The Immigration Division has outlined several operational changes to its services, in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Among the key temporary changes are the suspension of interviews for those seeking permanent resident and citizenship status; and the suspension of issuing visas to foreign nationals, until this country’s borders are re-opened.
The full list of changes being implemented by the Immigration Division are detailed in the official statement, below…
TEMPORARY CHANGES TO SERVICES OFFERED AT IMMIGRATION DIVISION OFFICES
Port of Spain: As announced by Minister of National Security the Honourable Stuart R. Young MP at a media briefing on March 23, 2020, persons are asked to take note of the following temporary changes to the services offered at the Trinidad and Tobago Immigration Division offices, which form part of Government’s response to COVID-19:
* All permanent residence and citizenship interviews will be suspended until further notice.
* Persons who were unable to leave Trinidad and Tobago by March 22, 2020 and whose landing certificates may have expired or will expire by April 30, 2020, will be granted an extension of stay until June 22, 2020.
* Holders of student permits will be granted a three (3) month extension of stay in the first instance, if the permit expires before April 30, 2020.
* The issuing of visas to foreign nationals will be suspended until Trinidad and Tobago’s borders are re-opened.
* A drop-off system will be implemented in the coming days for the submission of Trinidad and Tobago passport renewal applications.
Landing Certificates, Permanent Residence and Student Permits
With regard to extensions of landing certificates, permanent residence and student permits, persons whose documents have expired, or will expire by April 30, 2020, are asked to contact the Immigration Division urgently via the following email addresses:
* For Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nationals: extensions.caricom@gov.tt;
* For nationals of all other countries which do not fall under CARICOM: extensions.international@gov.tt
Applicants must provide, via email, their full name, current residential address, telephone number, a copy of the bio data page of their passport, a copy of their last entry or extension certificate (if applicable), and any other supporting documents.
Following the receipt of email requests, the Immigration Division will contact all applicants for extension of stay to provide dates of appointments.
Passport Services
With regard to passport related services, applicants for passports will be attended to by appointments only.
Applicants should come to the appointment venue no earlier than ten (10) minutes before the scheduled time as only a limited number will be allowed into the offices at any point in time.
The Immigration Division advises that the elderly, and persons with children contact the Division via its Call Centre at 225-4664 for rescheduling of appointments.
All persons wishing to reschedule their appointment, can contact the Call Centre at 225-4664 and select Option 2 when the call connects.
The implementation of these measures have become necessary to prevent the congregation of persons at the immigration offices, in keeping with Government’s precautionary guidelines to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The Ministry of National Security continues to urge persons to avoid crowding within and outside immigration offices.