What Are the Travel Requirements of Sint Maarten?

The travel requirements to be able to enter onto the island of Sint Maarten are; a valid passport from your country of citizenship, an onward travel ticket, an embarkation and a disembarkation card (ED card), proof of accommodations, proof of sufficient funds. Because of COVID-19 it was also neccesary until November 1st, 2022 to fill out an Electronic Health Authorization System (EHAS) application form, but that’s NOT NEEDED anymore te enter the island of Sint Maarten.

A travel visa is also required upon entry to Saint Martin if you are not from one of the following territories: Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Grenada, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong – holders of a British National (Overseas) passport, Hong Kong – holders of a Special Administrative Region passport, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel,  Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao – holders of a Special Administrative Region passport, Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, St Christopher and Nevis (St Kitts), St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Lucia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela.

If you live outside of these territories, then a visa can be obtained by applying for one at your local French embassy before arrival to Sint Maarten.

The maximum stay in general for tourists who visit St. Maarten is 30 days. Those who have passports from the United States and The Netherlands are allowed to stay for a maximum of 6 months with the possibility to extend. Tourists who have passports from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the European Union, and Japan are allowed a maximum stay of 3 months, with the opportunity to extend their stay.

What are the documents required for traveling to Sint Maarten?

The documents required for traveling to Saint Martin are listed and explained below.

• A passport: A valid passport from your country of citizenship is required upon entry into Sint Maarten. One blank page in your passport is required for an entry stamp. The passport should be valid for the duration of your stay in Sint Maarten.
• An ED card: An Embarkation-Disembarkation card or ED card will be given to you on the airplane before entry into St. Maarten. This legal document is used by immigration authorities at the airport to identify passengers and record their date of departure. You must fill this card out and present it to immigration at the airport.
• A return ticket: A plane ticket that states the date of your departure from Sint Maarten. This will be additional proof of your return that needs to be processed at the airport upon arrival.
• Proof of accommodations: A hotel reservation, property ownership, or the address of a family member with which you are staying once you arrive at Saint Martin and throughout your stay.
• Proof of sufficient funds: A credit card, cash, traveler’s checks, money orders, etc. that proves you can cover the expenses accumulated during your stay.
• An Electronic Health Approval (EHAS): Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all travelers to St. Maarten must apply for approval through this document online before entering the island of St. Maarten. Once approved this electronic document must be presented at check-in to the health and immigration authorities upon arrival in St. Martin. This PDF will contain a QR code that will show each traveler’s vaccination status and COVID-19 test result when scanned.

Which nations require a visa to travel to St. Maarten?

The following countries do not require visas upon entry to St. Maarten: Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Grenada, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong – holders of a British National (Overseas) passport, Hong Kong – holders of a Special Administrative Region passport, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel,  Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao – holders of a Special Administrative Region passport, Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, St Christopher and Nevis (St Kitts), St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Lucia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela.

If you are not a legal resident of one of the territories mentioned above you will require a visa for your entry into St. Maarten. You can apply for a Caribbean visa at the French or Dutch embassy in the country where you are a legal resident. The best time to apply for your Sint Maarten visa is 1-2 months before your travel date.

The maximum stay in general for tourists who visit St. Maarten is 30 days. Those who have passports from the United States and The Netherlands are allowed to stay for a maximum of 6 months with the possibility to extend. Tourists who have passports from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the European Union, and Japan are allowed a maximum stay of 3 months, with the opportunity to extend their stay.

Is a Schengen Visa valid for travel to Sint Maarten?

No, a Schengen Visa is not considered valid for travel to Sint Maarten. St. Maarten is not considered part of the Schengen area.

What kind of currency is needed to travel to St. Maarten?

The main forms of currency used in St. Maarten are the Euro, the U.S. Dollar, and the Netherlands Antillean Guilder. The main form of currency used on the French side of the island in Saint Martin is the Euro. The main form of currency used on the Dutch side of the island in Sint Maarten is the Netherlands Antillean Guilder, which is also known as the “Florin”. The U.S. Dollar is widely used and accepted on both the French and Dutch sides of the island of St. Maarten.

The amount of money needed to cover a typical 7- day stay in Sint Maarten is around $1,800 (€1591, ƒ3,245) for a solo traveler, around $3,200 (€2,829, ƒ5,769) for a couple, and $6,100 (€5,393, ƒ10,998) for a family of four.

What are the health restrictions when traveling to St. Maarten?

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the island of St. Maarten has established a mandatory health pre-authorization that all travelers regardless of their country of origin must complete before their arrival to St. Maarten. Travelers to St. Maarten can apply via an Electronic Health Authorization System (EHAS) prior to entry onto the island of St. Maarten.

An EHAS must be completed for all visitors to St. Maarten that are arriving by air or maritime vessel (cruise ship) including residents of St. Martin. Without this pre-authorization entry onto St. Martin will not be possible. Children must have the online form filled out by their parents or guardian. It is important to note that the processing for this application can take up to 12 hours, so it should be completed well in advance before arrival to St. Martin.

All travelers whether fully vaccinated or not are required to complete this application which includes proof of a negative COVID-19 test result within 48 hours of departure and/or proof of vaccination and the purchase of mandatory COVID-19 insurance. Purchasing COVID-19 insurance is a step that is integrated into the EHAS application. Children under 5 years old are not required to be tested for COVID-19 prior to arrival to St. Martin.

When/if the EHAS is pre-approved, travelers will receive a printable pre-authorization PDF via email. This electronic document must be presented at check-in to the health and immigration authorities upon arrival. This PDF will also contain a QR code that will show each traveler’s vaccination status and COVID-19 test result when scanned. It is wise for travelers to St. Maarten to keep their original rt-PCR test results and/or proof of vaccination with them at all times as they move about the island.

Other safety protocols such as social distancing, wearing face masks and hand washing/sanitization should be followed by those visiting St. Maarten as well.

Other health requirements for entry into St. Maarten are vaccines such as hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia, and influenza.

What are the restrictions about traveling with pets to Sint Maarten?

The requirements for pets to enter the island of Saint Martin are listed below.

1. A valid certificate of health issued by a veterinarian dated no more than 10 days before entry into Saint Martin.
2. The pet must be 15 weeks or older at the time of travel.
3. A record of vaccinations.
4. A valid import permit was issued from the CDC.
5. A rabies vaccination certificate is administered between 30 days and one year before traveling to Saint Martin.
6. The animal must be registered electronically with an ISO (International Standards Organization) microchip. The number must be mentioned on the health certificate.

Are there any restrictions to travel between St. Maarten and St. Martin?

No, there are no traveling restrictions between Sint Maarten and Saint Martin. There is no physical border between the French side of Saint Martin and the Dutch side of Sint Maarten. So, the movement of goods and people is completely open.

 

What should you take with you when going to St. Maarten?

A list of what to pack and what to wear in Saint Martin is listed below.

1. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats: Sint Maarten is known for its bright and sunny weather. These items would be perfect to protect yourself from the harmful effects of the sun and getting sunburn.
2. Swimsuit, towel, and beach chair: These items are needed to enjoy a beautiful day at one of Saint Martin’s marvelous beaches.
3. Tank tops, shorts, and sandals: This attire would be good for wearing during the day to either go shopping or on a tour of the island.
4. A night dress or other evening attire: These clothes would be needed to enjoy a nice evening out on the town at one of the island’s beach clubs or nightclubs.