CRA / CROS Guide

What is a CRA PIN —
and why do you need one?

A complete explanation of the Computerised Registration Application system, the CROS portal, and how to get your PIN before registering a business in T&T.

What is CROS?

CROS stands for Computerised Registration of Occupational Services. It is the T&T government’s centralised digital system for registering individuals and businesses with the state. CROS assigns a unique identifier — the CRA PIN — to every registered individual and entity in the country.

CROS was introduced to streamline and digitise the country’s registration processes, replacing paper-based systems that caused significant delays at the Companies Registry and other government departments.

The CROS portal can be accessed at: https://www.cros.gov.tt/

What is a CRA PIN?

A CRA PIN (Computerised Registration Application Personal Identification Number) is a unique reference number assigned to you after registering on the CROS portal. Think of it as your personal ID number within the T&T government’s registration ecosystem.

Important: A CRA PIN is assigned to the individual, not the business. If you are registering a partnership or LLC with multiple directors, each person must have their own CRA PIN before the business registration can proceed.

Your CRA PIN will typically look like a combination of letters and numbers (e.g., TT123456789). It is included in the confirmation you receive after registering on CROS.

Why do you need a CRA PIN?

The Companies Registry of Trinidad & Tobago requires a valid CRA PIN for all business registration applications. Without it, your application cannot be processed — this applies to Sole Traders, Partnerships, and LLCs alike.

The CRA PIN links your personal identity to the business registration, satisfies government anti-fraud requirements, and enables the Registry to communicate with relevant state agencies about your registration.

What can you do through CROS?

Not all Companies Registry transactions are available online yet. Knowing which actions require in-person filing will save you a wasted trip to the Registry.

Available Online via CROS

  • Business name search & reservation
  • Sole Trader incorporation
  • Partnership incorporation
  • LLC incorporation
  • Notice of address (LLC)
  • Notice of directors (LLC)
  • Notice of secretary (LLC)
  • Annual returns (LLC)

Requires In-Person Filing

  • Notice of shareholders & beneficial owners
  • Change of shareholders (firm & LLC)
  • Beneficial ownership changes

These require a visit to the Companies Registry office in person.

How to get your CRA PIN

Getting a CRA PIN is straightforward, though it requires an in-person visit to a CROS registration point or completing the process online where available. Here is the general process:

  1. Visit the CROS Portal: Go to https://www.cros.gov.tt/ and navigate to “Register as an Individual.”
  2. Provide Identification: You will need your National ID, passport, or birth certificate (and citizenship documentation if applicable).
  3. Complete the Registration Form: Enter your personal details, address, and contact information accurately. Errors here can cause delays at the Companies Registry later.
  4. Receive Your PIN: Upon completion, your CRA PIN is issued. Save it immediately — you will need it for any government registration going forward.
Tip: If you encounter issues with the CROS online portal, many district revenue offices and post offices are CROS registration points where you can register in person with your original ID documents.

What information you will need

T&T Nationals:

  • Valid National ID card or passport
  • Birth certificate (if citizenship is not on passport)
  • Recent photograph holding your ID beside your face
  • Current residential and postal addresses in T&T
  • Contact telephone number and email address
  • BIR (Board of Inland Revenue) number, if you have one
  • Occupation details

Foreign Nationals:

  • Valid passport
  • Proof of T&T address (utility bill or bank statement)
  • Valid work permit or residency permit (where applicable)
  • Additional documents as requested by the Companies Registry
Note for foreign nationals: Additional restrictions apply to business registration. For LLCs, foreign shareholders may hold up to 40% of shares. At least one director must be a T&T national. Contact us before starting the wizard if you are a non-citizen.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Your CRA PIN is a permanent identifier. As long as your personal details have not changed significantly, your existing PIN is valid for business registration.
Yes. Non-citizens with valid work permits or residency can register on CROS. You will need your passport, proof of status in T&T (work permit, residence permit), and a local address.
After your business is registered, it may be assigned its own registration number for BIR and other purposes. The CRA PIN required to start the process is your personal identifier as an individual.
You can retrieve your PIN through the CROS portal by verifying your identity, or by visiting a CROS registration point in person with your ID documents.
Online registration is typically instant if the portal is functioning normally. In-person registration at a district revenue office usually takes under 30 minutes with all documents present.

Ready to register your business?

Once you have your CRA PIN, you have everything you need to start the AdVentureSphere registration wizard. The wizard will walk you through entity selection, contact details, name search, document upload, and payment.