Work permits and Residency permits in Sint Maarten
Learn More About Work and Residency Permits for St. Maarten
If you are a business owner, human resource manager, or employer in Sint Maarten, rely on BrightPath to provide you with advice, consultation, and immigration services for a successful work permit request.
Starting the work permit process in Sint Maarten
The first step taken by the team at BrightPath is to determine the chances of success. Work permit requests can often be timely and costly, the employer has to consider government fees and relocation expenses.
When applying for a work permit, the employee needs to stay abroad during the decision-making process. This is because the labor agreement with the non-national employee needs to be signed while they are still abroad.
Rely on the expertise of the BrightPath team to set clear, achievable goals for both the employer and the employee regarding timeframes, costs, and expectations.
Tax advisory and Real Estate for Employees
Our referral partners at CaribTax and BrightFuture Realty are at your full disposal to address matters regarding taxation and housing, each respectively, making the work permit process a seamless and integrated one that will save you time, and money. A Group of companies providing full support will increase the likelihood of a positive employee relocation experience. No other firm in Sint Maarten offers this suite of services under one roof.
Sint Maarten offers tax benefits for some employees, like the expat regime, particularly for the management level. This tax exemption allows employers to offer net salaries without grossing up. To qualify, employees must show proof of specific knowledge of the position they will fill out, years of experience, and a minimum income, among other requirements.
Employees Relocating with Family
If your employee will relocate to Sint Maarten with immediate family, they too may qualify for temporary residency under the employee’s work and residency permit in St Maarten.
BrightPath can assist with the immigration process that must be undertaken at both the Department of Labor Affairs for the work permit and the Immigration Border Protection Services Department for the respective residency permits for the employee and the immediate family members.
Time frame for Work permits
Work permits must first be petitioned and registered as a vacancy at the Department of Labor, to announce the details, requirements, and compensation of the role and to allow for suitable candidates to be sourced from within the local labor pool.
A mandatory minimum five-week waiting period is allotted for local applicants to submit their interest in writing with documentation to support their qualifications. During this time, an advertisement for the vacancy in mention must be placed in the local newspapers announcing the open vacancy.
The importance of knowing the process for work permits
Why do we elaborate with so much detail on what the work permit process entails? Because work permits in Sint Maarten are for qualified candidates who truly meet the criteria of an employment position. Work permits on SXM are requested by the employer, and the initial costs are the responsibility of the employer.
Relying on the right service provider, such as BrightPath, will help you determine if your candidate has a high (or low) probability of success before we start services. Work permit application fees alone can go up to USD 1,700 payable directly to the Government of Sint Maarten, so ensuring that your candidate has documented qualifications is essential before engaging our services.
A free consultation with a representative from BrightPath can assist in determining that and a detailed cost estimate from BrightPath can determine the costs, timeframes, and documentation required to move forward with us in processing your work permit request.
Who does not qualify for a Work Permit?
In Sint Maarten, work permits are granted to candidates between the ages of 25 and 58 years. In some instances, if an applicant is over 58 but has completed post-graduate studies, an exception to this standard may apply.
Consider that if you are a citizen of the United States of America, the work permit process detailed herein will not apply to you. To learn more about the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty and what benefits for employment and residency in St Maarten this may grant you as a U.S. passport holder, read this article.
Retirees do not qualify for work permits because the retiree immigration program allows for residency only and is not requested at the Department of Labor Affairs, but instead, only at the Sint Maarten Immigration and Border Protection Services Department. If you would like to learn more about retiring in St Maarten, read here, or schedule your consultation if you would like to explore changing your residency status from retiree to employment permit.
FAQ’s
- What are the key steps involved in obtaining a work permit for non-nationals in Sint Maarten?Obtaining a work permit in Sint Maarten involves petitioning and registering the position with the Department of Labor, advertising the vacancy locally, and allowing a five-week period for local applicants to apply. BrightPath Caribbean assists employers in determining candidates’ eligibility, managing the application process.
- How does BrightPath Caribbean support employers in navigating the complexities and costs associated with work permit applications in Sint Maarten?
BrightPath Caribbean provides essential support to employers by offering consultation services, assessing candidates’ qualifications, and estimating costs and timeframes associated with work permit applications. Additionally, they guide employers through the process of fulfilling legal requirements, such as advertising job vacancies locally and coordinating with government departments. - What are the eligibility criteria and age restrictions for obtaining a work permit in Sint Maarten?
Work permits in St. Maarten are generally granted to candidates aged between 25 and 58 years. However, exceptions may apply for individuals over 58 who have completed post-graduate studies. BrightPath Caribbean assists employers in navigating these eligibility criteria and exceptions, ensuring a smooth application process for work permits.
Do you have additional questions?
Contact us today for a free consultation and let us guide you throughout the process!