Registering an External Company at COJ: The Overseas Guide

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Key Takeaways

* An "external company" is simply a foreign-registered company that establishes a place of business in Jamaica — it is not a new Jamaican company.

* You must reserve the name, file Form 7 (plus supporting documents) with COJ, and appoint a local authorised representative before you can legally trade.

* Everything can be done remotely through COJ's online portal (ORC) with a Jamaican-licensed attorney or agent acting on your behalf.

Executive Summary & Background

If you run a company in Toronto, London, or Atlanta and you want to open a branch, hire staff, or hold property in Jamaica, you cannot simply start operating. Jamaican law requires you to register that foreign entity as an external company with the Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ). This is the legal bridge that lets your overseas company trade, sign contracts, and be sued on Jamaican soil. For returning residents building on a business they already own abroad, it is often the fastest route to legitimacy — you keep your existing corporate structure and simply extend it into Jamaica.

The good news for the diaspora is that you do not need to fly down to do it. COJ's online registry and the routine use of a local attorney mean the entire process can be completed from your kitchen table in Mississauga or Manchester. The bad news is that the paperwork is unforgiving: miss a certified document or skip the name reservation, and your file sits in limbo for weeks. This guide walks you through exactly what COJ wants, what it costs, and how to avoid the classic overseas mistakes.

Key Jamaican Laws, Regulations & Requirements

External companies are governed by the Companies Act, 2004, specifically Part 10 (sections 360–377), which deals with "companies incorporated outside Jamaica carrying on business in Jamaica." The trigger is establishing a place of business in Jamaica — an office, a warehouse, a fixed address where business is transacted. A one-off contract or a bank account alone generally does not trigger registration, but a physical presence does.

You will need to file:

• Form 7 — the application to register an external company.
• A certified copy of your company's charter, statutes, or memorandum and articles (certified by the registrar in your home jurisdiction, or notarised).
• A certificate of incorporation from your home country (certified copy).
• A list of directors and, where applicable, the names and addresses of Jamaican-resident agents.
• A notice of the address of the registered office in Jamaica.
• Form 8 — notice of the situation of the registered office and the name of the authorised representative.

Fees are tiered by share capital. As a guide, registration for a company with nominal capital up to J$1 million runs in the region of J$18,000–J$25,000, rising with capital. Name reservation costs roughly J$1,000–J$2,500 depending on whether you reserve online or in person. Budget for a local attorney's fee (typically US$500–US$1,500) if you go the agent route — which, from overseas, you almost certainly should.

Step-by-Step Actionable Process

1. Reserve your name first. Log into COJ's Online Registry (ORC) or have your Jamaican attorney file a name reservation. Your external company's name must not be identical or confusingly similar to an existing Jamaican entity. Reservation is valid for 90 days — do not let it lapse while you gather documents.

1. Assemble certified home-country documents. Get a certified copy of your certificate of incorporation, your memorandum and articles (or equivalent), and a current list of directors. "Certified" means signed and sealed by the registrar or a notary in your jurisdiction — a plain photocopy will be rejected.

1. Appoint a Jamaican authorised representative. The Companies Act requires an external company to have a person resident in Jamaica authorised to accept service of process. This is usually your attorney. Their name and address go on Form 8.

1. File Form 7 and Form 8 with COJ. Submit through the ORC portal or via your attorney. Pay the registration fee based on your share capital. COJ will issue a Certificate of Registration confirming your external company is now legally recognised in Jamaica.

1. Register with TAJ and NIS. Once registered, get your TRN from Tax Administration Jamaica and register as an employer with the National Insurance Scheme if you will hire staff. Your external company is now fully operational.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I register an external company without ever visiting Jamaica?

Yes. COJ's online portal and a licensed Jamaican attorney allow the entire process — name reservation, filing, and fee payment — to be completed remotely. You will need to courier or electronically submit certified documents, but no personal appearance is required.

Does registering an external company give me Jamaican residency or a work permit?

No. Company registration is separate from immigration status. If you plan to live in Jamaica and work in the business, you must apply separately for a work permit or residency through the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA).