Travelers to Jamaica to complete immigration forms online

(CMR) Travelers to Jamaica will be required to fill out immigration forms online as of Friday, September 1, replacing the paper document that is issued to travelers on airlines.

The immigration form is an entry requirement for persons, residents and visitors, traveling to the island. Travelers can fill out the form by visiting www.enterjamaica.com.

Chief Executive Officer of the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), Andrew Wynter, said the online form is the digitized format to the original paper document.

“The Online Passenger Declaration or C5 form is what you would normally get in the paper format from the airline to fill out when returning to Jamaica. With the online form, passengers will now be able to submit that application ahead of their travel, and they can do it up to 30 days before they return to Jamaica,” Wynter informed.

“It’s the same information that is on the physical form that is on the online form; it is like a mirror,” he added.

According to the Jamaica Gleaner, Senior Director Projects Enterprise and Risk Management, PICA, Amy Johnson Lynch, indicated that PICA has been in dialogue with airport operators to ensure that Internet access will be available to allow persons to fill out the forms.

“Airport operators have committed to providing Wi-Fi services at the airport. So, we are confident that you will have Wi-Fi accessibility. If, for whatever reason, there is a break or there is no Wi-Fi available, then we will revert to either having you complete the physical form, or we will assist you in completing the process electronically by other means,” she said.

Wynter explained that once persons complete the form online, they will receive an email confirming that their application was a success.

He said PICA has also made arrangements for Wi-Fi access at the airports in Jamaica, so persons can also fill out the forms when they land in the country.

“Once you reach the airport to check in, most international airports have Wi-Fi. If the airline that you’re traveling with provides Wi-Fi, you can certainly fill out the form. But let’s say you forgot to fill out the form, on arrival in Jamaica, we are going to have Wi-Fi facilities that will allow you to go on the website, complete and submit it before you are processed either at the kiosk or through an immigration officer,” Wynter said.