Your first 90 days in Trinidad and Tobago: the arrival checklist
The visa got you in — this is what turns you into a functioning resident: the registration clock, the ID number everything else depends on, and the money, healthcare, and license steps in the order they actually unlock. Each step links the official source so you can verify the current rule.
Checked against official sources · September 2026 · how we verify
The catch that burns new arrivals
The foreign-exchange squeeze is the thing that actually changes daily life — expect limits on USD purchases and on international card spending, and do not plan to fund overseas obligations out of a local account. Arrange the cross-border side before you need it.
The checklist, in the order it unlocks
Apply to the Immigration Division for an extension of stay, work permit, or residence status, and register with the Board of Inland Revenue
Before the entry stamp expires — visitors are usually admitted for up to 90 days, and work permits must be granted before employment starts
Work permits are employer-sponsored and go through the Ministry of National Security's work permit secretariat; the 'work permit exemption' for stays under 30 days is a common source of confusion and does not cover ongoing employment.
Get your BIR number (Board of Inland Revenue file number)
Employment income, PAYE, and any tax filing key off it, and banks routinely ask for it as part of onboarding.
Registered at a Board of Inland Revenue office with your passport, permit and proof of address; National Insurance registration through the NIB is separate.
Open a bank account
Republic Bank, First Citizens and Scotiabank open accounts for permit holders. The real friction here is foreign exchange: access to US dollars is rationed in practice, card limits on foreign spending are common, and a local account will not reliably solve cross-border payments. Keep a multi-currency account abroad.
Enrol in healthcare
Public care through the regional health authorities is free at the point of use for residents but heavily loaded; most foreign residents use private hospitals in Port of Spain and San Fernando with insurance. Trinidad has more clinical capacity than the smaller islands, so routine evacuation is less common.
Sort your driver's license
A valid foreign licence or International Driving Permit is accepted for a limited period after arrival; residents then obtain a Trinidad and Tobago licence through the Licensing Division, which involves a written and practical test for most applicants. Driving is on the left.
Deadlines and requirements vary by nationality, visa type, and region, and they change — this is information current as of 2026, not legal or immigration advice. Verify each step with the official source before you rely on it.
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Information only, not legal advice — we never file anything with any government. Requirements change; verify with the official source or a licensed immigration advisor before you apply.
First 90 days in Trinidad and Tobago: FAQ
What do I have to do first after arriving in Trinidad and Tobago?
Apply to the Immigration Division for an extension of stay, work permit, or residence status, and register with the Board of Inland Revenue — Before the entry stamp expires — visitors are usually admitted for up to 90 days, and work permits must be granted before employment starts. Work permits are employer-sponsored and go through the Ministry of National Security's work permit secretariat; the 'work permit exemption' for stays under 30 days is a common source of confusion and does not cover ongoing employment. Verify the current rule with the official source before you rely on it.
What is the BIR number and do I need one?
BIR number (Board of Inland Revenue file number) is Trinidad and Tobago's personal tax/ID number. Employment income, PAYE, and any tax filing key off it, and banks routinely ask for it as part of onboarding. Registered at a Board of Inland Revenue office with your passport, permit and proof of address; National Insurance registration through the NIB is separate.
Can I drive in Trinidad and Tobago on a US license?
A valid foreign licence or International Driving Permit is accepted for a limited period after arrival; residents then obtain a Trinidad and Tobago licence through the Licensing Division, which involves a written and practical test for most applicants. Driving is on the left. Rules differ by nationality and change — check the official source before the window closes.
How do I get healthcare after moving to Trinidad and Tobago?
Public care through the regional health authorities is free at the point of use for residents but heavily loaded; most foreign residents use private hospitals in Port of Spain and San Fernando with insurance. Trinidad has more clinical capacity than the smaller islands, so routine evacuation is less common. See our healthcare-systems guide for how Trinidad and Tobago's system treats foreign residents.