Hi All
We currently reside in Curacao but want to move to St.Maarten/St.Martin'. We have a residency permit here in Curacao. We were wondering what the residency situation is in either St.Maarten/St.Martin. We are Canadian.

It was quite a hassle and expensive to get residency in Curacao we really would like the avoid that process again!

I have read on the net that you get a 3 month tourist permit on arrival and you only have to leave the island for one day to get another one. (would Anguilla count ha ha)

Sounds simple but experience from living in Curacao 4 years has taught me the devil are in the details. I would really appreciate the straight goods from someone who knows. You can send me a private email if you prefer.

That said I would also love to hear the in and out of the residency process for a retirees on either the French or Dutch side and which one is easier to get. What are the income requirements?

Also how much is a carton of smokes on the island and how is the cost of living compared to the states. lastly anyone know what the boat slippage fees are on the island. I was contemplating doing the live aboard a boat thing.

Lot of questions but I will be eternally grateful for the scoop from any expats like myself.

I have visited St. martin since the late 1980's always loved the place.

relocating to SXM and getting a residency is a long complicated expensive process., probably similar to what you experienced on Curacao.
Probably Elaine can tell you more abotu the process for retirees. I know it wasn't easy for her.
send her a PM if she doesn'tsee this thread.

[barcann.livejournal.com]

Thanks
I was hoping to avoid that process by staying on a 3 month tourist visa, and then reentering. I was wondering how loose their policies are in that regard. Can you do it once or year round?

I don;t know about Canadians but they recently put into place a policy that states Americans can only stay 3 months.
I don't know how strictly that is enforced though.

[barcann.livejournal.com]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/26/2012 03:27PM by Barbara1.

How is Curacao? Why is it that you want to move out of that beautiful island? Especially after going through all that hard work to get in there. I ask because I am thinking of an investment property down there to rent out for now, then in a few years trying for my residency. I'm from the USA

As far as investing in a income property, the Central Bank has recently decided that all banks suspend any kind of credit, or make loans for a minimum of the next 6 months, including mortgages.

There is a problem with a rapid depletion of foreign reserves, which may mean a devaluation of the guilder, which is presently fixed to the us dollar.

A very unsettling development in my opinion.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/27/2012 07:26PM by Panamahat.