UAE travel: Jamaica to simplify visa rules to lure more GCC travellers

Dubai: Plans are underway to review visa rules for the Caribbean island nation Jamaica to welcome more travellers from the Gulf states, including the UAE. To attract more visitors from the GCC region, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett recently said that plans are being made to review visa facilitation.

Currently, UAE passport holders can get a visa on arrival.  However, efforts to ease entry requirements for GCC nationals are underway - changes that could further boost arrivals and drive significant revenue growth for Jamaica’s tourism sector, said Bartlett.

The Minister emphasized the untapped potential of GCC visitors, citing their increasing interest in Caribbean experiences, higher-than-average spending patterns, and tendency toward more extended stays. The review will focus on simplifying visa application processes for visitors from the region.

“I have been in discussion with our Ministers of National Security and Foreign Affairs to look at more seamless ways for visa facilitation as we recognize the significant economic potential of visitors from the GCC region,” said the Minister.

“By removing unnecessary barriers to travel, we are sending a clear message that our country welcomes GCC visitors with open arms.”

“The GCC is the new frontier for Jamaica as we seek to diversify our source markets. Simplifying this visa arrangement will make it easier for their visitors to seriously consider Jamaica as a vacation option and allow us to tap into this lucrative market,” added Bartlett.

Jamaica saw a 29 per cent increase in visitor arrivals from the GCC in 2024. The UAE led with a 37.3 per cent year-on-year growth, followed by strong performances from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar.

“We are already seeing an uptick in interest from the region, and we are working assiduously with our tour operators and other partners to provide various packages and experiences for visitors from the region,” said Donovan White, Director of Tourism.

Tourism has generated billions of dollars in revenue for Jamaica, contributing significantly to the country’s economic prosperity.

Many countries have visa-free entry to Jamaica, including the United States, Canada, and many countries within the British Commonwealth (excluding Nigeria, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, and Sri Lanka). Additionally, residents of countries like the Dominican Republic and India can enter Jamaica visa-free.

Travellers from Argentina, Austria, Bolivia, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, France, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Monaco, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Ukraine, Uruguay, and Venezuela can enter Jamaica for 30-days visa-free.

Countries like Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Denmark, Korea, Russia, and many more can enter Jamaica on a 90-day visa-free entry. The UK, USA, India, Singapore, and several other nations can enter on a 180-day visa-free entry.