Caribbean Netherlands residence permit
work and other purposes
Anyone (other than Dutch nationals) who wants to work on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius or Saba, or stay more than three months, needs a residence permit from the IND unit of the Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland. Nationals of the EU/EEA, Switzerland, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Monaco and Vatican City can apply after arrival; others must first get a provisional residence authorisation (MVV). Permits are usually valid one year and can lead to an unlimited permit after five years.
Life in Caribbean Netherlands
Money
2
Currency
US Dollar
USD
US Dollar
Tax
29.4–38.4%
Income tax (national)
ABB (general expenditure tax) 8%
Belastingvrije som USD 21,956; 38.4% applies to taxable amount above USD 53,198 (amounts in USD).
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Foreign nationals moving to the Caribbean Netherlands for work, family or other long-stay purposes.
Eligibility
Group 1 nationals
EU/EEA, Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Vatican City, US, South Korea and Switzerland can travel directly and apply after arrival (no MVV).
Group 2 nationals
Nationals of countries in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, South and Central America and the Caribbean must obtain an MVV before entering.
Additional documents from 1 November 2026
Certain applications need extra documents requested from the Belastingdienst Caribisch Nederland.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Document checklistResidence permit application form (with or without MVV)
- FeesResidence permit fees
- Steps to applyCheck whether you need an MVV
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 2 documents
- 1 fee
- 3 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Caribbean Netherlands
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
Other routes to Caribbean Netherlands
All routes to Caribbean Netherlands →Work permits in other countries
- BahamasAnnual Work Permit
- BhutanWork permit for foreign workers
- BotswanaWork Permit (Department of Labour) and Residence Permit
- BelarusLong-term visa (type D) for employment with special work permit
- BelizeTemporary Employment Permit
- CanadaInternational Experience Canada (IEC): Working Holiday, Young Professionals, International Co-op
