Jamaica is preparing to launch the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) passport next month.

Jennifer McDonald, the chief executive officer of the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), said the document would bear the CARICOM logo and the words 'Caribbean Community' on the cover.

The CARICOM passport will also bear the country's coat of arms with the word 'Jamaica' as the issuing state beneath.

CARICOM heads of government have approved of the issuing of the regional travel document, which has already been introduced in several member states, including Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, St Vincent and Guyana.

McDonald said the introduction of the CARICOM passport in January will not interfere with the validity of current passports.

She also pointed out that the application process for the CARICOM passport is the same as for persons applying for a regular passport; so too is the cost of $2,500 for adults and $1,500 for minors.

The document can be used for both intra-regional and extraregional travel.