travel service jamaica

Your Travel Management Company

Trafalgar travel ltd. was founded in 1995 and has been voted the “caribbean‘s leading travel agency” by the world travel awards since 2007. we are guided by our mission: “quality service, quality relationships”..

Our office is headquartered in Kingston, Jamaica, with branches across the island. Trafalgar is a Jamaican-owned business with a global reach.

We are a full-service travel management company for leisure and corporate customers. Over the years, we have established strong relationships with our suppliers and are able to offer specially negotiated rates as a result.

Our agents have a wealth of knowledge in the industry, and possess diverse skill sets that work in tandem to satisfy our customers’ needs. More than a company, our staff members are a part of the Trafalgar family.

Assistance with booking international flights. Book directly on Trafalgar Online or Contact an Agent .

Get the best rates at local and international hotels. Book directly on takeHolidayz , Trafalgar Online or Contact an Agent .

Car Rentals

Assistance with booking international car rentals. Book directly on Trafalgar Online or Contact an Agent .

Assistance with booking cruises including Caribbean, Alaskan, Mediterranean and more. Contact us for more information.

Visa/Passport

Assistance with Jamaican passport renewal, and visa application/renewal (US, UK, Canada, Schengen). Visit VPAC for more information.

International Courier

Ship packages to Jamaica by air or sea with our courier service. Sign up to get your free US mailing address at www.pelipak.com .

Travel Insurance

Purchase travel insurance for extra peace of mind on your trip

Group Travel

Ask us about deals on group travel for flights and hotels.

Corporate Travel

We have a tailored suite of products for our corporate customers. Check out Products for more information.

Events/Destination Management

Wedding party accommodation, family reunions, sports travel, babymoons, honeymoons and custom packages. Contact an Agent for assistance.

Voted the "Caribbean's Leading Travel Agency” by the World Travel Awards since 2007

Frequently Asked Questions

A dedicated travel agent offers personalized assistance for your travel needs. Often they are able to get you discounted rates or perks based on their relationships with suppliers. They are accessible and can make changes to your itinerary on short notice, saving you hours of frustration and time on phone calls to different airlines or hotels.

Travel agents can provide assistance with destination information such as required visas, COVID-19 protocols, weather-related advisories and more.

If you are planning a point-to-point trip, it may sometimes be more affordable to do it on your own. However, if you are planning a multi-stop itinerary with multiple flights and hotels, the options can be overwhelming.

Time is money, and the amount of time that you spend planning a complicated trip, could be better spent elsewhere. Why not let a travel expert handle it for you?

We have access to the same rates (and in some cases, lower rates) as the online providers. We charge a standard nominal service fee for processing transactions.

It’s up to you! Get a fully hassle-free experience by letting one of our agents handle your travel plans. If you prefer to do it yourself, you can book on our online platform at trafalgaronline.com . You’ll still get the benefit of great rates with the support of a travel agency in the background. It’s a win/win!

Head Office Address

14 Garelli Avenue, Kingston 10, Kingston

(876) 929 0074 (876) 929 1502 (Fax)

[email protected]

Working Hours

Mon - Fri: 9AM to 5PM

Our Branches

Spanish town:.

Shop 23, St Jago Shopping Centre

876 984 2762/3604

Millennium Mall,Sandy Bay

876 603 3482

Mandeville:

22A Ward Avenue

876 961 6838

Shop 69, Ocean Village Shopping Centre

Main Street

876 974 5036, 876 974 5108

Montego Bay:

Shop 3, Heritage Mall

34 St. James Street

876 952 5140

Savanna-la-Mar:

118 Great George Street

876 918 0100

City Centre Plaza

28 Harbour Street

Port Antonio

876 993 2645

Shop #7, The Meadows Business Center

61 Market Street

Update April 12, 2024

Information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents.

Share this page:

Jamaica Travel Advisory

Travel advisory january 23, 2024, jamaica - level 3: reconsider travel.

Last Update: Reissued with updates to crime and health information

Reconsider travel to Jamaica due to  crime and medical services . U.S. government personnel under Chief of Mission (COM) security responsibility are prohibited from traveling to many areas due to increased risk. Please read the entire Travel Advisory. 

Country Summary:  Violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common. Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts.

Local police often do not respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. When arrests are made, cases are infrequently prosecuted to a conclusive sentence. Families of U.S. citizens killed in accidents or homicides frequently wait a year or more for final death certificates to be issued by Jamaican authorities. The homicide rate reported by the Government of Jamaica has for several years been among the highest in the Western Hemisphere. U.S. government personnel under COM security responsibility are prohibited from traveling to the areas listed below, from using public buses, and from driving outside of prescribed areas of Kingston at night.

Emergency services and hospital care vary throughout the island, and response times and quality of care may vary from U.S. standards. Public hospitals are under-resourced and cannot always provide high level or specialized care. Private hospitals require payment up front before admitting patients and may not have the ability to provide specialized care. Ambulance services are not always readily available, especially in rural areas, and are not always staffed by trained personnel.

We strongly encourage you to obtain traveler’s insurance, including medical evacuation insurance, before traveling to Jamaica. The Department of State does not pay medical bills.

Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance. U.S. citizens with medical emergencies can face bills in the tens of thousands of dollars, with air ambulance service to the United States in the range of $30,000-50,000.  Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Jamaica.

If you decide to travel to Jamaica:

• Do not attempt to bring firearms or ammunition.  This includes stray rounds, shells or empty casings . The penalties for carrying firearms and/or ammunition, even inadvertently, are severe, and can include lengthy prison sentences.
• Avoid walking or driving at night.
• Avoid public buses.
• Avoid secluded places or situations.
• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
• Be aware of your surroundings and keep a low profile.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Jamaica.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.

Violence and shootings occur regularly in many neighborhoods, communities, and parishes in Jamaica. 

U.S. government personnel under COM security responsibility are prohibited from traveling to the following areas of Jamaica due to crime:

St. Ann’s Parish—Do Not Travel - Steer Town and the Buckfield neighborhood near Ocho Rios

St. Catherine’s Parish—Do Not Travel

• Spanish Town
• Central Village
• Areas within Portmore, including: Naggo Head, New Land, Old Braeton, Portmore Lane, Gregory Park, and Waterford

All of Clarendon Parish—Do Not Travel

All of Clarendon Parish, except passing through Clarendon Parish using the T1 and A2 highways.

St. Elizabeth’s Parish—Do Not Travel

Vineyard District Community, between the communities of Salt Spring and Burnt Savanna, St. Elizabeth

Hanover Parish—Do Not Travel

Logwood and Orange Bay

St. James Parish/Montego Bay—Do Not Travel

All of Montego Bay on the inland side of the A1 highway and The Queen’s Drive from San San to Harmony Beach Park

Kingston and St. Andrew Parish—Do Not Travel

• Cassava Piece
• Downtown Kingston, defined as between Mountain View Avenue and Hagley Park Road, and south of Half Way Tree and Old Hope Roads. Downtown Kingston includes Arnett Gardens, Cockburn Gardens, Denham Town, Olympic Gardens, Seaview Gardens, Trench Town, and Tivoli Gardens.
• Duhaney Park
• Swallowfield
• Elleston Flats
• August Town

Manchester Parish—Do Not Travel

Green Vale, Gray Ground, Red Ground, and Vineyard neighborhoods of Mandeville

St. Thomas Parish—Do Not Travel

• Black Lane neighborhood in Seaforth
• Grands Penn
• Church Corner neighborhood near Yallahs
• Town of Yallahs, except when driving through on the main highway

Trelawny Parish—Do Not Travel

• Clarks Town

Westmoreland Parish—Do Not Travel

• Russia community in Savanna-la-Mar (The Southeastern quadrant of Savannah la Mar east of Darling Street and south of the A2 highway/Barracks Road)
• Kings Valley
• The Whitehall, Bethel Town, and Red Ground neighborhoods of Negril

If you do decide to travel to the above-listed Do Not Travel areas, please visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .

Travel Advisory Levels

Assistance for u.s. citizens, jamaica map, search for travel advisories, external link.

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

The Best Luxury Travel Agency for Holidays in the Caribbean. Send us your travel inquiry below. 'Our Islands, Your Escape'

Guests 1 2 3 4 5 5+ Region Caribbean Jamaica Bahamas Turks & Caicos USA Canada Other

PLAN YOUR NEXT TRIP WITH CARIBBEAN TRAVEL EXPERTS

Island Bwoy Travel is the Caribbean Luxury Travel Agency based in Kingston, Jamaica. With over 10 years of experience, our travel consultants offer more flexibility than a regular travel agency. We have direct access to over 320,000 hotels and villas in the Caribbean and over 10,000 locations worldwide. We offer more variety of accommodation and pricing no matter your budget. In addition, only the best hotels are offered to our clients and we guarantee your satisfaction as we pay great attention to detail. We are accessible 24/7 throughout your trip.

Hotels & Villas

Check out some of our favorite hotels we like to visit and let one of our Travel Consultants help plan your next vacation or trip. Island Bwoy Travel – The Luxury Travel Agency in Kingston, Jamaica.

Peter Island Resort

Beach Villas & Suites / British Virgin Islands

Gee Jam Hotel

Luxury Tree Houses / Jamaica

Pink Sands Resort

Beach Villas / Bahamas

Lagoon & Beach Villas / Jamaica

One & Only (Ocean Club)

Beach Suites & Villas / Bahamas

The 5 'W's of Travel

Learn about our travel mantra and how we use it to piece together amazing travel experiences for our clients around the world. Island Bwoy Travel – The Luxury Travel Agency in Kingston, Jamaica.

Reggae Sumfest Packages start from just $475USD per person or $74k

‘When’ to travel is an important part of your decision-making process. It is no secret that hotels and resorts offer rates and inclusions based on the season or events that might be…

Testimonials

“Island Bwoy Travel is very detailed and a joy to work with during our travels to the Bahamas. They did an amazing job coordinating the wedding, with my mother, for my international wedding.”

“I have always had great experiences. Very knowledgeable staff do a good job of matching my interests and budget with a hotel/resort.”

“A remarkable experience indeed! My wife and I took a 21-day Honeymoon trip to the beautiful Caribbean Islands. We definitely recommend Island Bwoy to be your vacation planners for the Caribbeans. Thank you Island Bwoy!”

'W's of Travel

The Luxury Travel Agency in Kingston, Jamaica. Follow our blog series and learn tips, get advice and inspiration on how to vacation in the new era of Travel.

Reggae Sumfest Hotel Package Deal

Best Tips for Post Pandemic Travel to the Caribbean in 2023

The Caribbean is arguably the perfect spot for vacations, relaxation, adventure and leisure. Even during…

Lashings Boutique Hotel & Villas

If you had 24 hours to live, what would you do? Where would you go?…

Shop #18, Pristine Plaza, 15 Eastwood Park Road, Kingston, Jamaica (W.I.), Phone: +1 (876) 534-1802 Email: [email protected]

© 2023 Island Bwoy Travel | Website Designed by PRICE ENTERTAINMENT  | All rights reserved.

Let Us Book Your Next Trip!

Just tell us where you want to go, what you want to do, and we'll take care of the rest.

Want to see what the world has to offer?

We are Jamaica’s number one travel service agency, offering a unique experience that guarantees to give our clients a sense of ease knowing that they’re in good hands.

Our passion is driven by our love for travel and going to new places, discovering new cultures, and uncovering hidden gems around the world. We know what it's like from choosing a destination to booking the right flight, so our process is hassle free and geared towards your needs.

With over 11 years of experience, you can feel confident that you’re in good hands. It is more than just travel; we want to create moments you’ll never forget. Whether it be that trip to Dubai or climbing up the Dun’s River Falls in Jamaica, we’ll get you there!

Where to next?

Visa applications & travel insurance.

Vacation Packages

Tours & Cruises

Car Rentals

Group & Corporate Travel

Airline Tickets

Subscribe to Our Mailing List

Subscribe to our mailing list to receive blog updates, exclusive offers, and so much more.

Thanks for subscribing!

Need to speak with one of our experts?

Give us a shout as we’re always happy to hear from you!

• Airport Transfers

Jamaica airport transfers

Looking for the best airport shuttle in Montego Bay? Book your ground transportation with Amstar and start enjoying your vacation from the moment you arrive at the airport. Amstar is your safe and reliable partner when it comes to airport shuttle services in Montego Bay ; with representatives at Montego Bay airport and offices in over 20 other tropical destinations, you can relax and let us take care of the rest.

Our comfortable and fully air-conditioned vehicles take you from the Montego Bay International Airport (MBJ) to all major hotels in the area. Staying in a Secrets, Sunscape, Breathless, or Zoetry Resort? Amstar is the official ground operator for airport transfers and excursions in all AMResort properties on the island. Many US travelers staying in RIU, Iberostar, Hilton, and Hyatt hotels also pick Amstar as their first choice thanks to our relationship with Apple Leisure Group, a standard-bearer of quality.

Choose Montego Bay Airport Transfer That’s Best For You

In Jamaica, you can pick one of our 3 possible airport transportation options : Shared Shuttle, Private Transfer or Deluxe Private Transfer. Pre-booking with Amstar guarantees you quick departure and short waiting times. We serve almost all hotels in the Jamaican resort areas of Ocho Rios, Negril and Montego Bay.

Amstar offers you top-notch airport shuttle transportation in Jamaica . We track all incoming flights using the latest technology. Once you pass through customs and walk out of the airport terminal, our staff will be waiting for you. After a short greeting by our representatives wearing the world-renowned blue-flowered shirt, you will be guided to the vehicle that immediately takes you to your destination.

All of our airport transportation services include unique 24/7 traveler support . Our representatives also offer world-class customer service in almost every resort in Montego Bay and Jamaica . Our award-winning staff will be glad to help you with any questions you might have regarding your reservation or recommendations for tours and excursions in Montego Bay .

World-class airport transportation

• Deluxe Private Transportation
• Private Transfer
• Shared Transfer

A second-to-none VIP experience designed exclusively for you

Our private deluxe services include fast-track access to your vehicle, immediate departure with no stops en route to your resort, personalized meet and greet and complimentary drinks on arrival.

Avoid the crowds and fast-track to your hotel

Ideal for families and small groups, our private (non-shared) transfers take you directly to your resort in modern, fully air-conditioned vehicles that provide the level of service you deserve.

Comfortable, reliable and on time

Safe, reliable and always on time! Get to your resort in a spacious and comfortable vehicle shared with guests traveling to a similar location. Our vehicles are always on stand-by at the airport, ensuring that your waiting time is kept to a minimum.

Plan Your Next Trip with National Travel Service

The Travel Experts

National Travel Service provides the best travel services in Savanna la Mar, Negril and Montego Bay. We’ve been in business for 38 years, creating customized experiences for our clients. We don’t just make plans, we help you build memories that last a lifetime.

Exclusive Travel Specials

National Travel Service offers customized  packages to suit all your travel needs. No matter what type of trip you’re looking for, we work hard to make it happen. Explore our list of specials and get in touch to start planning your next great getaway.

Hotel Deals

Luxury Awaits

Discover Jamaica Tour Packages

Unforgettable Memories

Airline Deals

An Experience Like No Other

Jamaica's Gateway To The World

National Travel Service has 38 years of experience with the goal of continuing exceptional travel service in the Savanna la Mar, Negril and Montego Bay area. Our team of experienced agents are passionate about making our clients happy, and we go above and beyond to ensure superb customer service.

Since we opened our doors, we have dedicated ourselves to planning trips that provide our clients with beautiful memories for years to come. So whatever type of trip you’re dreaming of, we’ve got you covered. Get in touch today and we’ll take care of the rest.

56-58 Becford Street Savannah Plaza, Savanna la Mar, Jamaica

[email protected]

(876) 955-2437

Thanks for submitting!

Innovators of Travel

Discover Extraordinary Places

InStyle Vacations is a full service travel firm specializing in all types of leisure travel and expert experiences from around the globe with a lifestyle focus. Our long standing supplier relations give us a competitive edge and know how. We offer distinctive properties, Private Villas, Private Jet Travel, Weddings, Sports Travel and Cruises. Spa and Wellness custom designed trips are also our specialty. Bypass the lines and private local guides are just a few of our pleasant surprises.

Get smart, trustworthy Global business travel consulting from an expert. We want to help drive your business forward through our extensive capabilities and results-oriented approach. Our customized service will help create travel programs tailored to achieve your goals. Incentive performance trips are important and a great way to grow support and devotion within a company structure, bringing people together through company activities and meetings.

Luxury Weddings and Events Worldwide is a full service production and management company meeting the needs of all planning involved with events. Take comfort in knowing you have a dedicated planner on site to ensure the perfect experience for you and your guests. Our team of international event coordinators are some of the top talent in the industry and will ensure your event is unique.

Introducing Travel Adventures

Let us journey for awesome experiences.

Kingston, Jamaica is thinking global as we promote to every corner of the world. Sterling Travel Services is a full-service travel company covering all aspects of travel around the world. As active members in the travel and tourism industry averaging 30+ years of experience, our Travel Innovators are some of the savviest and servicing the most VIP of clients. Sterling is redefining travel in a mission to meet consumer needs and offer service and experiences with a difference while promoting all travel styles We are creative thinkers who passionately believe we can make a difference in our industry by having thoughtfully designed possibilities that nourish and sustain.

Reach out Now

Contact us to get a detailed analysis and assessment of your plans..

+1 833 446 7895

[email protected]

How can we help.

Your message (optional)

Other contact details:

Aqueduct flats building a, uwi mona campus, kingston, jamaica, [email protected], mon. - fri - 9am - 5pm est, 876.553.4282 (digi), 876.560.5040 (digi), 876.909.2433 (landline), available via whatsapp 24/7.

Click to register or sign in

Shopping Cart

View cart details

Travel the world with Expedite Travel Services

About expedite travel services.

Expedite Travel Services has helped a tremendous amount of persons to acquire their Visa (USA, Canada, UK and Cayman) over the years. Forming a bond throughout the application process and consultation sessions to achieve one ultimatum, ensuring all the relevant information is conveyed to the relevant parties in an organized manner such that it will help increase the potential of our applicant to achieve success.

Our Process

Give us a call at (876) 560-5040 / (876) 909-2433 / (876) 553-4282 for more information. We’ll discuss you applying and how best we can assist you.

We’ll take action by completing your application and booking your appointment.

We’ll have a professional consultation session where review questions as per discussion from the consultation session and the application process.

Our team of visa specialist has over 30+ years of experience in the travel industry

Our consultants work together, helping you through the visa application process and consultation session. Using years of experience and knowledge to guide their actions. 

Travel Services

Here at Expedite Travel Services we assist our customers with an array of services to support their travel needs

Visitor's Visa Application

Choose the country to which you want to visit, k-1 fiancé visa, click the button below to learn more about k-1 fiancé visa, flight & hotel booking, click the button below to learn more about our flight booking, u.k. student visa, find out more about how you can apply and the requirements, canada study permit, u.s.a student visa, canada permanent resident, travel insurance, business services.

Here at Expedite Travel Services we assist our customers with an array of services to support their needs and more

Letter of Explanation

Click the button below to learn more, resume writing, business registration, passport renewal, choose the country to which you want to apply, graphic design, company contact, contact our team today.

MON – FRI – 9:00AM – 5:00PM EST

AVAILABLE 24/7

Social Media

[email protected], expeditetravelservices.com, monday - friday - 9:00am - 5:00pm est.

The specialist will assist you with all your queries and you’ll have the option to speak with him/her one on one by texting through WhatsApp or by direct calling.

876.553.4282

MON – FRI – 9:00AM – 5:00PM

Share this page with friends and family.

Share the experience with others so they can be fully informed

Your browser is not supported for this experience. We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari.

Explore The Island Guide

Subscribe to e-newsletter, book your trip, travel alerts, information for visitors.

C5 Immigration Form

All travellers to Jamaica are required to complete and submit the Immigration/Customs Passenger Declaration (C-5) Form. The form is available online and is required for entry to the island. Visitors can access the form at www.enterjamaica.com

How to complete the form

There is no cost associated with the C-5 form.

You can complete and submit the form two (2) days before your entry. You will be required to enter a valid email address to complete the form. A verification code will be sent to your email. Enter the verification code to continue.

The C-5 form is straightforward and won’t require more than a few minutes to fill out. The form will ask for your name, dates of travel, flight number, and the address at which you will be staying in Jamaica. Once you complete the form online, you will receive an email confirmation that the application was successful.

Both visitors and residents of Jamaica are required to complete the C-5 form. The Jamaican immigration form does not replace a visa.

Airlift To Jamaica 

The following airlines operate flights to Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston:

The following airlines operate flights to Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay:

Scroll Down

Events/Notices

Why polaris .

We provide the highest quality service that enlightens and gives young adults the opportunity for cultural exchange.

We ensure that all participants are equipped with the tools required for this opportunity from the registration stage to their departure.

Polaris lives up to the expectations of its participants and provides programs for students and young adults to earn and become diversity competent.

EARNING WHILE TRAVELING

College/university students and young adults will get the opportunity to work and be compensated during the months of the program.

These programs assist students with their tuition and young adults with additional work experience and cover expenses.

Our Programs

Our services, visa application support:, plane ticket booking:, international job placement opportunities:, what these program includes, guaranteed placement.

Position secured before arriving so you know exactly where you are going and you begin earning right away.

Orientation

We work with you in advance to prepare you for your adventure and provide you with an orientation about what to expect.

Medical Insurance Coverage

Medical insurance coverage for the duration of your program

International Requirements Guidance

Guidance on visa requirements and travel medical insurance

Emergency Support

24/7 emergency support from our U.S. based support teams

Polaris Travel and Placement Services is a cultural exchange agency, providing students and Young adults with the opportunity of experiencing living and working in the United States of America on the J1 Summer Work and Travel Program, J1 Camp Program, and the Intern and Trainee program.

‌These programs are cultural exchange programs that allow college /university students, graduates, and experienced workers to work and experience the American culture during the Summer..

MEETING NEW PEOPLE AND BUILDING A SOCIAL PLATFORM

While on the program you will get the opportunity to interact with people from different social backgrounds from all over the world which will give you the opportunity to learn about their culture while teaching them about yours.

TYPE OF FEES

Program fee.

Nonrefundable

OUR BANKING INFORMATION

Online transfers to our usd account is not accepted..

For Registration

Currency JMD

Name of Bank - National Commercial Bank

Account Number - 544568388

Account Type - savings

Name on Account - Polaris Travel and Placement Services

Visa Fee Payment

Name of Bank - First Global Bank

Branch - Mandeville

Account Number - 990848768323

First Deposit

Currency USD

Account Number - 544568418

Second Deposit

Account Number - 990848768335

Account Type - checking

SEVIS Fee Payment

Latest news.

Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World

Read our research on:

Full Topic List

Regions & Countries

• Publications
• Our Methods
• Short Reads
• Tools & Resources

Read Our Research On:

What we know about unauthorized immigrants living in the U.S.

The unauthorized immigrant population in the United States reached 10.5 million in 2021, according to new Pew Research Center estimates. That was a modest increase over 2019 but nearly identical to 2017.

The number of unauthorized immigrants living in the U.S. in 2021 remained below its peak of 12.2 million in 2007. It was about the same size as in 2004 and lower than every year from 2005 to 2015.

The new estimates do not reflect changes that have occurred since apprehensions and expulsions of migrants along the U.S.-Mexico border started increasing in March 2021 . Migrant encounters at the border have since reached historic highs .

Pew Research Center undertook this research to understand ongoing changes in the size and characteristics of the unauthorized immigrant population in the United States. The Center has published estimates of the U.S. unauthorized immigrant population for more than two decades. The estimates presented in this research are the Center’s latest, adding new and updated annual estimates for 2017 through 2021.

Center estimates of the unauthorized immigrant population use a “residual method.” It is similar to methods used by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Immigration Statistics and nongovernmental organizations, including the Center for Migration Studies and the Migration Policy Institute . Those organizations’ estimates are generally consistent with ours. Our estimates also align with official U.S. data sources, including birth records, school enrollment figures and tax data, as well as Mexican censuses and surveys.

Our “residual” method for estimating the nation’s unauthorized immigrant population includes these steps:

• Estimate the total number of immigrants living in the country in a particular year using data from U.S. censuses and government surveys such as the American Community Survey and the Current Population Survey.
• Estimate the number of immigrants living in the U.S. legally using official counts of immigrant and refugee admissions together with other demographic data (for example, death and out-migration rates).
• Subtract our estimate of lawful immigrants from our estimate of the total immigrant population . This provides an initial estimate of the unauthorized immigrant population .

Our final estimate of the U.S. unauthorized immigrant population, as well as estimates for lawful immigrants, includes an upward adjustment. We do this because censuses and surveys tend to miss some people . Undercounts for immigrants, especially unauthorized immigrants, tend to be higher than for other groups. (Our 1990 estimate comes from work by Robert Warren and John Robert Warren; details can be found here .)

The term “unauthorized immigrant” reflects standard and customary usage by many academic researchers and policy analysts. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Immigration Statistics also generally uses it. The term means the same thing as undocumented immigrants, illegal immigrants and illegal aliens.

For more details on how we produced our estimates, read the Methodology section of our November 2018 report on unauthorized immigrants.

