By Stabroek News
(Jamaica Gleaner) Asians make up the largest number of people requesting an extension of stay in Jamaica, accounting for 46 per cent of the 10,146 aliens registered in 2024, according to Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) records.
In its latest Economic and Social Survey Jamaica (ESSJ) report, the PIOJ said -there was a 19 per cent increase in the number of aliens registered in 2024, when compared to 2023, from 8,523 to 10,146 in 2023. It said Asians accounted for the largest share or 46.6 per cent of individuals who requested extension of stay beyond six months, followed by Caribbean nationals,18.6 per cent, and Latin Americans,12.8 per cent.
An alien, under the Aliens Act of 1946, is defined as any person who is not a Jamaican citizen. The act distinguishes aliens from Jamaicans and Commonwealth citizens in certain contexts, particularly in relation to employment and visa requirements, but the core definition hinges on non-citizenship.
The 2024 report also said there was a 26 per cent increase in the number of Commonwealth citizens who migrated to Jamaica in 2024 from 2,861 to 3,630.
Immigration attorney Nadine Atkinson-Flowers said that while the report does not explicitly state the reason extensions were sought, it is likely that work permits are behind the requests.
She said that this has become a worldwide pattern, pointing to the United States, where there is a dedicated category for visas related to work permits for farm work or because of specialised skills and extraordinary abilities.
鈥淎 lot of those seeking extensions in Jamaica are likely doing so on work permits. If you are not a CARICOM national or have other Jamaican connection, just like with every other country, you cannot come to ours and just decide that you鈥檙e going to work. So a lot of the number may well be persons seeking extensions on work permits.
鈥淔rom our eye survey, we do see a lot of persons from Asian descent in the country in various categories of employment 鈥 construction, persons involved in car repairs. So I believe that is probably where a lot of persons are seeking extensions on work permits,鈥 Atkinson-Flowers said.
She said persons have reached out to her office 鈥渨ith the mistaken belief鈥 that they can travel to Jamaica and work freely without a permit, noting that she has had to dissuade them of the view.
Meanwhile, the PIOJ said the United States (US), Canada, and the United Kingdom (UK) continued being the major destinations for Jamaican migrants who are granted visas for permanent residence or citizenship.