| Essential
Immigration Documentation
Even though Sint Eustatius is a small island,
it is part of a much larger entity called the
Kingdom of Holland. As such adherence to immigration
requirements is an important factor in being able
to move to the island of Sint Eustatius to study.
As students (and their immediate family members)
reside on the island for a minimum of 20 months
(5 terms) during their studies, they are required
by Antillean and island immigration law to apply
for a temporary residency permit and a census
card. To obtain these, the following ORIGINAL
documents are essential and MUST BE BROUGHT TO
THE ISLAND. Copies of these documents must also
be sent to the Registrars office in NY. Failure
to bring all these documents to the island on
arrival will cause problems with immigration,
and the student will be asked to leave the island
until all the required documents are received
and processed.
Birth Certificate or Certificate of Naturalization
A legalized COPY of birth certificate or certificate
of naturalization. Copy must have original seal
and signature from a notary.
Valid Passport
COPY of valid passport. Passport should have at
least two years remaining before requiring renewal.
NOTE: Some individuals have different names on
their passports compared to their birth certificates.
In this case, an original letter is required from
your local notary (with seal and signature) indicating
that the differing names on the different documents
are referring to the same person.
Certificate of Health Letter (See
Sample
on Downloads Page)
The Certificate of Health letter must be an original
letter (not a photocopy) on official letter head
or prescription paper, no older than two months
(60 days), and hand signed by a physician. The
letter MUST be dated and stamped and should state
that the student is "in good health and free
of communicable diseases." A letter of immunization
is NOT acceptable for immigration requirements.
Police Clearance Report (See Sample
on Downloads Page)
The island immigration is MOST PARTICULAR about
the type of police reports that they require to
be submitted for island permits. The report must
cover the last five years and must report any
and all arrest and convictions of the law. If
the student has resided in more than one county,
state, or country over the five year period, then
a police report must be obtained from each area
lived.
The best type of report to have
is a finger print check made by the FBI or alternative
agency in your country of residence. An alternative
report is a police report/search from the applicant's
closest police department, which must cover the
state, or country of the student's residence.
A local town police report that only covers the
surrounding area or University police report is
NOT acceptable.
IMPORTANT: The report must be
dated within two months (60 days) of arriving
on Sint Eustatius. The report must have an original
seal with a signature from the issuing officer
and be on official letterhead. Only original documents
are accepted.
Students with a record of arrest
or conviction must contact the Assoc. Dean of
Student Affairs to determine island residency
potential. If the report shows a history of arrest
and/or conviction, the student may be denied residency
status and be forced to leave the island.
Twelve Passport Photos
Photographs should be identical, recent and be
of standard 2" X 2" passport-size, with
the applicant's signature on the back. These photographs
should be of passport required quality.
Return Air Ticket
The Department of Immigration on Statia requires
all students (and their on-island dependents)
to have a valid return ticket to their home country.
Proof of Residency
If you are a permanent resident in a country from
which you do not hold a valid passport, then you
must bring original proof (e.g. residency card)
that you are entitled to permanent residency within
that country.
Proof of Acceptance to an Educational Institution
Bring with you to the island the original or a
copy of your school acceptance letter.
Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
A legalized COPY of marriage certificate. Copy
must have original seal and signature from a notary.
Name Change
If you have had your name changed (i.e., It is
not the same as that on your birth certificate)
then you need to bring court documentation proving
you are the original person on the birth certificate.
Common Law Agreements for Non Married Partners
If you will be coming to the island with a partner
to whom you are not married (e.g., fiancé,
boyfriend/girlfriend, etc.), then you need to
obtain a "Common Law Agreement" from
your local notary in your country of residence.
As is true for any other immediate family member
accompanying you, the partner will also have to
submit the following documentation.
Completed Student Declaration Form (See
Form
on Downloads Page)
Completed and signed student declaration form.
This form states that you will not become employed
while on the island of Sint Eustatius.
Completed Student Authorization Form
(See Form
on Downloads Page)
Completed and signed student authorization form
allows the school to submit immigration documentation
on your behalf. Students should click the link
above or visit the downloads page and click the
link for the Student Authorization Form.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
All students and dependents should check their
personal documentation and make sure that the
names on all documentation coincide. For example,
the name on the birth certificate must be the
same as that found on the passport, marriage certificate,
police report, and health letter. Additionally,
if any of the original documents requested and
needed for immigration are not in English, then
a CERTIFIED TRANSLATED copy must be obtained before
arrival on the island. This translated copy must
be notarized with BOTH a stamp and signature.
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