St Maarten Island
St Maarten Island is both French and Dutch. I will use the neutral ‘St Maarten’, to simplify things a bit, for people who are entirely unfamiliar with the most unique Island, in the Caribbean sea.
Before I even get started, you might wonder what my authority is on the beautiful, dual nationality island of St Maarten. That info can be found right here in our about page. Don’t be surprised at the variety in spelling the name. There are various ways to spell ‘St Maarten ‘, and not all are correct. I will try to simplify the spelling of St Maarten, as a native Sint Maartener. St Maarten is the neutral term which refers to both Dutch Sint Maarten and French Saint Martin. St Maarten is also used interchangeably. If someone isn’t sure whether it’s Saint Martin or Sint Maarten, then St Maarten is the safe bet.
Now, you will also see
LATEST COVID STATS AND LINKS
Your Home away from Home
Welcomes you BackThe Government of St. Maarten is continuously monitoring global developments to ensure the safety of our visitors and citizens. We advise to regularly check our updates pertaining to entry requirements and protocols before your travels.
Last Updated: June 29th 10:47 AM
Update in Travel Requirements, St. Kitts and Nevis on High Risk List, changes in Testing Timeframe for US and Canadian Travelers
A MESSAGE TO OUR VISITORS
Since March, we’ve all been staying home, wearing masks, and social distancing for the safety of all our citizens, and our visitors. The time away has been a bitter moment for all of us, but The Friendly Island is proud to announce that we are welcoming back our international visitors to our beautiful shores. We kindly ask our visitors to read our safety protocol and travel requirements below before traveling to St. Maarten. See you soon!
TRAVEL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
To ensure the safety and well-being of visitors and residents, entry requirements will be in place for visitors to enter St. Maarten along with other safety measures at the Princess Juliana International Airport.GENERAL INFORMATION
ST KITTS AND NEVIS ELEVATED TO HIGH RISK EFFECTIVE JUNE 17 TILL FURTHER NOTICE.
EHAS TO ISSUE A QR CODE WITH THE HEALTH AUTHORIZATION PRE-APPROVAL AS OF JUNE 9. TRAVELERS ARRIVING WITH AN EARLIER ISSUED PRE-APPROVAL WILL BE ADMITTED.
AS OF JUNE 15 ALL FULLY VACCINATED RESIDENTS FROM SINT MAARTEN AND THE BES ISLANDS CAN ENTER SINT MAARTEN WITHOUT TESTING, HOWEVER, WHEN ORIGINATING FROM A BANNED COUNTRY A rt-PCR TEST WITHIN 48 HOURS BEFORE DEPARTURE MUST BE PERFORMED ADDITIONALLY.
AS OF JULY 1 THE rt-PCR TEST MUST BE PERFORMED ON A NASO-PHARYGEAL SWAB WITHIN 72 HOURS BEFORE DEPARTURE BY TRAVELERS ORIGINATING FROM THE USA AND CANADA. ALTERNATIVELY THESE TRAVELERS CAN ALSO PERFOM AN ANTIGEN TEST WITHIN 48 HOURS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE TO SINT MAARTEN.
1. Due to the COVID-19 epidemic Sint Maarten has established a mandatory health pre-authorization application through an Electronic Health Authorization System (EHAS) for every visitor arriving by air including transits, Sint Maarten and Sint Martin residents. Without the health pre-authorization boarding will not be possible. Be advised that processing time can take up to 12 hours. Visitors arriving on a maritime vessel please read the latest requirements here.
2. As Saba has their own EHAS operational, same day transit travelers to Saba no longer need to apply in the Sint Maarten EHAS system, but only the Saba EHAS system which can be found at http://www.sabatourism.com/travel-requirements. Proof of the Saba EHAS approval must be demonstrated when transiting through Princess Juliana Airport Sint Maarten.
3.The requirements vary depending on the country risk status which can be found at the bottom of this page.
4.People are considered fully vaccinated:
– 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
– 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine
5.The application must be completed in order to be processed. This includes proof of a negative COVID-19 test result, information on the vaccination status (including proof of completed vaccination in case fully vaccinated) and the purchase of the mandatory COVID-19 insurance in case required. Children must have the online health form filled out by their parents. Provide a working email address on which you are reachable.
6. Do not travel if you are suffering from flu like symptoms and/or have a fever.
7. As of January 27, 2021, until further notice, a travel ban is in place for persons who have been the 14 days before departing to Sint Maarten in a banned country as mentioned in the “banned countries” table below.
8. Sint Maarten/Sint Martin/Saba/St. Eustatius residents are exempted from the travel ban and should get a rt-PCR test before departure (see below). The EHAS application must be completed.
9. All incoming passengers are subjected to temperature checks and other screening protocols and may be subjected to mandatory testing at their own expense. Failure to comply with the screening at the Health Check Point upon arrival will result in you not being cleared to enter St. Maarten and sent back to your originating country.
10. If re-tested upon arrival you will be required to self-isolate or self-quarantine at your place of lodging/residence until the test results are known.
