Business

Work Permits, Resident Status, Visas and Passports

  • Work Permits

    No work permit is required for persons working in Trinidad & Tobago for a maximum of up to 30 days; otherwise for any person other than a citizen or resident, a valid work permit must be in force before engaging in any form of employment.

    Who needs a Work Permit?
    Under the Immigration Act Chapter 18:01 of Trinidad and Tobago, no person other than a citizen or resident is allowed to engage in any profession, trade or occupation whether for gain or not, or be employed, unless a valid work permit is in force in relation to that person or, that person is working in Trinidad and Tobago for a maximum of up to 30 days per year.

    How to apply for a Work Permit?
    Applications for work permits are made through the Work Permit Secretariat, of the Ministry of National Security. Investors may also make the application through TIDCO. An individual cannot apply for a work permit on his own behalf. The application must be proposed by the Company with whom the individual will be employed in Trinidad and Tobago, the Joint Venture Partner, or by an Attorney.

    Documents Required when applying for a Work Permit.

    • A completed application form plus 11 copies.
    • Three photographs of the individual for whom the work permit is required, one of which is attached to the original application form.
    • Two Character References, 1 of which must be from the last employer.
    • A police certificate of good character from the country where the individual has been living over the last 5 years.
    • The individual on whose behalf the work permit is required, must possess some qualification that is unique and that a local resident does not possess. Proof of the qualifications must also be presented with the application.
    • An advertisement stating what the job was about, must have run for at least 1 to 2 weeks in 2 daily newspapers.
    • A copy of the advertisement must also be presented with the application.

    Spouses and children
    Residence Visas are issued to the spouse and children of someone holding a work permit. If the spouse wishes to work, the same application procedure for work permits is undertaken.

    Your completed application form must be submitted, together with all required documentation, to:
    Work Permit Secretariat
    Ministry of National Security
    Temple Court II
    52-60 Abercromby Street
    Port of Spain
    Trinidad, West Indies
    Tel. (868) 623-2154/44 exts. 2250 or 2251
    Opening hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

    You may also purchase the specific application form you need from the Trinidad and Tobago Government Printery for TT$1.15.
    Government Printery Sales Department
    2-4 Victoria Avenue
    Port of Spain
    Trinidad, West Indies
    Tel. (868) 623-2410
    Opening hours: 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

    Govt. Links:
    Applying for a Work Permit
    Work Permit Application Forms
    Work Permit Application

  • Resident Status

    Persons qualifying to apply for the status of residency are from the following categories: -

    • spouses of citizens or residents,
    • parents of citizens/residents, and
    • persons who have been working in the country for a cumulative continuous period of five (5) years

    Such persons by reason of their education, occupational qualifications, employment record, training skills, or other special qualifications, must be established or are likely to establish themselves successfully in Trinidad and Tobago in a profession, trade, self operating business or agricultural enterprise, and have sufficient means of support to maintain themselves and their immediate family in Trinidad and Tobago.

    In determining the suitability of an applicant for residency, the Minister shall be satisfied that the applicant had: -

    • entered the country legally,
    • is not in a prohibited class, and
    • is of good character as evidenced by a Police Certificate of Character.

    Should someone be granted residency he/she automatically has the right to work.

    You must obtain and complete two copies of a "P&I 6 Form" from one of the offices below, or from any Trinidad and Tobago Embassies, High Commissions, Consulates and Honorary Consuls. Applications for residency status are made through:

    Citizenship and Immigration Section
    Temple Court
    31-33 Abercromby Street, Ground Floor
    Port of Spain
    Trinidad, West Indies
    Phone: (868) 623-2441-5
    Fax: (868) 625-9405
    E-Mail: sbh...@mns.gov.tt

    Immigration Office
    Port Authority Building
    Milford Road
    Scarborough
    Tobago, West Indies
    Tel: (868) 639-2681
    Fax: (868) 639-1868
    Immigration Division website: http://www.immigration.gov.tt/

  • Visas

    All persons require visas to enter Trinidad and Tobago. However, due to historical ties and bilateral agreements, citizens of several countries are not required to have visas. These are listed below.

    • Commonwealth Countries except Australia, India, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda.
    • EEC Countries including England,Greece, Ireland, Spain, France, Portugal, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark and Luxembourg.
    • Countries having visa abolition agreements with Trinidad and Tobago
    • Citizens of USA on Vacation for three (3) months or less
    • Citizens of Venezuela arriving from Venezuela on vacation for 14 days or less. Holders of Venezuelan Official and Diplomatic passports not accredited to Trinidad and Tobago on Official Missions are exempted from visa requirements for one (1) month or less.
    • Citizens of Surinam, Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guyana, Netherlands Antilles (Curacao, Aruba, Bonaire, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten and Saba)
    • Holders of OAS passports do not require visas for entry into Trinidad and Tobago.
    • Holders of UN passports require visas (if necessary as a result of their nationality). If on arrival at the Port of Entry, the person has no visas, the passport may be lifted and forwarded to the Chief Immigration Officer for a visa exemption. If there is not enough time, the passport may be held, a receipt given and returned to the holder on departure.
    • Holders of Diplomatic Passports are not automatically exempted from visas.
    • List of Second Schedule Countries including Albania, Poland, Bulgaria, Vietnam, Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia, the former Soviet Republics, Rumania, Cuba, South Vietnam, Hungary, South Africa, North Korea and The Peoples Republic of China (Taiwan)
    • Citizens of South Africa are allowed entry into Trinidad and Tobago for religious, cultural, sporting, educational activities with visas issued without reference. For any other purpose applications for visas must be referred.

  • Passports

    Passports valid for the length of stay are required for all arrivals

    Where to Contact:

    Contact the Trinidad and Tobago Embassy, High Commission or Consulate in the country you reside or are visiting. In countries where Trinidad and Tobago does not have resident representatives, consular services are offered through Honorary Consuls. Follow the link below for a list of Trinidad and Tobago Embassies, High Commissions, Consulates and Honorary Consuls.

    If you are in Trinidad and Tobago and require assistance related to any of the consular services listed above, or if you have a friend or relative overseas who requires assistance, please contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Communications. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs offices are open 8:15 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Thursday and between 8:15am to 4:15pm on Fridays, except public holidays.

    Level 10 - 14, Tower C
    International Waterfront Complex
    Wrightson Road
    Port of Spain
    Trinidad
    Telephone: (868) 623-6894
    Fax: (868) 623-5029

Govt. Links:

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