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Sint Maarten (country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands) · residence general

Residency, Landing, Re-Entry and Definitive Leave Permits

By · Last reviewed:

Source check: all 6 official citations reconfirmed 13 September 2026

Sint Maarten official handling for residency permits plus landing, re-entry and definitive-leave permit services.

No sponsorship requiredDoes not lead to permanent residencyAs granted for the approved residence, landing, re-entry or definitive-leave handling.
Processing time
The residency page says permit requests generally take approximately 6-8 weeks; the landing, re-entry and definitive-leave page says online service is not available and applicants should use the stated IBPS process.
Government fees
Confirm current residence, landing, re-entry or definitive-leave fees with IBPS before payment.
Typical duration
As granted for the approved residence, landing, re-entry or definitive-leave handling.
Sponsorship required
No
Leads to permanent residency
No
Reviewed Immigration and Border Protection Service, Government of Sint Maarten ↗

In short

As of 18 August 2026, the Residency, Landing, Re-Entry and Definitive Leave Permits for Sint Maarten (country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands) is an unsponsored Sint Maarten immigration route. Sources: official Sint Maarten (country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands) government pages, reviewed 18 August 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/sint-maarten/residency-and-re-entry-permit#answer

What is the Residency, Landing, Re-Entry and Definitive Leave Permits in Sint Maarten (country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands)?

Residency, Landing, Re-Entry and Definitive Leave Permits is an unsponsored Sint Maarten route. Indicative government fees are Confirm current residence, landing, re-entry or definitive-leave fees with IBPS before payment; indicative processing time is The residency page says permit requests generally take approximately 6-8 weeks; the landing, re-entry and definitive-leave page says online service is not available and applicants should use the stated IBPS process; typical duration is As granted for the approved residence, landing, re-entry or definitive-leave handling. This route does not lead to permanent residence.

Verified against Immigration and Border Protection Service, Government of Sint Maarten on 30 June 2026.

Overview

Sint Maarten publishes a general Residency Permit service page and a separate Issue landing Permits, Re-Entry and Definitive Leave Permits service page. The residency page says applicants can authorise a third party with a Power of Attorney to apply for and collect permits, names the same model framework used for residence handling, identifies the Immigration and Border Protection Service, and gives a general 6-8 week timing. The re-entry and definitive-leave service page should be checked when a current residence application or permit situation needs travel or exit-related handling.

Additional sources

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Check the route fit

    Confirm whether the need is general residency handling, re-entry, landing permit or definitive leave.

  2. Build the evidence pack

    Prepare the model-specific packet and Power of Attorney if a representative is used.

  3. Submit through the official channel

    Use the online portal for resident permit services where available or the IBPS in-person process where the service page says online service is not available.

  4. After approval

    Follow IBPS instructions for collection, travel, re-entry or departure handling.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For Residency, Landing, Re-Entry and Definitive Leave Permits, use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Check whether employment, self-employment, remote work or study is permitted under the status granted. Do not infer unrestricted work rights from the absence of an employer sponsor.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Official Residency, Landing, Re-Entry and Definitive Leave Permits instructionsBuild my moving plan for this routeMoving to Sint Maarten

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

  1. Official guidanceApplicant
    Read Sint Maarten residency permit guidance ↗

    Use this official Sint Maarten government source to confirm the current permit purpose, documents, online filing route, timing, fee and follow-up steps before applying or travelling.

    Immigration and Border Protection Service, Government of Sint Maarten · verified

  2. Official guidanceApplicant
    Read landing, re-entry and definitive-leave permit guidance ↗

    Use this official Sint Maarten government source to confirm the current permit purpose, documents, online filing route, timing, fee and follow-up steps before applying or travelling.

    Immigration and Border Protection Service, Government of Sint Maarten · verified

  3. ApplyApplicant
    Open Sint Maarten resident permit application portal ↗

    Use this official Sint Maarten government source to confirm the current permit purpose, documents, online filing route, timing, fee and follow-up steps before applying or travelling.

    Government of Sint Maarten · verified

  4. Official guidanceApplicant
    Check Justice Services ↗

    Use this official Sint Maarten government source to confirm the current permit purpose, documents, online filing route, timing, fee and follow-up steps before applying or travelling.

    Government of Sint Maarten · verified

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Frequently asked questions

Can a third party handle Sint Maarten permit applications or collection?+

The official Residency Permit page says applicants can authorise a third party to apply for and collect permits with a Power of Attorney.

Is the re-entry and definitive-leave service online?+

The official landing, re-entry and definitive-leave page says online service is not available, so applicants should follow the IBPS process on that page.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

Find a regulated advisor in Sint Maarten

How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: Immigration and Border Protection Service, Government of Sint Maarten

Last checked: 30 June 2026

See the full evidence trail and methodology

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