NATIONALS OF The Cayman Islands will require visas to enter Jamaica, with effect from Thursday. December 1, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade announced yesterday.The ministry has informed The Cayman Islands Government of the decision of the Government of Jamaica by way of letter to Donovan Ebanks, acting chief secretary, from Permanent Secretary Ambassador Douglas Saunders.
Both Prime Minister P.J. Patterson and Foreign Affairs Minister K.D. Knight, in reacting to the decision of the Cayman Islands Government to introduce visa requirements for Jamaicans from November 1, had recognised that government's right to take such action.
Mr. Patterson and Mr. Knight had also indicated that this was a right which Jamaica could exercise.
Visas for Cayman nationals will be issued by Jamaica's Honorary Consulate in The Cayman Islands. Facilities for the issuing of visas are in place. The ministry has also informed the Caymanian authorities that their proposal for a delegation to visit Jamaica for talks is under consideration.
COMMITTED TO POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS
Responding to this announcement, Mr. Ebanks said that The Cayman Islands Government "remains committed to maintaining positive relationships with our neighbouring island and will facilitate the introduction of their visa requirement in every reasonable way."
He said: "We are conscious that Caymanians seeking United States visas are currently required to visit the Jamaican-based U.S. Embassy to pursue their applications. While government will be looking at the feasibility of making alternative arrangements, in the interim, we remind Caymanian passport holders that it is possible to travel to the U.S. on a waiver issued by our own passport office."
In accordance with a request from Cabinet, the Foreign Affairs Ministry is preparing a review with respect to all other countries which currently require entry visas for Jamaican nationals.
