Lead Editor-Politics
Trinidad and Tobago’s current supply of passport booklets is almost exhausted, with concerns now emerging that the Government has instructed immigration officials to slow the rate of issuance as it tries to prevent the country from running out of the critical travel document entirely.
Guardian Media understands that the remaining stock has fallen to a critically low level and while a source familiar with the situation could not confirm the exact number of passports currently available, the warning was clear – unless new supplies arrive soon, there may be no booklets left to issue to citizens.
Information obtained by Guardian Media, however, suggests the problem was not unexpected.
People with knowledge of the situation say the Immigration Division raised concerns with the Ministry of Homeland Security on more than one occasion since the new administration took office last year, warning that passport stocks were declining and that urgent action was needed to avoid a shortage.
The ministry was informed in mid-2025 that there was one year’s worth of booklets, which could be around 80-100,000 documents.
However, months later, the country is now facing what officials feared, dwindling supplies and uncertainty over when the next major shipment will arrive.
Sources indicate that the current challenge stems from a procurement process that began under the previous administration but was never completed.
Guardian Media was told that in 2023, the government went out to tender for the supply of Trinidad and Tobago passports.
Following that process, Canadian Bank Note Company (CBN), which has supplied the country’s passports since 2007, was awarded the contract in October 2024 to continue providing the documents.
The company was expected to supply T&T’s next generation of passports, including the move toward electronic passports, which contain an embedded chip and enhanced security features.
However, while the award was made, the final contract was not signed before the 2025 General Election.
Sources close to the process explained that the legal review and contract finalisation stage was underway, but the change in administration occurred before the agreement was formally executed. As a result, although CBN received the award, no new long-term contract was completed.
Guardian Media understands that by mid-2025, concerns were already being raised internally that the existing supply would only last approximately another year if no new contract arrangement was finalised.
The Immigration Division, according to those familiar with the discussions, repeatedly flagged the risk that the country could face a shortage by mid-2026.
Senior immigration
officials sent on leave
Guardian Media understands that both the Chief Immigration Officer and Deputy Chief Immigration Officer were sent on leave for approximately four months this year.
During that period, the issue of the country’s passport supply remained unresolved.
Guardian Media was told that during this time, a directive was also given to delay the production of passports to applicants. The waiting time for the issuance of passports has almost quadrupled in the interim, as the Government attempts to manage the low stock.
Sources say the delays have also affected expedited applications. For example, passports requested through the expedited process, which were previously completed within approximately two to three days, are now taking between seven and ten days to be processed.
Those familiar with the situation warn that if more citizens begin applying for expedited passports because of fears over the shortage, the remaining stock could be depleted even faster.
Meanwhile, in March 2026, sources say the previous letter of award to Canadian Bank Note was cancelled, effectively leaving T&T without a long-term passport supplier.
The Government subsequently moved toward a new procurement process, including an Expression of Interest (EOI) inviting companies to indicate their willingness to supply passports.
However, those familiar with passport procurement warn that selecting a new supplier is not a simple process.
The EOI stage must be followed by evaluation, shortlisting, a request for proposals, further assessment, contract negotiations and final approval.
Under normal circumstances, they say that process can take several months or longer.
Guardian Media reached out to Chief Immigration Officer Mary Roseann St Hill-Billouin but she did not respond to our questions before press time.
With supplies running low, Guardian Media understands efforts were later made to obtain an additional quantity of the current machine-readable passports, rather than the newer e-passport.
It is understood that Canadian Bank Note was able to provide a limited shipment of booklets from existing stock linked to the previous arrangement with the State.
However, sources say that supply only provided temporary relief.
Minister: Govt won’t allow
country to be held to ransom
Contacted yesterday, Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander confirmed that Government was moving ahead with plans to transition from the current machine-readable passports to electronic passports.
However, he did not directly answer questions about how many passport booklets remain in stock, how long the current supply is expected to last, when additional booklets will arrive, or whether a directive was given to slow the processing of passports to preserve the remaining supply.
Asked about reports that T&T was close to running out of passports and that concerns had previously been brought to the ministry’s attention, Alexander pointed to the planned transition to e-passports.
“Expected, we are about to transfer from our present use of the machine-readable passport to the e-passport, so we are looking to transition,” Alexander said.
Asked whether a new provider had been selected for the e-passport system and how soon additional passport booklets would be available, Alexander responded, “The process has already begun and we should be getting a positive word soon.”
Guardian Media then asked whether there was a specific timeframe for sourcing more passport booklets, noting that sources indicated the current supply was critically low and that the procurement process could take several months.
Alexander replied, “I will respond when it’s appropriate to do so.”
In a subsequent response, Alexander criticised the arrangements left in place under the former People’s National Movement administration, saying the current Government was working to address the issue.
“Under the PNM administration, certain immigration services providers would have neck-tied the Immigration Department and systems in a noose, so they will decide when the Immigration Department can or cannot breathe, as they supplied services at a cost when compared to the other suppliers, was of no benefit to the country and its people,” Alexander said.
He added, “This Government will not allow anyone to hold the country to ransom, as the backup plans have already been engaged.”
Alexander did not provide details on those backup plans or indicate when the country could expect additional passport supplies.
Applicants worried
over possible delays
The uncertainty is already causing concern among some citizens seeking to renew their passports.
At the Chaguanas Immigration Division office yesterday, one applicant, who asked not to be identified, said the possibility of a shortage was worrying because he already had upcoming travel plans.
“Yes, it is concerning for me because I need to travel next month as soon as possible,” he said.
The man said he believed authorities should consider temporary measures if the shortage worsens.
“Do it like we used to do before. Once your passport has pages, give an extension,” he suggested.
He said delays could affect more than just vacation travel, noting that some citizens depend on passports for urgent reasons.
“A lot of people need to travel for health-wise and also for university purposes,” he said.
Asked whether he was confident the issue would be resolved quickly, he responded, “With this Government, no.”
Another applicant, Rakesh Seelochan, said he was unaware of any potential shortage when he submitted passport applications.
“No, I was not aware, and we weren’t told of this when we did the application,” Seelochan said.
“So, I guess we’re assuming that we will receive the physical booklet for these two passports.”
Seelochan said physical passports remain important, particularly for people who travel frequently.
“Usually, I travel for work, they ask to usually see a physical passport. So, we would prefer the physical passport if you have this option,” he said.
He said while he was not familiar with the background of the procurement issues, any transition to a new passport system should have been properly planned.
“If they’re looking to move from physical to e, they should have put things in place ideally before you make this transition,” he said.
Why passport process is lengthy
People familiar with the industry explained the public may assume passport production is simply a matter of printing additional books, but the process is actually significantly more complex.
Guardian Media understands that one of the biggest challenges is the long lead time required to obtain the raw materials used to manufacture passport booklets.
The paper used in passports is not ordinary paper. It is a specialised security material that must be sourced and prepared specifically for each country.
In T&T’s case, the passport contains several unique security elements, including features embedded into the pages during manufacturing.
For example, the national watermark is not simply printed onto the paper after production. It is incorporated into the material itself during the manufacturing process, making it far more difficult to replicate.
This means suppliers must source the specialised paper, incorporate country-specific security features, produce the booklets, conduct quality checks and then ship them before they can be used locally.
Only after the blank booklets arrive in T&T are they personalised by the Immigration Division with the holder’s photograph and information.
Sources explained that passport suppliers usually plan well in advance, storing the necessary materials and producing shipments based on scheduled demand.
They said historically, they cannot remember when the country faced a shortage of this nature.