11. Applicants will receive confirmation of their accepted application. Non-completed applications will be automatically deleted within a day after the provided travel date.
12. If health authorization is pre-approved, you will receive a (printable) pre-authorization PDF via e-mail, which must be presented at check in and to the health and immigration authorities upon arrival. This PDF will also contain a QR code which will show the vaccination status and COVID test result when scanned. Keep the original rt-PCR or antigen test result and proof of vaccination always with you. Please check your spam/junk mail folder as well in case you haven’t received a response.
13. If health authorization is not pre-approved, you will receive an e-mail informing you that health pre-authorization has been denied.
CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS ARRIVING BY AIR AND DEPARTING FROM SINT MAARTEN
1. All passengers must complete the application procedure through EHAS before departing to Sint Maarten.
2. Within 48 hours, before disembarking again in Sint Maarten at the end of the cruise, all passengers 10 years of age and older must have an antigen test performed by the cruise line.
3. Applying through EHAS is not necessary when returning to Sint Maarten at the end of the cruise.
4. The purchase of COVID-19 insurance (see below) is mandatory when staying more than one (1) day in Sint Maarten either before or after the cruise. The insurance is only valid during the days of stay in Sint Maarten between the arrival date and return date to the country of origin.
MANDATORY COVID-19 INSURANCE
1. The government of Sint Maarten has implemented a mandatory COVID-19 insurance for all travelers with destination Sint Maarten with the exception of Sint Maarten residents, transit passengers (checkbox), flight crews (checkbox), transiting cruise ship crews (checkbox), French nationals residing in France or a French territory, BES-ZVK insured (checkbox) and AUC faculty and students (special procedure).
2. The insurance purchasing process is an integrated step in the EHAS application. Travelers requiring the COVID-19 insurance must complete this process upon application.
3. For more information on and all questions related to the COVID-19 insurance please visit www.sxmprotectionplan.com or contact customer support at [email protected]
COVID-19 TEST REQUIREMENTS
All travelers, with the exception of Sint Maarten and BES residents, originating from Aruba:
The following applies: For fully vaccinated travelers, a negative Ag test result within 48 hours before departure is required. Official proof of the vaccination status (national vaccination card) must be uploaded in EHAS. The Ag test must carry at least an FDA-EUA approval. For non-fully vaccinated travelers, a negative rt-PCR test result obtained from a naso-pharyngeal swab within 48 hours before departure is required.
Other travelers:
1. A rt-PCR test for the SARS-COV-2 virus obtained from a naso-pharyngeal swab performed in the country of origin and within 72 hours prior to departure to Sint Maarten (last leg in case of connecting flights) is required for all travelers originating from a country that is categorized as high risk. Antibody tests and tests performed outside of the 72 hours period will not be accepted. Results from home covid-19 collection test kits will also not be accepted. Airlines might require you to show a negative lab test result.
2. Alternatively, travelers originating from the USA and Canada can do an antigen test for the SARS-COV-2 virus obtained from a naso-pharyngeal swab performed within 48 hours prior to departure to Sint Maarten. All FDA approved antigen tests using a nasopharyngeal sample including those with Emergency Use Authorization only (EUA) are accepted. Tests performed outside of the 48 hours period and home tests will not be accepted.
3. Travelers residing in and/or traveling from a low-risk country are exempted from the mandatory rt-PCR or antigen test.
4. Travelers who reside in a low-risk country but have visited a high-risk country in the 14 days prior to departing to Sint Maarten, must also have a rt-PCR test for the SARS-COV-2 virus performed in the country of origin within 72 respectively 48 hours prior to departure to Sint Maarten (last leg in case of connecting flights).
5. The original test result to be uploaded as part of EHAS application procedure must clearly specify the name of the laboratory or clinic, full name of test subject, type of test administered, name of antigen test, swab date, source of the swab, result date and a negative result. Incomplete results, hand written or e-mail statements from doctors will not be accepted.
6. Children of age 10 and under are exempted from the mandatory rt-PCR or antigen test. As of the day after the 10th birthday, a rt-PCR or antigen test has to be submitted.
7. Airline and private flight crews with stopovers in St. Maarten or St. Martin must demonstrate a valid negative rt-PCR or antigen test upon arrival. Crew members not in possession of a valid negative rt-PCR or antigen test must self-quarantine until their departure flight.
SELF MONITORING
1. For travelers originating from a high-risk country, 5 consecutive days of self-monitoring of body temperature and possible flu like symptoms is mandatory. The travelers in this category will receive an automated daily email alert providing a link for submitting the required information online the first 5 days of their stay. If you are remaining for a shorter term on the island, you will have to submit the information for the time you are on the island. Temperature measuring possibilities will also be offered in the lobby in most hotels and other lodging facilities.
OUTBOUND TRAVELERS
For information on testing locations please visit https://stmaartenupdates.com/testing-on-island/ Thank you for choosing St. Maarten as your preferred vacation destination.
