Sint Maarten Employment permit application

An employment permit is a legal document granting an employer permission to hire a

non-national to work in a specific function for a specific length of time. Any employer
who wants to employ a non-national must request an employment permit from the
Department of Labor Affairs. Under normal circumstances the employment permit
process should take a maximum of 6 weeks. Applications for employment permits may
either be first time requests or renewals/extensions of already existing employment
permits.

1. First Time Requests

The following are requirements for a first time request for a non-national:
1. A copy of the entire passport
2. A recent passport picture
3. Information on the education background of the non-national with copies of
diplomas, certificates and reference letters
4. An off island declaration signed by the employer
Requirements to obtain an Employment Permit:

1. Proof of the labor registration of the current year

2. Proof of notification of vacancy
3. Proof that the add was placed in the local newspapers
4. Completed application form dated and signed
5. A copy of the labor agreement which must indicate the salary, duration, working
hours and position
6. Summary form of monthly taxes stating (wage tax/AOV/) receipts
7. Tax declaration letter (for sole Proprietor ship)

The following are costs associated with applying for an employment permit:

Employees is in a management position the fee is be NAF. 3,000.00 (US$1.686.00.00)

for the employment permit per year
In non-management position the fee will be NAF. 1,600.00 ( US$899.00) per year
For domestic workers and gardeners the fee is NAF. 800.00 ( US$450.00) for a one
year period
Note that employers do not need to obtain employment permits for the following
persons:
Those who are married to a Dutch citizen
Those who are in possession of an indefinite residence permit for the former
Netherlands Antilles
Those who are a Dutch citizen but was not born in the Netherlands Antilles
Residents 18 years old with five previous consecutive resident permit guaranteed by a
parent or guardian

What is Vacancy Registration?

All businesses are encouraged to register all available positions within the business at
the Department of Labor Affairs. In doing so, the department can assist in finding
suitable candidates in the local labor market to fill that vacancy.

Meet with a Registration Officer at the Department in order to register a vacancy.

Which documents should be submitted?

 Completed Vacancy Form

 Power of attorney for authorized representatives; with a copy of passport or ID
card
 Copy of passport or I.D.-card of Director/ Owner or President
 Complete description of the duties and responsibilities

In order to access this service the company should always have a valid business
registration.

Note: The Foreign Employment Policy dictates that companies are also required to
register a vacancy for the purpose of obtaining a work permit for foreign employees.
 First time residence application
Official Document Checklist
There are number of official documents required when placing new applications or
extensions. Be sure to always have these original or notarized documents in your
possession and up to date when visiting the IBP.
• Passport
• Birth Certificate
• Marriage or Divorce Certificate
• Police Record
If you are a first time applicant it is important to verify the category in which you must
apply and submit all relevant paperwork in a timely manner.
NOTE: All first time applicants must await the decision of their residency application
abroad and not on island.
It is imperative to abide by all laws and regulations of the Government of Sint Maarten.
Illegal immigration is punishable by law.

Employees
The most common reason foreign nationals move to St. Maarten is work/career. You
should have an indication of whether or not you will be offered a job before staying on
the island past your allowed time.
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 Labour.
Your prospective employer must be involved in requesting
an employment permit. Once this has been finalized, you may visit the IBP to obtain a
residence permit.
Documents necessary for this application include:
1. Model I completely filled out and signed by employee;
2. Copy of valid Passport (all pages and page with the photo must be colored);
3. Original Birth Certificate; date of issue cannot be older than 3 years, legalized or with
an apostille not older than 3 years (if this document is not in Dutch or English it must be
translated in to Dutch or English by a certified translator and all translations must be
legalized with a stamp)
4. Original Police Record not older than 6 months (if not issued in Sint Maarten must be
translated in to English or Dutch by a certified translator and all translations must be
legalized with a stamp);
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.
7. Original marriage certificate date of issue cannot be older than 3 years legalized or
with an apostille not older than 3 years (translated to Dutch or English). Or a detailed
registration form from the Census Office (if marriage has been registered at the Civil
Registry on St. Maarten);
If the company is a sole proprietorship or if personnel is residing on premise:
10. A declaration of the Inspectorate of Taxes, confirming that the income of the
employer is at a minimum
of NAF 24.000,-.