canadian permanent resident travel to jamaica

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Travel Information

REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRY INTO JAMAICA

All visitors are required to be in possession of a national passport or other acceptable travel document establishing nationality and identity, and bearing a photograph.  The passport or other travel document must be valid for at least six (6) months from the intended date of travel. Visitors are also required to show evidence of sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay and be in possession of a return or round trip ticket to another country to which they are admissible.

Nationals of certain countries require, in addition to travel documents, an entry visa.  This is normally issued, on application, by a Jamaican Consular Office.

The decision in respect of admission and length of stay in the country rests with the Immigration Officer at the port of entry in Jamaica.  This applies whether or not a visa is a prerequisite for entry.

GENERAL ADMISSION

We welcome visitors to our shores and request that you take note of the following conditions to be satisfied for admission to Jamaica.

The Applicant:

• must be in a position to support him/herself and dependents
• if desirous of entering the service of an employer in the island, must produce a permit in writing for engagement, issued to the employer by the Ministry of Labour
• should not have been sentenced in a foreign country for any extradition crime within the meaning of the Extraditions Acts 1870 and 1906
• should not be the subject of a deportation order in force under the Aliens Law, Chapter 9 or under the Aliens Admission Deportation Regulation Law (now repealed);
• should not have been prohibited from landing by the Minister of National Security and Justice
• must be in possession of a visa unless exempted from this requirement under any of the prescribed regulations
• must have applied for and obtained permission from the Government of Jamaica if entry is desired for other than tourist purposes
• must fulfill such other requirements as may be prescribed.

All travellers to Jamaica need to present the following documents to Jamaican Immigration Officers at the port of entry for clearance to enter Jamaica:

• A valid passport or other acceptable travel document.
• A valid visa or authority to enter Jamaica such as work permit, student permit, temporary permit), if applicable.
• A return ticket to country of origin or ticket for onward travel to another country.
• Completed and signed Immigration Landing Card.

Anyone who arrives in Jamaica without a valid travel document, visa or authority to enter Jamaica, may be refused entry to Jamaica or delayed until their identity and claims to enter Jamaica have been confirmed.

Persons travelling to Jamaica on non-Jamaican passports should check to see if they require a visa prior to arrival.

Canadian citizens and permanent residents desirous of travelling to Jamaica do not require a visa to travel to Jamaica

• See the   list of countries that require visas prior to arrival in Jamaica
• See the   list of countries that receive visas on arrival in Jamaica
• A valid passport or other acceptable travel documents.

CRUISE PASSENGERS

Cruise Passengers of any nationality who intend to remain on the island during the stay of the vessel by which they arrived and to depart on the same vessel, are not required to hold a visa .

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Entry requirements differ for travellers depending on your country of citizenship and/or residency.

U.S. Citizens traveling to and from Jamaica must present a valid passport when leaving and or re-entering the United States.  Residents must present their Alien Resident Card (Green Card) together with passport of country for which they hold citizenship.

Canadian Citizens: Valid passport or a government-issued identification with photograph, along with an official birth certificate. Canadian residents must present a Canadian Permanent Resident Card and a passport showing country of citizenship.

All visitors are required to travel with a return ticket or onward ticket for entry into Jamaica.

For more information on the specific documents needed to travel to Jamaica visit the Travel Documents  page on the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency's website  Visitors traveling via airlines can also go to  www.iatatravelcentre.com  to review travel document requirements.

Unconditional Landing: Unconditional Landing is a facility offered to foreign nationals to stay in Jamaica. The Unconditional Landing is a type of extended stay which allows persons who are Jamaican by birth, by descent, or naturalization to work and attend school in Jamaica. This stay is also offered to CARICOM Nationals. Applications can be submitted to the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency with the requisite documentation.

Travel Requiring Visas The Jamaican Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates are happy to assist travelers to Jamaica for business and leisure purposes. You may connect with the nearest office, from the links below, to apply for your travel documents for Jamaica. 

Jamaica Embassies and High Commissions

Consulates and Consulates-General

Online Passenger Declaration (C5) Form

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Exploring the world one country at a time

35 VISA-FREE Countries for Canadian PR Holders [2024 Edition]

Updated: February 11, 2024 Leave a Comment

As a Canadian PR card holder, you can enjoy VISA-FREE travel to certain countries. As of 2024, there are 35 VISA-FREE countries for Canadian PR holders. This includes Mexico, countries in the Caribbean, Central America, Europe and Asia. 

In this article, you will learn which countries Canadian permanent residents can travel to without visa along with the duration of stay and entry requirements for those countries.

So without further due, let’s get started. 

Table of Contents

What are the visa-free countries for canadian pr holders in 2024.

The VISA-FREE countries for Canadian PR holders in 2024 are:

• Anguilla (British Territory) (90 days)
• Antigua and Barbuda (30 days)
• Armenia (VOA for 21 or 120 days, select nationalities only)
• Aruba (30 days)
• Bahamas (30 days)
• Belize (30 days)
• Bermuda (British Territory) (30 days)
• Bonaire (Dutch Territory) (90 days)
• Cayman Islands (British Territory) (30 days)
• Costa Rica (30 days)
• Curaçao (90 days)
• Dominican Republic (90 days)
• El Salvador (90 days)
• Georgia (90 days)
• Guatemala (90 days)
• Honduras (90 days)
• Japan (eVisa, 90 days)
• Jordan (eVisa, 90 days)
• Mexico (180 days or less)
• Moldova (90 days)
• Montenegro (30 days)
• Morocco (eVisa, 90 days)
• Nicaragua (VOA, 30 days)
• Oman (VOA for 30 days, select nationalities only)
• Panama (30 days)
• Peru (180 days)
• Philippines (14 days, India only)
• Qatar (eVisa, 30 days)
• Singapore (96 hours TWOV, India and China only)
• Sint Maarten (30 days)
• South Korea (30 days while transiting, select nationalities only)
• Taiwan (eTA, 14 days, select nationalities only)
• Thailand (eVisa, 60 days)
• Turks and Caicos (British Territory) (90 days)
• United Kingdom (24-hour entry while transiting)

How many countries you can visit with Canadian PR?

In 2024, you can visit 35 countries with a Canadian PR without requiring a separate visa. Your Canadian permanent resident card must be valid and should be accompanied by a valid passport from your country. Here are the requirements in short.

