When traveling to Trinidad and Tobago, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you require a work permit. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.

What types of activities may I engage in as a business visitor?

As a business visitor to Trinidad and Tobago, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:

• » Attend business meetings, trade shows, and seminar conventions
• » Buy goods for sale outside the country
• » Receive classroom training for work activities
• » Tour a company facility

If I qualify as a business visitor, do I need a visa for Trinidad and Tobago?

Nationals of the European Union, United States, and many other select countries are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a visa in order to enter and conduct business activities in Trinidad and Tobago. If your nationality is not eligible for visa-waivered entry, you must obtain a Visitor Visa from a Trinidad and Tobago Embassy or Consulate prior to travel.

What types of activities require a work permit?

The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Trinidad and Tobago law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in Trinidad and Tobago, even if conducted for a short duration.

• » System installation
• » Technical repairs
• » Auditing
• » Consulting

In limited circumstances, business travelers may engage in specialized professional and technical activities, though additional eligibility criteria may apply, such as an after-sales agreement. An individual assessment is required before deciding whether a work authorization exemption is appropriate.

If I am traveling to Trinidad and Tobago for work, what type of work permit do I need?

The requirements for a work permit depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work, and on whether your employer has an entity in Trinidad and Tobago. The most common form of work authorization in Trinidad and Tobago is the Work Permit, which is issued to foreign nationals seeking to perform work activities in Trinidad and Tobago.

Is it possible to be exempted from work permit requirements?

With the exception of the Bahamas and Haiti, nationals of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states who hold a Certificate of Recognition of CARICOM Skills Qualification or CARICOM Skills Certificate issued by another signatory to the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas are not required to obtain a work permit in order to work in Trinidad and Tobago for a limited initial period. However, registrations, additional documentation, or other formalities may be required prior to working or residing in Trinidad and Tobago, and a legal assessment to determine the possibilities for a work permit exemption should be obtained prior to traveling.

Inevitably, the legal and strategic considerations impacting visa selection, as well as visa waiver and work authorization eligibility, entail the careful consideration of many factors. We recommend that you consult with your immigration counsel before taking any course of action.

Copyright © 2020 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. Government immigration agencies often change their policies and practices without notice; please consult an immigration professional for up-to-date information. This document does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. BAL maintains comprehensive immigration information and processing specifics for our clients.