Tobago Land Sale Investment

Foreign Investors should always look, read, and understand all of the necessary “written” requirements on T&T Real Estate purchases before you make any decision to buy!

* Citizens of Trinidad and Tobago are permitted to buy property freely.

* Under the Foreign Investment Act of 1990, foreign nationals are currently permitted by law to buy up to one acre (one parcel only) for a private dwelling house and up to five acres for commercial purposes – but you must first apply for a license to purchase if you are buying in Tobago. This need for a licence in Tobago (not Trinidad) was introduced in February 2007 but the finalized regulations and application procedure were only introduced in October 2009. Under the terms of this Order, an automatic licence (subject only to proof of good character) will be granted on application for all purchases by foreign nationals within Designated Development Areas. Purchases outside of these areas will be discretionary and dealt with on a case by case basis. Application forms are available online from the Ministry of Finance and applications can be made through your real estate Agent or your local Attorney.

* The Designated Development Areas will be precisely defined by maps prepared by Town & Country Planning Division and posted on their website. Those areas were broadly described in the 7th September 2009 Budget Presentation as follows, but the actual boundaries must be verified on the maps. DDAs will include: Englishman’s Bay Estate, Culloden Estate, parts of Arnos Vale, parts of Grafton, Mount Irvine Estate, Buccoo Estate, Golden Grove Estate, Lowlands Estate including Tobago Plantations Resort, Diamond Estate including Indigo Bay Resort, parts of Bacolet Estate. The list may be amended from time to time.

* If you are a foreign national who purchased property in Tobago prior to the licensing order of Feb 2007, you have nothing to worry about in terms of the legality of your ownership. The T&T law will continue to recognise your good title and Government will not be making the need for a licence retro-active. If the property is not located within the newly-defined Designated Development Areas however, you may only be allowed to sell on to T&T nationals when the time comes.

* Should you inherit a property in Tobago, you have one year to apply for a licence to own it, or to put it on the market for sale.

* Foreign nationals wishing to invest in larger properties of over five acres can apply for a development licence through the Tourism Development Company (TDC). Again, your real estate Agent can help you deal with TDC who will facilitate all applications and advise on matters such as fiscal incentives for hotel and resort developments.

* Foreign nationals must purchase in an internationally-traded foreign currency and proof of transfer of funds is needed by the Ministry of Finance. Your attorney will handle this along with registration of title.

* Permission to buy land does not confer residency. Buying a commercial property does not confer the right to work (earn an income) in Trinidad and Tobago. Work permits are needed for any work that lasts longer than 30 days.

* If you are intending to live in Tobago, foreign nationals should contact the Trinidad & Tobago High Commission in their country for information on immigration and/or work permit requirements.

* If you are planning to come on holiday to enjoy your new property, a non-resident is usually allowed up to three months in T&T, with or without the need for a visa, which depends on the country of origin. Discretionary extensions can be applied for.

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