Thank you for choosing St. Maarten as your preferred vacation destination!Click for Full List of all Travel Entry Requirements and EHAS FormDisclaimer: Protocols are subject to change based on advice from the Ministry of Public Health
ST. MAARTEN VISITOR PROTECTION PLAN
https://www.youtube.com/embed/LRyCusjEM5I?feature=oembedClick for Full List of all Travel Entry Requirements and EHAS Form
While on Island• Get to know the guidelines and protocols of your lodging facility and activity providers, and adhere to these guidelines and protocols
• Wear masks when social distancing is not possible, during your stay on island and avoid touching mouth, eyes, nose
• Sanitize and wash hands frequently
• Avoid touching surfaces as much as possible
• We recommend to vacation safe and adhere to the guidelines while exploring our Friendly Island
• If feeling unwell, contact the hotel’s front desk/ hotel’s COVID-19 task force team immediately or contact the health department by dialing 914
TESTING ON ISLAND
Health Care Laboratory
Orange Grove Mall Unit 12
Tel: +1721-544-1036
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.sxmhealthlab.com
St. Maarten Laboratory Services
1G Hamster Drive
Tel: +1721-542-2518
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.sls.sx
BioPôle Antilles
46 rue Manioc, Hope Estate
+590 (0) 590 77 69 77
Website: www.biopoleantilles.
Medwork
Puerta Del Sol Plaza, Simpson Bay
Email: [email protected]”
Website: www.medworksxm.comMore Information on Testing on Island
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
01. What are the travel entry requirements to enter St. Maarten?
1. Passengers are not allowed to enter if in the past 14 days they have been in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, South Africa, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay or Venezuela.
– This does not apply to:
– residents of St. Maarten, St. Martin, Saba or St. Eustatius;
– passengers younger than 10 years.
2. Residents of Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten or St. Martin who in the past 14 days have been in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, South Africa, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay or Venezuela must have a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test, based on a nasopharyngeal swab and taken at most 72 hours before departure of the last direct flight to St. Maarten.
3. Passengers entering or transiting through St. Maarten from a country other than Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, South Africa, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay or Venezuela must have:
– a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test, based on a nasopharyngeal swab and taken at most 72 hours before departure of the last direct flight to St. Maarten; or
– a negative COVID-19 antigen test, based on a nasopharyngeal swab and taken at most 48 hours before departure of the last direct flight to St. Maarten.
– This does not apply to:
– passengers younger than 10 years; –
passengers arriving from Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba, Cayman Isl., China (People’s Rep.), Dominica, Grenada, Hong Kong (SAR China), Montserrat, New Zealand, Singapore, St. Barthelemy, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines or Turks and Caicos Isl.;
– residents of St. Maarten with a COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing that they were fully vaccinated at least 2 weeks before arrival.
4. Passengers entering or transiting through St. Maarten must complete a health declaration form at least 12 hours before departure obtained at https://stmaartenentry.com/ . This will generate a QR code which must be presented at time of check-in and upon arrival.
– This does not apply to passengers transiting in the same calendar day to Saba, with an authorization obtained at www.sabatourism.com/travel-requirements .
5. Airline crew entering or transiting through St. Maarten without a negative COVID-19 antigen or RT-PCR test, based on a nasopharyngeal swab and taken at most 48 hours before departure of the last direct flight to St. Maarten, are subject to quarantine until their next flight.
6. Passengers are subject to medical screening and could be subject to COVID-19 test upon arrival and to self-isolation.
02. What are the requirements for transit passengers?
03. What type of COVID-19 tests are recognized upon entry?
04. Are all visitors required to fill out the Electronic Health Authorization System Form?
05. Are all visitors required to have official documentation of a negative COVID-19 test?
06. Would I still need to upload a negative COVID-19 Test if I’ve been vaccinated?
07. Are all visitors required to apply for the Visitor Protection Plan?
08. How do I apply for the Visitor Protection Plan?
09. How do I find a testing lab near me?
10. Where can I get tested in St. Maarten?
12. Is St. Maarten open to marine vessels?
13. What are the requirements for private planes to land at SXM Airport
15. If arrive on the Dutch Side, can I stay on the French Side?
16. What should I do if i suspect I have COVID-19 while on-island?
17. Do St. Maarten/St. Martin residents have to test before traveling to the island?
18. Where can I find information on what nationalities need a Visa to enter St. Maarten?
IMPORTANT LINKS
Princess Juliana International Airport
For the latest airline scheduling we advise you to visit www.sxmairport.com
The Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor
If you are displaying symptoms of COVID-19 or would like to speak to someone about this topic please refer to the below contact details:
Collective Prevention Services (CPS)
Hotline during business hours: 914
Email: [email protected]
Government of Sint Maarten
For more information and updates relating to COVID-19 and the actions of Government of Sint Maarten please visit www.sintmaartengov.org/coronavirus
ABOUT
To provide information, awareness and promotion of the different activities on-island that are available to the tourists as well as residents.
CONTACT US
DETAILS
Krippa Commercial Building, #6
Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard
Philipsburg, St. Maarten
+1-721-549-0200
© 2021 All Rights Reserved. Designed by Profound.
Contents