Immigration

Immigration Permits / Landing Permits

Each person entering the Netherlands Antilles to live or to work is required to have a landing-permit. This permit is issued by the office of the Lt. Governor and authorizes the individual to enter the country.

Tourists visiting the island for a short period of time are exempt from this procedure. (Tourists from some countries are obliged to request a visa prior to entering the Netherlands Antilles).

Residence Permits & Local Identification Cards 

Foreigners who intend to live and/or work in Curaçao need a residence permit in order to legally establish themselves on the island. There are certain required documents, please see the check list.

  To allow for sufficient processing time all required documents must be submitted to the University at least 8 weeks prior to arrival on the island. Failure to secure theses documents may result in you being deported   from the island.

The University will submit all residence permit requests on behalf of its students, faculty and staff providing that all required documents have been submitted. Once a residence permit has been issued, the individual will be registered as a temporary resident of the Netherlands Antilles and will be issued an Antillean identification card. This card should be carried with you at all times.

Work Permits

Foreigners who intend to work in Curaçao must have a valid work permit. Students are strictly forbidden to work in Curaçao while engaged in their medical studies. Faculty and other staff will be required to obtain the necessary work permits. Family members of students, faculty and staff are not allowed to work on Curaçao either.

There are certain required documents, please review the Immigration Checklist tab. Please allow for sufficient time for processing. The University will submit all work permit requests on behalf of faculty and staff.

The Re-entry Permit

Students, faculty and staff who are in possession of a temporary residence permit must obtain a valid re-entry permit upon leaving the Netherlands Antilles. This permit allows for re-entering the Netherlands Antilles and must be given to the immigration officer upon returning to the Netherlands Antilles.

The University will submit all re-entry permit requests on behalf of the students, faculty and staff. Please bear in mind that these requests must be submitted at least 4-6 weeks in advance of the anticipated travel dates, in order to allow for ample processing time by the immigration authorities.

Required documents for obtaining a re-entry permit are:
- 1 passport size photograph
- 1 Nafl.10,00 stamp (approximately US$ 5.50)
- A letter from St. Martinus University mentioning names, date of birth and intended departure and return dates

Model 1 Form

This form must be completed and submitted with all supporting documents in order to be processed. The immigration authorities have sole jurisdiction as to the issuing of the above-mentioned permits. The University cannot be held responsible in case a resident/work permit is not issued by the immigration authorities.

Checklist

The following documents are required by the government of Curaçao and are essential in order to obtain a residence permit.

* Valid passport (Copy of all pages, even blank pages).

* Original health certificate not more than 2 months old.

* Six color 2x2 passport-size photographs, signed on the back.

* A letter of good conduct (police record) issued by the state police department, not more than 3 months old.

* Birth certificate: copy authenticated by apostille.

-- by the embassy or consulate of the Kingdom of The Netherlands in your country of origin if your country of origin does NOT adhere to the Treaty of The Hague.

-- by the authority or office issuing your birth certificate, if your country of origin adheres to the Treaty of The Hague. ( USA, Canada, all European Union countries, Zwitserland etc.. Click on the following link for more information :       http://travel.state.gov/law/info/judicial/judicial_2545.html

* Marriage/partnership license ( copy with apostille). applicable).

*Proof of roundtrip airplane ticket to the country of origin.

*Copies of all diploma's and certificates (Employees only).

We strongly advise that  accepted students and newly recruited foreign employees do check with  the consulate and/or the embassy of The Kingdom of the Netherlands in their country of origin, for the latest  information regarding residing and/or working in Curaçao.
All above documents are also needed for family members of students and employees if they will reside in Curaçao. Once these documents have been processed by the immigration authorities, a landing-permit and a residence permit will be issued. It is essential that all documents  (except passport) be submitted to the University at least 10 weeks prior to arrival on the island of Curaçao. This allows sufficient time for processing. Please note that all final decisions rest with the immigration authorities and not with St.Martinus University.

   

Passport & visa

All foreign citizens need upon entering Curaçao a valid passport, and a return ticket home.

European Union, U.S.A and Canadian citizens excepted, most other foreigners require a visa. Please note though, that the above applies to persons visiting the island for a short stay as tourists. Students and faculty interested in living and working on Curaçao will have to request and obtain residence permits and work permit. We recommend you to check with the Consulate or Embassy of The Netherlands in your country of origin for any changes regarding visa regulations.