Starting a business in Trinidad and Tobago: foreigner's guide (2026)

Under the Foreign Investment Act 1990 (Chapter 70:07), a foreign investor may own 100% of the share capital in a private (non-public) company. Acquiring more than 30% of a public company requires a licence from the Minister of Finance.

Foreign investors incorporating a private company or acquiring shares must notify the Minister of Finance in prescribed form; this is an administrative notification, not a prior-approval requirement for private companies.

A private limited company requires at least 2 directors and 2 shareholders; at least one director must have a locally registered address. No statutory minimum share capital is prescribed under the Companies Act 1995.

The process involves: (1) name reservation with the Companies Registry (TTD $25 fee, 1–3 days); (2) preparation of incorporation forms and ID documents; (3) electronic submission via CROS or in-person at the Registry; (4) receipt of Certificate of Incorporation. End-to-end typically takes 3–6 weeks.

The Companies Registry Online System (CROS) launched 1 February 2023 and supports electronic document submission, e-signatures, and a Companies Registry Account (CRA) for all filings, reducing the need for in-person visits.

Following incorporation, businesses must obtain a Board of Inland Revenue (BIR) number for tax purposes and register with the National Insurance Board of Trinidad and Tobago (NIBTT) within 14 days of hiring the first employee. Annual returns must be filed with the Companies Registry to maintain good standing.