a. Name of child
b. Age of the child
c. Sex-whether male or female
d. Date of Birth
e. Place of Birth (name of hospital or address of home)
f. Parish of birth
g. Birth entry number
h. Parent’s name
i. Place of registration District of birth.

The birth entry number referred to as the “entry number” is the Birth Registration number and is an index of the birth. It is usually found on the top right hand corner of the birth certificate or the certificate of registry referred to as the “pink slip”.

If you do not have your birth entry number, you can complete the following form to request the information: http://www.rgd.gov.jm/?q=request-for-entry-number

Online application form: http://apps.rgd.gov.jm/web/Birth/lay_birthApplication.cfm

All children born and named in hospital as of January 1, 2007 are eligible for the first copy of their birth certificate free. This free copy takes approximately three months to generate.

Cost: $650 with Birth Entry Number, $750 without

Additional information
This information is provided as is and is subject to change: If in doubt please visit the website of the: Registrar General Department

Persons seeking to obtain a work permit are required to make an application to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security through their prospective employer, contractor (individuals), the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (Jampro – Investors) or through legal representation.

http://www.mlss.gov.jm/download/Work%20Permit%20Application.pdf

Fees

http://www.mlss.gov.jm/pub/index.php?artid=42

Supplemental Documentation

http://www.mlss.gov.jm/pub/index.php?artid=41

Employed Applicants

1. A cover letter addressed to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Social Security, 1F North Street. Kingston. The cover letter should be written by the local employer and should clearly set out the reasons for making the application.

2. The cover letter should also state the efforts made to recruit a Jamaican national to undertake the work contemplated and the expected duration of the work to be undertaken by the applicant.

Self-Employed Applicants.

1. Self-employed applicants should submit a cover letter outlining the nature and duration of the work to be undertaken. Details of investment proposal(s) should also be stated (documentary proof of proposed investment(s) should also be submitted).

Proof of Qualification

1. Certified copies of proof of academic or professional qualifications or letters of accreditation. A letter of recommendation or written reference from the previous employer of the applicant or evidence of the business/commercial/professional activity of the applicant abroad.

2. In cases where any of the above named documents are prepared in a language other than English, a certified English translation of the relevant document should be supplied. A Justice of the Peace or a Notary Public with a valid Commission should certify the documents. Authorized members of staff of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security may certify copies of the documents upon presentation of the original documents.

3. A resume’ outlining the professional or business experience of the applicant.

4. A police record

For new applications:

The record should be issued by the appropriate Security Authority in the country of the domicile of the applicant.

For renewals:

The record should be issued by the relevant section of the Ministry of National Security Jamaica.

NB. Please note that the police record submitted should bear a date of investigation not greater than one year prior to the date of submission to this Ministry.

Proof of Business Registration

1. Certified copy of Business Registration Certificate for unincorporated enterprises.

2. Certified copy of Certificate of Incorporation and the Memorandum of Association for duly registered companies. Articles of Association are not needed.

• Where an applicant is self-employed or where an enterprise is in operation for at least a year, or the applicant is applying for renewal of a Work Permit, a Tax Compliance Certificate should be submitted.

• Certified copies of pages from the passport of the applicant showing, (a) proof of identity, (b) passport number, (c) date of issue and expiry, (d) landing status in Jamaica and (e) relevant visas (where applicable).

• Two (2) photographs in the case of a Work Permit and one (1) in the case of a Work Permit Exemption. (See instructions below)

• The attached Tax Payer Registration Number (TRN) form, completed and signed by the applicant.

NB. Applications for Renewal of a Work Permit or a Work Permit Exemption in excess of thirty (30)days should be accompanied by (a) certified copies of current -updated documents where these documents have expired since the last application (b) copies of salary statement of the last three (3) months’ salary (c) cover letter as outlined in instruction (i) above.

Photograph Instructions

Photographs should be professionally produced and taken not more than six (6) months prior to application, with the following specifications:

1. It should be taken in colour with a flat finish against a plain background.

2. It should provide a full frontal view of the head, neck and the top of the shoulders with ears clearly visible.

3. There should be no reflection from eyeglasses or background shadows that may obscure the image.

4. The size of the face should be 25mm to 35mm, from the chin to tile top of the head.

5. The applicant should not wear any head covering while taking the photograph except where required for religious reasons.

