Jamaica approves laws covering World Cup tourist visas

Jamaica has approved the Sunset Legislation, which covers laws regarding tourist visas, security arrangements, customs and immigration, and ambush marketing issues for next year's World Cup. Importantly, the legislation will allow visitors who obtain a tourist visa in one host country to travel freely among the others during the sport's biggest event.

Peter Phillips, the National Security Minister, told Radio Jamaica that political leaders agreed on the new laws, which will expire after six months. The package of bills, known as the Sunset Legislation, was passed late on Tuesday in the House in Kingston. Jamaica now joins Barbados, St Lucia and St Kitts and Nevis as the nations which have passed the bill so far.

The other host countries - Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada - have announced they have taken measures to pass the laws.

Phillips stated that the sale and distribution of tickets and the broadcast of tournament play will also be protected under the laws.

"We have made sure that those who are not sponsors will not reap where they do not sow," he said. Organisers had earlier warned the host countries that they could have their matches taken away if they fail to approve the special measures, with Bermuda kept on standby as a possible host nation.

The nine Caribbean host countries have until November 1 to approve the legislation for the tournament, which runs from March 5 to April 28.