• Must hold a valid Canada Permanent Resident card
• Must hold a valid passport from your country of nationality
• Must be from an eligible nationality and must follow entry requirements

Let’s look into each of these 35 Canadian PR VISA-FREE countries in detail.

North America

• Eligible nationalities: All nationalities
• Entry granted: Varies depending on the itinerary
• Entry rule: Canada PR card must be valid for the entire stay in Mexico
• Official source: National Institute of Migration in Mexico

Central America

• Entry granted: 30 days
• Official source: Consulate of Belize in Alberta, Canada

03. Costa Rica

• Entry rule: Canada PR cards must be valid for at least 3 months from the day of arrival
• Official source: Embassy of Costa Rica in Ottawa, Canada

04. El Salvador

• Burkina Faso
• Central African Republic
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Equatorial Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Turkmenistan
• Entry granted: 90 days total in the entire CA-4 zone (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua)
• If entering by air, a fee of 12 USD will be charged for a tourist card
• If you have already entered Guatemala or Honduras, you can enter El Salvador from Guatemala or Honduras by land without any additional visa requirements as per CA-4 Border Control Agreement
• Official source: IATA Travel Centre

05. Guatemala

• Côte d´Ivoire
• Dominican Republic
• Entry rule: If you have already entered Honduras or El Salvador, you can enter Guatemala from Honduras or El Salvador by land without any additional visa requirements as per CA-4 Border Control Agreement. 
• Official source: Embassy of Guatemala in Ottawa, Canada

06. Honduras

• Cote d’Ivoire
• South Sudan
• Entry rule: If you have already entered Guatemala or El Salvador, you can enter Honduras from Guatemala or El Salvador by land without any additional visa requirements as per CA-4 Border Control Agreement. 

07. Nicaragua

• Afghanistan
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Congo, Dem Rep of
• Congo, Rep of
• Sierra Leone
• Timor-Leste
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to obtain Visa ON ARRIVAL
• VOA fee is 50 USD, payable in USD, valid for 30 days, single-entry only
• Besides VOA fee, there is a 10 USD tourist card fee, a 2 USD land border migration fee (for land border only) and 1 USD municipality tax (for land border only) (payable in USD only)
• Canada PR must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival
• Must show proof of economic solvency for a minimum of 500 USD
• Official source: Consulate of Panama in Toronto, Canada

RELATED: 53 countries you can travel VISA-FREE with a US visa in 2024

09. Anguilla (British Territory)

• Entry granted: 90 days
• Official Source: Anguilla Tourist Board, entry requirements

10. Antigua and Barbuda

• VOA fee is 100 USD, valid for 30 days, single-entry only
• Official source: Department of Immigration, Antigua and Barbuda
• Official source: Netherlands Worldwide

12. Bahamas

• If traveling directly from Canada, the Canada PR card must be valid for at least 3 months from the day of arrival
• If not traveling directly from Canada, the Canada PR card must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival
• Official source: Bahamas Ministry of Tourism

13. Bermuda (British Territory)

• Canada PR card must be valid for a minimum of 45 days beyond the date of departure from Bermuda
• Passport must be valid for a minimum of 45 days beyond the date of departure from Bermuda
• Official source: Government of Bermuda

14. Bonaire (Dutch Territory)

15. cayman islands (british territory).

• Entry rule: On arrival, you must present a return ticket back to Canada (not to a third country)
• Official source: Cayman Islands Customs and Border Controls

16. Curaçao

• E ntry granted: 90 days

17. Dominican Republic

• Entry rule: If arriving by land or sea, must purchase a Tourist Card on arrival for 20 USD. If arriving by air, the tourist card is included in the airfare. 
• Official source: Ministry of Tourism of Dominican Republic

18. Sint Maarten

19. turks and caicos (british territory).

• Official source: Ministry of Border Control of Turks and Caicos

RELATED: 43 countries you can travel VISA-FREE with UK visa in 2024

South America

• Entry granted: 180 days
• Entry rule: Canada PR must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival 
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru

21. Armenia

• Marshall Islands
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saudi Arabia
• Solomon Islands
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Entry granted: 21 or 120 days
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT but are eligible to obtain Visa ON ARRIVAL
• VOA fee is 3,000 AMD, valid for 21 days, single-entry (OR) 15,000 AMD, valid for 120 days, single-entry
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia

22. Georgia

• Canada PR must be valid on the day of arrival in Georgia
• Total duration of consecutive stays must not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia

23. Moldova

• São Tomé and Príncipe
• South Africa
• Entry rule: Canada PR must be valid for the intended period of stay
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova

24. Montenegro

• Official source: Government of Montenegro

25. United Kingdom

• Entry granted: 24 hours only (Transit Without Visa)
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to request a 24-hour entry at London (LHR) or Manchester (MAN) airports
• You must be traveling to or from Canada
• Must arrive and depart by air 
• Must hold the boarding pass for the onward flight
• Onward flight must be within 24 hours (on the same day or the next day before midnight)
• Granting the 24-hour entry is at the sole discretion of the immigration officer
• Official source: GOV.UK

RELATED: 53 countries you can travel VISA-FREE with Schengen visa in 2024

Middle East

• Congo, Dem. Rep. Of
• Guinea Bissau
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT but are eligible to apply for Jordan E-Visa
• Official source: Jordan E-Visa
• El Salvador
• Entry granted: 10 or 30 days
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to obtain Oman 26M or 26N Tourist Visa online
• 26M eVIsa fee is 20 OMR, valid for 30 days, single-entry only
• 26N eVIsa fee is 5 OMR, valid for 10 days, single-entry only
• Official source: Sultanate of Oman, Royal Oman Police
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to apply for A3 Visa online on the Hayya portal
• A3 Visa fee is QAR 100, valid for 30 days, single-entry only
• Must provide hotel booking for the entire stay reserved through the Discover Qatar website
• Canada PR must be valid on the day of the A3 Visa application

29. Morocco

• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to apply for Morocco e-Visa online
• E-Visa fee is 770 MAD, valid for 180 days, single-entry only
• Canada PR permit must be valid for at least 90 days from the day of arrival
• Official source: Morocco E-Visa Portal
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible for Japan eVisa
• eVisa fee is JPY 3,000, valid for 90 days, single-entry
• Must submit proof of residence to prove that you reside in Canada
• Must show the visa issuance confirmation via the eVisa website on your phone at the immigration (Prints and PDFs are not accepted)
• Must enter Japan by flight only
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

