Every way into Trinidad and Tobago.

Nationals of a large number of countries do not require a visa to enter Trinidad and Tobago as visitors and are normally granted leave to stay of up to 90 days, determined by the examining Immigration Officer at the port of entry. Visa-exempt nationals include most EU/Schengen states, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, many Commonwealth countries and a range of Latin American and Asian states; CARICOM nationals (except Haiti) also enter without a visa. The visit is for tourism, family visits or short business meetings only and does not authorise employment or study. Entry is not guaranteed even for exempt nationals, who must satisfy entry requirements including onward travel and sufficient funds. Visitors who wish to stay beyond the granted period must apply to the Immigration Division for an extension before the entry stamp expires.

Government fee

TTD 0

Max stay

90 days

Nationals who require a visa to enter Trinidad and Tobago can apply online through the Immigration Division's eVisa Online Service for a multiple-entry visa. The online application carries a non-refundable fee of TTD 800 and is paid by Visa or Mastercard. Applicants need a valid email address, a passport valid for at least six months, a digital passport photo and supporting documents uploaded as PDFs. Processing generally takes about 14 business days after payment. A visa is a conditional authorisation only: possession of an eVisa does not guarantee entry, which remains at the discretion of the examining Immigration Officer at the port of entry.

Government fee

TTD 800

Processing time

14 days

Max stay

90 days

Nationals who require a visa and cannot use the online eVisa service apply at the nearest Trinidad and Tobago Embassy, High Commission or Consulate, or email documents to the Immigration Division. The in-person fee is TTD 200 for a single-entry visa or TTD 400 for a multiple-entry visa, paid through a nominated local representative at the Port of Spain office. Applicants must submit the visa application form with a colour photo, passport bio-data page, proof of immigration status if outside their country of nationality, a job letter and bank statement, a flight itinerary and a host invitation with the host's supporting documents. Non-English documents must be translated by a certified translator. Processing takes 14 business days after payment, and the visa does not guarantee entry.

Government fee

TTD 200

Processing time

14 days

Max stay

90 days

Citizens of Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines, who otherwise require a visa, may obtain a Waiver of the Visa on arrival in Trinidad and Tobago at a cost of TTD 400. This visitor facility allows entry for tourism or short visits and is granted leave to stay of up to 90 days at the discretion of the examining Immigration Officer. As with all entry, the waiver does not guarantee admission and the traveller must satisfy ordinary entry requirements such as a valid passport, onward travel and sufficient funds. The waiver does not authorise employment or enrolled study.

Government fee

TTD 400

Max stay

90 days

Short business trips to Trinidad and Tobago, such as meetings, negotiations and conferences, are made as a visitor. Nationals of visa-exempt countries enter without a visa, while visa-required nationals obtain an entry visa (TTD 200 single entry or TTD 400 multiple entry in person, or TTD 800 via the eVisa service). Business visitors must provide an invitation from the host company describing the purpose and proposed address, along with the applicant's job letter and bank statement. A business visit does not authorise gainful employment in Trinidad and Tobago; any non-national taking up paid or unpaid work beyond a single short engagement requires a work permit, except for one period not exceeding 30 days in any 12 consecutive months. Entry remains at the discretion of the Immigration Officer.

Government fee

TTD 200

Processing time

14 days

Max stay

90 days

Foreign nationals enrolled at an approved institution in Trinidad and Tobago must obtain a Student Permit from the Immigration Division. The application fee is TTD 200 for non-CARICOM nationals and TTD 100 for CARICOM nationals; extension fees are TTD 100 (non-CARICOM) and TTD 50 (CARICOM) and do not apply to stays under 90 days. International students must report to an Immigration office within 48 hours of arrival to begin the process; non-CARICOM students have 3 months and CARICOM students 6 months to obtain the permit. The permit is tied to the duration of the course of study. Visa-required nationals must also hold a valid entry visa or student permit visa to enter the country.

• Study: Authorises enrolled study at the named institution for the duration of the course.

Government fee

TTD 200

Under the Immigration Act, a person entering Trinidad and Tobago to engage in gainful occupation for one period not exceeding thirty days in every twelve consecutive months does not need to apply for a work permit. This exemption allows short engagements such as consultancy, installation, training or performances without the full work permit process. The 30-day allowance is per twelve-month period and cannot be split or repeated within that window; work beyond 30 days, or a second engagement in the same 12 months, requires a full work permit. The non-national still requires appropriate entry as a visitor (visa-free or with a visa, depending on nationality).

• Work: Permits gainful occupation for one period of up to 30 days in any 12 consecutive months without a work permit.

