The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, is actively engaged in enhancing visa access for Jamaicans traveling abroad. During a conversation with Information Minister Robert Nesta Morgan on his “Good Morning Minister” program on JIS, Minister Johnson-Smith shed light on the current obstacles in this endeavor.
As the goal of achieving visa-free travel throughout CARICOM by 2024 is announced, concerns are arising regarding various traditional international destinations for Jamaican travelers, as these countries refine their visa and immigration regulations. Countries such as Canada and the UK are under scrutiny. Minister Kamina Johnson Smith provided insights into her ministry’s efforts to improve Jamaica’s standing in this context. She highlighted several challenges that hinder access to these jurisdictions. Starting with the UK, where Jamaicans are among the top 10 nationalities incarcerated in the country’s prison system, the Minister outlined how this situation affects travel to the UK. In the case of Canada, she suggested that a lack of awareness about travel authorization standards might be a central issue impacting travel to that country. See the story below:
