Trinidad and Tobago Arrival Card

What Is the Trinidad and Tobago Arrival/Departure Card?

The Trinidad and Tobago Arrival/Departure Card is a mandatory digital immigration and customs form required of everyone entering or leaving Trinidad and Tobago. It replaced the old paper forms travelers used to fill out at the airport, and it's one of the newest travel document systems in the Caribbean—mandatory only since March 17, 2026.

The card covers both of the country's international airports, Piarco International Airport in Trinidad and A.N.R. Robinson International Airport in Tobago, and applies to sea travel as well.

Because the system is so new, many travelers haven't encountered it yet. That's exactly where a little guidance goes a long way.

Where to Complete the Arrival/Departure Card

The official government platform is travel.gov.tt. This is the sole legitimate channel for submitting your Arrival/Departure Card—there's no separate site to hunt for or confusing domain to double-check.

Is the Arrival/Departure Card Free?

Yes. Submitting your Arrival/Departure Card directly through travel.gov.tt costs nothing. There is no official government fee.

What our service offers is different: we guide you through the form, review your details for common mistakes before submission, and make sure you're not left second-guessing a brand-new process on your own. It's entirely optional, and it exists to save you time and worry, not to replace a free government form.

Who Needs to Complete the Card

Everyone. This requirement isn't limited to foreign visitors—Trinidad and Tobago citizens and residents must complete the card too, every time they enter or leave the country. Each traveler, including children, needs their own completed submission.

When to Complete the Card

The 72-Hour Window

You can complete the Arrival/Departure Card up to 72 hours before your arrival or departure. It can't be submitted earlier than that window, so mark your calendar for a few days before you fly rather than weeks in advance.

What You Need to Complete the Form

Gather these before you start:

• A valid email address
• Your flight or travel information
• A valid passport
• A photo or scan of your passport's biodata page (JPEG or PNG)

You may also need to create an online account on the platform before submitting.

Passport Validity

While the official portal doesn't spell out an exact minimum passport validity period, immigration professionals commonly recommend having at least six months of validity remaining before you travel. It's a smart habit regardless of destination.

What Happens After You Submit

Your QR Code Receipt

Once submitted, you'll receive a digital receipt containing a QR code. Note: there's some inconsistency in official messaging here—one government social media post has referenced a receipt with two QR codes, while the platform itself and most other guidance describe a single code per submission. Either way, hold onto whatever receipt you're issued; it's your proof of completion.

Printed or Digital: What to Bring to the Airport

Official guidance recommends printing your receipt as a backup, even though it can also be saved and shown on your phone. Airport technology hiccups happen, especially with a system this new, so a paper copy is cheap insurance against a dead battery or spotty signal.

Arrival Form vs. Departure Form

The arrival and departure forms aren't identical. The departure version typically skips the customs declaration questions, since those apply mainly when you're entering the country.

Do You Need to Complete It Twice for a Round Trip?

Yes. Arrival and departure each require their own separate submission and produce their own receipt. If you're flying in and out of Trinidad and Tobago, plan to fill out the form twice.

Background: Why Trinidad and Tobago Moved to a Digital System

At the platform's launch, Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander didn't mince words about the old paper process, calling it "somewhat primitive" and framing the shift online as long overdue. His summary of the new experience: passengers complete the form, upload their passport's bio-data page, and receive a digital receipt with a QR code to present to Immigration and Customs.

Officials have also indicated that paper forms are being kept in reserve as a contingency during the platform's early months, with staff stationed at airports to help travelers who are still getting used to the new system. It's a sensible cushion for a system that's still finding its footing—and one more reason it helps to have support if you're unsure where to start.

Not to Be Confused With: The Migrant Registration Framework

Trinidad and Tobago also runs a separate Migrant Registration Framework through the Ministry of Homeland Security. That program serves a different purpose entirely—migrant registration, not routine arrival or departure processing—and involves its own online pre-registration and in-person appointments. It has nothing to do with the Arrival/Departure Card, so don't let the two get mixed up while you're researching.

Frequently Asked Questions