Max stay

30 days

Under the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), nationals of participating CARICOM member states in approved skill categories may live and work in Trinidad and Tobago without a work permit by holding a Certificate of Recognition of CARICOM Skills Qualification. Approved categories include university graduates, holders of associate degrees, artistes, musicians, media workers, sportspersons, nurses, teachers, artisans, domestic workers, agricultural workers and private security officers. A national admitted on this basis is granted an initial six months, within which the certificate must be verified by the Trinidad and Tobago competent authority at no cost; once verified, the holder receives an indefinite stay subject to immigration requirements and may buy or rent property. Spouses and dependants may accompany the skilled national. Processing of the certificate generally takes 5-6 weeks.

• Work: Holders work without a work permit anywhere in Trinidad and Tobago within approved categories.
• Study: Indefinite-stay holders may study; certificate is primarily for skilled work.
• Residency: Grants indefinite stay; holders may also pursue residence and citizenship through the normal routes.
• Family: Spouse and dependent relatives may move to Trinidad and Tobago with the skilled national.

Processing time

42 days

Any non-national taking up gainful occupation (paid or unpaid) in Trinidad and Tobago beyond the 30-day exemption requires a Work Permit issued by the Ministry responsible for immigration under the Immigration Act, Chapter 18:01. A non-refundable application fee of TTD 600 is payable on submission, and once approved a duration fee of TTD 450 per month of the permit applies. Applications must be submitted at least six weeks before the proposed start date and, for 1-9 permits, are processed online via the TTBizLink platform. The employer must show the post was advertised in daily newspapers (advertisement at least 3 by 5 inches, running at least seven days) and provide an evaluation report of candidates interviewed, demonstrating no suitable local was available. Permits are tied to the named employer and the period of employment.

• Work: Authorises employment with the named employer for the permit period; tied to the specific job.
• Residency after 5 years

Government fee

TTD 600

A foreign national married to a citizen or resident of Trinidad and Tobago may apply to the Citizenship and Residency Unit for residence status under section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act. The spouse track is one of the recognised residence categories alongside five-year continuous residence, work/CSME-permit holders and sponsorship of parents or grandparents. Applicants submit category-specific documentation including proof of the marriage and the sponsor's status. Once residence status is approved the holder may live in Trinidad and Tobago; spouses of citizens may in time also pursue citizenship. Published fee schedules for residence categories are not consolidated online and are confirmed by the Citizenship and Residency Unit.

• Work: Residence status generally allows the holder to live and work in Trinidad and Tobago.
• Study: Residents may study.
• Residency: Leads to residence; spouses of citizens may later pursue citizenship.
• Family: Based on the marriage to a national; children's status is handled separately.

Parents and grandparents of a citizen or resident of Trinidad and Tobago may be sponsored for residence status under section 6(1)(b) of the Immigration Act. The sponsoring citizen or resident must establish the family relationship and demonstrate the means to support the relative. Applications are made to the Citizenship and Residency Unit using the category checklist, with proof of the relationship and the sponsor's status. This is one of the dependent-relative residence categories administered by the Immigration Division. Published fee schedules for residence categories are confirmed directly with the Citizenship and Residency Unit.

• Study: Residents may study.
• Residency: Grants residence based on family sponsorship.

The Overseas Missionaries Permit allows a foreign national to enter and remain in Trinidad and Tobago to preach or teach for a religious institution or establishment recognised by the Government. It is issued under Section 9(1)(a) of the Immigration Act by the Minister responsible for immigration, who must be satisfied that the applicant has been accepted as a religious worker by the recognised body. The permit is granted for a specified period set by the Minister and the holder is admitted as a missionary rather than as an ordinary worker. Applicants should review the official document checklist before submitting. Fees and validity are set administratively and are not published on the application page.

• Work: Authorises religious/missionary activity for the recognised institution for the permit period; not general employment.
• Residency after 5 years

Foreign nationals who have resided continuously and lawfully in Trinidad and Tobago for at least five years may apply for permanent residence status, administered by the Citizenship and Residency Unit of the Immigration Division under the Immigration Act, Chapter 18:01. The route recognises continuous five-year residence as a basis for residence, alongside the work/CSME-permit, marriage and family-sponsorship categories. Applicants submit the residence application with the relevant category checklist, proof of the qualifying continuous residence, status and good character. On approval, CARICOM nationals are reported to pay a fee of around TTD 400. Permanent residents may live, work and study in Trinidad and Tobago and may later pursue citizenship.

• Work: Permanent residents may live and work in Trinidad and Tobago.
• Study: Permanent residents may study.
• Residency after 5 years