31. Philippines

• Eligible nationalities: India passport holders only
• Entry granted: 14 days, extendable for another 7 days
• Canada PR must be valid for the entire duration of the stay
• Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of departure
• Official source: Embassy of the Philippines in India

32. Singapore

• Entry granted: 96 hours (4 days)
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT but are eligible to obtain Visa Free Transit Facility (VFTF) upon arrival
• Must be traveling to or from the country of passport. Example: Must be traveling to a third country from India via Singapore or traveling to India from a third country via Singapore. An example itinerary would be India-Singapore-Bali or Bali-Singapore-India.
• Both arriving and departing flights in Singapore must be on the same itinerary
• Canada PR must be valid for at least 1 month at the time of arrival
• Official source: Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority

33. South Korea

• Eligible nationalities: All nationalities (except these 23 nationalities – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameron, Cuba, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Uzbekistan and Yemen)
• Entry rule: Must be traveling to/from Canada through South Korea
• Official source: South Korea Embassy in Washington DC, USA
• Entry granted: 14 days
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT but are eligible to apply for ROC Travel Authorization Certificate  
• ROC Travel Authorization Certificate is free of charge, valid for 90 days, multiple-entry
• If using an EXPIRED Canada PR card, the PR card must have expired within the last 10 years
• Official source: Bureau of Consular Affairs of Republic of China (Taiwan)

35. Thailand

• Entry granted: 60 days, extendable for another 30 days
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to apply for Thailand e-Visa online
• E-Visa fee is 40 USD, valid for 90 days or 180 days, single or multiple-entry
• Official source: Thai E-Visa Portal

RELATED: 18 countries you can visit VISA-FREE with an Australian visa or PR in 2024

Can you use a Canadian visa to travel to these countries?

Yes, you can also use a valid Canadian visa to travel to these countries. However, the eligibility and entry requirements vary depending on what Canadian visa you hold. Refer to my article on VISA-FREE countries for Canada visa for more details. 

There you go, folks! 35 countries and territories that a Canadian PR holder can visit in 2024. Though most of them are Visa-Free, some countries require you to obtain VOA at the airport or apply for an eVisa before your travel.

Change history:  For those who are interested, here are the changes to this list.

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

PLAN YOUR TRAVEL WITH VISA TRAVELER

I highly recommend using these websites to plan your trip. I use these websites myself to apply for my visas, book my flights and hotels and purchase my travel insurance.

01. Apply for your visa

Get a verifiable flight itinerary for your visa application from DummyTicket247 . DummyTicket247 is a flight search engine to search and book flight itineraries for visas instantly. These flight itineraries are guaranteed to be valid for 2 weeks and work for all visa applications.

02. Book your fight

Find the cheapest flight tickets using Skyscanner . Skyscanner includes all budget airlines and you are guaranteed to find the cheapest flight to your destination.

03. Book your hotel

Book your hotel from Booking.com . Booking.com has pretty much every hotel, hostel and guesthouse from every destination.

04. Get your onward ticket

If traveling on a one-way ticket, use BestOnwardTicket to get proof of onward ticket for just $12, valid for 48 hours.

05. Purchase your insurance

Purchase travel medical insurance for your trip from SafetyWing . Insurance from SafetyWing covers COVID-19 and also comes with a visa letter which you can use for your visas.

Need more? Check out my travel resources page  for the best websites to plan your trip.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please refer to our full disclosure for further information.

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Can I Travel to Jamaica with a Green Card?

Jamaica’s visa policy outlines the rules and regulations governing foreign visitors who require a visa. Visas are travel authorizations granted by countries to foreigners for them to enter, remain in, or leave their country.

Can I Travel To Jamaica With A Green Card

• All visitors are required to be in possession of a national passport or other acceptable travel document establishing nationality and identity, and bearing a photograph. The passport or other travel document must be valid for the period of intended stay in the island. Visitors are also required to show evidence of sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay and be in possession of a return or round-trip ticket to another country to which they are admissible.
• Nationals of certain countries require, in addition to travel documents, an entry visa. This is normally issued, on application, by a Jamaican Consular office.
• It should be noted that applicants who possess a valid United States Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), regardless of nationality, do not require a visa to visit Jamaica, if travel is being done directly between the USA and Jamaica.
• The decision in respect of admission and length of stay in the country rests with the Immigration Officer at the port of entry in Jamaica. This applies whether or not a visa is a prerequisite for entry.

Types of Jamaica Visas

Jamaica offers various visas and travel authorizations for foreign nationals. If you wish to do business or travel for vacation in Jamaica, you can apply for a visa and travel authorization from over 116 nationalities.

It should be noted that citizens of the United States of America who possess a permanent residency card (Green Card) do not need visas to enter Jamaica. A valid visa issued by the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, or a Schengen State is required for countries with visa waivers for 30 days.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements differ for travelers depending on your country of citizenship and/or residency.

• U.S. Citizens traveling to and from Jamaica must present a valid passport when leaving and or re-entering the United States. Residents must present their Alien Resident Card (Green Card) together with passport of the country for which they hold citizenship.
• Canadian Citizens: Valid passport or a government-issued identification with photograph, along with an official birth certificate. Canadian residents must present a Canadian Permanent Resident Card and a passport showing the country of citizenship.
• All visitors are required to travel with a return ticket or onward ticket for entry into Jamaica.

Unconditional Landing

Unconditional Landing is a facility offered to foreign nationals to stay in Jamaica. The Unconditional Landing is a type of extended stay that allows persons who are Jamaican by birth, by descent, or naturalization to work and attend school in Jamaica. This stay is also offered to CARICOM Nationals. Applications can be submitted to the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency with the requisite documentation.

Travel Requiring Visas: The Jamaican Embassies, High Commissions, and Consulates are happy to assist travelers to Jamaica for business and leisure purposes. You may connect with the nearest office, from the links below, to apply for your travel documents for Jamaica.

