The current employment market globally is ever-changing and very dynamic. Statistics show that employers are sourcing skilled employees remotely, while many employees are also working remotely from many destinations. A great team in any successful organization is essential in today’s world. Finding problem-solving, decision making, skilled people, doesn’t just happen – it takes time, lots of interviews, and patience. Sometimes the perfect fit comes from a different country and employers will have to apply for a work visa or permit.
In Sint Maarten, bringing into your team a new member that doesn’t legally reside on the island requires a series of documentation from the employer and future employee. The law calls for certain steps that need to be synchronized in order to make it happen in a reasonable period of time.
BrightPath, offers regional solutions for immigration, corporate, and banking services that adapt to the new work-from-home way of doing business – wherever “home” may be.
Here are five things you must know before applying for a work permit in St. Maarten. Yes, living in the Caribbean is possible by way of employment. However, it’s important to do thorough research and trust a team of professionals to guide you along the way.
- Verifiable Documents must be Readily Available
Diplomas and relevant skill certificates must be presented in original form for applying for a work permit in St. Maarten. Further, the documents must be validated by the issuing educational institution. If presenting copies, these must be notarized by a licensed notary in the country of origin.
- Work Experience must be Substantiated
Reference letters notarized in the country of origin must be obtained to verify the period of previous employment and state the applicant’s role and responsibilities.
- Stay Abroad During the Application Process
Unless the prospective employee holds Dutch or American (USA) citizenship, the applicant must await the decision for both work and residency permits while remaining abroad.
- Employers (not employees) are the Petitioner
The employer must request work permits. Moreover, evidence of tax compliance is a pre-requisite for all employers seeking to acquire a work permit as a foreign employee in St Maarten.
- Health Insurance is Mandatory
For application purposes, health insurance is now an up-front requirement. Therefore, employers must verify that their foreign employees hold a valid health insurance policy.
*BrightPath Caribbean is a full-service immigration consultancy that can help individuals immigrate to St. Maarten. They provide immigration, business incorporation, business banking setup, and retirement planning in Sint Maarten, St. Kitts & Nevis, Anguilla, Antigua, Belize, and Dominica. To learn more about how BrightPath Caribbean can support your business in successfully obtaining work and residency permits for key personnel, visit www.brightpathcaribbean.com .
