By Sue-Ann Wayow
THE work permit exemption granted to Venezuelan nationals in Trinidad and Tobago has once again been extended.
The Ministry of National Security in a press release on Friday stated that the registration of Venezuelan nationals who submitted applications during the re-registration exercise conducted from March 8, 2021, to April 9, 2021, has been extended to December 31, 2022.
Re-registered Venezuelan nationals who were issued with the minister’s permits and updated their migrant registration cards will be contacted and given an appointment to visit the relevant Immigration Division, Enforcement Unit, office to process their extended permits and update their registration cards, the ministry stated.
The ministry added that registrants who submitted re-registration applications during the period March 8, 2021 to April 9, 2021, and have outstanding matters or have not received feedback on their applications, should contact the Immigration Division Enforcement Unit office, where they submitted their re-registration application, by April 29, 2022.
The relevant Immigration office locations are:
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Immigration Division Enforcement Unit, 135 Henry Street, Port of Spain;
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Immigration Division Enforcement Unit, No. 2 Knox Street, San Fernando;
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Immigration Division Enforcement Unit, Port Authority Administration Building, Scarborough, Tobago.
Registrants are urged to inform the Immigration Division of any changes in their contact details via email to immigration.vmrf@gov.tt.
A copy of the previously issued migrant registration card, along with full name, date of birth, updated telephone contact, and home address, should be included in the email.
Without accurate and updated contact information, the Immigration Division will be unable to advise the registrant on the status of their application.
The ministry stated, “Please note that failure to visit the relevant Immigration office or to make email contact by April 29, 2022, will prevent further processing and incomplete applications will be considered as withdrawn.
“Approved applicants will be issued with new Minister’s Permits, which will be valid until December 31, 2022, and their existing registration cards will be updated with a sticker indicating the date of expiry at December 31, 2022. A new registration card will not be issued in this instance.”
New registration cards will be issued to persons who have reported their registration card lost stolen or mutilated, and a replacement fee of $500 is applicable.
Registrants will be contacted by the Immigration Division when their Minister’s Permit is ready for collection.
The National Security ministry also issued a reminder to employers and registrants.
“Registrants and employers are reminded that the migrant registration card is not a form of identification and should be used in conjunction with a national identification document issued by the Venezuelan authorities, that is, passport, cedula and certificate of identity.”
Persons with queries related to the Venezuelan Migrant Re-registration Exercise can contact the Immigration Division via email address immigration.vmrf@gov.
