More than 24,000 people hold active work permits in the Turks and Caicos Islands, about 40% of the country's estimated 60,000 population. Deputy Premier and Minister of Labour Jamell Robinson gave the figure at Invest Turks and Caicos Islands' annual general meeting at The Ritz-Carlton on September 15, 2026.
As of September 1, 2026, Haitian nationals held about 54.6% of permits, more than 13,100, followed by Dominican Republic nationals at 10.8%, Jamaicans at 9% and Filipinos at 7.2%. Robinson said roughly 16,000 permit holders are in the unskilled labour pool, mainly labourers and domestic workers, leaving TCI short of specialised skills. "We can't educate enough of them," he said.
Cabinet has agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding with the International Labour Organisation for a labour market information system costing about $2 million. A $12 million digital borders programme signed on December 30, 2025 will move work permits, visas and residency permits online over 18 months. The Community College is tuition-free for Islanders, and the National Internship and Apprenticeship Programme offers private-sector experience.