Canadian wants Jamaican citizenship - News - Jamaica Gleaner - Tuesday | July 30, 2013

Canadian wants Jamaican citizenship - News - Jamaica Gleaner - Tuesday | July 30, 2013

Dear Ms Powell,

I have been reading your articles on a weekly basis and must say that I've learnt so much about immigration to Canada, but I'm interested in learning more about moving to Jamaica. I hope that you are able to assist me as I am a Canadian citizen and I've been in a common-law relationship with a Jamaican man for the past eight years. He is a successful businessman and so I am the one going back and forth as he does not want to move to Canada and can't take much time off work. I visit very often and, whenever I visit, I am not permitted to stay as long as I wish, so I would like to know if there is any way that I can get Jamaican citizenship. Would I need to give up my Canadian citizenship? What do I need to prove and what documents do I need to submit? How long does it take to process? Would it be simpler if we were married? Should we get married in Jamaica or Canada?

- SS

Dear SS,

There are several ways that a person not born in Jamaica may apply for Jamaican citizenship. They are by virtue of:

1. Marriage - prove that your spouse is a Jamaican citizen.

2. Descent - prove that your parents or grandparents are Jamaican citizens.

3. Naturalisation or registration - prove that you have lived in Jamaica for a minimum of five consecutive years, financially solvent, and of good character. Provide evidence that you are not a security risk to Jamaica and Jamaicans.

You did not say whether your parents or grandparents were of Jamaican descent. Therefore, if they are not, the simplest way for you to become a Jamaican citizen would be by virtue of being married and submitting your application with the required supporting documents to the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA).

It does not matter whether you get married in Jamaica or Canada, as long as you have an official marriage certificate from either country to submit with your application form. The applications are processed on a case-by-case basis and the average processing time is 24 months.

The documents and proof that you would need are the following:

1. Completed application form which is signed in the presence of a lawyer, notary public, justice of the peace or commissioner of oaths;

2. Official marriage certificate or certified true copy from the registrar;

3. Current passport ;

4. Birth certificate;

5. Two (2) recent passport-size photographs certified by the same person who witnessed the application;

6. Police certificate from Canada;

7. Verification of income, bank statements and job letter;

8. Husband's birth certificate and valid passport.

The application forms and fee information are available at the PICA website: www.pica.gov.jm. Applications may be submitted to the Jamaican high commission nearest to you or at PICA, 25 Constant Spring Road, Kingston 10, Jamaica.

Finally, you will not need to give up your Canadian citizenship to get Jamaican citizenship, as both Jamaica and Canada recognise dual citizenship. If you have additional issues or concerns or would like assistance with your application, visit an immigration lawyer to provide you with personalised service.

Deidre S. Powell is a lawyer, mediator and notary public who is a member of the Jamaican and Ontario, Canada, bars, with office located in Ottawa, Ontario. Her areas of practice are in immigration, real estate, personal injury, family, commercial and administration of estates. Submit your questions and comments to Email: info@deidrepowell.com Subject line: Immigration.