Traveling to Jamaica comes with specific requirements, depending on one’s nationality and residency status. While U.S. Green Card holders can enter Jamaica without a visa when traveling directly between the USA and Jamaica, it’s essential to be equipped with proper documentation, including a valid passport and evidence of sufficient funds. Understanding Jamaica’s visa and entry policies ensures a hassle-free journey and an enjoyable stay in this beautiful island nation.

1. Does Jamaica stamp your passport?

Yes, Jamaica may place a stamp in your foreign passport that allows you to remain in the country unconditionally. This stamp will expire when your foreign passport expires, after which you’ll need to transfer the stamp to your new passport.

2. What is the unconditional landing in Jamaica?

Unconditional Landing status allows an individual to live in Jamaica indefinitely while being able to attend school or work without needing a work permit. This status is available to those who are Jamaican by birth, by descent, or naturalization, as well as CARICOM Nationals. You can apply for this status through the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency with the required documentation.

3. How long can you stay in Jamaica without citizenship?

The maximum duration of stay in Jamaica without citizenship depends on your visitor category:

• VISITOR: Commonwealth citizens are allowed a maximum of 12 months stay on the island.
• Non-Commonwealth citizens are allowed a maximum of 6 months stay on the island as visitors.

Remember to have a valid passport with at least 6 months of validity remaining from your intended departure date.

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Information for Travellers to Jamaica

 Persons travelling to Jamaica on non-Jamaican passports should check to see if they require a  visa prior  to arrival.

Canadian citizens and permanent residents

Canadian citizens and permanent residents desirous of travelling to Jamaica do not require a visa to travel to Jamaica

• See the   list of countries that require visas prior to arrival in Jamaica and receive visas on arrival in Jamaica

All travellers to Jamaica need to present the following documents to Jamaican Immigration Officers at the port of entry for clearance to enter Jamaica:

• A valid passport or other acceptable travel document.
• A valid visa or authority to enter Jamaica such as work permit, student permit, temporary permit), if applicable.
• A return ticket to country of origin or ticket for onward travel to another country.
• Completed and signed Immigration Landing Card.

Anyone who arrives in Jamaica without a valid travel document, visa or authority to enter Jamaica, may be refused entry to Jamaica or delayed until their identity and claims to enter Jamaica have been confirmed.

High Commission,

Information for Travellers to Jamaica

  Persons travelling to Jamaica on non-Jamaican passports should check to see if they require a visa prior to arrival.

Canadian citizens and permanent residents

Canadian citizens and permanent residents desirous of travelling to Jamaica do not require a visa to travel to Jamaica

• See the list of countries that require visas prior to arrival in Jamaica
• See the   list of countries that receive visas on arrival in Jamaica

All travellers to Jamaica need to present the following documents to Jamaican Immigration Officers at the port of entry for clearance to enter Jamaica:

1.      A valid passport or other acceptable travel document.

2.      A valid visa or authority to enter Jamaica such as work permit, student permit, temporary permit), if applicable.

3.      A return ticket to country of origin or ticket for onward travel to another country.

4.      Completed and signed Immigration Landing Card.

Anyone who arrives in Jamaica without a valid travel document, visa or authority to enter Jamaica, may be refused entry to Jamaica or delayed until their identity and claims to enter Jamaica have been confirmed.

Requirements For Entry Into Jamaica

All visitors are required to be in possession of a national passport or other acceptable travel document establishing nationality and identity, and bearing a photograph.  The passport or other travel document must be valid for the period of intended stay in the island. Visitors are also required to show evidence of sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay and be in possession of a return or round-trip ticket to another country to which they are admissible.

Nationals of certain countries require, in addition to travel documents, an entry visa.  This is normally issued, on application, by a Jamaican Consular office.

It Should be noted that that applicants who possess a valid United States Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), regardless of nationality do not require a visa to visit Jamaica, if travel is being done directly between the USA and Jamaica.

The decision in respect of admission and length of stay in the country rests with the Immigration Officer at the port of entry in Jamaica. This applies whether or not a visa is a prerequisite for entry.

General Conditions for Admission

A person desirous of visiting jamaica:.

Should be in possession of a valid visa unless exempted from this requirement under any of the prescribed regulations;

• Should be in possession of a valid visa unless exempted from this requirement under any of the prescribed regulations.
• Must be in a position to support himself/herself and accompanying dependents for the duration of stay;
• Should not be of unsound mind;
• Should not be the subject of a certificate submitted to the Immigration Officer by a health officer indicating that for medical reasons, permission to land is not desirable;
• Should not have been sentenced in a foreign country for any extraditable crime within the meaning of the Extradition Acts 1870 and 1906;
• Should not be the subject of a deportation order in force under the Aliens Law, Chapter 9;
• Should not be the subject of a landing prohibition order from the Minister of National Security;

Please also note that nationals from Kosovo, Palestine and Taiwan (Republic of China) require an Affidavit of Identity which is issued by the Consulate.

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Government of canada services and information in kingston, jamaica.

Telephone: (876) 926-1500

Fax: 1-876-733-3493

Email: [email protected]

Hours of operation:

Email: [email protected]

Website: IRCC web form

Services and information provided to Canadians by the High Commission of Canada in Jamaica.

On this page

Adoption and surrogacy, birth abroad, citizenship services, criminal record checks, death abroad, marriage abroad, notarial services, passport services, pensions and retirement, studying abroad, visa and immigration services, voting abroad.

Refer to International adoption .

The Jamaican Adoption Board has responsibility for adoption of children in Jamaica. See the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) in Jamaica for more information.

Canadian applicants

Under the Hague Convention , Canadian applicants must seek the services of an international adoption agency that is licensed by the Canadian authority.

Refer to Children born outside of Canada .

If your child is born outside of Canada, you do not need to register the birth in Canada.

Jamaica accepts dual citizenship. Persons interested in becoming citizens of Jamaica should first check to see if their country allows for dual nationality.

For more details on Citizenship in Jamaica, contact the High Commission of Canada in Jamaica.

Refer to Canadian citizenship .

Complete your citizenship application before booking an appointment to present your documents in person. Bring your online payment receipt to your appointment.

Pay your application fees online before you apply for citizenship services.

Payment method

Pay your application fees online .

Refer to Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Criminal record checks .

Refer to Death abroad .

Refer to Marriage outside Canada .

The process for marriage in Jamaica is explained in the Marriage licence Act and can be viewed from the Ministry of Justice website .