The unauthorized immigrant population includes any immigrants not in the following groups:

• Immigrants admitted for lawful residence (i.e., green card admissions)
• People admitted formally as refugees
• People granted asylum
• Former unauthorized immigrants granted legal residence under the 1985 Immigration Reform and Control Act
• Immigrants admitted under any of categories 1-4 who have become naturalized U.S. citizens
• Individuals admitted as lawful temporary residents under specific visa categories

Read the Methodology section of our November 2018 report on unauthorized immigrants for more details.

Pew Research Center’s estimate of unauthorized immigrants includes more than 2 million immigrants who have temporary permission to be in the United States. (Some also have permission to work in the country.) These immigrants account for about 20% of our national estimate of 10.5 million unauthorized immigrants for 2021.

Although these immigrants have permission to be in the country, they could be subject to deportation if government policy changes. Other organizations and the federal government also include these immigrants in their estimates of the U.S. unauthorized immigrant population.

Immigrants can receive temporary permission to be in the U.S. through the following ways:

Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

In 2021, there were about 500,000 unauthorized immigrants with Temporary Protected Status . This status provides protection from removal or deportation to individuals who cannot safely return to their country because of civil unrest, violence or natural disaster.

Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) is a similar program that grants protection from removal. The number of immigrants with DED is much smaller than the number with TPS.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals is a program that offers protection from deportation to individuals who were brought to the U.S. as children before June 15, 2007. As of the end of 2021, there were slightly more than 600,000 DACA beneficiaries , largely immigrants from Mexico.

Asylum applicants

Individuals who have applied for asylum but are awaiting a ruling are not legal residents yet but cannot be deported. There are two types of asylum claims, defensive and affirmative .

Defensive asylum applications are generally filed by individuals facing deportation or removal from the U.S. These are processed by the Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review. At the end of 2021, there were almost 600,000 applications pending.

Affirmative asylum claims are made by individuals already in the U.S. who are not in the process of being deported or removed. These claims are handled by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). At the end of 2021, more than 400,000 applications for affirmative asylum were pending, some covering more than one applicant.

Here are key findings about how the U.S. unauthorized immigrant population changed from 2017 to 2021:

• The most common country of birth for unauthorized immigrants is Mexico. However, the population of unauthorized immigrants from Mexico dropped by 900,000 from 2017 to 2021 , to 4.1 million.
• There were increases in unauthorized immigrants from nearly every other region of the world – Central America, the Caribbean, South America, Asia, Europe and sub-Saharan Africa.
• Among U.S. states, only Florida and Washington saw increases to their unauthorized immigrant populations , while California and Nevada saw decreases. In all other states, unauthorized immigrant populations were unchanged.
• 4.6% of U.S. workers in 2021 were unauthorized immigrants , virtually identical to the share in 2017.

Trends in the U.S. immigrant population

The U.S. foreign-born population was 14.1% of the nation’s population in 2021. That was very slightly higher than in the last five years but below the record high of 14.8% in 1890.

As of 2021, the nation’s 10.5 million unauthorized immigrants represented about 3% of the total U.S. population and 22% of the foreign-born population. These shares were among the lowest since the 1990s.

Between 2007 and 2021, the unauthorized immigrant population decreased by 1.75 million, or 14%.

Meanwhile, the lawful immigrant population grew by more than 8 million, a 29% increase, and the number of naturalized U.S. citizens grew by 49%. In 2021, naturalized citizens accounted for about half (49%) of all immigrants in the country.

Where unauthorized immigrants come from

Unauthorized immigrants living in the U.S. come from many parts of the world, with Mexico being the most common origin country.

The origin countries for unauthorized immigrants have changed since the population peaked in 2007, before the Great Recession slowed immigration. Here are some highlights of those changes:

The number of unauthorized immigrants from Mexico living in the U.S. (4.1 million in 2021) was the lowest since the 1990s. Mexico accounted for 39% of the nation’s unauthorized immigrants in 2021, by far the smallest share on record .

The decrease in unauthorized immigrants from Mexico reflects several factors:

• A broader decline in migration from Mexico to the U.S.
• Mexican immigrants to the U.S. continuing to return to Mexico
• Expanded opportunities for lawful immigration from Mexico and other countries, especially for temporary agricultural workers.

