Note: Entry requirements can change. This page reflects the rules as of May 2026. Always verify with your airline, the official entry.sx portal, and the embassy or consulate of the Netherlands or France for your country before you travel.
St Martin is one island shared by two countries — France and the Netherlands — and that unusual arrangement means the entry requirements are a little more layered than most Caribbean destinations. The good news is that for US and Canadian travelers, the process is genuinely straightforward. The less good news is that since late 2024, there is a mandatory digital form to fill in before you fly, and a lot of people still don’t know about it.
This page covers everything you need to arrive without delays: which airport you’re landing at, what documents to carry, the ED card, customs rules, and a few things that catch people off guard.
Most international flights arrive at Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) on the Dutch side. This is the main gateway for travelers from the US, Canada, and Europe. It’s also the airport where entry requirements are more involved — you’ll need a passport, and you’ll need to have completed the digital ED card before check-in.
Grand Case–Espérance Airport (SFG) on the French side handles regional inter-island flights only. If you’re arriving here — typically from Guadeloupe, Martinique, or another French territory — different rules apply, and the process is simpler. There is no ED card requirement at SFG, and French citizens can enter with a national ID card rather than a passport.
In practice, if you’re flying from the US or Canada, you’re landing at SXM. Everything below applies to you.
As of October 2024, all travelers arriving at Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) are required to complete a digital Embarkation/Disembarkation card — the ED card — before their flight. This replaces the old paper form that used to be handed out on board.
The form is filled in at entry.sx — the only official government site. It is entirely free. A number of scam sites appeared in 2025 charging “processing fees” for the same form. Do not pay anyone. If you have already entered credit card details on a non-official site, contact your bank.
The portal opens 7 days before your arrival date. You can technically fill it in on the day, but several airlines now verify your QR code at check-in, and missing it has caused denied boarding. Fill it in at least 24 hours before your flight. Each traveler — including children — needs their own submission. One adult can complete forms for the whole family, but each person needs a separate entry linked to their own travel document.
You will need: your passport details, your flight information, and the address of where you’re staying on the island. If you don’t have a confirmed address yet, use the name and general area of your accommodation — you can update the form if your plans change.
⚠️ The ED card is free and mandatory. The only official site is entry.sx. Do not pay for it anywhere else.
US and Canadian citizens do not need a visa to enter Sint Maarten (Dutch side) for stays of up to 90 days for tourism or business. A valid passport is required — not a birth certificate, not a driver’s license, not an enhanced ID. A passport.
Your passport must be valid for at least the duration of your stay. Canadian government advice recommends at least 6 months’ validity beyond your departure date, and it’s sensible to follow that guidance. You will also need a return or onward ticket — immigration officers can and do ask for proof that you’re leaving.
US Green Card holders and Canadian Permanent Residents are visa-exempt. Travel with both your passport and your residency card.
Naturalized US or Canadian citizens should also carry their original naturalization certificate with an identity photo, as this may be requested.
EU citizens do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days. A valid passport is required at SXM. At Grand Case (SFG), an official national identity card is sufficient.
Note that Sint Maarten is not part of the Schengen Area and is not European territory — it is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. A Schengen visa is not valid for entry into Sint Maarten. If you are a non-EU national holding a Schengen residence permit, that permit does not cover Sint Maarten.
Citizens of many countries outside the US, Canada, and the EU can enter Sint Maarten visa-free for up to 90 days. The full exemption list follows Kingdom of the Netherlands rules — check with the nearest Dutch embassy or consulate if you’re unsure whether your nationality qualifies.
If your nationality requires a visa, apply for a Caribbean visa (not a Schengen visa — they are different) at a Dutch embassy or consulate before travel. The Caribbean visa covers Sint Maarten for up to 30 days per visit.
One useful exemption: if you hold a valid residence permit or multi-entry visa for the United States or Canada, you are generally exempt from the Sint Maarten visa requirement. The same applies to residence permits for French Saint-Martin.
When you reach immigration at SXM, have the following ready:
Valid passport (valid for the duration of your stay, ideally 6 months beyond your planned departure)
ED card QR code — screenshot or email from entry.sx
Return or onward ticket — printed or on your phone
Proof of accommodation — hotel confirmation, villa rental, or address where you’re staying
Proof of sufficient funds — occasionally asked for; a credit card with available balance is generally sufficient
You do not need to carry large amounts of cash, a printed itinerary, or travel insurance documentation (though travel insurance is strongly recommended). The process at SXM is generally smooth — the recently renovated arrivals hall has made the experience considerably faster than it used to be.
Sint Maarten has very relaxed customs rules compared to most Caribbean islands. Travelers aged 18 and over may bring in duty-free: up to 4 liters of alcohol, a carton of cigarettes or 25 cigars, and personal-use items including cameras, laptops, and phones. There are no specific duty-free limits on perfume.
