More Jamaicans Heading to Canada, US as Immigration Rules Shift
More Jamaicans Heading to Canada, US as Immigration Rules Shift
KINGSTON, Jamaica – The number of Jamaicans moving to Canada and the United States is on the rise, according to fresh data from the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and reports from foreign embassies. For the first six months of 2024, over 8,500 Jamaicans received permanent residency in Canada alone – a 12% jump compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, the US granted nearly 14,000 green cards to Jamaicans in 2023, with family reunification and skilled worker categories leading the way.
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Immigration consultant Marlon Henry, who runs a firm in New Kingston, says the trend shows no sign of slowing. “Right now, people are looking for better opportunities. Canada has opened up its Express Entry program for more trades and healthcare workers, and the US is still the top choice for family-based petitions. But it’s not easy – the processing times can stretch to two years or more,” Henry told reporters on Tuesday.
The PIOJ report notes that remittances from Jamaicans abroad hit US$3.2 billion last year, with Canada and the US contributing over 70% of that total. That cash flow is a lifeline for many families back home, especially in rural parishes like St. Elizabeth and Manchester. But the flip side is a growing brain drain: nurses, teachers, and IT professionals are among those packing their bags.
Take 34-year-old Simone Brown, a registered nurse from Spanish Town. She landed in Toronto last month after a two-year wait for her Canadian visa. “I didn’t want to leave Jamaica, but the pay and working conditions are better up here. My mother still lives in St. Catherine, so I send money every month,” she said in a phone interview.
The US State Department reports that visa appointments at the Kingston embassy are now booked up to 18 months ahead for some categories. Critics argue that the backlog is hurting families who just want to visit or reunite. “The system is overwhelmed. We need more staff and faster processing,” said attorney-at-law Paula Lewis, who handles immigration cases from her office in Mandeville.
On the Canadian side, the government recently announced a cap on temporary foreign workers starting in 2025, which could affect Jamaicans seeking short-term jobs. But permanent residency streams for caregivers and agricultural workers remain open. For those heading to the US, the diversity visa lottery – which selects 55,000 winners globally each year – is another route. Jamaicans won 1,200 spots in the 2024 draw.
If you’re thinking of making the move, experts say start early. Get your documents in order – birth certificates, police records, and proof of work experience. Check the official websites for Canada’s IRCC and the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. And don’t pay anyone who promises a quick fix; scams are on the rise.