Consular officials do not provide any legal advice or represent a person in court. The office provides the following notarial services, by in-person appointment only , to Canadian citizens and, in limited cases, to non-Canadian citizens if the documents are intended for use in Canada.

Note: Documents must be in English or French, or accompanied by an official translation in English or French.

Authentication/Attestation (certify the document signature, the position of an official and the seal are genuine):

• Documents issued in Canada must be authenticated by Global Affairs Canada in Ottawa before the office will certify the documents (fees apply).
• Witness a signature on a Statement in lieu of certificate of non-impediment to marriage abroad form (fees apply).
• Clients requiring information about authenticating documents while outside of Canada, refer to Authentication of documents .

Certified copy (certify the document is a true copy of the original):

• Documents presented by a Canadian citizen or a non-Canadian citizen for use in Canada; exceptions apply (fees apply).
• Government-issued identification requiring a certified true copy (fees apply).

Witness a signature (consular officer witnesses a signature):

• Government-issued identification requiring a witnessed signature (fees apply).

Note: Complete all documents before booking an appointment. Sign all documents in front of the consular officer.

• Canadian, Jamaican or US currency, or
• Managers Cheque for the prescribed Jam. Dollar equivalent.
• MasterCard or VISA (complete Credit Card authorization form )
• Bank draft made payable to the High Commission of Canada in Jamaica for the relevant amount. Bank drafts must be drawn on a bank of the respective currency you wish to pay with.

Mixing currencies is not acceptable.

Refer to Canadian passports and travel documents .

You can pay online for all your passport services before completing your passport application .

Book an appointment to present your documents in person. Bring your online payment receipt to your appointment.

• Check passport and travel document processing times and service standards
• Report a lost or stolen passport

Pay online for all your passport services .

Refer to Benefits for Canadians living abroad and Retiring abroad .

There is an agreement on Social Security between Canada and Jamaica .

Refer to Studying abroad and EduCanada .

Refer to Travel documents – Visas .

• Apply to travel, study, work or immigrate to Canada .
• Find a visa application centre (VAC) to book an appointment to give your biometrics (fingerprints and photo).
• Submit an enquiry using the IRCC web form to contact a visa office.

Permanent residents of Canada: Find out how to apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) .

Refer to Voting in an election while outside Canada .

Dual nationals should refer to the Electoral Commission of Jamaica for enquiries on voting in Jamaica.

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This allows a foreign national to live and work in Jamaica without restrictions on their stay, without submitting an application for a work permit or Jamaican citizenship. They are not afforded the same constitutional rights as a Jamaican citizen.

As a part of the approval process, Permanent Residence applicants will be interviewed by the Agency’s Investigation and Surveillance Unit.

Applications are processed within 3 to 6 months and all documents submitted must be the original.

An applicant for Permanent Residence can be submitted under one of the following categories:

• Employment – for foreign nationals working in the island for more than 3 years
• Retirement – for retired foreign nationals who wishes to retire in Jamaica
• Marriage to a Jamaican - for foreign nationals who are married to a Jamaican national
• Dependent - for foreign nationals who are dependent on a Permanent Resident holder
• Previous holders of Unconditional Landing status by virtue of marriage to a Jamaican

An application for permanent residence should be submitted along with the following documents:

• Valid passport no less than 6 months to the expiration date
• Evidence of financial status and means of support such as particulars of pension, bank statement and so on.
• Business owners must present certificate of registration, tax compliance certificate (TCC), proof of income tax returns and audited financial statements for the last full year of the business’ operations.
• Original birth certificate of applicant, should be translated if not in English
• Original birth certificate or machine readable Jamaican passport of Jamaican spouse
• Original marriage certificate / decree absolute if applicable
• Original birth certificate for children if applicable
• Local medical certificate/certificate of good health in Jamaica
• Police certificate from previous country of residence and from Jamaica if you have been residing in the island for 6 months or more
• Two (2) identical passport size pictures, certified by a Justice of the Peace (JP)
• Evidence of property ownership/assets in Jamaica or overseas, should be translated if not in English
• Letter stating reason for permanent residence and must be addressed to the CEO, PICA, 25 Constant Spring Road, Kingston 10.
• Letter from two (2) reputable references, must be Jamaican nationals and must be addressed to the CEO, PICA, 25 Constant Spring Road, Kingston 10.
• Entry visa (if applicable)
• Required fee

N.B – All documents submitted must be original. Applications are usually processed within 3 to 6 months.

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FlyFromCanada

Travel Hacks & Deals for Canadians

Home » Vacation ideas » Other Destinations

23 Canada PR Holder Visa Free Countries

If you are a Permanent Resident (PR) Cardholder in Canada, it might interest you to know that there are several countries you can visit without having to apply for a visa. A PR card is the most convenient way of proving status to authorities within Canada (e.g., provincial governments, employers, schools).

Permanent residents have other documentation (such as original landing papers) which is also acceptable, so there is no legal requirement for a permanent resident to carry a PR card at all times.

There are three types of Canada PR cards in circulation: 2002, 2009, and 2015 versions. As all PR card’s lifespans cannot exceed five years, the initial 2002 and 2009 versions should be no longer in use. All three versions of the card contain a maple leaf in front of the card, hence earning the nickname “maple leaf card”.

Please note that the Canada PR card is normally valid for five years. However, it may be valid for one year for those whose Canada PR status is being assessed by the IRCC. Please note that a PR card’s expiration date does not indicate that the holder’s status as a permanent resident has expired, or will expire, on that date.

It is the date after which the card must be replaced with a new card. Having said that, here is the list of countries that someone with a Canadian PR card can travel to without having a valid visa.

1. All Dutch Caribbean Territories

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to all Dutch Caribbean territories without a visa, and interestingly, you can stay within the territories for 3 months (that is 90 days).

The Dutch Caribbean are the territories, colonies, and countries, former and current, of the Dutch Empire and the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Caribbean Sea. They are in the north and south-west of the Lesser Antilles archipelago.

At present, it comprises the constituent countries of Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten (CAS islands), and the special municipalities of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba (BES islands). The term “Dutch Caribbean” is sometimes also used for the Caribbean Netherlands, an entity consisting of the three special municipalities forming part of the constituent country of the Netherlands since 2010.

