Kingston, Jamaica – In a significant diplomatic milestone, the Government of Jamaica has agreed to implement a regularization process for Dominican citizens residing in the country without legal immigration status. The announcement was made by the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Jamaica, marking the successful outcome of sustained negotiations with Jamaican authorities.
The agreement, finalized after over a year of diplomatic engagement, was reached through close collaboration with Jamaica’s Passport, Immigration, and Citizenship Agency (PICA) and the Ministry of National Security. While initial consent had been granted in principle more than a year ago, formal approval only materialized following continuous advocacy efforts by the Dominican diplomatic mission.
Ambassador Angie Martínez hailed the decision as both a humanitarian success and a strategic diplomatic victory, aligning with the Dominican Republic’s broader foreign policy objectives of safeguarding the rights and dignity of its citizens abroad.
More than 2,000 Dominicans currently live in Jamaica, particularly in Montego Bay and other key areas, working predominantly in sectors such as tourism, construction, and hospitality. The upcoming regularization process will enable eligible Dominican nationals to apply for legal residency, supported by technical and legal assistance from the Dominican Embassy.
The development adds to a growing list of bilateral achievements under Ambassador Martínez’s leadership, which include:
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Visa-free travel for Dominican citizens visiting Jamaica for tourism or business
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The inauguration of direct flights between Santo Domingo and Kingston
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A notable rise in Dominican exports to Jamaican markets
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New Jamaican investments in the Dominican Republic
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Trade agreements expanding access for Dominican agricultural products in Jamaica and the Bahamas
As Ambassador Martínez nears the end of her diplomatic mission, the Dominican Embassy reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining support for Dominican nationals in both Jamaica and the Bahamas. The Embassy emphasized a continued focus on human dignity, diaspora outreach, and sustainable development as cornerstones of the nation’s foreign policy.
The regularization program is expected to provide much-needed legal stability for Dominicans living in Jamaica while reinforcing the growing ties between the two Caribbean nations.
