Trinidad and Tobago will begin the process of regularising its illegal migrant population on January 26 with the start of the 2026 Migrant Registration Framework (MRF).

Online registration will officially open on January 26 and close on February 25, 2026. 

The Ministry of Homeland Security said the earlier start is intended to give applicants more time to complete the digital phase of the process, after a January 30 launch date was initially considered.

Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander said the 2026 exercise marks a significant departure from previous migrant registration drives.

“This new 2026 registration exercise differs from previous such registration exercises in the following ways: it is expanded to all illegal immigrants, irrespective of nationality and previous registration status and the process is partially digitised, enhancing efficiency and demonstrating modernisation,” Alexander said.

All applicants are required to first register online via the official portal at migrantregistration.gov.tt.   This digital stage will be followed by mandatory in-person processing and verification, scheduled to begin at the end of February. 

The Ministry noted that the exact start date for physical vetting will be announced in a subsequent update.

The physical verification phase will take place at four designated sporting venues selected for their capacity. 

These include the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain for the West Zone, the Larry Gomes Stadium in Arima for the East Zone, the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva for the Central and South zones, and the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Tobago.

Applicants will undergo security vetting by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, including fingerprinting and background checks. Officials from the Ministry of Health will also conduct on-site health screenings.

A registration fee of TT$700 will be charged per applicant to cover administrative and operational costs.

Migrants who are approved will be issued a migrant registration card, legally authorising them to live and work in Trinidad and Tobago until December 31, 2026.

The Ministry has reminded undocumented migrants that participation in the exercise is mandatory, warning that failure to register during the designated period will result in deportation.