Consulate to host outreach sessions in Chicago this week

New York:

The Jamaican Consulate in New York will host its outreach programme to Chicago from November 16-18 where services such as application/assistance in obtaining Jamaican passport and citizenship will be made on a local level. The Consulate General in New York has jurisdiction for the Chicago area.

During the three-day outreach Jamaicans and others in need of passport, as well as birthright citizenship will be able to speak with officers of the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), the Consulate General and the honorary Consul in Chicago, in the local setting to be able to apply for passports and Jamaican citizenship.

Persons wishing to take the opportunity to get consular services are asked to make an appointment although walk-ins are also welcome. Walk-ins will be dealt with on a first- come-first-serve basis.

Passport, Immigration, and Citizenship Agency (PICA) representatives will be available to assist with the following services: passport renewal, replacement of lost or damaged passports, citizenship by descent, and document certification.

Locations and dates for the outreach are: Saturday, November 16, 12-8 p.m, at the Jamaican consulate Chicago & MW 4655 S King Dr, Chicago, IL 60653; November 17 at the Evanston Church of God 1332 Davis St, Evanston, IL 6020; and Monday, November 18 at 10-2 p.m. at the Jamaican consulate Chicago & MW 4655 S King Dr, Chicago, IL 60653.

The consulate advises that for people who already submitted an application and need to provide additional documents, this outreach is an excellent opportunity to do so.

Individuals coming to the outreach are asked to have the following documentation:

• Birth certificates

• Marriage certificates or divorce decrees (if applicable)

• Expired passports

• Identification cards

• A completed application form prior to arrival.

A photographer will be on-site, so no need to take passport photos in advance.

To guarantee being seen, applicants are encouraged to make an appointment in advance using this link: https://chicago-outreach.youcanbook.me or www.linktr.ee/cgnyjm.

Consul General Alsion Wilson said that taking the consular services of the consulate general to the local setting, is one way to connect with people who would otherwise have to mail their applications resulting in unnecessary delays in having their applications processed.

“We believe that the consulate has to go where the people are to provide the services that they desire from the Consulate,” she said. The Chicago outreach will facilitate queries from persons living in Chicago, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, and Missouri.

People are invited to contact the Consulate General of Jamaica, New York by email at cro@congenjamaica-ny.org or call the honorary consulate in Chicago at 773-373-8988.