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Jamaica
Caribbean
Lucky Nomads World Index
64.39 / 100
Global rank
#116
Corporate tax
25%
Personal tax
30%
Lucky Nomads Proprietary Indices
22 scoring dimensions scored independently using a deterministic methodology built on primary sources and structured analytical inference.
- SafetyShield Index4.5 / 10
- Affordability Index6.8 / 10
- Entry Ease Index6.3 / 10
- Tax Freedom Index7.1 / 10
- WiFi Index7.2 / 10
- Admin Ease Index6.6 / 10
- Healthcare Index7.4 / 10
- City Comfort Index7.2 / 10
- WeatherComfort Index6.1 / 10
- Banking Index6.6 / 10
- GeoStability Index6.1 / 10
- Justice & Order Index5.7 / 10
- Quality of Life Index7.6 / 10
- Open Society Index6.3 / 10
- Flight Index4.0 / 10
- Environmental Quality Index7.6 / 10
- English Index8.8 / 10
- Wealth Protection Index7.5 / 10
- AI Access Index5.8 / 10
- Economic Openness Index6.5 / 10
- Market Depth Index5.2 / 10
- ClimateShield Index5.3 / 10
Country snapshot
- Capital
- Kingston
- Population (approx.)
- 2,800,000
- Area (km²)
- 10,991 km²
- Currency code (ISO 4217)
- JMD
- Currency name
- Jamaican dollar
- Main airport IATA code
- KIN
- Airport name
- Norman Manley International Airport
General facts
- Minimum monthly cost
- From $1,484/month
- Main languages
- English
- Jurisdiction type
- Country
- Region
- Caribbean
- Web TLD
- .jm
- Phone calling code
- +1-876
Web TLD and phone codes are general references and can differ for territories or special numbering plans.
Tax system
- Marginal CIT (corporate income tax)
- 25%Very highWorldwide
- Marginal PIT (personal income tax)
- 30%HighRemittance basis
Corporate taxation basis: Worldwide. The country generally taxes worldwide income of resident companies.
Worldwide basis for Jamaican-resident corporations including foreign branch income and foreign-sourced dividends. Group relief is available where the recipient holds at least 25% of the voting rights of the distributing Jamaican company. Relief from double taxation is provided by foreign tax credits under the DTT network and through exemption under the CARICOM tax treaty.
25% standard rate for unregulated companies. 33.3% for regulated companies (banks, telecoms, securities dealers, insurers, FSC-regulated entities). 30% for building societies. The Special Economic Zone regime reduces the rate to 12.5% (effective 7.5% with the Employment Tax Credit). Junior Stock Exchange listings benefit from a full exemption for 5 years and 50% exemption for the next 5 years.
Personal income tax basis. Remittance basis. The country exempts foreign income until it is remitted into the country.
Worldwide basis for Jamaican-resident and domiciled individuals. Remittance basis applies for resident non-domiciled individuals: foreign-source income is taxable only when remitted to Jamaica. Domicile follows common-law principles (domicile of origin retained until a domicile of choice is acquired). Compensation for services rendered in Jamaica remains fully taxable regardless of domicile.
Progressive 25% to 30%. The 25% rate applies up to of chargeable income ( monthly). The 30% rate applies above. Annual tax-free threshold of for resident taxpayers (2024-25, rising progressively). Pension and age-65 exemptions of each. Non-residents pay 25% from the first dollar without threshold benefit.
Tax percentages here are editorial reference figures for comparison, not individualized tax advice.
Special tax regimes
For companies
Large-Scale Projects and Pioneer Industries (Tax Relief) Act 2025
AvailableJamaican fiscal incentive framework targeting capital investments of at least USD 1 billion in approved large-scale projects or designated pioneer…
Special Economic Zone (SEZ) regime
AvailableSectoral concessionary regime under the Special Economic Zones Act 2016, taxing approved Developers and Occupants of designated SEZ at a corporate…
JSE Junior Market Tax Concession
AvailableCorporate income tax holiday for small and medium-sized enterprises listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market.
Recognised Bauxite Producer / Recognised Alumina Producer concession
AvailableSectoral relief under the Bauxite and Alumina Industries (Encouragement) Act granting customs duty, additional stamp duty, and GCT exemption on…
Urban Renewal Tax Relief (UDC Designated Areas)
Available, reform scheduledUrban regeneration tax relief targeted at investment in blighted urban areas designated by the Minister of Finance under the Urban Renewal (Tax…
For individuals
Urban Renewal Tax Relief (UDC Designated Areas)
Available, reform scheduledUrban regeneration tax relief targeted at investment in blighted urban areas designated by the Minister of Finance under the Urban Renewal (Tax…
Non-Domiciled Individual Remittance Basis
AvailableCommon-law remittance basis under the Income Tax Act for individuals tax-resident in Jamaica but not domiciled in Jamaica.
You either qualify for Jamaica's special tax regimes, or you don't. GeoCompass determines your eligibility, highlights the applicable conditions, and helps estimate your potential tax exposure.
Check my eligibilityVisa and mobility
Your access
Visa need and length of stay for Jamaica. Saved on your device.
Overview
- Citizenship by investment
Not currently available
- Residence by investment
Not currently available
- Remote work visa (digital nomad visa)
Available
Programmes
Jamaica lists several residency and mobility routes across work (employer sponsored), talent (points based), retirement routes, family and dependant routes, student and graduate routes, and remote work visas. Lucky Nomads tracks these programmes as editorial reference points. Thresholds, documents, and personal eligibility are evaluated in GeoCompass against your exact profile.
9 programmes listed · 9 are marked available in our editorial review
Work (employer sponsored)
2 programmesEmployer-linked permits and skilled employment passes for hired professionals.
- Available
General Work Permit
- Available
Permanent Residence (Employment-based)
Talent (points based)
1 programmePoints-based or criteria-driven talent routes for in-demand profiles.
- Available
CARICOM Free Movement of Skilled Persons Certificate (CSME Skills Certificate)
Retirement routes
1 programmeRetirement-age or pension-linked residence options.
- Available
Permanent Residence (Retirement)
Family and dependant routes
3 programmesSpouse, dependant, and family reunion style permits.
- Available
Marriage Exemption Certificate (MEC)
- Available
Permanent Residence (Marriage to a Jamaican)
- Available
Unconditional Landing
Student and graduate routes
1 programmeStudy-linked permits and post-study transition routes.
- Available
Student Extension of Stay
Remote work visas
1 programmeRemote work or digital nomad style permits.
- Available
Remote Worker (Remote Stamp)
Not all residency routes are accessible. Some require minimum income, investment thresholds, local substance, or strict eligibility conditions. GeoCompass evaluates which options you can actually secure in Jamaica.
Evaluate my residency optionsVisa and programme labels reflect editorial research, not individualized legal advice. Thresholds, documents, and personal eligibility are evaluated in GeoCompass. Always confirm rules with official government sources before you plan a move.
Dimensions breakdown
Strongest dimensions
- English Index8.8 / 10Very strong english index
- Quality of Life Index7.6 / 10Strong quality of life index
- Environmental Quality Index7.6 / 10Strong environmental quality index
Weakest dimensions
- Flight Index4.0 / 10
- SafetyShield Index4.5 / 10
Published ranks by index
One row per leaderboard we publish (the composite index plus each proprietary dimension). A rank appears only when this country is currently in the published top 10 for that list. Open a row to see the full ranking. Hover an index name for the same short definition as elsewhere on the site.
This jurisdiction is not in the published top 10 on any of these lists right now.
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Founder, Lucky Nomads · Wealth manager
Researched from official sources, leading global indices and Lucky Nomads' own scoring.
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