How to renew Trinidad and Tobago Passport

** NOTE
Many countries still have their borders closed due to COVID-19. Check their status before making travel plans.
Check which countries are open - https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/international-travel-document-news/1580226297.htm
Compilation of travel tools https://lifehacker.com/this-interactive-map-tells-you-which-countries-are-open-1843935523


http://www.news.gov.tt/content/new-passport-delivery-service-launched#.X-VWodhKjWU

You can no longer walk in and line up on a random day to renew your passport.

You must make an appointment to apply for, renew or replace your machine readable passport by using the website www.ttpassport.info (ofcourse for many years the download links for forms are broken here...)
Link 1 - http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/passport-office-opens-govt-announces-changes-to-services-6.2.1131019.6bdf20c792
Link 2 - https://www.facebook.com/mns.tnt/photos/
Link 3 - https://ttpassport.info/faq 

For further guidance on the online procedure, see Steps to follow to schedule an appointment online to apply for a passport at https://nationalsecurity.gov.tt/divisions/immigration-division/

Prior to their appointment date, persons applying for a passport will be required to visit one of the designated TTPOST outlets to purchase an A5 TrackPak. The list of TTPOST locations offering this facility can be accessed on the Ministry of National Security’s website, via link above. The list of locations can also be accessed on TTPOST’s website www.ttpost.net. The cost of the TrackPak is twenty-five dollars ($25.00). TTPOST officials will guide persons on how to self-address the TrackPak (address at which the passport is to be delivered).

The applicant will be required to visit the Immigration Division office at which the appointment is scheduled and should bring the A5 TrackPak, along with all the required documentation to apply for a passport (see list of required documents at https://www.ttpassport.info/faq). Immigration officials will guide applicants on how to self-address the TrackPak.


Persons with queries related to passport services can contact the Immigration Division via email address immigration.passports@gov.tt


Many countries (including some Caricom states) do not let you enter if you have less than 6 months remaining on your passport. You should renew if yours has around 6 months left on it no matter where you are going. This means a passport is really valid for nine and a half years. There is no restriction for how early you can renew your passport so for example if you will be out of the country for an extended period you can renew it with perhaps 2 years remaining on it. You may also want to do this to take advantage of the new 10 year life if you have the 5 year version.


At the Immigration office I had to carry:
- One passport size photo with a white background and covered shoulders (not always used because they may take one).
- A photocopy of the bio data page (page with my picture and info) of my current passport.
- One legal (8.5" x 14") brown envelope to hold the renewal form and other content.
- The current passport.
- I also had to fill out the passport renewal form I got from the dedicated dropbox desk. This form was not available online from the immigration or ttconnect websites.

Adult (16 and over) renewal form download (Link 1) or (Link 2) or (Link 3)

Child (Under 16) renewal form download (Link 1) or (Link2) or (Link 3)

Only the applicant is required to sign it, no reference signature is required. You can also get one from the Immigration office before your visit. Be sure to sign in the specimen sample box on the bottom of the front page even though it looks like it is only for married women. Do not let your signature touch the outer borders. A paper clip was used to hold everything together.

After the officer verified the contents I was told to wait until I heard my name called. A few minutes later I went to the booth and paid $250 TTD (either LINX or cash-CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS ARE NOT ACCEPTED). The officer said to come back in 7 to 10 working days for my new passport. I was given a green slip as a receipt for the renewal application and a receipt for the payment.

In order to collect I had to bring the both receipts and the old passport when collecting the new one. I was advised to call before coming back to ensure it was ready and that they will not call me. The day I went to collect I arrived for 7.00am and the office opened at 7.20am. Inside I was told to have a seat in a particular area until the collection desk was opened. Other desks were already opened. There was no line formed to collect the passport so when it was opened two people who were closer to the desk went first even though they met me there, I did not say anything. The old passport was punched on a couple different pages and handed back to me and I signed for receiving the new one which is valid for 5 years from a few days before. This means I 'lost' the remaining time (3months) I had on the old passport. The officers I interacted with did not have their name badges visible.


Notes:

They are strict about clothing, no short pants, strap/strapless tops, vests, shades etc. are allowed inside. People have been denied entry because their toddler\young child does not have appropriate pants or t-shirts on. These rules are in a country which promotes carnival with all its nakedness. The pics below which is copied from another person on FB showing a person wearing gift paper and a curtain to cover her exposed shoulders in order to be in the POS office. If you are lucky you may be provided something to cover your shoulders while inside. 

The actual process took about 15 minutes to drop off and 5 minutes to collect at the San Fernando office. In addition to this 20 minutes I had to wait about 10 minutes during the drop off and about 30 minutes for collection as I had gone in at 7.00am and had to join a line to enter the office and then was cut in front of. The immigration offices are very busy on some days especially early morning. 

The passport renewal form I was given was a photocopy and parts of it were very light and barely legible. The officer said I did NOT need my birth certificate as this was already on record and I did not change my name since the last passport application. You only have to write the name and contact info for two references and do not need their signature. The only things needed are listed earlier.

I recommend you carry both your LINX card (electronic payment) and cash because at one point LINX was the only method of accepted payment. If you do not have one perhaps you can make a friend in the crowd and give them cash so they can use their card. If the LINX machines are down then you would need cash. 

The officer will take a picture of you if you are 'interviewed' but will use the picture you bring if you are there for a simple renewal. You would be interviewed if you changed your name or other critical info like if you got married and this is the first time you are renewing your passport since then. I am still not very clear on when they need to take a picture but carry one if you are going in for the drop box service.

The officer at the booth when I dropped off my passport was not very friendly and did not have a name tag visible. He seemed to just be going through the motions of processing yet another renewal form and this was still early in the day, before 9am. The officer at the drop box desk was helpful and pleasant as were the two police officers close to the front door who pointed me to the drop box desk.

There is a stationery shop close by on Cipero street that has envelopes, photocopies and takes photos. The Chagauanas and Port of Spain offices have a similar shop.

The San Fernando Immigration office opening hours are from 7.00am to 5.00pm Mon-Fri. The entrance is on the northern side of the building, there are signs outside clearly indicating this. There are a few steps to get to the main entrance but there is an elevator via the eastern entrance. There are bumps to cross the curb to get into the yard by the entrance to use the elevator and there is an incline toward the building.  

For San Fernando parking is along Knox and adjacent streets. No dedicated parking is provided for the public. It can be very tight when cars are parked on both sides and two lanes are still trying to pass. For Port of Spain the parkade public car park is to the east of the office. Keep cash handy to exit the parkade since their card payment machines usually do not work.

When getting your passport picture taken avoid wearing any makeup, you may be barked at to remove it. Your hair should not block any part of your face. Your picture must not be taken with you smiling or wearing glasses.

Women who are renewing their passport after getting married will have extra steps even if they do not change their name. These will be promptly barked to you.


Nov 2015 - 'Old' passports cannot be used to travel. (http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2015-11-19/deadline-machine-readable-passports-november-24).

January 2016 - New passports will now be valid for 10 years instead of 5 years.

June 2016 - Citizens over 60 now get free non-expedited renewals.

As with all government offices there may be long lines outside and no seating. Walk with an umbrella if you are going in early. Also carry toilet paper if you think you would need to use the restroom because if there is water there may not be any paper.

I went at a slow period far away from a holiday period unlike what most people would do. Avoid the Port of Spain and San Fernando offices if you can because they receive the most people while the others perform the same function but are usually less crowded. The extra time driving to another office can save you frustration at a crowded office.

Some countries now require proof of yellow fever vaccine. The international vaccine card is different from the regular card **
 

You should staple the front of your old book to the back of your new one if you have a VALID visa in the old one, such as a 10 year US visitor's visa in the old passport. This is so that they are easier to handle and find.
If you do not have any VALID visas in the old passport perhaps because they expire with the passport itself, such as a Canadian visitor's visa, you do not need to attach the old book to the new one.

The images below are for reference only to show what the form looked like:

Instructions

Renewal form page 1

Renewal form page 2

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My experience should not be taken as typical and you should confirm all details before going through the process. I am merely sharing my experience and am not advising anyone.

Port of Spain Passport Office
Government Campus, 3-9 Richmond Street, Port of Spain
Telephone: 225-4664




Updated Dec 2022

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