2. Anguilla

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to Anguilla without a visa, and you can stay within the country for 3 months (that is 90 days) maximum.

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to the Bahamas without a visa, and interestingly, you can stay within the country for 3 months (that is 90 days maximum).

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to Belize without a visa, and you can stay within the country for one month (that is 30 days) maximum.

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to Bermuda without a visa, and you can stay within the country for 6 months (that is 180 days) maximum.

6. The British Virgin Islands

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to the British Virgin Islands without a visa, and you can stay within the territories for 6 months (that is 180 days) maximum. Please note that the British Virgin Islands consist of the main islands of Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, and Jost Van Dyke, along with more than 50 other smaller islands and cays.

7. Cayman Islands

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to Cayman Island without a visa, and you can stay within the territories for 2 months (that is 60 days) maximum.

Please note that Cayman Islands territory comprises the three islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman, which are located to the south of Cuba and northeast of Honduras, between Jamaica and Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. The capital city is George Town on Grand Cayman, which is the most populous of the three islands.

8. Costa Rica

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to Costa Rica without a visa, and you can stay within the country for one month (that is 30 days) maximum. Please note that your PR card must be valid for more than six months.

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to Cuba without a visa, and you can stay within the country for one month (that is 30 days) maximum. Please note that a PR card and a current and valid passport are required to enjoy this benefit.

10. Dominican Republic

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to the Dominican Republic without a visa, and you can stay within the country for 2 months (that is 60 days) maximum.

11. El Salvador

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to El Salvador without a visa but it is important to state that this privilege does not apply to all nationalities.

12. Georgia

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to Georgia without a visa, and you can stay within the country for 3 months (that is 90 days in 180 days) maximum.

13. Guatemala

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to Guatemala without a visa but this privilege is not applicable to all nationalities.

14. Honduras

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to Honduras without a visa but it is important to state that this privilege is not applicable to all nationalities.

15. Jamaica

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to Jamaica without a visa, and you can stay within the country for 6 months (that is 180 days).

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to Mexico without a visa, and you can stay within the country for 6 months (that is 180 days) maximum.

17. Nicaragua

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to Nicaragua without a visa, and you can stay within the country for 3 months (that is 90 days within 180 days) maximum. It is important to state that this privilege does not apply to all nationalities.

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to Panama without a visa, and you can stay within the country for one month or 6 months depending on your country of origin.

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to Qatar without a visa, and you can stay within the territories for one month (that is 30 days).

20. Saint Maarten

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to Saint Maarten without a visa, and you can stay within the country for 3 months (that is 90 days) maximum.

21. South Korea

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to South Korea without a visa, and you can stay within the country for one month (that is 30 days when in transit) maximum. But it is important to state that this privilege does not apply to all nationalities.

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to Taiwan without a visa, and you can stay within the country for one month (that is 30 days maximum, but online registration is required). Please note that this privilege does not apply to all nationalities.

23. Turks and Caicos Islands

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to the Turks and Caicos Islands without a visa, and you can stay within the territories for 3 months (that is 90 days) maximum.

Please note that the territory consists of the larger Caicos Islands and smaller Turks Islands, two groups of tropical islands in the Lucayan Archipelago of the Atlantic Ocean and the northern West Indies. They are known primarily for tourism and as an offshore financial center.

In Conclusion,

To enjoy visa-free travels, Canadian permanent residents require a PR card unless the person’s passport in itself is sufficient for exemption. A Canadian PR cardholder may travel visa-free to the above countries if not already exempt.

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Travelling with a permanent resident card

The Permanent Resident Card is the official proof of your status as a permanent resident in Canada .

This wallet-sized plastic card is used by all permanent residents of Canada seeking to re-enter Canada on a commercial carrier (airplane, boat, train or bus). If you leave the country, you are expected to have this card when you return to Canada.

Check the expiry date of your Permanent Resident Card before you plan to travel outside Canada.

Most Permanent Resident Cards expire every five years, while some expire after one year. Check the expiry date and apply for a new one well before you plan to travel outside Canada.

Who can apply

You can apply for a Permanent Resident Card if you:

• Have permanent resident status
• Are physically present in Canada
• Are not a Canadian citizen  
• Are not under an effective removal order
•  Have not been convicted of an offense related to the misuse of a Permanent Resident Card

If you become a Canadian citizen, you do not need a Permanent Resident Card.

How to apply

The information on this page is for you if:

• You need to apply for your first Permanent Resident Card  (see “Arriving” section below)
• You need to replace an expired (or due to expire), lost, stolen, or damaged Permanent Resident Card
• You require urgent processing of your Permanent Resident Card application

You will need to gather certain documents in order to apply for a Permanent Resident Card. Collect these documents as early as possible, especially if you plan to travel soon.

If you are outside of Canada without a valid Permanent Resident Card, you will need a Travel document to return to Canada.

If you are a new permanent resident, you will automatically receive your Permanent Resident Card by mail after you arrive in Canada as part of the immigration process. You do not need to apply for a Permanent Resident Card.

If you did not provide a mailing address when you were granted permanent resident status , or you have since moved, please update your mailing address .

You have 180 days to provide your new mailing address from the date you were granted permanent resident status.

If you do not provide a mailing address within the 180 days, you will not receive your Permanent Resident Card. You will then need to send Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) an application for a Permanent Resident Card and pay a fee of Can$50.

• Contact us , Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
• Current processing times for a PR Card . Check the expiry date of your Permanent Resident Card before you plan to travel outside Canada. (IRCC)
• Application for a travel document (Permanent Resident Abroad) (IRCC)
• Permanent Resident Card (PR Card) (IRCC)

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International Travel as a Permanent Resident

In general, you will need to present a passport from your country of citizenship or your refugee travel document to travel to a foreign country. In addition, the foreign country may have additional entry/exit requirements (such as a visa). For information on foreign entry and exit requirements, see the Department of State’s website .

If seeking to enter the United States after temporary travel abroad, you will need to present a valid, unexpired “Green Card” (Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card). When arriving at a port of entry, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer will review your permanent resident card and any other identity documents you present, such as a passport, foreign national I.D. card or U.S. Driver’s License, and determine if you can enter the United States. For information pertaining to entry into the United States, see U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s webpage .

