The report stated that 2,441 permits were issued to Chinese nationals, well ahead of Indian nationals, who received 882 permits, and Cubans, who were granted 307. The institute noted that Chinese workers have consistently represented the largest group of work permit recipients each year. Under the Foreign Nationals and Commonwealth Citizens (Employment) Act, 1964, foreign nationals must obtain approval from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security before taking up employment in Jamaica. The ministry received 5,701 work permit applications during 2025, an increase of 0.9 per cent compared with the previous year. “The majority of work permit applications, 96.6 per cent or 5,509, were approved, with 79.3 per cent issued to males,” the PIOJ said.