Service
Immigration and Border Protection Services
The Immigration and Border Protection Services (IBPS) is a Department within the Ministry of Justice and is two-part organization, the Administrative Department and the Investigative Arm.
Administrative Department
The Administrative Department is tasked with:
- The Legal Admission of Residency for persons that desire to live Sint Maarten,
- Carrying out lawful admission as it relates to the admissions policy and the National Ordinance on Admissions & Expulsions.
- The implementation of the naturalization policy based on the Dutch Nationality Law
- The implementation of the visa policy and their coordination with the Kingdom Partners
- The responsibility of the legal representation of the Minister of Justice in administrative proceedings
Investigative Arm
The Investigative Arm is tasked with:
- The enforcement of the National Ordinance on Admissions and expulsions (L.T.U) at the border
- The Controlling of persons/passengers/documents at and around all border control posts.
- The refusal of entry to persons who do not meet the requirements to enter the Country.
- The Controlling of the legal status of persons within the country
- Deportation of Illegal Immigrants.
Services
The Immigration and Border Protection Service (IBP) provides Immigration services to the foreign nationals who reside on St. Maarten as well as those vacationing on island.
In order to apply for residency based on work, an employment permit must first be requested. This procedure is separate and takes place at the Department of Labor. Your prospective employer must be involved in requesting an employment permit.
It is common for family members to be separated from each other for migration purposes. Children are often left in the home country while the parent works abroad. For this reason, the family reunification permit exists in order to reunite families separated across borders. There are cases where one member of the family may hold Dutch nationality or a valid residence permit and in turn have the ability to assist the other members with obtaining legal residency. A happy society consists of happy families and so throughout the Dutch Kingdom family reunification is one of the most important measures taken to improve the overall quality of life. Important: All requirements must be satisfied before a permit can be issued. It should never be assumed that a permit will be automatically granted regarding family reunification. Family members must await the decision of their residence application in the home country
A number of students decide to pursue their higher education on St. Maarten with many in the Netherlands and elsewhere choosing the island to complete their internships or job training programs. For these foreign nationals the student/intern permit is an option for temporary residency
In order to obtain residency as a Director of a business be sure to have your director’s and business license before applying for residency. This procedure is done at the Department of Economic Affairs.
A cohabitation agreement is a form of legal agreement reached between a couple who have chosen to live together but are not married.
NOTE: All first-time applicants must await the decision of their residency application abroad and not on the island. It is imperative to abide by all laws and regulations of the Government of Sint Maarten. Illegal immigration is punishable by law.
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 - Admittance and Residency Office (IBP) in Philipsburg.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long am I allowed to stay in Sint Maarten as a Tourist?
A tourist is legally defined as someone who resides within St. Maarten for no longer than three months for purposes of relaxation, sports, health reasons, family matters, family visit, study, religious purposes or business purposes and provided that no work is being performed during the stay for which payment is being received.
Tourists do not have to apply for a temporary residence permit or for admission by right in order to reside in St. Maarten. The allowed maximum length of the tourist stay depends on the tourist’s country of origin:
- Tourists having Dutch nationality may enter St. Maarten for a period of six months;
- Tourists originating from the European Union, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan may stay for three months;
- Tourists having other nationalities may enter St. Maarten for a maximum period of thirty days unless the return ticket provides for a shorter term.
EMPLOYMENT IS PROHIBITED during your Tourist Stay
Can I submit a request for residency while I’m on the island as a tourist or living illegally?
No. If you are a first-time applicant for residency once the process has been started you are not allowed to be on the island until a decision is taken on your application. Your protentional employer must start the process fi you are obtaining your residency through employment. If it is related to family reunion, your family member must start the process.
How long will it take for me to get my residency?
A residence permit application can take anywhere from 6 weeks- 3 months to be processed. In some cases it may be even longer
When can I obtain permanent residency
After 5 years of being a legal resident, with consecutive permits, you may apply for permanent residency.
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.
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.
How to contact the Immigration and Border Protection Office?
A. TH. Illidge Road #8, Sint Maarten
+1721
54 30353
54 30353
+1721
54 30354
54 30354
immmigration
@sintmaartengov.org
@sintmaartengov.org