Bonaire Island News

Citizens of most countries in the world do not need a visa for their entry to our island. However, effective January 1, 2005, visitors from the following countries are required to have a visa for stays of up to 3 months (90 days) in the Dutch Caribbean, since beginning in 2005, the Dutch Kingdom synchronized visa requirements among all countries within the Kingdom and the Dutch Caribbean.

Effective October 10, 2010, the maximum a visitor may stay on the island is three months in a six month period. The time is calculated from time of arrival on the island, not on a calendar year basis. The count started new on October 10, 2010. Visitors may leave and return during the timeframe of 180 days, until 90 days are reached. A visitor who has stayed for 90 days is required to leave and will not be admitted again until 90 days has passed. When considering how long a visitor will be allowed to stay, the six month period prior to arrival date will be reviewed. For visitors requiring a visa, the timeframe on the visa is the applicable timeframe.

Dutch Citizens living outside Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustasius including the Netherlands, Curacao, St. Maarten and Aruba are allowed to stay up to six months in a 12 month period. The time is calculated from time of arrival on the island, not on a calendar year basis and the count started new on October 10, 2010. Visitors may leave and return during the timeframe, but a visitor who has stayed for 180 days in the last year is required to leave. When considering how long a visitor will be allowed to stay, the one year time period prior to arrival date will be reviewed. Those who wish to work or stay longer will have to apply for a residence permit. If a Dutch citizen or their parents were born on Bonaire, Saba or St. Eustatius, this rule does not apply. Also Dutch citizens living and registered on Bonaire, Saba, or St. Eustatius before October 10, 2009 are not subject to this rule. Therefore everyone who registered after October 10, 2009 must apply for a residence permit.

Nationals of the United States and Canada may submit for their entry to Bonaire, either:

• A valid Passport
• An official birth certificate or an affidavit of birth, plus a valid driver's license
• A certificate of naturalization for citizens born outside the United States, plus a valid driver's license
• A re-entry permit to the US, a valid non quota immigration visa or an Alien Registration (green card) for non USA citizens residing in the USA, plus a valid driver's license
• NOTE: As of January 8, 2007, all United States citizens are required to have a passport to return to the U.S. Click here for details.

For more information on visas or prolongation of your visit, please don't hesitate to call the Immigration Office of Bonaire, Phone: +599-7 17-6880.

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