Objective

This department, in close collaboration with the consular sections of our overseas missions and consular posts, offers consular services to Jamaican citizens who work, live travel abroad and live in Jamaica.

These services include:

• Operate as an information centre and contact point for Jamaican communities abroad.
• Encouraging and mobilising Jamaicans abroad to assist in the development of their homeland.
• Supporting the interests of Jamaica communities through political action and economic activity.
• Facilitating the provision of trade related assistance to Jamaicans overseas to increase capital flows to Jamaica.
• Ensuring the creation of appropriate and conducive conditions of the return of interested Jamaicans.
• Increasing the human resource potential available to Jamaica through the skills and attributes of returned nationals.”

Usually Jamaicans abroad who may need certain types of assistance, emergencies, can contact the nearest Jamaican Mission, Consular Post Jamaica’s Honorary Consul or the Diaspora and Consular Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in Kingston. Depending on the service required a valid form of identification may be requested.     What services can Jamaican citizens expect from Consular Officers? In emergencies:  Assistance in evacuation planning of Jamaicans abroad in cases of political turmoil, natural or manmade disasters. The nature of the event and the safety of officials could influence the ability to respond;  In the event of an emergency, communicate on behalf of Jamaicans abroad with family and/or friends in  Jamaica;  Provide non-financial assistance for repatriation and urgently needed medical or professional attention;  Liaise with the local authorities to search for missing persons abroad and/or determination of the whereabouts of Jamaican citizens abroad;  Assist families by facilitating the transfer of funds to distressed family members abroad;  Provide support services and advice in hostage cases/kidnappings (kidnapping covers the forcible restriction on the freedom of movement of a person). 

In detention:

Legal:

   Facilitate the serving of legal documents on defendants abroad via the Ministry of Justice;  Facilitate requests for extradition, rogatory letters, edictal citations and evidence on commission via the Ministry of Justice.   Attach certificates of authentication to official public documents.  Provide non-financial assistance to victims of crime.  Provide advice, guidance and support to the custodial parent/guardian in collaboration with the Child Development Agency in cases of abduction of Jamaican children to foreign countries. Where there is evidence that the health and safety of the child is in jeopardy the matter is treated as an emergency.

Other services:

   Assist to replace lost, stolen, damaged or expired passports abroad (fees apply). This is done in consultation with the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) in Kingston;  Notify next of kin in the event of death or life threatening illness or injury. Provide non-financial assistance and advice regarding the mortal remains of Jamaicans who died abroad;  Request the local authorities to investigate suspicious deaths of and crimes against Jamaican citizens;  Provide assistance and guidance to foreign representatives regarding their nationals in Jamaica;  Attend to requests for information and/or attempt to refer the enquirer to the correct source. 

What services do Consular Officers not render?

   Secure a release from prison;  Intervene in court proceedings in foreign countries;  Give legal advice;  Interfere in or initiate court proceedings;  Request local authorities to give preferential treatment to Jamaicans;  Investigate crimes or deaths;  Obtain a criminal record check on your behalf;  Pay for cremations, burials or the repatriation of mortal remains;  Take possession of an abducted child;  Enforce a Jamaican custody agreement abroad or compel a country to decide a custody case;  Pay hotel, legal, medical or any other bills;  Pay traveling expenses;  Undertake work done by travel agents, airlines, banks, etc.;  Obtain accommodation, work, work permits on your behalf;  Store personal effects or search for lost items;  Accept personal mail;  Issue pensions and social security benefits;  Formally assist dual nationals in the country of their second nationality.    

Email: dcamfaja@cwjamaica.com

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