Immigration
Immigration Act work permits with a 30-day exemption
A non-national who intends to work must hold a work permit issued by the Ministry of National Security under the Immigration Act, and engaging in work without one is an offence for both worker and employer. A short exemption allows work of up to 30 days in a twelve-month period without a permit. CARICOM nationals with an approved skills certificate may work without a permit under the free-movement regime.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — National; Ministry of National Security and the Immigration Division
- Deadline — Work permit exemption: a maximum of 30 days in any twelve-month period
- Deadline — Work permit: applied for in advance, typically granted for one to three years and renewable
- Deadline — Extension of stay: applied for before the current permission expires
Governing law
- Immigration Act, Chap. 18:01
- Immigration (Caribbean Community Skilled Nationals) Act 1996
- Immigration Regulations
In practice
The 30-day exemption is frequently misread as 30 days per entry, when it is cumulative across the year, so repeated short technical visits can silently exhaust it and place both the individual and the host employer in breach. Permits are tied to a named employer and role, so a change of either requires a fresh application rather than an amendment.