Sint Maarten employment permit and first-time employee residence permit
Hiring a non-national in Sint Maarten takes two steps. First, the employer applies to the Department of Labor Affairs for an employment permit while the worker is off the island, after notifying the vacancy and advertising it. Then the worker applies to the Immigration and Border Protection Service (IBPS) for a temporary residence permit for employment. First-time applicants must wait abroad for the residence decision.
Life in Sint Maarten
Money
2
Currency
Netherlands Antillean Guilder
ANG
Netherlands Antillean Guilder
Tax
12.5–47.5%
Income tax (national)
Turnover tax (TOT) 5% · social security 6.5%
No income tax if taxable income is Cg 27,281.28 or less; 47.5% applies above Cg 161,540 (2026 table, amounts in Caribbean guilders).
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
Non-nationals with a job offer from an employer registered in Sint Maarten, including household staff.
Eligibility
Worker off-island
The employer must provide a Department of Labor declaration that the employee is currently off island.
- Declaration must be no older than 6 months
- Based on art. 3(2)(i), National ordinance on employment policy AB 2013, GT no. 357
Official wording
The employer must provide a Department of Labor declaration that the employee is currently off island (art. 3(2)(i), National ordinance on employment policy AB 2013, GT no. 357), no older than 6 months.
Labour market test
Proof of vacancy notification (National ordinance on employment permits AB 2013, GT no. 357, art. 5(5)(c)) and a dated newspaper advertisement.
Employer standing
Show proof of your standing as an employer: labour registration, payroll tax receipts and an SZV premium overview.
Minimum annual income
- Sole proprietorshipor more, per year
- ANG 36,000
- Private householdor more, per year
- ANG 36,000
- Labour registration must be for the current year
- Income minimum applies to sole proprietorships and private households
Official wording
Proof of current-year labour registration, payroll tax receipts, and an SZV premium overview; sole proprietorships and private households must show annual income of ANG 36,000 or more.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementLabour agreement
- Document checklistEmployment permit application form (with any counterpart named)
- FeesEmployment permit - non-management position
The full requirements are for members
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- 2 more requirements
- 8 documents
- 4 fees
- 4 steps
- Processing times and conditions
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