(First published on September 9, 2024)
As TrinBagonians, when we think about our access to international travel, more often than not, we equate that access to having a visa.
I think this stems from our collective experience with the desire to visit the country with the largest Caribbean Diaspora—and by extension, where the majority of our extended family resides—the United States.
Most of us can recall the nerve-wracking process of applying for a U.S. visa and hoping the immigration gods bless us with an approval so we can either visit friends and family or just explore the country as a whole.
Because of the high demand for entry to the United States, in addition to their own strict criteria for granting visas, applying for one is always a gamble.
When you take into consideration our close ties to the U.S., it’s easy to see how this experience can colour our perception of access to travel as a whole.
We’re currently facing a similar situation, this time with the United Kingdom.
In March 2025, Trinidadians received some surprising news—the U.K. has introduced a visa requirement for travellers from Trinidad and Tobago. This change affects all passport holders and means that you will now need to apply for a visa before entering the U.K., something that wasn’t necessary before.
I’m not going to lie to you or pretend that this isn’t a big deal. London is my favourite city in the world and I’ve always felt this sense of “home” every time I visit. I recently spent some time in Scotland in 2024 and fell in love, with plans to go back in 2025, specifically for hiking adventures and to see The Highlands.
So, the news of these new U.K. visa requirements for TrinBagonians HIT ME HARD.
Beyond that, as a Trinidadian traveller, London is quite the hub and access for onward travel to many countries in Europe, Africa, Asia and more. So, even if my final destination wasn’t the U.K., given our limited available flight routes between Trinidad and Tobago and many countries across these continents, visa-free access to the United Kingdom was a significant key to the wider world.
As I write this, I’m still processing the ripple effects of this significant change, but I still have to keep in mind that as a Trinidadian, I still benefit from extreme travel privilege and my passport strength is still very strong.
While the recent U.K. visa news (applicable to all regions of the United Kingdom: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) may have shifted the landscape for TrinBagonians, it’s important to remember the tremendous opportunities still at our fingertips.
Why do I say this?
If you’re a Trinidad and Tobago passport holder, you can visit over NINETY countries without the need for a visa! Visa-free access remains a powerful advantage, giving us the freedom to travel with fewer restrictions.
There are so many perks to having this level of access including:
- No Visa Application Hassles: Visa-free access means you can travel without the need to go through lengthy and sometimes complicated visa application processes, which often involve submitting forms, attending interviews, and paying fees
- Spontaneous Travel: You can plan spontaneous trips without waiting for visa approval, making last-minute travel decisions easier and stress-free
- Avoid Visa Fees: Many visa applications come with significant costs. Visa-free travel eliminates these fees, reducing the overall cost of your trip
- Faster Border Entry: Without the need for a visa, you can generally expect faster processing at border control or immigration checkpoints in visa-free countries, meaning shorter lines and less waiting time
- Increased Opportunities for Remote Work: Remote work is growing at a rapid pace, so visa-free travel allows digital nomads and remote workers the flexibility to live and work in different countries for extended periods
- Expanded Options for Long Layovers and Stopovers: You can take advantage of layovers in various countries without needing to apply for a separate transit visa. You can explore new cities and cultures during your stopovers without worrying about legal entry requirements
Still only want to focus on the U.S. and U.K. for your travel plans? The benefits of expanding your scope of travel are boundless.
As a Trinidadian passport holder, you can still enjoy visa-free travel to many exciting destinations in 2025 and explore countries where you can roam freely without the hassle of applying for a visa.
Here’s a look at the top visa-free destinations for Trinidad and Tobago passport holders. I’ve categorised them by region, with details on how long you can stay in each country:
Updated Visa-Free Destinations for Trinidadians (2025)
Europe

- Germany: Up to 90 days within a 180-day period
- France: Up to 90 days within a 180-day period
- Italy: Up to 90 days within a 180-day period
- Spain: Up to 90 days within a 180-day period
- Netherlands: Up to 90 days within a 180-day period
- Sweden: Up to 90 days within a 180-day period
- Switzerland: Up to 90 days within a 180-day period
- Portugal: Up to 90 days within a 180-day period
- Norway: Up to 90 days within a 180-day period
- Belgium: Up to 90 days within a 180-day period
- Greece: Up to 90 days within a 180-day period
Note: Starting in the last quarter of 2026, the European Union (EU) will implement the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).
While ETIAS is primarily for visa-exempt travellers entering Schengen Area countries, it’s advisable to stay updated on its status and requirements.
The Americas

- Barbados: Up to 6 months
- Grenada: Up to 3 months
- Jamaica: Up to 6 months
- Dominican Republic: Up to 30 days
- Saint Lucia: Up to 6 weeks
- Bahamas: Up to 3 months
- Brazil: Up to 90 days
- Mexico: Up to 180 days
- Argentina: Up to 90 days
- Colombia: Up to 90 days
- Panama: Up to 180 days
- Costa Rica: Up to 90 days
- Ecuador: Up to 90 days
Asia

- Singapore: Up to 30 days
- Malaysia: Up to 90 days
- Thailand: Up to 30 days
- Philippines: Up to 30 days
- Indonesia: Up to 30 days
- Maldives: Up to 30 days
- South Korea: Up to 90 days
- Hong Kong: Up to 90 days
- Nepal: Up to 90 days
- Sri Lanka: Up to 30 days with Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)
Africa

- South Africa: Up to 90 days
- Botswana: Up to 90 days
- Mauritius: Up to 90 days
- Namibia: Up to 90 days
- Seychelles: Up to 3 months
- Kenya: Up to 90 days (Visa on arrival available)
- Zambia: Up to 90 days
- Gambia: Up to 90 days
- Ghana: Up to 90 days (Visa on arrival available)
- Rwanda: Up to 30 days (Visa on arrival available)
Oceania

- Fiji: Up to 4 months
- Vanuatu: Up to 30 days
- New Zealand: Up to 3 months
- Samoa: Up to 60 days
- Tonga: Up to 31 days
- Kiribati: Up to 30 days
- Tuvalu: Up to 30 days
- Solomon Islands: Up to 3 months
- Palau: Up to 30 days (Visa on arrival available)
Passport Index has a full list of all the countries you can visit visa-free with your Trinidad and Tobago passport and how long you can stay in each country.
How does the U.K. visa change affect your travel plans? Have you already started considering new destinations? Let me know in the comments!
Editor’s Note: When it comes to visa-free travel, it’s important to note that the terms and conditions may change at any time. Visa policies are often influenced by diplomatic relations, immigration laws, and other government regulations. While this information is accurate at the time of writing, we strongly recommend that travellers always check with the relevant embassies or consulates for the latest visa requirements and stay durations before making travel plans. Safe travels!
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