Immigration
Our Immigration
Document Specialists
Saint James School of Medicine has Immigration Document Specialists to guide you through the immigration process. Our Document Specialists will assist you with immigration by collecting documents, checking they are in order and shipping them to Caribbean immigration officials on your behalf. The immigration process is precise and each document required has different expiration dates and deadlines.
Your Document Specialist will work with you to create a timeline for completing documents. Please make sure to meet all deadlines assigned by your Document Specialist so that there is sufficient time to process and ship documents before you arrive to study in the Caribbean.
Immigration
Documents Are
Not In Order?
You may not be allowed to enter St. Vincent if your immigration documents are not in order. Please note Saint James School of Medicine is not affiliated with immigration in the Caribbean and, while we will do all we can to help you overcome immigration obstacles, we are not accountable for immigration-related difficulties. We recommend you contact the immigration offices in St. Vincent directly for any questions pertaining to your particular needs. Please note that spouses, dependents, and others intending to travel with you to Saint James School of Medicine’s Caribbean Medical School campus are responsible for their own immigration. Saint James cannot sponsor dependents and not all the islands permit students to bring dependents. If you plan to bring your family with you, please discuss this with your Document Specialist.
Documents Required For
Travel To The Caribbean
You will need to bring the following documents with you when you travel to the Caribbean:
- Your passport.
- Your final enrollment letter from Saint James School of Medicine.
- Your return ticket with a return date within 90 days of your arrival.
- The documents detailed in the immigration handbook included in the Welcome Packet received after acceptance to the program.
Non-student visitors must carry a valid passport and a return ticket.
Round Trip Ticket
When you fly to St. Vincent you will need a return ticket with a return date within 90 days of arrival. This is a requirement from the airlines. A one-way ticket is considered a security red flag, and if you travel on a one-way ticket you risk not being allowed to enter the Caribbean. Once you have arrived in the Caribbean you can change the date on your return ticket or have it refunded. Please don’t underestimate the importance of this. If you do not hold a return ticket with a return date within 90 days of arrival you may not be allowed to enter the island to start your studies.
Immigration to St. Vincent
You will need to complete several documents to obtain residency on St. Vincent. Please note that you will not be allowed into St. Vincent until all of your documents have been received by the government of St. Vincent. US Permanent Residents who are citizens of China, Dominican Republic, Nigeria, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, or Jordan require a visa. For your first trip to St. Vincent you will need a round trip ticket with a return date within 90 days of arrival.
Packing For The Caribbean
Here is some advice from SJSM on packing for your time studying medicine in the Caribbean:
- Pack light! It’s difficult to travel with multiple bags, and if this is your first time going to the island you’ll want to keep it simple.
- Pack medications. Stock up as prescription medications cost more on the island and are harder to find. Usually, we recommend students bring at least a four month (semester) supply.
- Pack your books, especially the MD1 books for new starters. To save space most students use E-books as they are easier for travel. There are no bookstores on the island.
- Pack some light sweaters. The island is hot, but it gets cold in the anatomy labs and classrooms.
- Pack a business formal outfit for making presentations.
- Bring a laptop-with plenty of space. An external hard drive is a great idea.
- Power strips for electronics are useful.
Please note if you are studying at our St. Vincent campus you will need adapters. Electricity is 220 volts. US standard appliances (110 V) work with a transformer. - Pack some basic classroom starter items, including notebooks, pens, post its and binders. Some students tell us they are hard to come by on the island.
Class Supply List
- Lab coat: Long Coat
- Dissection Kit
- Hearing Testing; Tuning forks: Two: 512 Hz
- Vision Testing: Snellen Pocket Chart
- Blood Pressure Testing: Sphygmomanometer (Aneroid)
- Bell & diaphragm Stethoscope
- Reflex Testing: Percussion Hammer
- Anthropometry: Skin Calipers and Measuring Tape
- Body Temp: Thermometers
- Otoscope and Ophthalmoscope Kits
Anatomy Lab Supply List
- Splash Resistant Goggles
- One Box of 100 5-6mm Non-Powdered nitrile Gloves
- One Box of 50 Disposable Masks
- 1 pair of closed toed Croc-like Lab Shoes
- 1-2 Sets of Scrubs (highly recommended)
