Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs

FAQ for the CSME

I was issued a Police Certificate of Character a few years ago, can I submit it with my other documents for the processing of the Skills Certificate?

The Police Certificate of Character is valid only for six (6) months from the date of issue. An expired Police Certificate of Character will not be accepted for the processing of the Skills Certificate.

I read where the processing of the application for the Skills Certificate takes six (6) to eight (8) weeks. Can this process be expedited?

A Committee reviews all applications for the Skills Certificate and as such, the processing of the application for the Skills Certificate cannot be expedited.

I am not a national of Trinidad and Tobago and I have been issued with a Skills Certificate from the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago. What do I do next?

A non-national of Trinidad and Tobago who has been issued with a Skills Certificate from Trinidad and Tobago must complete the requisite medical forms. The Skills Certificate holder must submit these medical forms to the Immigration Division along with the passport and Skills Certificate for the relevant stamp to be endorsed in his/her passport.

Can I mail in my application for the Skills Certificate?

The Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs must see all original documents for the processing of the application of the Skills Certificate. In this regard, applicants must appear in person with their original documents and copies. The Ministry would certify and keep the copies and return the originals immediately upon examination.

I have just written all my exams but have not yet received my degree certificate. Can I apply with my transcript and a letter from the University?

It is imperative that all applicants for the Skills Certificate present their actual degree certificate. Letters from the University and/or transcripts will not be accepted in place of the degree certificate.

Can my common-law spouse be listed as a dependent?

For the purpose of the Skills Certificate application process, Trinidad and Tobago recognizes only a man legally married to a woman or a woman legally married to a man as his/her spouse.

I have been issued with a Skills Certificate as an Artiste, but I am having difficulty in finding a job in that particular category. Can I work in a different category?

CARICOM nationals who have been issued with Skills Certificates in a particular category e.g. Artistes, Musicians, Media Workers and Sportspersons must work in the field for which the Skills Certificate was issued.

The name on my passport is spelt incorrectly can I provide an affidavit as evidence of the correct spelling?

The name on the Skills Certificate corresponds with the name on your passport. If the name on your passport is incorrectly spelt, you must notify the authorities who issued the passport and request/apply for a new passport to be issued with the correct spelling of your name.