The rest of the world

The total number of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. from countries other than Mexico has grown rapidly. In 2021, this population was 6.4 million, up by 900,000 from 2017.

Almost every region in the world had a notable increase in the number of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. from 2007 to 2021. The largest increases were from Central America (240,000) and South and East Asia (180,000).

After Mexico, the countries of origin with the largest unauthorized immigrant populations in the U.S. in 2021 were:

• El Salvador (800,000)
• India (725,000)
• Guatemala (700,000)
• Honduras (525,000)

India, Guatemala and Honduras all saw increases from 2017.

The Northern Triangle

Three Central American countries – El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala – together represented 2.0 million unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. in 2021, or almost 20% of the total. The unauthorized immigrant population from the Northern Triangle grew by about 250,000 from 2017 and about 700,000 from 2007.

Other origin countries

Venezuela was the country of birth for 190,000 U.S. unauthorized immigrants in 2021. This population saw particularly fast growth, from 130,000 in 2017 and 55,000 in 2007.

Among countries with the largest numbers of U.S. unauthorized immigrants, India, Brazil, Canada and former Soviet Union countries all experienced growth from 2017 to 2021.

Some origin countries with significant unauthorized immigrant populations showed no change, notably China (375,000) and the Dominican Republic (230,000).

Detailed table: Unauthorized immigrant population by region and selected country of birth (and margins of error), 1990-2021 (Excel)

U.S. states of residence of unauthorized immigrants

The unauthorized immigrant population in most U.S. states stayed steady from 2017 to 2021. However, four states saw significant changes:

• Florida (+80,000)
• Washington (+60,000)
• California (-150,000)
• Nevada (-25,000)

States with the most unauthorized immigrants

The six states with the largest unauthorized immigrant populations in 2021 were:

• California (1.9 million)
• Texas (1.6 million)
• Florida (900,000)
• New York (600,000)
• New Jersey (450,000)
• Illinois (400,000)

These states have consistently had the most unauthorized immigrants since 1990 and earlier .

At the same time, the unauthorized immigrant population has become less geographically concentrated. In 2021, these six states were home to 56% of the nation’s unauthorized immigrants, down from 80% in 1990.

Detailed table: Unauthorized immigrant population for states (and margins of error), 1990-2021 (Excel)

Detailed table: Unauthorized immigrants and characteristics for states, 2021 (Excel)

Unauthorized immigrants in the labor force

The share of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. workforce was slightly less than 5% in 2021, compared with 3% of the total U.S. population.

Demographics help explain the difference: The unauthorized immigrant population includes relatively few children or elderly adults, groups that tend not to be in the labor force.

Overall, about 7.8 million unauthorized immigrants were in the U.S. labor force in 2021. That was up slightly from 2019 but smaller than every year from 2007 through 2015.

Detailed table: Unauthorized immigrants in the labor force for states, 2021 (Excel)

Here are some additional findings about unauthorized immigrants as a share of the workforce nationwide and in certain states:

• Since 2003, unauthorized immigrants have made up 4.4% to 5.4% of all U.S. workers, a relatively narrow range.
• Fewer than 1% of workers in Maine, Montana, Vermont and West Virginia in 2021 were unauthorized immigrants.
• Nevada (9%) and Texas (8%) had the highest shares of unauthorized immigrants in the workforce.
• Immigrant Populations
• Immigration Issues
• Unauthorized Immigration

Key facts about Asian Americans living in poverty

Latinos’ views on the migrant situation at the u.s.-mexico border, key facts about the nation’s 47.9 million black americans, key facts about the wealth of immigrant households during the covid-19 pandemic, 8 facts about recent latino immigrants to the u.s., most popular.

1615 L St. NW, Suite 800 Washington, DC 20036 USA (+1) 202-419-4300 | Main (+1) 202-857-8562 | Fax (+1) 202-419-4372 |  Media Inquiries

Research Topics

• Age & Generations
• Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Economy & Work
• Family & Relationships
• Gender & LGBTQ
• Immigration & Migration
• International Affairs
• Internet & Technology
• Methodological Research
• News Habits & Media
• Non-U.S. Governments
• Other Topics
• Politics & Policy
• Race & Ethnicity
• Email Newsletters

ABOUT PEW RESEARCH CENTER  Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of  The Pew Charitable Trusts .

Copyright 2024 Pew Research Center

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy

Cookie Settings

Reprints, Permissions & Use Policy