How to incorporate with the Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ), register with Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ), meet NIS/NHT obligations, and open a business bank account — without the delays that stall most first-time entrants.
Looking for the offices, banks and associations named below? Browse the Jamaica business directory.
Hiring foreign staff next? Read the Jamaica work permits & employment compliance guide.
Most investors register a company limited by shares under the Jamaican Companies Act. Alternatives include a branch of a foreign company (an "overseas company"), a business name (sole trader/partnership), or a non-profit company. Your structure determines your filings, liability, and tax treatment — get this right before you file.
Submit a name search and reservation to the Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ). The name must be distinguishable from existing entities and avoid restricted words (e.g. "bank", "insurance") without approval. Name approval is typically quick; a rejected name delays everything downstream.
File the Articles of Incorporation (Form 1A for a company limited by shares), the registered office address in Jamaica, and particulars of directors and the company secretary (Form 20) together with the applicable registration fee. COJ issues a Certificate of Incorporation and a company registration number once approved.
Every company must obtain a Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN) from TAJ. Depending on your activity you will also register for General Consumption Tax (GCT) — mandatory once taxable turnover exceeds the registration threshold — plus income tax and statutory payroll deductions if you employ staff.
Employers must register with the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and the National Housing Trust (NHT), and account for Education Tax and HEART contributions. These are collected through payroll and filed on the relevant monthly and annual returns.
Jamaican banks require your Certificate of Incorporation, articles, TRN, register of directors and shareholders, and KYC documentation for beneficial owners. Foreign-owned companies should expect enhanced due diligence — a clean, complete file shortens this stage considerably.
Regulated sectors (tourism, finance, telecoms, cannabis, import/export, and others) require additional licences before trading. After registration, keep your annual return with COJ, tax filings, and statutory records current to remain in good standing.
Every case differs, but these ranges reflect typical experience with complete documentation.
Yes. Non-residents can own and direct a Jamaican company. You will need a registered office address in Jamaica, and banks will apply standard KYC/AML due diligence to foreign beneficial owners.
With complete, correct documents, COJ incorporation and TRN issuance commonly complete within a few weeks. Bank account opening is usually the longest stage, especially for foreign-owned structures.
Companies pay income tax on profits, collect and remit GCT where registered, and remit payroll statutory deductions (NIS, NHT, Education Tax, HEART) for employees. Rates and thresholds change — confirm current figures with TAJ or your advisor.
Jamaica does not generally require local ownership for a company limited by shares, but you must maintain a registered office in Jamaica and keep director/secretary particulars filed with COJ.
Paulina handles COJ filings, TAJ registration, and banking introductions end to end. Book a free 30-minute consultation on the Jamaica market page.
Start my Jamaica setup