Immigrant Visas

Immediate Relatives/Spouses of U.S. Citizens

Effective March 20, 2007, U.S. citizens residing in Trinidad and Tobago can file the immediate relative petition (I-130) at the U.S. Embassy.  To demonstrate residency in Trinidad and Tobago, American Citizen petitioners must be able to show that they have permission to reside in the country and that they have been doing so continuously for at least six months before filing the petition. 

Individuals who are in the country on a temporary status, such as student or tourist status, would not be considered to meet the residency standard. All lawful permanent residents, and American Citizens resident in the United States or with a permanent address in the United States, must file I-130 petitions at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Service Center having jurisdiction over their place of residence (as indicated on the USCIS website: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-130.pdf).

Immediate relative petitions (I-130) for IR-1 (Spouse of an American Citizen), IR-2 (Child of an American Citizen), and IR-5 (Parent of an American Citizen) applicants are accepted by the Consular Section between 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., Monday through Thursday, except for U.S. and Trinidad and Tobago holidays. 

U.S. citizens petitioning for relatives must bring their U.S. passports, and the beneficiaries must bring their national passports to the Embassy when the petition is submitted.  Original marriage and/or birth certificates establishing the family relationship must also be presented, along with original divorce decrees from previous marriages. 

The fee to file a petition is US$190 or the equivalent in TT dollar, payable in cash or by credit card. 

Note: Grandparents, aunts, uncles, in-laws and cousins cannot sponsor a relative for immigration.

For tips on Family-Based and Immediate Relative Immigrant Visas, please visit the following web page: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants_types_family2.html

Spouse or Minor Child of a U.S. Citizen: An Immigrant Visa may only be processed for a child if he/she has no claim to U.S. citizenship.

Parent of a U.S. Citizen: U.S. citizen must be 21 or over.

Step-parent or child of a U.S. Citizen: Step-parent or step-child relationship must occur before the child’s 18th birthday.

Spouse of a deceased U.S. Citizen: Petition must be filed within 2 years of the death of the U.S. citizen, and they must have been married at least two years and not legally separated at the time of death.