My husband and I are U.S. citizens. We absolutely have fell in love with St. Martin and have been visiting since 1991. Our life goal is to move there, but we don't want to wait until we are old and retired to do so. However, we are not independently wealthy, so we would need to find a source of income, whether to own a business or work for someone. I understand the sensitive nature that residents are concerned with foreigners taking the jobs because we deal with that on a daily basis in the U.S. What I would like to know is do I stand any chance at all of achieving my goal of moving there? This is one dream that I really don't want to give up on. I literally dream about it at night! When we get on the plane to come back to the U.S. every year at the end of our vacation, I cry and I can't control it. What steps do I need to take to start moving toward my goal? Is there someone there to contact who can begin mine and my husband's paperwork for a temporary resident permit and/or work permit? PLEASE HELP!!!
Anonymous User Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am one of the Barbara's source (one of the
> many). I am a French citizen, living in sxm since
> almost 20 years, operated business on both sides
> (as well as reside on both sides) . the French
> side is French , administered by Paris. It became
> recently a "collectivite territortiale", was
> previously a "commune de France" but the change
> didn't affected its European status. The French
> side is part of the European Union, and people who
> carry European passport (from the Shengen zone)
> are allowed to live and work there. I can confirm
> what Barbara said, she knows. We have many
> European citizen who work here, open business
> without any problem and the exact same process
> than a french citizen.
> If you still have doubt there is nothing easier
> than to google the informations or to contact the
> Conseil General de la collectivite territoriale
> (05.90.29.13.10), the "service de la police aux
> frontiere" (05.90.87.07.62), the "sous-prefecture"
> (05.90.29.09.04), "inspection du travail"
> (05.90.29.02.25) or the "chambre de commerce"
> (05.90.87.84.42)... But be ready to speak french
> with all those services since they are French
> administration...

Sandor Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Barbara, would you be able to suggest to me a
> local agency or department where I might seek some
> additional information regarding employment rules,
> etc.?

Barbara1 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> daneabroad. you are correct..
> the Netherlands are part of the EU too, but the
> Dutch side of St. Maarten is a part of the
> Netherlands Antilles, which is semi autonomous. We
> are part of the Kingdom but somewhat separate from
> the Netherlands itself.

Marjan,

I'm seeing, in your posting of today (Oct. 20/08), only your quotation regarding the previous comment from "Barbara". I'm interested in following this thread and am wondering if part of your entire posting may not have made it to publication.

Do you see your full posting on your screen?

Thanks!

Sandor

Hi,
I am Italian and moving to St Martin on the French side for work.
I would like to know if the social card for hospital that we use around Europe is also valid there or as a Italian I need to buy a personal insurance.

Thank you very much for everybody's help

If your card is valid in France (main land..) then it will be valid in St Martin French side.

Kind Regards,
Philippe



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I have a business in Europe and would like to open a shop on the French side of St. Martin, as we own a home there and plan to move there in the near future.

Our factory produces womens swimwear, cover ups ,lingerie, etc. all made in Italy and is high quality ( and on the expensive side ), and am interested in hearing comments if this type of merchandise would be welcomed in the Marigot area. I know the economy is not the greatest right now, but would like some input or suggestions.
Thanks !
Elisa

Elisa: You may find the competition a bit much in Marigot. Currently, there is a shop in West indies Mall that sells lise charmel, Luxxa, etc, as well as two (at least) in Marina Royale that Carry La Perla, Chantelle, and others. I do not wish to discourage you, but check out the competition before you set up shop.

You are right Randy, my sister is in this type of business since years and she wish she wasn't.. specially since a year or so, because like everysingle industry, this one is being hit by the bad economy.. it is not a "priority" product anymore fro visitors, and they find cheaper at home before coming down here

Kind Regards,
Philippe



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Not to mention most Italian and French makers do not make sizes to fit most American women.

