Can migrants work legally in Trinidad and Tobago?

As at October 2026, the Order exempting “an immigrant who is the holder of a permit” under section 10 from the work permit requirement runs until 31 December 2026 (Legal Notice 470/2025, as amended by Legal Notice 41/2026), and no further extension has been made.

The general rule: a work permit is needed

Under regulation 10(1) of the Immigration Regulations, made under the Immigration Act (Chapter 18:01), no one may engage in any profession, trade or occupation, “whether for gain or not”, or be employed in Trinidad and Tobago unless they hold a valid work permit. The rule does not apply to:

• a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago;
• a resident of Trinidad and Tobago; or
• a person entering to engage in gainful occupation for one period of no more than 30 days in every 12 consecutive months.

It is an offence both to work, and to employ a person, in breach of the regulation (reg 10(2)). Other exemptions exist, including for CARICOM nationals exercising rights under the Immigration (Caribbean Community Skilled Nationals) Act (reg 10(15)) or the Caribbean Community (Movement of Factors) Act (reg 10(16)), and the Minister may by Order exempt, with or without conditions, people in any category of occupation or “a class of persons who hold a valid permit issued under section 10 of the Act” (reg 10(14), as amended in 2019).

The Minister’s permit

The Minister may issue a written permit authorising a person to enter Trinidad and Tobago or, if already here, to remain (Immigration Act, s 10(1)). A permit is in force for a stated period of no more than 12 months (s 10(2)). The Minister may extend, vary or cancel it in writing at any time (s 10(5)). An application for this permit is made in the form prescribed by regulation 46A of the Immigration Regulations, and it is to holders of this permit that the exemption Orders described below apply.

The exemption for permit holders

Since 2019 the Minister has made a series of Orders exempting permit holders from the work permit requirement. The Orders for Venezuelan nationals who applied for a permit between 31 May 2019 and 14 June 2019 inclusive were last extended to 31 December 2025 and have now expired.

The current Order is the Immigration (Exemption From Work Permit) (Immigrants) Order 2025, as amended in 2026. It provides that “an immigrant who is the holder of a permit” issued under section 10 is exempt from the requirement for a work permit to engage in employment. Unlike the earlier Orders, its wording is not limited to Venezuelan nationals or to the 2019 registration period. The Minister is to issue a registrant card to an immigrant who holds a permit, on payment of a fee, showing their name, date of birth, photograph and the expiry date of their permit.

The Order took effect on 1 January 2026. It was due to expire on 30 September 2026, and was extended to 31 December 2026. The exemption ends on that date even for a person whose permit runs later.

What the exemption does and does not do

The exemption removes only the need for a separate work permit. It does not itself give any right to enter or remain in Trinidad and Tobago. That comes, if at all, from the Minister’s permit, and it lasts only while the permit is in force.

What happens after 31 December 2026?

Unless the Order is extended or replaced, from 1 January 2027 a permit holder who works needs a work permit like anyone else, even if their Minister’s permit is still in force (reg 10(1)). The end of the Order does not end the permit itself. The permit lasts for the period stated in it, up to 12 months, and while it is in force it stays the execution of any deportation order made against the holder (s 10(2)). When the permit expires or is cancelled, the Minister may make a deportation order, and there is no right of appeal against it (s 10(6)).

Can a permit holder’s child go to school?

A child who is not a citizen or resident generally needs a student’s permit to be admitted to a school, but the Minister may exempt a child under 18 of an immigrant who holds a section 10 permit (Immigration Regulations, reg 9(6)(e), (i)). See the page on migrant children.