Jamaica Removes Visa-Free Transit Privilege For Cuban Nationals

The Jamaican government has announced the removal of the visa-free transit privilege for Cuban nationals as a result of significant breaches of the arrangement over the past year.

Currently, Cuban nationals can transit through Jamaica for up to three days without a visa, but this will end on March 13th.

In a release from the Ministry of National Security, it was stated that although a visa has never been required for transit with return tickets, data has shown a significant abuse of this courtesy by Cuban nationals over the past three years, and especially in the past year.

Due to this, the government has decided to equalise the visa arrangements for Cuban nationals visiting and transiting through Jamaica.

It was noted that a visa regime has always been in place for Cubans entering Jamaica, and this will remain unchanged.

The Ministry also highlighted that between July and December last year, tens of thousands of Cuban nationals transited through Jamaican ports en-route to Central America and did not return, which is a breach of the transit arrangement that requires a return.

The Ministry emphasised that Jamaica will not allow its ports to be used as an illegal transit point for people or contraband, whether perceived or detected.

Despite the visa changes, Jamaica is committed to maintaining positive relationships with the Cuban government and people, with all programs and partnerships continuing uninterrupted.

The Ministry is pursuing measures to strengthen bilateral and regional security mechanisms.

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