6. Should be enclosed in an envelope and should not be stapled.

7. Should be certified by a Notary Public or a Justice of the Peace.

Additional information
This information is provided as is and is subject to change: If in doubt please visit the website of the: Ministry of Labour and Social Security

1. Only original and certified copies of documents are accepted

2. Need one valid ID (Driver’s license, National ID or Passport)

3. If the National ID is used, you also need to provide a certified copy of your birth certificate

4. Applicants using Birth Certificate and a certified photograph for ID must submit their application in person.

5. Return completed Form 1 to Taxpayer Registration Centre (TRC) or nearest Collectorate with supporting documents.

http://www.jrs.gov.jm/TaxAdministration.php?page_id=3&id=25

Application Information for Form 1 – to be completed if box #30 (Employer’s name and address) is completed on Form 1 (Application for Tax Registration Number (Individuals))

http://www.jrs.gov.jm/TaxAdministration.php?page_id=3&id=26

For amendments, you can submit the TRN Supplemental Information form (Individuals)

http://www.jrs.gov.jm/TaxAdministration.php?page_id=3&id=27

Applying for a Taxpayers Registration Number – (TRN – for Organizations)
Application for Tax Registration Number (Organizations)

http://www.jrs.gov.jm/TaxAdministration.php?page_id=3&id=28

Documents needed

• 1. Certificate of Incorporation
• 2. Constituting Documents
• 3. NIS Reference Card
• 4. NIS Clearance Letter
• 5. Business Name Registration Certificate

If additional branches exist, the Additional Information (Organizations) Form – Business Branches must be filled out for each location.

http://www.jrs.gov.jm/TaxAdministration.php?page_id=3&id=42

If changes to company information need to be made, submit the following Supplemental Information Form (Organizations).

http://www.jrs.gov.jm/TaxAdministration.php?page_id=3&id=29

Additional Information

Please note the information provided including website links may change at anytime. For more information visit http://www.jrs.gov.jm/ or call 876.922.1291 / 876.924.9147

After asking around a bit, I learned that it costs approximately $2,000-$3,000 JMD to unlock a phone at Best Buy in the New Kingston Shopping Center so I paid them a visit.

I gave my phone to the girl at the counter and asked her if they could unlock it for me. She took the phone and disappeared in the backroom. When she returned about three minutes later she told me “it would cost $7,500 JMD to unlock the phone” and that “it took 5-10 working days”. Furthermore, ”if it did not work, I could bring it back” – no shit.

Realizing she was on crack or something, I took my phone and hit the internet to dig up some answers of my own. This research I share as is:

Preamble

T-Mobile’s policy is to give the unlock codes for their phones to customers who have been with them for at least 3 months. This clearly does not include foreigners who buy phones and without plans and leave the country.

Solution

Find a friend or relative in the US who has been a T-Mobile customer for at least 3 months. Furnish them with the relevant information depending on your phone model: for the Blackberry it was an IMEI number which you can find under the options menu-phone status.

Have your relative or friend call/email T-Mobile support and request the unlock code under their account. T-Mobile emails the unlock code and instructions to them, they email it to you and your phone is unlocked for for free.

Now the funny part of the story…when I asked the girl at Best Buy why it would take 5-10 working days, her response was “because the phone is just like a computer and they have to load the software on it”….priceless!

Here I will outline a method of transferring money that is more cost effective and convenient than Western Union or any of the other players in the transfer business. This assumes you are sending or receiving cash from one person fairly regularly.

TRANSFER MONEY FROM THE US TO JA

1. Get your spouse, father, mother or whomever is minding you to open a checking account with Bank of America.

2. Have them get and activate the check card and send it to you via FedEx or with someone who coming down. (Do not tell that person the pin number)

3. Go to any Scotia ATM and withdraw to your heart’s content. You can also use the card as a debit/credit card.

BONUS: Scotia Bank has a foreign exchange ATM in Liguanea where you can actually get your money in US$ and avoid “tiefing” exchange rates.

NB. If the account goes below the minimum limit of $25 (have them verify this amount) It will attract a charge so do not go below this minimum balance as the fees are fat ($35.00) I think. Alternatively, you can have them use a savings account to provide overdraft coverage, although this will attract a $10 charge for each transaction. Bottom line, avoid the fees or this is not free or in fact cheaper.

TRANSFER MONEY FROM JA TO THE US

In the unlikely event you want to send cash to someone in the US.

1. Create a Scotia Bank account and get them the Scotia ATM card.

2. They then go to any Bank of America ATM and withdraw the money.

NB. I am not sure what Scotia Bank’s minimum is to keep an account active. Figure that out and have them keep that in the account at all time. Also be aware that the Scotia card will not work as a debit/check card in the US.

CONCLUSION

This may work for other banks, but I have only done this with BA and Scotia. If you use a BA card in NCB there is a $5 US charge. The card will not work in a RBTT ATM.

The reason this works is that BA and Scotia are a part of a global alliance, and so member banks’ customers can use each other’s ATMs at no charge.

Now share this with everyone who might need this info