Nadisha Hunter, Staff Reporter

Glen Gray (right), originally from Content Gap, east rural St Andrew, Jamaica, exchanges documents with Gillian Harvey, consular officer at the Jamaican consulate in George Town, Grand Cayman in this January 2007 photo. In the background is Elaine Harris, acting vice-consul. - File

Travel from Jamaica to The Cayman Islands has increased significantly over the last two years.

Statistics show that persons travelling from Jamaica to The Cayman Islands in 2007 increased by 34 per cent, up from 6,188 persons in 2006. Up to September 30 this year, 5,800 persons have travelled to Cayman.

The Cayman Islands authorities implemented stringent travel laws two years ago, imposing visa requirements on Jamaicans.

But what's the procedure to obtain one?

Cayman visa officer, Paula Chen See, said the visa rejection ratio is small.

"The only part of the process that could be considered difficult is to get the police record, and that is based on the entire procedure of getting it, but it's a simple process to get a visa," Chen See explained.

Non-approval of visitors' visas

She said the major reason for the non-approval of visitors' visas is suspicion by the Cayman office that applicants intend to work there illegally. Those who desire to work in Cayman must first obtain a work permit.

People who are not approved may reapply a year after the most recent rejection.

However, persons may apply less than a year after the first attempt if they get special permission from The Cayman Islands.

Chen See cautions applicants that there is no guarantee of acceptance.

Single-entry and multiple-entry visas are the two categories issued by Cayman.

For a single-entry visa, persons have up to 30 days to visit. However, persons with multiple-entry visas can travel for up to three years.

Those applying for a visa can download the application form from the website at immigration.gov.ky or collect a copy at the office located at Winchester Business Centre, Unit 2, 15 Hope Road.

The application takes two weeks to be processed and each applicant is required to have an in-office interview.

Email feedback on the How To features at columns@gleanerjm.com. Tell us how they help you.

Application procedures

Persons travelling to The Cayman Islands must have a visitor's visa. In order to qualify, the applicant must have:

A passport

Completed application form (duplicated)

Two coloured passport-size photographs with white background.

Police record for applicants 18 to 74 years. This must be valid for six months.

Job letter or business licence.

Bank statement.

Birth paper for children under 18 years.

For applicants enrolled in a school, a letter is needed from the school.

The visa fee is US$58.54.