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Living On Sint MaartenGuide to Residency - Part 3

Extensions 1st Edition

September 2013

This guide is an official publication of the Immigration and Border Protection Service; an agency within the

Ministry of Justice of Sint Maarten. The information provided in this document is considered public infor-

mation and may be distributed without alteration.

This guide has been created to provide accurate information regarding a variety of topics within the juris-

diction of the organization.

Should you have any questions regarding the information provided in ‘Living On Sint Maarten - A Guide to

Residency’ please contact the Immigration and Border Protection Service directly.

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Contents

Page

Foreword 6

Extensions 7

Foreign National with Dutch Citizen 7

Foreign National with Non-Dutch Citizen 7

Employees 8

Directors 8

Sole Proprietors 9

Investors 9

Students/Interns 10

Pensioners 10

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 12

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Immigration and Border Protection ServiceContact Information

Admittance and Residency Office

A.Th. Illidge road 8, Philipsburg

Tel: (721) 543 0353

(721) 543 0355

Fax: (721) 543 0386

E:mail: immigration@sintmaartengov.org

Mobile Control Unit

A.Th. Illidge road 8, Philipsburg

Tel: (721) 543 0355

Fax: (721) 542 5852

Border Control - Pointe Blanche

Tel: (721) 542 2277

Border Control - Princess Juliana International Airport

Tel: (721) 546 7783

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Foreword

Unless you are in possession of permanent residency, residence permits need to be extended on a regular

basis. These extensions must be filed for in time at the Immigration and Border Protection Service - Admit-

tance and Residency Office (IBP) in Philipsburg.

Types of Permits

• Employment

• Family Reunification

• Cohabitation Agreement

• Netherlands and United States Friendship Treaty

• Higher Education

• Investment

• Pensioner

Official Document Checklist

There are standard documents which are always required for new applications or extensions

in some cases. Be sure to always have these official documents in your possession and up to

date. Some procedures may not require all documents listed below.

• Passport

• Birth Certificate

• Marriage or Divorce Certificate

• Adoption records for adopted children

• Police Record

IMPORTANTThere are times in which the reasons for which you need a new permit changes and so these changes are

also possible and must be filed for in a timely matter. If you would like to change the type of permit you

have, for example from Employment to Cohabitation; please see Part 2 of the Guide to Residency - Permit

Changes.

NOTE: It is imperative to abide by all laws and regulations of the Government of Sint Maarten. Illegal im-

migration is punishable by law.

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Extensions

If you are currently a residence permit holder, it is important to verify the category in which you must extend

your current permit and submit all relevant paperwork in a timely manner.

Foreign National with Dutch CitizenIf you have a permit based on your relationship (marriage or cohabitation) with a Dutch citizen, an exten-

sion of that permit must be requested at the IBP before the permit has expired.

Documents necessary for this application include:

1. Model III completely filled out and signed by applicant;

2. Copy of valid Passport (only photo page must be colored) for every family member;

3. Detailed registration form from the Census Office;

4. Copy of residence permit;

5. School registration letter for the children(if applicable);

6. Statement of Guarantee completely filled out and signed by husband and wife in addition to having

a NAF 5,- stamp.

Foreign National with Non-Dutch CitizenIf you are married or living with another foreign national who holds a valid residence permit, an extension

of that permit must be requested at the IBP before the permit has expired.

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Documents necessary for this application include:

1. Model III completely filled out and signed by both partners and children 12 years and older;

2. Copy of valid Passport (page with the photo must be colored) for every family member;

3. Statement of Guarantee completely filled out and signed by both partners in addition to having a

NAF 5,- stamp;

4. Detailed registration form from the Census Office;

5. Copy of the temporary residence permit (family);

6. School registration letter for the children;

7. A declaration of the Inspectorate of Taxes, confirming that the income is at a minimum of

NAF 24.000,-.

EmployeesExtending your residence permit based on an employment permit from the Department of Labour is a simple

process if you are continuing with the same company. If you have changed employers after you obtained your

previous permit, please see part 3 of the residency guide.

Documents necessary for this application include:

1. Model III completely filled out and signed by applicant;

2. Copy of valid Passport (only photo page must be colored);

3. Detailed registration form from the census office;

4. Copy of residence permit;

5. Statement of Guarantee completely filled out and signed by the Employer in addition to having a

NAF 5,- stamp;

6. Copy of the employment permit request from the Department of Labor;

If the company is a sole proprietorship or if personnel residing on premise:

7. A declaration of the inspectorate of taxes, confirming that the income of the employer is at a

minimum of NAF 24.000,-.

