UK Privy Council eases visa process for persons appealing cases

Jamaicans and other Commonwealth citizens taking their cases to the United Kingdom-based Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) can now obtain their visas without incurring the usual fees.

This comes after the Privy Council, which is Jamaica’s highest court, announced on Thursday a free, streamlined process for visa applications by parties attending appeals in London.

Working with the UK Home Office and Ministry of Justice, the JCPC says it has enabled a “gratis visa route” to support Commonwealth citizens, including Jamaicans, who are travelling specifically to attend and participate in JCPC proceedings.

However, the move covers only appellants, respondents and legal teams and does not include wider family members.

Previously, all persons attending were required to obtain visas at a cost.

The JCPC, in its announcement, said that when a hearing date is confirmed, legal teams should use its portal to confirm who will attend the hearing in person and whether these participants will be requesting a visa.

The JCPC, which will require confirmation of an applicant’s connection to the case, will then supply an invitation letter and further guidance on how to apply for the visa.

Visa applications will be processed through the usual database checks, and additional information may, in some circumstances, be required from the Home Office.

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