Chinese nationals again get most work permits issued to foreign nationals—ESSJ
KINGSTON, Jamaica— Jamaica continues to grant most work permits issued to foreigners to Chinese nationals.
As is customary, the Chinese led the way last year, accounting for 37 per cent of all work permits granted to foreign nationals. India received 16 per cent, the Dominican Republic 7.1 per cent, Mexico 6.6 per cent and Cuba six per cent.
The information is contained in the 2024 edition of the Economic and Social Survey Jamaica (ESSJ), an annual publication of the Planning Institute of Jamaica.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Security said it received a total of 5,651 work permit applications in 2024, an increase of 13.3 per cent when compared with 2023. Of the applications received, 3,080 were for renewal and 2,571 were for new permits.
Approval was granted for 90.4 per cent of applications (renewals and new). The percentage of new work permit applications and renewals approved were 86.7 per cent and 93.5 per cent of respective applications. Of all the permits approved, 79.5 per cent were issued to males.
The survey found that work permit approvals continued to be granted predominantly in the following industries: wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles (2, 086); construction (937); and accommodation & food service activities (699).
By occupation, the largest number of approvals was registered by: managers (2,099); professionals (1,438); technicians and associate professionals (492); and crafts & trade related workers (401).
“The largest share of approved work permits continued to be issued to persons from the regions of Asia and Latin America, accounting for 57.0 per cent and 16.4 per cent of overall approved permits, respectively. Similar to the previous year, nationals from China (1,891) and India (818) registered the largest number of approved work permits,” said the ESSJ. This was followed by the Dominican Republic (361).
Under the Foreign Nationals and Commonwealth
Citizens (Employment) Act, 1964, foreign nationals who
wish to work in Jamaica must first apply to the labour ministry for a work permit.