DirectorsDirectors who are continuing on with their company may request an extension of their first permit.

Documents necessary for this application include:

1. Model III completely filled out and signed by applicant;

2. Copy of valid Passport (page with the photo must be colored);

3. Detailed registration form from the census office;

4. Copy of residence permit;

5. Copy of Business license;

6. Copy of Director’s license (issued by the Economic Affairs Department);

7. Copy of the Chamber of Commerce registration (not older than 6 months);

8. Copy of labor registration (first page);

9. Statement that company is operational (if company is already in existence);

10. SZV registration of the company;

11. Declaration of the inspectorate of taxes with taxable income and the year income or

-a letter/statement of financial position (assets, liabilities equity) there must be an amount

stated .

-proof of inspectorate of taxes with personal crib number

12. Statement of Guarantee completely filled out and signed by Director in addition to having a

NAF 5,- stamp;

Sole ProprietorsFor sole proprietors continuing with their operation, an extension of that permit is possible.

Documents necessary for this application include:

1. Model III completely filled out and signed by employee;

2. Copy of valid Passport (page with the photo must be colored);

3. Detailed registration form from the Census Office;

4. Copy of residence permit;

5. Copy of Business license;

6. Copy of Director’s license (issued by the economic affairs dept.);

7. Copy of the Chamber of Commerce registration (not older than 6 months);

8. Declaration of the inspectorate of taxes with taxable income and the year income or

-a letter/statement of financial position (assets, liabilities equity) there must be an amount

stated .

-proof of inspectorate of taxes with personal crib number

InvestorsIf you currently hold an investor’s permit you may apply for an extension once that investment is still in ex-

istence.

Documents necessary for this application include:

1. Model III completely filled out and signed by applicant;

2. Copy of valid Passport (page with the photo must be colored);

3. Copy of residence permit;

4. Detailed registration form from the Census Office;

5. A statement by a local bank in which the bank declares the following: “the applicant settled or is in

an advanced stadium with the investment, in order to meet or is still complying with the invest-

ments criteria.”;

6. Proof of payment of the yearly contribution of NAF 50.000,00 on the crime combating funds

Sint Maarten –account, managed by the Minister of Justice;

7. A taken health insurance policy with a minimum SZV-coverage and by the IBP approved insurance

company.

Students and InternsIf you already hold a student residence permit but have not yet completed your studies, you must apply for

an extension. The following documents are required:

1. Model III completely filled out and signed by applicant;

2. Copy of valid Passport (page with the photo must be colored);

3. Detailed registration form from the Census Office;

4. Copy of residence permit;

5. Proof of registration at the educational institute located in Sint Maarten

6. Proof of sufficient income, minimum NAF. 1000,- per month:

1. By means of a scholarship

2. Bank statement with monthly deposit of min. NAF. 1000,-

3. Declaration of Guarantor completely filled in by a local guarantor, accompanied by a

NAF 5,- stamp;

4. A declaration of the Inspectorate of Taxes of the guarantor, confirming the income( for

non Dutch).

PensionersFor retirees who currently have a permit based on retirement, the following is necessary when applying for

an extension:

1. Model III completely filled out and signed by applicant;

2. Detailed registration form from the census office;

3. Copy of residence permit;

4. Copy of valid Passport of every family member (page with the photo must be colored);

5. School registration letter for the children;

6. A statement that the property is in possession and for own use and have a value of at least

NAF.450.000 with an appraisal report and copy of the deed.

7. Statement from the Bank with year income.

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Publication of the Immigration and Border Protection Service of Sint Maarten

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

‘Extensions’

1. I am now 18 years old. My parents always signed for me. Can I extend my own permit?

Yes you can. If you have had legal residency for five (5) consecutive years and are earning a legal income,

you may sign for yourself.

2. When can I obtain permanent residency?

After 5 years of being a legal resident, with consecutive permits, you may apply for permanent residency.

3. If I reside on French St. Martin but work on Dutch St. Maarten, can I obtain a residence permit?

No. You must reside on the Dutch side and be registered at the Civil Registry to be eligible for a residency

permit.

4. How soon should I renew my residence permit before it expires?

You can submit your extension request up to 4 months prior to the expiration date of your current permit.