🇨🇭→🇹🇹Switzerland→Trinidad and Tobago

For a foreign national married to a citizen or resident of Trinidad and Tobago seeking permanent resident status. This is the spouse/marriage-based residence route.

Application under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act. Requires two Form P&16 (available at the Ministry of National Security and the Immigration Office, Scarborough, Tobago), marriage certificate, birth certificates, a statutory declaration of the sponsoring spouse's willingness to support the application, and Police Certificates of Character from Trinidad and Tobago, country of birth, and any country where the applicant has resided 3+ months (US applicants must provide an FBI/Federal certificate). Both applicant and spouse must attend an interview (conducted 8:00am-2:00pm). Applicant must be legally in the country. Fee not published on the official checklist. Handled by the Citizenship and Residency Unit, Temple Court 2, 52-60 Abercromby Street, Port of Spain (623-2441). Checklist selectable from https://nationalsecurity.gov.tt/appforms/residence/.

For a foreign national parent or grandparent being sponsored for permanent resident status by a citizen or resident of Trinidad and Tobago.

Application under Section 6(1)(b) of the Immigration Act - sponsorship of a parent or grandparent by a citizen/resident of Trinidad and Tobago. Documentation requirements are listed on the official checklist. Fee not published on the official checklist. Handled by the Citizenship and Residency Unit, Temple Court 2, 52-60 Abercromby Street, Port of Spain (623-2441). Checklist selectable from https://nationalsecurity.gov.tt/appforms/residence/.

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Allows eligible CARICOM nationals holding a Certificate of Recognition of CARICOM Skills Qualification to live and work freely in Trinidad and Tobago under the CARICOM Single Market and Economy framework.

Available to CARICOM nationals in 12 approved skill categories: University Graduates, Artistes, Musicians, Media Workers, Sportspersons, Nurses, Teachers, Artisans, Associate Degree Holders, Domestic Workers, Agricultural Workers, and Private Security Officers. Processing time is 5-6 weeks minimum. Provides indefinite stay subject to immigration requirements. Not a visa per se but a rights instrument under Article 46 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.

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Required for all foreign nationals (except Trinidad and Tobago residents) intending to study in Trinidad and Tobago for the full duration of their studies.

Fee: 200 TTD (approx. USD 29) for CARICOM nationals; 400 TTD (approx. USD 59) for non-CARICOM nationals. Application via the eStudentPermit portal at estudentpermit.ttservices.online. Passport must be valid for at least 1 year. Digital passport photo and supporting documents required. Registered full-time students at the University of the West Indies St Augustine Campus are exempt. Renewals require an Assessment Form. Contact: immigration.studentpermits@gov.tt.

For foreign nationals who hold a Trinidad and Tobago work permit or a CARICOM (CSME) Skills Certificate and are seeking permanent resident status.

Application under Section 6(1)(a) of the Immigration Act for holders of a work permit or a Trinidad and Tobago CSME certificate. Documentation requirements are listed on the official checklist. Fee not published on the official checklist. Handled by the Citizenship and Residency Unit, Temple Court 2, 52-60 Abercromby Street, Port of Spain (623-2441). Checklist selectable from https://nationalsecurity.gov.tt/appforms/residence/.

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Required for any non-national of Trinidad and Tobago seeking employment in the country. Covers both individual and group work permit applications.

Fee is 450 TTD per month for the approved period (approx. USD 66/month). Individual applications (1-9 persons) are processed exclusively online via TTBizLink. Group applications (10+ persons) may use fillable PDF forms or the online portal. Persons working for no more than 30 days in any 12 consecutive months are exempt from requiring a work permit. Extensions are available. Contact: eworkpermithelpdesk@mhs.gov.tt or 624-7513.

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A special work permit exemption extension available specifically for registered Venezuelan nationals lawfully present in Trinidad and Tobago.

Available only to registered Venezuelan nationals. Application is made online. Specific eligibility criteria, fees, and duration not fully published on the official government overview page.

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Bearers of diplomatic, official, or service passports from countries with bilateral agreements are exempt from visa requirements for the duration of their accredited assignment or up to a specified period.

Exempt nationalities under diplomatic/official passport bilateral agreements include: Argentina, Brazil, China (diplomatic/official/service), Costa Rica, Cuba (diplomatic/official/service), Haiti (diplomatic/official/service), Mexico, Panama, Venezuela (accredited diplomatic/official/service only; ordinary Venezuelan passports require a visa since June 2019). Terms vary by bilateral agreement - some cover the duration of accreditation, others up to 3 months for non-accredited holders.

Allows visitors already legally in Trinidad and Tobago to extend their permitted stay beyond the period initially granted by immigration upon arrival.

Appointments must be made at least 2 weeks in advance at regional immigration offices (north, south, Tobago). Specific fee and maximum extension period not published on official government websites. Contact the Immigration Division at immigration.information@gov.tt.

A special discretionary permit issued by the Minister with authority over immigration for cases that do not fall under standard visa or work permit categories.

Application method and specific fee not published on official government websites. Issued at ministerial discretion. Contact: corpcomm@mhs.gov.tt or Level 19-21, Tower C, International Waterfront Centre, Port of Spain (224-4667).

Permanent resident status for foreign nationals who have resided continuously in Trinidad and Tobago for a 5-year period.

Application under Section 5(3) of the Immigration Act - persons who have resided continuously in Trinidad and Tobago for 5 years. This is the general permanent-residence route (also tracked under residence-by-investment/rbi). Documentation requirements are listed on the official checklist. Fee not published on the official checklist. Handled by the Citizenship and Residency Unit, Temple Court 2, 52-60 Abercromby Street, Port of Spain (623-2441). Checklist selectable from https://nationalsecurity.gov.tt/appforms/residence/.