Items you cannot bring in: firearms and ammunition, spear guns, pole spears, illegal drugs, live plants or cuttings, and raw fruits and vegetables. These restrictions are consistent across both sides of the island.
Keep receipts for any significant purchases made while on the island — you will need to declare these when you return home. US citizens are entitled to a $800 duty-free exemption on their return; Canadians have a CAD 800 exemption after 7+ days abroad.
There is no currency import limit, but amounts over $10,000 USD must be declared.
Cruise passengers arriving in Philipsburg for a day visit are exempt from the ED card requirement. Your cruise ship’s passenger manifest acts as your entry document, and a ship-issued ID card (SeaPass or equivalent) is sufficient for going ashore and returning.
If you are a homeporting passenger — meaning you fly into SXM to embark on a ship departing from the St. Maarten cruise port — you do need to complete the ED card like any other air arrival.
A departure tax applies to all international flights out of Princess Juliana International Airport. The amount is typically included in your airfare — check your ticket breakdown before traveling, as most US and Canadian carriers include it. If it is not included, it can be paid at the airport before departure.
Children under 2 years of age are exempt. There is no departure tax from Grand Case–Espérance Airport (SFG).
Once you land in SXM, you’ll want to have data connectivity — useful for maps, restaurant bookings, and getting your bearings on an island where GPS matters. The easiest option before you arrive is an eSIM, which you load before leaving home and activates the moment you land.
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US and Canadian citizens do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days. Most EU nationals are also visa-exempt. Citizens of many other countries can enter without a visa — check the Kingdom of the Netherlands exemption list for your nationality. If a visa is required, apply for a Caribbean visa (not a Schengen visa) at a Dutch embassy or consulate.
The ED card (Electronic Disembarkation card) is a mandatory digital immigration form for all travelers arriving at Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM). It must be completed before check-in at entry.sx. It is free. Each traveler, including children, needs a separate form.
Yes — for US and Canadian citizens, a valid passport is required at both airports. A birth certificate or driver's license is not sufficient. Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay; many travel advisors recommend at least 6 months of validity beyond your departure date.
Yes. Sint Maarten (Dutch side, airport SXM) requires a passport and the ED card. Saint-Martin (French side, airport SFG) follows French rules — French citizens can enter with a national ID, and there is no ED card requirement. For US and Canadian travelers, the distinction rarely matters in practice since almost all flights arrive at SXM. Once on the island, there are no border checks between the two sides.
No — day-visit cruise passengers are exempt. Your ship's passenger manifest serves as your entry document. The exception is homeporting passengers who fly into SXM to board a ship departing from the island's cruise port: they do need to complete the ED card like any other air arrival.
Yes, a departure tax applies to all international flights out of Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM). Most US and Canadian carriers include it in the ticket price — check your fare breakdown. Children under 2 are exempt. There is no departure tax from Grand Case–Espérance Airport (SFG).
Travelers aged 18 and over can bring in up to 4 liters of alcohol, a carton of cigarettes or 25 cigars, and personal-use items like cameras, laptops, and phones. Firearms, spear guns, illegal drugs, live plants, and raw fruits or vegetables are prohibited.
I've lived in St Martin for 25 years — and I'm an epicurean at heart, in love with my island. I've been giving out insider tips for almost 15 years.
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These are the companies and services I personally recommend most often to travelers visiting St Martin. After nearly 25 years on the island, these are simply the tools that tend to make travel here easier, smoother and less stressful.
Book Your Vacation Rental
Some owners on BookStMartin accept direct bookings, which can offer a more personal experience and greater flexibility. If you prefer instant confirmation and a wider selection, VRBO and Booking.com usually have the largest inventory on the island.
Book Your Hotel
For hotels, I usually use Booking.com and TripAdvisor to check reviews, atmosphere and location.
Don’t Forget Your Rental Car
Renting a car in St Martin is honestly essential. The island is easy to drive, but taxis become expensive very quickly and there’s no Uber here. I recommend DiscoverCars because it compares local rental companies and often finds better prices than booking directly at the airport.
Book Your Tours & Excursions
For catamaran cruises, Anguilla day trips, snorkeling tours or St Barth excursions, I usually book through Viator and GetYourGuide.
Both platforms are reliable and most activities include free cancellation, which is always useful in the Caribbean.
Book Your Flights
For flights to SXM Airport, I usually use Skyscanner and Google Flights depending on the route and season.
Stay Connected with an eSIM
Avoid expensive roaming fees by installing an eSIM before your trip. Airalo works very well in St Martin and takes only a few minutes to activate.