Well Rastaman,
I ain't skinny and I wear CosaBella!!!!!!!!!!!
Cheers
irina

hello....I've been reading the posts and find it all very informative. My boyfriend and I live in Toronto, but since I've finished Uni there is no reason for us to bear another Canadian winter so...we are planning a move to the sunshine. My brother has spent some years Chartering around St. Maarten and has suggested we move there. He said we could stay in the crew house until we find a place, and that we could market our skills. Jack is a fitness instructor and I am a bartender/ water-ski instructor. Do you think we would be able to find work on the island or maybe with the mega yachts? Thank you

You cannot just move down here and work without the proper imigration papers and work permit... St Maarten/St Martin is not an "open territory". We do have laws, and they are being implemented pretty strictly since a while and foreigners being caught without the required document required to reside on any of the two side of the island are being deported after a "short" stay in jail (Kinda time shre but so pretty...) So before having any dreams and making any decision to move and live under the St Maarten's sun make sure you have everything in order to avoid any surprises and/or bad experience. Beside that, we have hundreds (thousands...) of people coming down from Europe with the same intention every year, some have the right to stay as EU citizen, other don't, but overall the job market is over saturated. Since you are Canadian, I would suggest you to inquire more about the Turks and Caicos where I believe to know that canadian Citizen are usually welcomed.
But please do not make the mistake to beleive "earsays" or relatives recommendation.. Go to the source, contact the Netherland Antilles Consulate (Or Netherland Consulate) before anything to get the proper info.

Kind Regards,
Philippe



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Dreaming about sunshine....

Well, i know that well, I AM FROM EUROPE, AND I DO NOT LIKE WINTERS, but after many years on many sunny island, Suth East Asia and Caribbeani, i have lost enjoyment of the sea, the people, the life in generale....
It is not a paradise, it is a struggle.
Struggle to send a R Letter, because of a looong cue in front of the post office , struggel to get a spair parts , the ladie in a computer shop, that sales computers, has rather qualification for selling kinds clothing, the computer shop, repairing your computer, bringgs more problem to you, then before reparation, many shops are only show rooms, you have to pay in advance, without even tuching the good, just from pics, and wait 1 month for delivery........long, long list....

After 3 years on SXM I have made an generale conclusion : Tropical islands are "PARADISE" only when you visit for vacatin, and you stay in the nice beach resort, or holiday rental villa.
If you live here permanently , after a wile you will understend,

PARADISE IS NOT A PLACE, IT IS A STATE OF MIND !

WHEN YOU ARE IN RUSH FOR MEETING, AND YOU STUCKED IN TRAFIC GAME FOR 1-2 HOURS, BECAUSE 2 BRIDGES OPENS 4 TIME PER DAY, FOR THE BOATS TO COME IN AND OUT SIMPSON BAU LAGOON, YOU WILL START SKREAMING FROM HELPLESS UNGER.
WHEN U RUSH TO WORK, OR OTHER REASON, AND YOU SEE, PEOPLE IN THE CAR INFRONT OF YOU ARE DRIVING 20 KM/HOUR, BLOCKING THE NARROW ROAD, YOU WILL WISH TO SCREAM....
WHEN U GO TO THE MODERN CINEMA MEGA PLEX 7, AND YOU SEE ONLY CHEAP, CRAP MOVIES, YOU WILL FEEL, THAT IS ISLAND SELECTION OF THE MOVIES, SO, YOU WILL NOT BE LUCKI TO SEE AN OSCAR MOVIE IN THIS MODERN MOVIE THEARHER, YOU WILL BE VERY DISSAPOINTED FROM THE ISLAND LIFESTYLE.
WEN YOU GO OUT FOR DINNER, IN YOUR LOVELY, QUALITY LETHER SHOES, AND GOING OUT FROM THE CAR,YOU JUMP DIRECTLY IN TO THE MUDY WATER, YOU WILL UNDESTAND, WHAT IS IS THIS, ISLAND LIFESTYLE. YOU WILL NOT FIND PLACE TO HAVE A WALK, YOU WILL NOT FIND NICE WALKSIDES. MAINLY DIRTY COWBOY TOWN ROADSYDES...
MANY FRENCH PEOPLE, WHO KNOWS THE ISLANDS FROM 20 YEARS AGO ARE LEAVING BACK TO FRANCE, BACK TO EUROPE, BACK TO A QUALITY LIFE, QUALITY , PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, BACK TO THE CULTURE.... ON THE ISLAND, IF YOU ARE LUCKI, YOU GET 1, MAX 2 OPPORTUNITY per year, FOR A LIFE CONCERT OF AN INTERNATIONAL LEVEL MUSITIEN. ENTERTAINMENT IS VERY POOR. MAINLY CASINOS AND LOW LEVEL ADULT ENTERTAINMENT...NO ONE POPULARE COMES TO SXM. ANDREA BOCELLI, IL DIVI, KENNY G, THEY GO WITH CONCERT TO CASA DI CAMPO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. THEY ARE NOT ATTRACTED TO COWBOY TOWN CALLES SXM, WHICH CONTINUE TO DEGRADE....
I AM SORRY , IF , WITH MY HONESTY, I DID DISTROYED YOUR BEAUTIFUL DREAM. according me, DREAMS ARE FOR TEENS, WHO DOES NOT KNOW THE life. MATURE PEOPLE NEED TO BE A REALISTIC, BECAUSE NO MUCH LIFE TIME LEFT, FOR EMPTY DREAMS.

