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Find the right Sint Maarten visa for your trip. Apply online with iVisa and skip the hassle.

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Our Sint Maarten visa application process

How to apply for your Sint Maarten ED Card with iVisa

1

Complete your online application

Answer a few simple questions to find out whether you need a Sint Maarten Electronic Disembarkation (ED) Card, a Sint Maarten Schengen Visa, or another Sint Maarten travel document. Then, upload your documents and submit your details. You can save your progress and come back anytime. Most people finish in less than 10 minutes.

We’ll guide you through any unclear questions during the application process.

2

We review your application

The Sint Maarten visa system is known for being difficult to navigate – images must be clear, and information must match your passport.

Our experts check everything for errors or omissions, so your declaration sails through without delays. The review is quick but thorough.

3

We submit it for government processing

We’re not the Sint Maarten government, but we submit your application to them and are here for you along the way if there are any problems.

4

Get your Sint Maarten visa

We’ll email your approved document and let you know how to use it for your trip.

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Visa types needed for Sint Maarten

  • Sint Maarten Electronic Disembarkation (ED) Card
  • Short-Stay Caribbean Visa*
  • Long-Stay Caribbean Visa*
  • Sint Maarten Temporary Residence Permit*
  • Sint Maarten Employment Permit*

Sint Maarten Electronic Disembarkation (ED) Card

Purpose: The Sint Maarten Electronic Disembarkation (ED) Card is a mandatory pre-arrival travel registration required for travelers entering Sint Maarten by air for tourism or short stays.

When to apply: The ED Card must be completed within 7 days before arriving on the island. You can apply in advance to avoid last-minute issues before boarding.

Processing time: Most applications are processed quickly, but travelers should apply before travel to ensure approval in time.

Duration and extensions: The ED Card is linked to your specific trip and is valid for a single entry.

Entries: Single entry.

Delivery format: This is a digital document sent by email. You must present it, either printed or on your mobile device, upon arrival.

Short-Stay Caribbean Visa*

This is for travelers from visa-required countries visiting Sint Maarten and other Dutch Caribbean territories for tourism, holidays, or business meetings. A standard multiple-entry visa is valid for up to 6 months, permitting a maximum stay of 30 days per entry. You must obtain this before traveling through a Dutch embassy or consulate.

*We currently don’t offer this visa.

Long-Stay Caribbean Visa*

This is for foreign nationals intending to relocate to Sint Maarten for extended purposes like employment, family reunification, or education. It is valid for a single entry within a 6-month period, allowing the traveler to safely enter the country to finalize their local status. You must obtain this before traveling through a Dutch diplomatic mission.

*We currently don’t offer this visa.

Sint Maarten Temporary Residence Permit*

This is for international individuals, including retirees and investors, who wish to reside legally on the island for a period exceeding 90 days. It is valid for an initial duration of 1 year and is fully renewable upon administrative review. You must obtain this through the Sint Maarten Immigration and Border Protection Service.

*We currently don’t offer this permit.

Sint Maarten Employment Permit*

This is for foreign expatriates who have been officially contracted to work by a locally registered business entity on the island. The validity is tied directly to the employment contract, typically granted for 1 to 3 years. You must secure this before starting work through an application managed by your corporate sponsor and the Ministry of Labor.

*We currently don’t offer this permit.
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Sint Maarten visa policy

Sint Maarten is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located on the southern half of the island of Saint Martin in the Caribbean. Its visa policy is administered under Dutch Caribbean rules, and many nationalities enjoy visa-free access for short stays.

Whether you need a Sint Maarten visa depends primarily on your nationality and the purpose of your visit. Citizens of the European Union, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and many other countries can typically enter without a visa for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period, subject to meeting all entry requirements.

Nationals of countries not on the visa-exempt list must obtain authorization before arrival.

It's important not to confuse Dutch Sint Maarten with French Saint Martin; their visa frameworks are entirely separate. Because major flights land at Princess Juliana Airport (SXM) on the Dutch side, all arriving and transiting passengers—including those staying on the French side—must complete the Sint Maarten Electronic Disembarkation (ED) Card before departure.

General Sint Maarten visa requirements are:

  • Passport valid for the duration of stay
  • Proof of onward or return travel
  • Proof of accommodation in Sint Maarten
  • Evidence of sufficient financial means for the visit
  • Any required supporting documents depending on nationality or visa status

Sint Maarten visa prices

Sint Maarten Electronic Disembarkation (ED) Card

Prices starting from $59.99

Valid for 1 month after issued
Single entry
Stay up to 30 days per entry
Get it as fast as 15 minutes

Fast facts

iVisa approval rate:

99%

Main reason for denials:

Unclear photo scans

Average time it takes to apply:

10 mins

Why choose iVisa?

Applying for a visa on your own can be confusing and time-consuming. iVisa simplifies the process, reduces errors, and gives you peace of mind

Benefit

Applying by yourself

iVisa

Simple, easy forms Not included Included
24x7 support from visa experts Not included Included
Error detection to prevent rejections Not included Included
World's easiest passport scan Not included Included
Multiple payment methods Not included Included

1.4M happy customers

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98%  visa approval rate

Verified reviews

Travelers to Sint Maarten rated this product a 5.0 out of 5 based on 1 reviews.
5.0 out of 5
  1. Andra Moncrieffe

    "Quick and easy"

FAQs

It depends on your nationality. Citizens of visa-exempt countries, including the United States, Canada, the European Union, and several others, do not need a visa for short stays. Nationals of countries that are not visa-exempt must apply for a Dutch Caribbean visa through a Dutch embassy or consulate before traveling.

Yes, US citizens generally do not need a Sint Maarten visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. However, you must still meet all Sint Maarten entry requirements, including a valid passport, return ticket, proof of accommodation, and sufficient funds. Entry is always at the discretion of immigration officers.

In most cases, no. A Schengen Visa is intended for travel within the Schengen Area in Europe. Sint Maarten has separate entry rules. Some travelers may be exempt from obtaining a Caribbean visa if they hold a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa and meet specific conditions, but eligibility depends on nationality and immigration rules in effect at the time of travel.

Short-stay visa applications for Sint Maarten must be submitted through a Dutch embassy or consulate. The visa is valid for travel within the Dutch Caribbean territories and typically allows stays of up to 90 days in a 180-day period. Required documents include a valid passport, proof of sufficient funds, travel insurance, and possibly an invitation or sponsorship letter.

Visa-exempt travelers can typically stay up to 90 days within any 180-day period. The exact duration may vary based on your nationality and the officer's assessment at the border. Do not overstay your authorized period, as this can affect future entry to Sint Maarten and other Dutch Caribbean territories.

Travelers holding a Dutch Caribbean short-stay visa can stay for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period, with each visit limited to 30 consecutive days unless otherwise permitted.

Individuals intending to live, work, study, or join family in Sint Maarten for more than 90 days must apply for a residence permit. Eligibility depends on the purpose of the stay and meeting requirements such as proof of income, sponsorship, and health insurance.

Visa applicants are generally required to submit biometrics when applying through a Dutch embassy, as the short-stay visa follows Dutch Caribbean and Schengen procedures.

Visa-exempt travelers and short-stay visa holders may request an extension of stay at the Sint Maarten Immigration and Border Protection Service. Extensions are not guaranteed and are subject to immigration officials' discretion.

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