you’ll need to provide:
Your first and last name
Your birth date (as it appears on your passport)
Your gender
The number of family members traveling with yoU
Passport number and issuing country
Full address
Flight name/number and departure airport
Address where you’ll stay in Jamaica
Details of countries visited in the past 6 weeks
Travel date and length of stay
Purpose of your travel
Number of pieces of luggage you’re bringing
Additionally, if you’re carrying more than USD$10,000 in currency or monetary instruments, you should declare it on the form. It also serves as a customs declaration, so you can list any goods you need to declare to the customs officer upon arrival.
Completing this form is a breeze, and it’s designed to expedite the customs and immigration process when you touch down in Jamaica.
With this new digital entry form, Jamaica is leading the way in the Caribbean towards digitizing airport entry procedures. It’s a win-win for both travelers and the island itself, making your Jamaican adventure even more enjoyable. So, get ready to embrace the change and enjoy all that Jamaica has to offer.
