Residency and your sedula

Dutch citizens can enter freely (up to 180 days per year as a visitor, 90 if working). To stay longer, apply for a Declaration of Admittance by Law (Verklaring van rechtswege). "Island children" (born on Bonaire, Saba or St. Eustatius, or with a parent born there) can obtain a Non-Applicability Declaration to settle freely. You then register at Burgerzaken and obtain your sedula.

Non-Dutch nationals generally need a residence permit from IND Caribbean (IND-CN) before settling. Nationals of the EU/EEA and a set of other countries (incl. the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, Switzerland, South Korea and others) may enter first and then apply on-island for a fixed-term permit; most other nationalities must obtain an MVV (authorisation for temporary stay) before travelling. After five continuous years, permanent residence may be possible.

With a valid permit and a stay over four months per half-year, register in person within five days of receiving the permit — bringing your permit, passport, and proof of deregistration if you come from the Netherlands or another Kingdom country. Foreign-born applicants supply legalised/apostilled source documents (e.g. birth certificate). Registration itself is free; the sedula card costs USD 8.40 for an adult (USD 5.60 for a minor). Allow at least a week; the card must be requested in person.