Work Permit info for client

Under the Immigration Act, Chapter 18:01, if a person is not a citizen

nor a resident of Trinidad and Tobago that person may not work in
Trinidad and Tobago except for a single period not exceeding thirty (30)
days in any one period of twelve (12) consecutive months.

If that person has already come to Trinidad and Tobago to work for any
period of time within the last twelve (12) months or if you intend to come to
Trinidad and Tobago to work for a period in excess of thirty (30) days, you
cannot work in Trinidad and Tobago without a work permit issued by the
Minister of National Security. Further, no person may employ you (being
neither a citizen nor a resident) unless you have a work permit.

Even if you are conducting training or inspection in Trinidad
and Tobago you are deemed to be working.

When you do not need a work permit
You do not need a work permit if you are coming to Trinidad and Tobago
on business, e.g. for meetings. In such a case you will likely be allowed a
maximum business entry of ten (10) to fourteen (14) working days.

As a non-citizen or non-national, if a person is found to be working in
Trinidad and Tobago without a work permit, you are liable to be deported
immediately. That persons employer, in whose name the work permit
should have been issued, will be liable to fine and imprisonment on
summary conviction and to meet that persons deportation costs.

A work permit will be granted to a non-citizen or non-resident only if a
citizen or resident of Trinidad and Tobago cannot be found to do the job.
The persons employer must therefore show that, as the intended employee,
that person the relevant experience or skill or you are an expert in the job
you intend to take up in Trinidad and Tobago and must provide evidence of
the placement of advertisements for citizens and residents for the job
sought to be filled.

Your work permit application should be submitted well in advance of the
date of your intended arrival in Trinidad and Tobago with supporting
documentation.

As the holder of a work permit, you and your spouse (if he/she is travelling
to Trinidad and Tobago with you for the duration of your work permit)
must have your passport endorsed by the immigration authorities with a
multiple entry visa, so that problems are not encountered upon each entry
into Trinidad and Tobago. A security bond is also usually required to meet
any deportation costs which may arise. If you are the holder of a work
permit issued for more than one (1) year, you and your spouse must submit
to the immigration authorities a completed medical report in the required
form, when having your passports endorsed for multiple entry visas.

If your employer does not propose to have a citizen or resident of Trinidad
and Tobago trained to replace you at the expiration of your work permit, a
satisfactory explanation must be provided to the immigration authorities as
to why such training is not to be undertaken.

The procedure

Work Permits applications must be submitted at least four (4) weeks, prior
to the date on which the proposed employee is required to assume duties.


In the case of a self-employed person or person whose employer is not
carrying on business in Trinidad and Tobago the application for a work
permit should be made on his or her behalf by counsel or solicitor
practitioner in Trinidad and Tobago

The following documents must be submitted when applying for a
work permit:-

(a) Covering letter (original and 7 copies) from the prospective
Employer. (This must set out the reason for the request for a Work
Permit and why a national cannot be hired).
(b) Original and seven (7) copies) of application forms completed and
signed by both the proposed employee and the prospective
employer at sections 23 and 33 respectively.
(c) Original and seven (7) copies of form WPA 1a outlining details of
Non-Nationals employed in Professional, Managerial and Senior
Technical positions (to be used in cases where the Application for
a Work Permit or Extension of a Work Permit form cannot
accommodate the number of entries to be submitted).
(d) Original and seven (7) copies of form WPA 1b outlining details of
Trinidad and Tobago Nationals employed in Professional,
Managerial and Senior Technical positions (to be used in cases
where the Application for a Work Permit or Extension of a Work
Permit form cannot accommodate the number of entries to be
submitted).
(e) A character reference from a previous employer. Original and 7
copies each.
(f) Copy of a bio-data page of applicants passport
(g) A Police Certificate of character from the persons country of origin
or place of domicile during the period of five years previous to the
date of application. An original of this certificate and 7 copies must
be provided with applications for Work Permits for more than 3
months.
(h) Curriculum Vitae and proof of qualifications, (Reference is made
to item (ii) at the bottom of page 3 of the application form). Seven
(7) copies of these documents are required with the application.
(i) Three (3) passport photographs of the prospective employee which
must be attached at the top right hand corner of the first three (3)
Application Forms.
(j) Proof of Advertisement for the job for which the work permit
application is being proposed to fill which cannot be smaller than
3 x 5 (Section 32 and item (ii) at the bottom of page 3 refer). The
advertisement should run for at least one week in the daily
newspapers. Applicants are also required to submit a copy of the
application to: Chief Manpower Officer, Ministry of Labour &
Small and Micro Enterprise Development, Level 11, Riverside
Plaza, Besson Street, Port of Spain.
(k) An evaluation report on all applications received and interviews
conducted must also be submitted.
(l) Application forms must be completed in its entirety. Incomplete
applications will not be accepted.
(m) The official receipt as payment of the application fee of TT$600.00
to the Ministry of National Security, 31-33 Abercromby Street, Port
of Spain.
(n) All applications must be provided in the following order: Covering
letter,
Application form and supporting documents atthe back. Eight (8) batches
(Original and 7 copies).


4. In the case of an application for an Extension of a Work Permit, the
following are required:
(a) Applications must be submitted at least one (1) month before the expiry
date of the current work permit.
(b) When a Work Permit expire an application for extension must be made
no later than six (6) months after the expiration date. The following
documents should be submitted:
-Covering letter stating why the extension is required.
-Receipt of the application fee of $600.00.
-Tax clearance Certificate C.
-A copy of the last work permit.
-A copy of advertisement which cannot be smaller than 3 x 5.
The advertisement should include Applicants are also required to submit a
copy of the application to: Chief Manpower Officer, Ministry of Labour &
Small and Micro Enterprise
Development, Level 11, Riverside Plaza, Besson Street, Port of Spain.
(c)Original and seven (7) copies of a covering letter from the requesting
Company/prospective employer stating why the extension is required and
also naming the national who is understudying that position. (reference is
made to section 31 of page 3 of the application form).
(d)The original receipt of the application fee of TT$600.00 fromthe
Ministry of National Security, 31-33 Abercromby Street, Port of Spain.
(e)A copy of the last work permit (7 copies)
(f)Tax Clearance Certificate C from Inland Revenue. Original and seven (7)
copies

When a Work Permit is approved, the fee payable is TT$450.00 per
month, i.e. $5,400.00 per annum.
This fee is payable to the Cashier, Ministry of National Security, 31-33
Abercromby Street, Port of Spain. The receipt of payment must be procured
in order to collect the Work Permit.