The High Commission had its beginnings in 1962. Among the first diplomatic missions to be established after the attainment of independence from Britain, the office was initially located at Bruton and Grosvenor Streets, then on St James's Street, before eventually moving to its current location Prince Consort Road. For many decades, Jamaicans have been travelling to England to work and study. In the 1940s many Jamaicans volunteered and fought alongside the British in World War II. In the post-war era, there was mass migration from Jamaica due labour shortages in the 'motherland', with the first arrivals aboard, bringing almost 500 Jamaicans to Britain. Waves of Jamaicans later emigrated to the United Kingdom for economic and educational reasons.
The High Commission to the UK has a staff complement of 20 persons. It also houses the offices of the Jamaica Tourist Board, the Jamaica Information Service and the European Regional Office of Jamaica Trade and Invest. JHC UK prides itself in providing a rounded diplomatic experience to Jamaican Foreign Service officers, as it deals with bilateral, multilateral, consular and community issues all under one roof. JHC London is therefore an excellent training ground for officers in the Foreign Service.
High Commissioner
The High Commissioner, as head of the Mission, is responsible both to the Government of Jamaica and to the United Kingdom. He or she participates in the formation of Mission policy and its execution. The High Commissioner's primary aim is to foster, maintain and improve co-operation between Jamaica and these countries, as well as to develop trade, economic and tourism links. The High Commissioner also maintains contact with Jamaican nationals living in the UK through regular visits to communities, meetings, and functions.
The Deputy High Commissioner deputizes all the functions of the High Commissioner, manages all administrative and financial matters, and oversees the Consular, Political and Community Development sections of the High Commission.
Political and Economic Department
The Department considers and analyzes developments of a political, economic and commercial nature that relate to Jamaica. It is responsible for maintaining and enhancing contacts between Jamaica and the British government, Commonwealth Secretariat, the International Maritime Organization, the International Cocoa Organisation, and the International Coffee Organisation, among other multilateral entities. The Department also assists with the co-ordination of cultural activities such as fairs, meetings, and educational talks.
Consular Section
The Consular Section is the service arm of the High Commission and interfaces with a large clientele of Jamaican nationals across the United Kingdom. Consular requests from the six countries under the Mission's purview are usually transmitted through accredited Honorary Consuls of Jamaica living in each country. The Section provides a number of services including but not limited to:
Processing applications for Passports, Visas, Citizenship and Emergency Certificates;
The High Commission also conducts Surgeries to the community in Birmingham every first Thursday of every month and in Manchester every third Wednesday of every month. Jamaicans can therefore avoid travelling to London to access consular services. Surgeries are conducted by two Officers who receive applications for Emergency Certificates, Passports, Citizenship by Descent, and certification of documents. The Birmingham Surgery begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Afro-Caribbean Millennium Centre. Two volunteers from the community pre-examine applications and accompanying documentation to assist the High Commission. A detailed examination of the applications and interviews are then conducted by the Consular Officers.
Diaspora development
development is designed to strengthen relations between the Jamaica government and Jamaican nationals in the UK. Among activities that have taken place recently is the lobby against the Air Passenger Duty.
Community relations
The Community Relations Department maintains close links with the Jamaican community in the UK. There are now over 74 Jamaican organisations, 56 Caribbean organisations and 36 Afro- Caribbean Service Centres listed on the High Commission's database. The Community Relations Officer encourages the formation and continuing development of community groups and associations, participates in community events, disseminates information on Jamaica, provides welfare advice to needy Jamaicans, and coordinates and facilitates donations to Jamaica. The High Commission in recent years has targeted youth organisations. For example, the Young Minds Group initiative solicits the advice and ideas of Jamaican students in the UK regarding Jamaica's national development.
Finance and Administration Department
The main functions of the Finance and Administration Department are:
File:High Commission of Jamaica in London 1.jpg|The High Commission File:High Commission of Jamaica in London 2.jpg|Plaque outside the embassy File:Prince Consort Road, London SW7 - geograph.org.uk - 1128875.jpg|Looking down Prince Consort Road, with the High Commission on the right
