Jamaican High Commission in Pretoria Newspage - New Passport Fees in Jamaica

The Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) has advised that new fees are being introduced for some applications for issuance of Jamaican passports.

Effective November 16, 2009, and adult passport will now cost J$4,500, while a minor passport (for those under 18 years old) will cost J$2,700. Passports being issued as replacements, that is to replace another passport other than by renewal (usually in the case of lost or stolen) will attract a fee of J$9,500 for adults and J$5,700 for minors.

The changes in passport fees apply only to local applications, that is, those made in Jamaica.

In addition, PICA is introducing an expedited service for local applications at an additional cost. The new next day service will attract an additional fee of $2,500 and J$1,500 for adult and minor passports respectively, while the new 3-day service will require a payment of J$1,500 adult passports and J$1,000 for minors. The regular service time is 10 working days.

PICA, which was recently converted to an executive agency of the Government has been mandated to introduce efficient measures to provide its services. In due course, all executive agencies are expected to generate their own revenue and cost recovery systems and thereby alleviate the cost burden to the central budget. Passport fees, which are regulated and gazetted, were last reviewed in 2001.