Immigration Law at Bonaire (Netherlands)
Bonaire, as part of the Caribbean Netherlands, operates under a distinct immigration system from the European Netherlands. The Immigration and Naturalisation Service Caribbean Netherlands (IND-CN) manages immigration matters for Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba. The legal framework includes the Wet Toelating en Uitzetting BES (Admission and Expulsion Act BES) and the Vreemdelingenbesluit BES (Aliens Decree BES). (Declaration of Admittance by Law | Immigration & naturalisation | Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland, Immigration & naturalisation | Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland)
🛂 Entry Requirements
🇳🇱 Dutch and 🇺🇸 U.S. Citizens
Tourist Stay: Up to 180 days within a 365-day period without a visa.
Work or Internship: A maximum of 90 days within a 365-day period without a Declaration of Admittance by Law (DAB). (Declaration of Admittance by Law | Immigration & naturalisation | Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland, Tourist stay | Immigration & naturalisation | Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland)
🌍 Other Nationalities
Tourist Stay: Up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa.
Work or Internship: Requires a residence permit and, in some cases, a provisional residence permit (MVV). (Immigration Bonaire simplifies procedures with online application option - BES Reporter)
🏠 Residence Permits
Fixed-Term Residence Permit
Eligibility: For individuals from EU/EEA countries, Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Vatican City, the U.S., South Korea, or Switzerland.
Application: Can be submitted in person at an IND-CN office.
Validity: Typically one year; renewable.
Process: Applications are processed within approximately six months. (Application for residence permit other nationalities | Immigration & naturalisation | Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland, Immigration & naturalisation | Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland, Residence permit application if you are Dutch | Immigration & naturalisation | Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland, Application fixed term residence permit | Immigration & naturalisation | Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland)
Permanent Residence Permit
Eligibility: Individuals who have legally resided in Bonaire for five consecutive years.
Application: Submit a completed application form to the IND-CN.
Process: Applications are processed within approximately six months. (Immigration & naturalisation | Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland)
💼 Work Permits
Employer's Responsibility: Employers must register job vacancies with the local labor unit at least five weeks before applying for a work permit.
Best Efforts Obligation: Employers must actively seek local candidates by advertising in at least two different media.
Exceptions: Certain professions, such as teachers, medical specialists, and dive instructors, may be exempt from the work permit requirement. (Information about work permit applications | Social affairs & work | Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland)
📝 Online Application
As of December 2023, Dutch nationals can submit applications for a Declaration of Admittance by Law, a Non-Applicability Declaration, and certain residence permits online. The online system is currently only available in Dutch, with plans to expand language options in the future. (Residence permit application if you are Dutch | Immigration & naturalisation | Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland, Immigration Bonaire simplifies procedures with online application option - BES Reporter)
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