Sint Maarten (Dutch part)
Phone Code
+1721
Capital
Philipsburg
Population
42,000
Native Name
Sint Maarten
Region
Americas
Caribbean
Timezone
Atlantic Standard Time
UTC-04:00
On This Page
Sint Maarten is the Dutch constituent country occupying the southern 34 square kilometres of an island shared with French Saint-Martin since the 1648 Treaty of Concordia — the world's smallest island divided between two sovereign nations. The border is open and unmarked, so the two sides function as one island in practice despite separate governments, languages and currencies. As a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Sint Maarten maintains its own immigration system distinct from both the European Netherlands and the Schengen Area: Dutch and EU citizens enter freely, and most other nationalities — including the US, Canada, the UK and Australia — enter visa-free for up to 90 days.
Visa Requirements for Sint Maarten (Dutch Part)
Entry requirements for Sint Maarten are generally straightforward for most Western travellers, though Sint Maarten maintains its own immigration system, separate from both the European Netherlands and the Schengen Area, despite being a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Dutch and other EU nationals enter freely; citizens of the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and many other countries enter visa-free for tourism, generally for up to 90 days. Most travellers arrive via Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM), which serves as the main gateway for both Dutch Sint Maarten and French Saint-Martin — immigration is processed there for the whole island regardless of which side you're staying on, given the airport's location and the open border. Entry requirements include a valid passport (6+ months validity), evidence of onward or return travel, proof of accommodation, and evidence of sufficient funds. Cruise-ship arrivals typically receive shore passes for day visits without full immigration processing. Travellers who need a visa apply through a Dutch diplomatic mission, since Sint Maarten delegates visa processing to the Netherlands foreign service. See the visa categories below for the specific requirements.
Common Visa Types
Visa-Free Entry (Dutch/EU Citizens)
For citizens of the Netherlands and other EU member states seeking Caribbean destinations with familiar Dutch governance and easy entry.
Visa-Free Entry (90 Days - North America)
For US and Canadian citizens visiting for tourism or business.
Visa-Free Entry (90 Days - Other Eligible Countries)
For citizens of ~60 countries including UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, most Caribbean nations, and many Latin American countries for tourism or business.
Visa Required Entry
For nationals of countries not on Sint Maarten's visa-exempt list.
Essential Travel Information
Discover Sint Maarten (Dutch part)
Princess Juliana International Airport's runway ends just a few hundred metres from Maho Beach, with no buffer zone the way most airports build in — that short distance is exactly why landing aircraft have to descend on a steep, low final approach directly over the beach rather than a gradual glide path further out to sea. The same runway-length constraint that puts jets so close overhead also shapes which aircraft can use the airport at all — it's built for the large jets that serve North American and European routes, calibrated tightly to what the runway allows rather than with room to spare. Sunset Beach Bar's location, right at the fence line, exists specifically because that's the only spot with an unobstructed line to the runway threshold.
Money & Currency
Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ANG), US Dollar (USD) widely accepted
Currency code: ANG
Practical Money Tips
USD Is the De Facto Currency
Although the Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG) is the official currency of Sint Maarten, US dollars are accepted virtually everywhere — shops, restaurants, taxis, and markets on both sides of the island. Prices are almost always quoted in USD. You will rarely need to exchange currency.
ATMs in Philipsburg and Simpson Bay
RBC Royal Bank, Windward Islands Bank (WIB), and FirstCaribbean have ATMs in Philipsburg and the Simpson Bay resort area. ATMs dispense USD on the Dutch side. Coverage is good in tourist areas but limited in residential districts.
Cards Widely Accepted — Contactless Growing
Visa and Mastercard are accepted at nearly all hotels, restaurants, and shops. Apple Pay and Google Pay work at NFC-enabled terminals, which are common in Simpson Bay resort strip and Philipsburg. Smaller vendors and local markets may prefer cash.
USD Cash for Taxis and Markets
Taxis quote fares in USD and generally prefer cash payment. Local markets and small vendors also operate in cash. Carry small USD bills (USD 1, 5, 10) for taxis, tips, and beach vendors.
Note: Always check current exchange rates before traveling. Currency exchange is available at airports, banks, and authorized money changers.
Most Western nationalities — including the US, Canada, the UK and EU member states — enter visa-free for tourism, generally for up to 90 days; check the current list for your specific nationality, since Sint Maarten's exempt-country list is maintained separately from both the Netherlands and Schengen rules.
Yes — the border is completely open and unmarked beyond a few monuments and welcome signs, so you can drive or walk between the Dutch and French sides freely without any further immigration check in routine circumstances.
Yes — it's a genuinely unique experience with jets passing low overhead on final approach, best seen in early afternoon when arrivals cluster; just be aware of the jet-blast safety warnings when a plane is about to depart, since standing too close behind one is genuinely dangerous.
Planning a trip to Sint Maarten (Dutch part)? Check what you need to enter and apply online in minutes.
Get your digital arrival cardTreat this Visaja page as your starting point: verify the current rules directly with the official source before you submit an application.