Permanent residents are free to travel outside the United States, and temporary or brief travel usually does not affect your permanent resident status. If it is determined, however, that you did not intend to make the United States your permanent home, you will be found to have abandoned your permanent resident status. A general guide used is whether you have been absent from the United States for more than a year. Abandonment may be found to occur in trips of less than a year where it is believed you did not intend to make the United States your permanent residence. While brief trips abroad generally are not problematic, the officer may consider criteria such as whether your intention was to visit abroad only temporarily, whether you maintained U.S. family and community ties, maintained U.S employment, filed U.S. income taxes as a resident, or otherwise established your intention to return to the United States as your permanent home. Other factors that may be considered include whether you maintained a U.S. mailing address, kept U.S. bank accounts and a valid U.S. driver’s license, own property or run a business in the United States, or any other evidence that supports the temporary nature of your absence.

If you plan on being absent from the United States for longer than a year, it is advisable to first apply for a reentry permit on Form I-131 . Obtaining a reentry permit prior to leaving the United States allows a permanent or conditional permanent resident to apply for admission into the United States during the permit’s validity without the need to obtain a returning resident visa from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad. Please note that it does not guarantee entry into the United States upon your return as you must first be determined to be admissible; however, it will assist you in establishing your intention to permanently reside in the United States. For more information, see the Travel Documents page.

If you remain outside of the United States for more than 2 years, any reentry permit granted before your departure from the United States will have expired. In this case, it is advisable to consider applying for a returning resident visa (SB-1) at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. An SB-1 applicant will be required to establish eligibility for an immigrant visa and will need a medical exam. There is an exception to this process for the spouse or child of either a member of the U.S. Armed Forces or civilian employee of the U.S. Government stationed abroad on official orders. For more information on obtaining a returning resident visa, see the Department of State’s webpage on returning resident visas .

Additionally, absences from the United States of six months or more may disrupt the continuous residency required for naturalization. If your absence is one year or longer and you wish to preserve your continuous residency in the United States for naturalization purposes, you may file an Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes on Form N-470. For more information, please see the Continuous Residence and Physical Presence Requirements page.

If you lose your Green Card or reentry permit or it is stolen or destroyed while you are abroad, you may need to file a Form I-131A, Application for Travel Document (Carrier Documentation) . This carrier documentation will allow an airline or other transportation carrier to board a lawful permanent resident bound for the United States without the carrier being penalized. For more information, please see the Form I-131A, Application for Travel Document (Carrier Documentation) page.

More Information

• Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants (PDF, 3.57 MB)
• How Do I Get a Reentry Permit? (PDF, 667.32 KB)
• I-131, Application for Travel Document
• I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card

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• How Do I Help My Relative Become a Lawful Permanent Resident? (PDF, 577.38 KB)
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• "How Do I" Guides for Permanent Residents

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Immigration Corner | What are the benefits of permanent residency in Canada?

Dear Miss Powell,

I have been reading your articles about applying to live in Canada. I realise that when you apply, you only get permanent residency and not citizenship. Can you tell me what are the benefits of permanent residency? Is that the same as getting a green card?

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When an application to live in Canada is approved, the first step is to receive confirmation of permanent residence. This means that the person now has legal status in Canada. After you arrive in Canada, you are given a permanent resident, or PR, card. In the USA, many people refer to their permanent resident card as a green card and this is similar to the permanent resident card in Canada.

RIGHTS OF A PERMANENT RESIDENT

As a permanent resident, you will have the right to live, work and study in any of the 10 provinces, or three territories, in Canada indefinitely, subject to certain legal requirements. You would have most of the rights as a citizen. I will highlight below some of the key rights of a permanent resident in Canada.

Public healthcare: Canada has a publicly funded healthcare system to which most permanent residents have immediate access once they land in Canada and are registered. The healthcare plan is, however, managed by each province, and so you will need to check if there is a waiting period imposed on new residents, and whether you want to get private insurance to cover the waiting period. In most cases, doctor’s visits, hospitalisation, X-rays, scans, and specialists are publicly funded. In some provinces, children under the age of 18 have free medication and dental benefits.

Education: Education is free up to the age of 18. That means that all permanent residents have the right to free education at the elementary and high school levels. In some provinces there are free, or subsidised, day care facilities for preschool and kindergarten students. Additionally, the cost of university is significantly less than the cost for an international student. Residents are eligible for student loans, grants, and education savings plan such as the Registered Education Savings Plan, which can assist students with tuition costs at the post-secondary level.

Social benefits: There are various social benefits available to permanent residents, such as unemployment insurance, child, and disability benefits. These include Canada Pension/ Retirement Plan, CPP survivor’s pension, CPP Children’s Benefits, Old Age Security, Guarantee Income Supplement, Child Disability Benefit. There are also housing benefits. These rebates help to offset the tax on new or substantially renovated homes, access to financial assistance for home repairs where modifications are necessary because of disability, or when there are energy efficiency upgrades to a home. These benefits include the Secondary Suite low interest loan, Home Adaptation Grants and multigenerational home renovation tax credit.

Family: As a permanent resident, you have the right to sponsor a spouse, dependent child, and other eligible family members, such as a parent or grandparent. You have the right to adopt a child, locally or internationally, and sponsor that child to live with you in Canada.

Travel: You have visa-free access to some countries just by presenting your permanent residence card. You are expected to maintain your permanent resident status to have freedom to enter and exit Canada at any time. While travelling, you enjoy the protection of the government of Canada and right to access the justice system.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Just as you have certain rights and benefits, you also have responsibilities as a permanent resident. You must maintain your permanent residence status and renew your card when required. This means you will need to be physically present in Canada at least 730 days within the last five years for your card to be renewed.

As a permanent resident, you also have the right to apply for citizenship if you can prove that you have been physically present in Canada a minimum of three out of the last five years, paid your taxes, completed the citizenship test and oath to become a citizen. Once you have a Canadian citizenship, you will have the right to apply for a Canadian passport, vote, and have access to certain high-level security clearance jobs, and run for political office.

Additionally, you must pay your taxes and uphold all the laws of Canada. As a permanent resident, if you break certain laws, or endanger the lives of others living in Canada, you could become the subject of a removal order and lose your permanent resident status.

If you would like to find out about the various pathways to becoming a permanent resident of Canada, or you are a permanent resident who has lived in Canada for over three years and would like to know more about the benefits of Canadian citizenship, you may contact me to schedule a Zoom/telephone meeting.

