Includes steps involved in establishing a local office.
Last Published: 8/6/2019

The establishment of a local office is best approached with the assistance of the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), the government’s trade and investment promotion agency.  Potential investors can also present project proposals to JAMPRO for assessment and guidance.  Registration or incorporation of a business should be made with the Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC). 

Under the Companies Act of 2004, a single person may form a company and be its sole director and shareholder.  Public companies are required to have a minimum share capital of J$500,000.00 (the exchange rate was approximately J$131.94 to US$1 at end April 2019) and cannot borrow without first receiving certification from the Registrar.  Although the head office of the company may be overseas, the company must now have a registered office in Jamaica.  An amendment to the Companies Act in 2017 now requires companies to disclose beneficial owners and retain records of legal and beneficial owners for seven years. 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.