September 16, 2026

Jamaica finalises operating procedures for Third Country National agreement with US

The Government says it has finalised operating procedures related to the Third Country National (TCN) agreement signed earlier this year with the United States.

The Ministry of Security and Peace gave the update in a statement this morning.

It said the finalisation of the guardrails and parameters underpinning the agreement followed internal consultations and thoughtful negotiations between both Governments.

The Ministry also noted that the finalised arrangements took into account Jamaica’s capacity constraints and the nation’s beliefs in the principles of safe, orderly and lawful migration.

The Ministry reiterated that the arrangement will not be funded by the Government of Jamaica and that no TCN with criminal antecedents will be transiting through the island.

In participating in the TCN programme, Jamaica will join close to 30 countries, including several members of CARICOM, which have similar arrangements.

The Government reiterates its commitment to working with the International Organisation for Migration and the Government of the U.S. to ensure that all arrangements for the next stage of TCN implementation are appropriately governed and implemented in accordance with both our domestic laws and international law.