KINGSTON, Jamaica –  Jamaica has waived the visa requirement for residents of the Dominican Republic who travel to the island for visits – whether for tourism or business – up to 180 days.

Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett, made the announcement on Monday during a press briefing at the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) head office in New Kingston.

The visa waiver came into effect on February 4.

He described this as a historic development in Caribbean tourism cooperation between Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.

“This represents more than just an administrative change. It symbolises our commitment to fostering stronger regional bonds and creating new opportunities for tourism growth across our beautiful Caribbean region. By removing the visa restriction, we open doors to unprecedented multi-destination possibilities between Jamaica, the Dominican Republic [and] the region on a larger scale with Europe, Asia and Africa,” the minister said.

He added that this development is also a step towards achieving multi-destination tourism, which has been a target for Jamaica over the last five years.

Bartlett said Jamaica has, so far, signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Mexico and Panama, and are in talks with Colombia to this end.

“We think that this is the way forward. At the heart of multi-destination is visa facilitation, and what visa facilitation does is to create an enablement across borders that is seamless,” he stated.

Bartlett pointed out that ‘this visa waiver is just the beginning”, adding that “we envisage a Caribbean where visitors can freely travel between our islands, where our shared heritage becomes our collective strength and where regional tourism cooperation drives economic growth for all our people”.

The Dominican Republic’s Ambassador to Jamaica, Her Excellency, Angie Martinez, expressed gratitude to the Jamaican Government.

“This is history in the making and I feel very grateful, very humbled. I stand here… not only as the ambassador… but as a Dominican who is deeply moved by the significance of this moment,” she said.

Ambassador Martinez pointed out that the decision to remove the visa requirement is indicative of nearly two decades of diplomatic work, which was further heightened when she arrived in Jamaica in April 2021 following her diplomatic appointment.

“To be here in Kingston announcing the removal of visa requirements for Dominican nationals travelling to Jamaica for tourism and business is not just a diplomatic achievement, it’s a testament to the power of perseverance, the power of friendship and the unbreakable bond between our nations. I cannot overstate how profoundly grateful and humbled I am to stand here today, representing my country in this time of historic transformation in our relationship with Jamaica,” she stated,

Ambassador Martinez added that this historic move is a “circle of reciprocity” as the Dominican Republic has allowed free movement of Jamaicans to the country since 2007.

Meanwhile, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Aubyn Hill, applauded the move, highlighting the economic growth that could result from the partnership between the countries.

He noted that Jamaica already has several Dominican Republic entrepreneurs investing in the tourism and motor vehicle industries, among other engagements, adding that this will increase consequent on the removal of the visa requirement.

“Jamaica is positioning itself as a leader in logistics, financial services, ICT (information and communications technology), BPO (business process outsourcing) investment and, of course, in tourism. With these streamlined protocols, we’re increasing our export and travel, strengthening the very foundation of our economies. This, to me, whatever is going to happen in the Caribbean, is wonderful,” Hill said.

–         JIS