Family Reunification - Child

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

Explore pathways in Sint Maarten Read the five questions ↓

Which family relationships qualify?

The family-reunion section applies to family of a Dutch citizen or a non-Dutch citizen and requires a school registration letter for the children. The official source does not state which children qualify (age limit, dependency, step or adopted children).

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

The source does not define which children qualify (age limit, dependency, step/adopted children).

https://www.sintmaartengov.org/Ministries/Departments/Documents/Approved%20requirement%20list%202025.%20FINAL.pdf
Family reunion Dutch citizen/ non Dutch citizen
https://www.sintmaartengov.org/Ministries/Departments/Documents/Approved%20requirement%20list%202025.%20FINAL.pdf
6. School registration letter for the children;

Who may sponsor or bring the family member, and what immigration/citizenship status must that person hold?

A guarantor must provide a copy of a valid passport, a copy of a residence permit and a detailed registration form from the Civil Registry not older than 6 months. The official source does not state who the guarantor must be or what citizenship or immigration status is required.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

The list does not state who the guarantor must be (e.g. the parent) or what citizenship/immigration status is required beyond the residence-permit copy.

https://www.sintmaartengov.org/Ministries/Departments/Documents/Approved%20requirement%20list%202025.%20FINAL.pdf
Guarantor: 8. Copy valid passport; 9. Copy residence permit; 13. Detailed Registration Form from the Civil Registry (not older than 6 months);

What is important for proving marriage, partnership, parentage, custody, dependency or another qualifying relationship?

An original birth certificate issued no more than 3 years earlier, legalised or apostilled (apostille no older than 3 years) and translated into Dutch or English by a sworn translator if not in those languages; and, if one of the children's parents stays in the country of origin, proof of custody by court decision registered at the Court on St. Maarten.

See recorded sources

https://www.sintmaartengov.org/Ministries/Departments/Documents/Approved%20requirement%20list%202025.%20FINAL.pdf
3. Original Birth Certificate date of issue cannot be older than 3 years legalize or with an apostille no older than 3 years (if this document is not in Dutch or English it must be translated into Dutch or English by a sworn translator);
https://www.sintmaartengov.org/Ministries/Departments/Documents/Approved%20requirement%20list%202025.%20FINAL.pdf
7. If one of the parents of one or more children is staying in the country of origin, the following is required: proof of custody of the children court decision must be registered at the Court on St. Maarten;

What important financial, accommodation, insurance or maintenance responsibilities apply?

Sufficient means are shown through the guarantor's job letter (monthly income, working hours, position, date of employment), bank statements for the last 3 months with salary deposits, pay slips for the last 2 months and a declaration of the Inspectorate of Taxes. The official source does not state a minimum income amount or accommodation and insurance requirements.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

No minimum income amount is stated.
Accommodation and insurance requirements are not stated.

https://www.sintmaartengov.org/Ministries/Departments/Documents/Approved%20requirement%20list%202025.%20FINAL.pdf
Proof of sufficient means of income: 14. Guarantor’s job letter must include the monthly income, working hours, position, and date of employment; 15. Bank statement last 3 months (Guarantor’s salary must be verifiable through corresponding deposits in bank statements; 16. Pay slip last 2 months; 17. A declaration of the Inspectorate of Taxes;

How does the application work at a high level, what rights does the family member receive, how long does the status last, and how can it become independent or longer-term where officially stated?

First-time applicants must await the decision abroad, not on the island; permit requests generally take about 6-8 weeks. The child's permit can be made valid only while the child lives with the admitted head of family, and it ends when the sponsor's admission ends. Holders of a family formation/reunification permit may, under certain circumstances, obtain a 'continued residence' permit granted for at least two years without restrictions.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

Continued-residence conditions ('under certain circumstances') are in the decree, not captured; source is a news release.
Duration of the initial child permit and its rights are not stated.

https://www.sintmaartengov.org/services/pages/First-Time-Family-Formation-with-Non-Dutch-Dutch-Citizen.aspx
NOTE: All first-time applicants must await the decision of their residency application abroad and not on the island.
https://www.sintmaartengov.org/services/pages/Residency-Permit.aspx
Generally all permit requests take approximately 6-8 weeks
https://lokaleregelgeving.overheid.nl/CVDR141942
Aan de vergunning tot verblijf of tot tijdelijk verblijf kan ten aanzien van echtgenoten, minderjarige wettige, stief- en pleegkinderen behorend tot een gezin, waarvan het hoofd is toegelaten, de voorwaarde worden gesteld, dat deze slechts geldt voor de tijd, dat zij bij het gezinshoofd inwonen.
https://lokaleregelgeving.overheid.nl/CVDR142597
Ingeval de toelating, van rechtswege toegekend of krachtens vergunning is verleend, eindigt, houdt tevens op de toelating van de echtgenoot en minderjarige kinderen.
https://www.sintmaartengov.org/news/pages/Minister-of-Justice-Enhanced-Immigration-Application-Processes-with-New-Ministerial-Decree.aspx
Another significant reintroduction in the Decree allows individuals to apply for their residence permit through "continued residence" under certain circumstances. This applies to applicants who have held a previous temporary residence permit with the aim of family formation and family reunification. The permit for the purpose of "continued residence" is granted for a period of at least two (2) years without restrictions.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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Family Reunification - Child

Which family relationships qualify?

Who may sponsor or bring the family member, and what immigration/citizenship status must that person hold?

What is important for proving marriage, partnership, parentage, custody, dependency or another qualifying relationship?

What important financial, accommodation, insurance or maintenance responsibilities apply?

How does the application work at a high level, what rights does the family member receive, how long does the status last, and how can it become independent or longer-term where officially stated?

Your story.Your next step.

Your story.
Your next step.