Netherlands Antilles, OVERVIEW OF IMMIGRATION STRUCTURE

Immigration to the former Netherlands Antilles (now split into Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius) follows rules based on their status within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, but immigration policies vary slightly by island depending on whether the island is an autonomous country or part of the Netherlands proper.

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OVERVIEW OF IMMIGRATION STRUCTURE

Island	Status	Immigration Authority
Curaçao	Autonomous country	Immigration Curaçao (Toelatingsorganisatie)
Sint Maarten	Autonomous country	Immigration & Border Protection Services
Bonaire	Municipality of the Netherlands	IND Caribbean Netherlands (Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland)
Saba	Municipality of the Netherlands	IND Caribbean Netherlands
Sint Eustatius	Municipality of the Netherlands	IND Caribbean Netherlands

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IMMIGRATION TYPES

1. Short-Stay Visas (Tourism, Business)

• Stay up to 90 days (total) within a 180-day period.
• Required for some nationalities (e.g., Nigeria, India).
• Apply at a Dutch embassy or consulate.
• Valid across all Dutch Caribbean islands.

2. Long-Stay Visas / Residence Permits

To live, work, study, or reunite with family.

Requirements usually include:

• Valid passport
• Reason for stay (work, study, family, retirement, investment)
• Proof of income or financial support
• Clean criminal record
• Medical insurance

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TYPES OF RESIDENCY

Permit Type	Purpose	Common On
Work Permit	For employment with a local employer	Curaçao, Sint Maarten, BES islands
Student Permit	For those attending school or university	Bonaire, Curaçao, Sint Maarten
Family Reunification	Join a spouse or family member	All islands
Retirement Visa	For financially independent retirees	Bonaire, Curaçao (popular)
Investor Permit	For people investing in local property/business	Curaçao, Sint Maarten

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IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES & LINKS

Curaçao

• Toelatingsorganisatie Curaçao
• Handles all immigration and residency permits.

Sint Maarten

• Immigration & Border Protection Services
• Manages entry, residence, and work permits.

Bonaire, Saba, Sint Eustatius (BES Islands)

• Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst (IND) Caribbean Netherlands
• Same laws as the Netherlands (e.g., Dutch residence permits apply).

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MOVING FROM OTHER COUNTRIES (E.g., Nigeria, Ghana, Philippines)

• Requires MVV (Long-Term Entry Visa) for long stays.
• Must apply through Dutch Embassy in your home country.
• Proof of:
  • Accommodation on the island
  • Sponsor/employer (if working)
  • Financial means

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SUMMARY

Step	Notes
Apply for visa/residence	At Dutch Embassy or local immigration office
Provide documents	ID, reason for stay, finances, clean record
Await decision	Processing takes weeks to months
Register on arrival	With local civil registry (if staying long-term)

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