The Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) is an executive agency under the Ministry of National Security. It was established on June 1, 2007. Formerly, PICA was the Immigration, Citizenship and Passport Services Division of the Ministry of National Security.The Chief Executive Officer is Mr. Andrew Wynter.

PICA’s functions help to keep Jamaica’s borders safe. PICA accepts and processes passport applications, manages the island’s immigration processes and handles citizenship matters including  the renunciation of Jamaican citizenship.

PICA is responsible for the following major functions:

 Immigration

• Incoming and outgoing immigration examination of all persons entering or leaving Jamaica
• Granting visas, entry permits and other documents for non-Jamaican visitors and residents
• Handling requests for permanent residency status
• Managing the deportation and repatriation of those persons not qualified to remain in Jamaica

Citizenship

• Processing applications for Citizenship and Renunciation and Reinstatement of Citizenship.

Passport

• Receiving passport applications at the headquarters and Montego Bay PICA locations, designated JCF locations, and Jamaica’s foreign missions;
• Issuing passports to Jamaicans living at home and abroad

Investigative function

Investigation of offences committed in any of the areas regulated by PICA. The laws that govern the operations of PICA are:

• The Jamaican Constitution
• The Immigration Restriction (Commonwealth Citizen) Act
• The Jamaica Nationality Act
• The Alien’s Act
• The Passport Act and Regulations
• The Foreign Nationals and Commonwealth Citizens (Employment) Act
• The Caribbean community (Free Movement) of Skilled Persons Act
• The Executive Agencies Act 2002
• The Financial Administration and Audit Act

Click here to view offical PICA Website