IF YOU WISH TO RETIRED IN SXM, THATS FINE, YOU DO NOT CARE ABOUT TRAFIC GAM, YOU GO OUT NOT IN A RUSH HOURS, YOU WALK BARE FOOT ON THE BEACH, AT HOME, YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE DRESSED UP FOR BUSINESS MEETINGS. YOU CAN AFFORD SPENDING TIME MOSTLY ON THE BEACH AND AT HOME. BUT YOU NEED AIR CON FOR ASUGUST , SEPT, OCT. very hot and humid! AND YOU NEED HURRICANE PROTECTED HOME AND SPETIAL INSURANCE.
AND TAKE IN CONSIDERATION, ALL FRUITS AND VEGGIES ARE IMPORTET, NOT GOOD QUALITY AND VERY EXPENSIVE. THERE IS NO AGRICULTURE HERE, because NO RIVERS, NO GOOD SOIL. if you like a good fruits and veggies, u need to cultivte yourself. but than again, if you love gardening, on your retirement, you have to buy a soil, to create your garden, it will be very expensive garden, wwhich will need waterring even in a long , dry season.....need to think seriousely, chosing the right island. All depend of your priorities.
SXM IT IS REALLY NOT A DREAM PLACE ! tHE ONLY THING GUARANTEED IS THE SUN.
better MAKE MONEY IN A BIG CITY OF YOUR CIVILISED COUNTRY AND COME OVER FOR 2 WEEKS DREAM VACATION . ENJOY SUN, WATER SPORTS, FRENCH QUISINE, ENJOY SPENDING YOUR MONEY, DO NOT DREAM of making MONEY HERE.

ALL THE BEST FROM SXM !

explorer

And I am wondering why you still here... LOL! The thing you may not get, is that when you come to an island like St Martin you MUST leave your high expectation behind and you need to change your priorities : We don't want to import everything those "civilised" countries have, we would rather prefere to preserve the island on a "simple life" mode. The problem is that it already started to become and to look like too much like those "civilised countries" because of people coming down and bringing their system with them. And those people cannot understand why it is paradise because they don't think that in paradise you can step in a muddy puddle while getting out of your car. The French people you are talking about and who are going back to France are not going back specifically for the reasons you cited. The knew st Martin before it became developped, when there was muddy puddle all over, no ultra modern theater, imported fruits and still no agriculture and no rivers... they came for that! Now they are living because it became to developped and modernised and to many people came from abroard importing and attempting to impose their system and life priorities on the island... Beleive me, to compare with many others places and civilised countries in the world, St Martin is paradise! It s just over populated with migrants and it should stop.. This is why the governemnt make it so difficult now to foreigner to obtain their residency permit.. and they are right in that sense.

Kind Regards,
Philippe



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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/20/2009 05:06PM by Tabba Khady.