Deidre S. Powell is a lawyer, mediator, and notary public in Canada. You may connect with her on Facebook and Instagram. You may also call or WhatsApp 613-695-8777.

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Trudeau says Canada needs a 'pathway' to official status for immigrants, faster deportations

Advocates say sexual minorities make up a disproportionate share of those without official status.

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says some immigrants to Canada who lack official status need a pathway to help them stay, while in other cases Ottawa must speed up deportation procedures.

His comments come as advocates for gender and sexual minorities say the lack of a regularization program is leaving people without official status in Canada subject to exploitation.

"People who aren't here regularly need to be supported and taken care of," Trudeau told reporters Friday in Winnipeg.

"There needs to be either a pathway towards regularization and citizenship, which I know the (immigration) minister is working on. In some cases, we need to accelerate deportation proceedings."

The Liberals pledged in late 2021 to "explore ways of regularizing status for undocumented workers who are contributing to Canadian communities." Trudeau said he had no timeline for when this will actually be put into effect.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada defines undocumented people as those who have overstayed a temporary visa, remained in Canada following a rejected asylum claim, or arrived in Canada without contacting authorities.

The office of Immigration Minister Marc Miller said Friday he is on track to present a proposal to his fellow cabinet ministers before Parliament rises for its summer break next month.

"There's a balance in making sure that the integrity of our immigration system holds," Trudeau said.

"That's one of the reasons why Canadians are, unlike so many other countries in the world, continuing to be positive towards immigration — because our immigration system is rigorous."

• One way to decrease temporary residents is to make them permanent, ministers suggest
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Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada says there is no accurate count of how many undocumented immigrants live in Canada, though it notes academic sources have estimated the number to be as many as 500,000 or as few as 20,000.

"Undocumented migrants live in fear of being detected and removed, and many are extremely vulnerable due to their very limited access to health care and social services," says briefing material the department prepared for November 2022 testimony to Parliament.

The Migrant Rights Network raised the issue Friday to mark International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, noting that gender and sexual minorities are disproportionately represented among foreigners who don't have legal status in Canada.

Swathi Sekhar, a lawyer with the advocacy group Rainbow Railroad, said this is in part due to discrimination within legal systems and volunteer groups created to protect refugees.

"There are LGBTQI+ people that are being deported to places where they may be killed," she said at a news conference in Toronto.

"This kind of regularization scheme could literally be life-saving for many LGBTQI+ migrants who are in this country."

Sarom Rho of the group Migrant Workers Alliance for Change called for a regularization program without a cap on the number of eligible people, adding that Trudeau should "immediately stop all deportations."

She said people are being abused by employers and denied health care. "Queer, undocumented people are facing deportation to countries where same-sex relationships are criminalized, conversion therapy still exists, and in some cases death penalties are legalized."

Charles Mwangi, a bisexual man from Kenya, said he has lived in Canada for just under five years despite having a refugee claim and appeal denied. He is slated for his last appeal next month.

"I fear for my life back home because I will be killed," said Mwangi, who has worked off the books in a care home and suddenly lost his job with no recourse. He said he's also faced arbitrary rent hikes because he can't seek help from authorities.

• Analysis Canada is scaling back temporary foreign workers. Critics say the program needs an overhaul
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An undocumented health care worker from Uganda who goes by the name Jane said she cannot return to her country, which passed a law last year that jails people who identify as gender and sexual minorities, and calls for the death penalty for certain same-sex acts.

"When I walk down the streets and I see police, my heart starts racing because I'm afraid to be stopped and deported," said the woman, who withheld her last name for safety reasons.

She said she's lived in Canada for seven years but is still abused by colleagues who have legal status, because they assign her more work than she's paid to do. "They used my situation to exploit me. They had the right to talk to their bosses because of their status, but I didn't," she said.

The Immigration Department has already run short-term pilot projects, such as a Guardian Angels program during the COVID-19 pandemic that allowed 8,500 pending and failed refugee claimants who worked in direct patient care, or their family members, to get permanent residency.

Another program for the Greater Toronto Area called the Public Policy for Out-of-Status Construction Workers, had allowed 441 workers and 588 dependants to access permanent residency as of last August.

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Apply for permanent residence: Express Entry

• 1. Fill out the online form
• 2. Scan and upload the documents
• 3. Pay your fees
• 4. Submit your complete application
• 5. After you apply
• Check your application status

Before you apply for permanent residence

You can only apply for permanent residence through Express Entry if you’ve received an invitation to apply.

Once you have your invitation to apply

Your Express Entry invitation to apply is valid for 60 days only . You should start filling out the online form right away so that you can get all the information and documents you need before your invitation expires.

Follow these steps to fill out the online form:

• Sign in to your account .
• Click the link to apply for permanent residence under Express Entry.

When filling out the form:

• make sure you submit all of the required documents
• all of your answers must be complete and true
• make sure all the mandatory fields are completed, or you won’t be able to submit your application
• you can save your information on the form and go back as often as you need to

For your application: $1,525

Include your spouse: $1,525

Include a dependent child: $260

Processing time  ?

Varies by program

You may need to give biometrics with your application. This processing time includes the time you need to give your biometrics.

Processing times

Processing times will vary based on:

• the type of application submitted
• if the application is complete
• how quickly we expect to process applications we’ve already received
• how easily we can verify your information
• how long you take to respond to any requests or concerns
• other factors

More people want to immigrate to Canada than we can bring in each year. Applications received after we meet our yearly limit may have to wait longer to be processed.

Learn how processing times are calculated .

If your work permit will expire soon

If your work permit expires before you submit your application and you didn’t apply for a new one yet, it may cause your score to drop.

This could happen if you got points for a job offer but the work permit associated with the job offer expired before you submitted your application. This could cause you to not be eligible anymore.

If your score has dropped below the minimum cut-off for your round of invitations, you should decline the invitation. If you submit your application anyway, we’ll refuse it.

If you decline, you’ll be put back in the pool. You should update your Express Entry profile to show the change in your work status.

Top questions about Express Entry

• I was found not eligible for Express Entry and I can’t change my profile. What do I do?
• Why didn’t I get points for my job offer in Express Entry?
• I am working in Canada on a valid work permit. Does this count as a job offer?

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