The Gleaner NA Specialty Edition

THE MONTHLY GLEANER | OCTOBER 11 - NOVEMBER 10, 2021 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | FEATURE 6 I N ORDER for citizens to qualify for Returning Resident status and benefit from concessions on personal and household effects and tools of trade, the following requirements must be met: • Be a Jamaican national who has attained the age of 18 years • Have been resident overseas for the last three consecutive years • Be returning to Jamaica to reside permanently • Non-Jamaican whose spouse is a Jamaican Returning Resident • A Jamaican who wishes to return home but had renounced his or her Jamaican citizenship and can provide proof of previous Jamaican status. This concession which is granted to the Returning Resident is a one-time benefit only. Persons who return after migratingmultiple times will not be eligible to be granted Returning Resident status. RETURNING STUDENTS • Returning Students who have attained the age of eighteen (18) years and who studied abroad for more than one (1) year, but less than three (3) consecutive years, and are returning to Jamaica to reside permanently. SPECIAL CASES • Non-Jamaican spouses or persons who qualify for Returning Resident status are afforded the same concessions as their Jamaican partner. Both parties must have resided overseas for at least three (3) consecutive years. A couple will be treated as one family if they return together. Spouses who do not return together but do so within three (3) years of each other are treated as one family and are entitled to only one (1) concession. • Involuntary Returned Migrants (deported) persons who have received a Deportation Order from the country where they reside. ELIGIBILITY FOR CONCESSIONS Eligibility to receive concessions as a Returning Resident is determined by the Jamaica Customs Agency. This must be sought after arrival in Jamaica, and before beginning the process of clearance of personal and household effects and tools of trade. The importation of items should be done within six (6) months after the arrival of the Returning Resident. It is necessary to attend an interview at the Returning Residents Unit of the Jamaica Customs Agency at the Head Office in Kingston or Montego Bay. The following documents must be presented at the interview: • Valid Jamaican passport. If recently issued, an expired passport must also be presented. • Valid non-Jamaican passport which should be endorsed with an Unconditional Landing Stamp by the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (Immigration Section) unless a Jamaican passport is available for presentation. • Documentary evidence to substantiate residence outside of Jamaica for at least the last three (3) consecutive years. Short visits to Jamaica for vacation do not affect eligibility; • Documentary evidence to substantiate intention to re-establish permanent residence in Jamaica. • In the case of students, a letter from the university, college or educational institution attended, confirming the duration of the course of study or time spent at the institution. • The Unaccompanied Baggage Declaration Form (C27) (obtainable at the airport/seaport on arrival in Jamaica); • Taxpayer Registration Number Card (TRN) • Validated Bill of Lading or Airway Bill Documentary Evidence is not limited to the following: ABROAD • Notarised Letter of Separation from employer • Tax returns for the last three (3) consecutive years • Tax returns transcripts from the relevant authority • Pay stubs (Jan, April, Aug & Dec), W2 and P45, P60 forms for the last three (3) consecutive years • Evidence of recent disposal of property • Current Retirement Papers/ Pension Advice/Social Security Letter • Proof of recent disposal of property (for example, Sale Agreement) • Separation letter from employer (with information on duration of employment) on the company’s letter head duly stamped and signed JAMAICA • Evidence of property owned in Jamaica • Contract or letter of employment from prospective employer in Jamaica. • Rental or Lease Agreement (along with rent receipt) • Notarised Letter fromprospective employer/ employment contract on the company’s letterhead • Residency letter from head of household certified by a Justice of the Peace (if living with a family member or friend) STUDENTS • Copy of Transcript • Letter from institution attended confirming duration of course of study or time spent at that institution • Identification Card that was issued by the institution attended INVOLUNTARY RETURNED MIGRANTS (DEPORTED JAMAICANS) Deported Jamaicans are required to submit: • Deportation Order or Case Profile • Letter from the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (Deportation Unit) • Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN) Card • Valid Identification • Bill of Lading/Airway Bill • Unaccompanied Baggage Declaration (C 27) form RETURNINGRESIDENT? Whoqualifiesasa