KINGSTON, Jamaica—Chinese nationals, as is customary, were again given the majority of work permits issued to foreign nationals by Jamaica’s Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) during 2025.

The details are contained in the 2025 edition of the Economic and Social Survey Jamaica, an annual publication of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ).

Nationals from China were issued with 2,441 work permits. India came next with 882, followed by Cuba with 307. Of note is that the Chinese top the list every year.

Under the Foreign Nationals and Commonwealth Citizens (Employment) Act, 1964, foreign nationals who wish to work in Jamaica must first apply to the MLSS for a work permit.

PIOJ explained that for the calendar year, the MLSS received 5,701 work permit applications, a 0.9 per cent increase compared with 2024. Of the applications received, 2,972 were renewals, representing a 3.5 per cent decrease compared with the previous year, while new applications increased by 6.1 per cent to 2,729.

“The majority of work permit applications – 96.6 per cent or 5,509 – were approved, with 79.3 per cent issued to males,” said the planning institute.

It noted that work permit approvals continued to be concentrated in the following industries: wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (2,258); construction (1,120); and accommodation and food service activities (607).

The largest share of approved work permits was granted to persons from Asia and Latin America, accounting for 64.9 per cent and 13.5 per cent of total approvals, respectively.