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CARICOM Skills Certificate in Jamaica
How to apply for a CARICOM Skills Certificate (also called the CSME Skills Certificate) in Jamaica, with the office to apply to, who qualifies, and what you need.
Where to apply in Jamaica
Office: Ministry of Labour and Social Security
Apply through the Work Permit Department of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security at North Street, Kingston. No other office accepts Skills Certificate applications.
Who can apply
You can apply if you are a CARICOM national in one of the 12 approved categories of skilled workers:
- University graduates (now includes associate degrees, two A-levels or CAPE)
- Artistes
- Musicians
- Media workers
- Sportspersons
- Nurses
- Teachers
- Artisans (with a CARICOM Vocational Qualification, CVQ Level 2)
- Holders of associate degrees
- Domestic workers (with a CVQ Level 2)
- Agricultural workers
- Private security officers
How to apply in Jamaica
Confirm you qualify
Check that you fall into one of the twelve approved categories of skilled CARICOM nationals. Your supporting documents depend on your category.
Have your copies signed by a Justice of the Peace
Photocopy your documents and have every copy signed by a Justice of the Peace. Unsigned copies are not accepted.
Get your qualification verified
Obtain a letter of verification from the institution where you qualified, certifying that you completed the programme of study.
- Recognised universities include UWI, University of Technology, Northern Caribbean University, Mico University College, University of Guyana and University of Suriname.
- If your qualification is from anywhere else, it must first be verified by the University Council of Jamaica, so build in extra time for that.
Submit at North Street with your fees
Submit your completed application, JP-signed documents and fees at the Work Permit Department, Ministry of Labour and Social Security, 1F North Street, Kingston. The application fee is J$2,000 (non-refundable) plus J$8,000 processing, and J$2,000 for each dependant.
Wait for processing and collect
Jamaica does not publish an official processing time, so allow several weeks and follow up with the Ministry. Amendments later cost J$2,000 and replacing a lost certificate costs J$3,000.
Use it abroad
When you arrive in another member state, present the certificate to immigration for an initial six-month entry stamp. You can begin work immediately, then receive an indefinite stay stamp once that country's competent authority verifies the certificate. Spouses and dependants enjoy the same rights to live and work with you.
- Travel with your original qualification documents and a fresh Police Certificate of Character. The receiving country will want them for verification.
Documents required in Jamaica
- Completed application form
- Photocopies of all documents, each signed by a Justice of the Peace
- Letter of verification from the institution where you qualified
- University Council of Jamaica verification, if your qualification is not from a recognised university
- Birth certificate, passport and passport photos (standard CSME package)
Good to know
- Applications made anywhere other than the Labour Ministry's North Street office are not valid. The Ministry has publicly warned against third parties offering to process certificates.
CARICOM Skills Certificate in other countries
Travelling for your application?
If you need to travel to another CARICOM country for your application or to start work, we can sort your flights, a place to stay and your transfers in one booking.