Access Jamaica Initiative Helping to Build Brand Jamaica

The Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) says its Access Jamaica Initiative has done well for the country’s reputation in the diaspora. Access Jamaica is an event staged by PICA for Jamaicans living overseas, which allows them to apply for new Jamaican passports, renew or replace passports.

PICA told JIS News that the last staging, which was held October 8-10, 2021 in Hartford Connecticut, was well received. Over the three days, approximately 58 applications were received for Jamaican citizenship, 353 passport requests and 15 unconditional landing applications were made. Chief Executive Officer of PICA Andrew Wynter, told JIS News that the agency is encouraged by the reception.

“The feedback has been good. We did it in Atlanta, we did it in Fort Lauderdale and the feedback has been good. In fact, nearly everywhere I’ve gone to have Access Jamaica, they ask us to come back, and if we can make it an annual event.” Mr. Wynter said.

He told JIS News that PICA will have to make further considerations for more of these events.

“These are things that we now have to take into consideration because sometimes, we in Jamaica don’t understand. You might live in, for example, Hartford, Connecticut, you may say it’s close to New York, but that’s a three-hour drive to reach New York and then three hours back, so it can be challenging. In fact, in our Access Jamaica events, we saw where people flew in from other cities to our event, process their application, and then flew out the same evening. That is how much it meant to them.” Mr. Wynter added.

He explained that the diaspora views the PICA initiative as an essential service.

“Well, one of the things I think that is a positive for the diaspora, they feel that we are not just sitting back and waiting on them and in fact, in speaking to the persons in Hartford, they were very enthusiastic to know that we as a government agency were reaching out to them and being proactive about it.” Mr. Wynter said.

He said Access Jamaica is helping to improve Brand Jamaica.

“A lot of Jamaicans who are abroad who are successful, would want to come and invest in Jamaica, and even retire and come back to Jamaica; this kind of thing gives them a sense of belonging and it says things are really improving and looking up in the country.” Mr. Wynter noted.

He told JIS News that the initiative also contributes to the branding of the agency.

“We have our online passport renewal facility, we have fixed up all our facilities so it’s more accommodating more customer friendly and so these are the things which are also helping to build our brand as an agency.” Mr. Wynter explained.