Travelers Urged to Complete Online Immigration/Customs Declaration Before Entering the Country

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Persons traveling to Jamaica are being encouraged to fill out the online Immigration/Customs Declaration (C5) Form prior to entering the country.

customAccording to the Business Development and Communications Director at the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), Kauna McKenzie,  although persons can complete the form on arrival, it is best to do so beforehand to reduce wait time in the immigration hall.

“When you complete the form before arrival in Jamaica, once you land you show the confirmation and you are ushered straight to the kiosk. This kiosk will already have your information, so you scan your passport and are issued a receipt, and you go through our gates quick and easy,” she said.

She noted that persons can complete the form up to 30 days before they land in the island.

“I would encourage persons not to wait until you arrive in Jamaica to complete your passenger declaration form because, sometimes, you will have delays. For example, you could travel on a day where three flights come in. A flight will carry more than 300 people; what if they decide to fill out the form when they land,” she asked.

 McKenzie noted that PICA still has provisions for persons who opt to fill out the form when they are on Jamaican soil.

“We have systems in place to afford you to complete it when you land. There’s Wi-Fi provided by the Airports Authority. We have tablets for you to use if you do not want to use your phone. You have immigration officers and immigration assistants that can assist you with completing the passenger declaration form,” she said.