Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

Operator
Licence

Licences > Operator Licence

Operator Licence

Licence Overview

A valid Operator Licence enables businesses to:

All businesses operating within an SEZ must be licensed by TTSEZA under the Special Economic Zones Act, 2022.

  • TTSEZA oversees the application and approval process for three types of licenses:
    Operator License – For entities responsible for developing and managing an SEZ.
  • SEZ Enterprise License – For businesses conducting approved commercial activities within an SEZ.
  • Single Zone Enterprise License – For businesses operating exclusively within a single SEZ while also managing its development.
  • Applicants must submit detailed business plans, financial projections, and compliance documentation as part of the approval process.

Eligibility Criteria

Schedule 4 of the SEZ Act prescribes the eligibility criteria for Operators. We note that the said criteria were revised by virtue of the provisions of Legal Notice No. 116 of 2024

SEZ Enterprise/Single Zone Enterprise

An SEZ Enterprise and a Single Zone Enterprise must be incorporated or registered in Trinidad and Tobago in accordance with the Companies Act and comply with the following criteria:

Micro-Enterprise Small and Medium Enterprise Large Enterprise Single Zone Enterprise
Minimum new investments in the Zone made after 31 January 2022 and commenced within first two-year period of grant of licence US$10,000 US$50,000 US$1,000,000 US$1,500,000 in respect of:
  • Business Process Outsourcing
  • Information and Communications Technology
  • Creative Industries
US$3,000,000 in respect of:
  • Manufacturing
  • Maritime Services
  • Aviation Services
  • Fish and Fish Processing
  • Agriculture and Agro Processing
  • Financial Service
  • Medical Tourism Services
  • Logistics and Distribution
Sales Turnover <TT$250,000 >TT$250,000 – <TT$10,000,000 >TT$10,000,000 >TT$25,000,000
No. of full-time employees physically present in the Zone 1-5 6-50 >50 >50

Operator

The following eligibility criteria will be applied to an Operator of a Zone:

Minimum new investments in the Zone-related buildings, machines, equipment, facilities and other necessary assets, made after 31 January 2022, and commenced within first two-year period of grant of licence. US$10,000,000

Required Documents

The Applicant shall also be required to submit the following documents in support of this Application:

  1. Where applicable, certified by the Registrar of Companies, the Office of Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs:
    1. Business – the Certificate of Business Registration, where registered as a Partnership under the Registration of Business Name Act;
    2. Local Company – the Certificate of Incorporation, Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws and the last year’s Annual Return;
    3. External Company – the Certificate of Registration, Application for Registration and the last year’s Annual Return; or
    4. Public -Private Partnership – the Partnership Agreement.
  2. An Operation Plan – Form 2, Schedule 1 to the Regulations.
  3. A copy of the deed of conveyance, certificate of title, lease agreement or other documentary evidence establishing the right to occupy the property, certified by the Registrar General, Land Registry, the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs.
  4. The written consent of the owner of the property for the designation and use of the property as a Special Economic Zone.
  5. An AML/CFT/PF risk assessment – Form 7, Schedule 1 to the Regulations.
  6. Audited Financial Statements and/or Management Accounts for the last two years of operation, if applicable; bank statements; or any other financing and or contractual arrangements as evidence of the applicant’s ability to meet the Zone-related investment criteria specified in Schedule 4 of the Act.
  7. A list of the employee names, identification numbers, positions and level within the organisation.
  8. A Declaration consenting to the entry of inspectors – Form 8 in Schedule 1 to the Regulations.
  9. An affidavit verifying the property comprising the proposed Special Economic Zone is not subject to any dispute or any actual or impending legal liability or contingency that could give rise to a legal claim relating to the occupancy of the said property.
  10. A copy of all building permits and/or planning approvals to satisfy the requirements for development standards for roads, drainage and utilities.
  11. A copy of any certificates issued under the Environmental Management Act, Chap. 35:05.
  12. A copy of any certificates issued under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Chap. 88:08.
  13. The source of funding.
  14. A reference from a banker or a reputable firm of lawyers or accountants.
  15. Financial projections for the next three years, or any other financing and or contractual arrangements of the applicant.
  16. Please provide copies of one of the following valid picture identification documents for each of the directors. partners and officers listed above: Bio-data page of passport. national identification card or driver’s licence.

How to Apply

Follow these steps to apply:

For additional support, contact:
info@seza.gov.tt.

Licence Fees and Renewal

  • Application Fee: TT$5,000 (non-refundable).
  • Annual Licence Fee: Determined based on investment and operational scale.
  • Renewal Requirement: Licence renewals must be completed at least three months before expiry.