China → Sint Maarten (Dutch part)
Without an applicable waiver document, a Caribbean short-stay visa is required; the short-stay visa is for stays of 90 days or less.
China is not on the visa-exempt nationality list; if no other listed exemption applies, a visa is required. Entry remains subject to passport, return/onward proof, purpose-of-stay proof, funds, insurance and border-officer discretion requirements.
Based on passport-specific data. · as of 2026-06-17
Official source ↗Documents that change the outcome
- Visa-free· schengen_visa · 90 days
Holders of a multiple-entry short-stay Schengen visa, or a residence permit for the Netherlands or another Schengen country, do not need a Caribbean visa. General entry requirements still apply.
source ↗ - Visa-free· uk_visa · 90 days
Holders of a multiple-entry visa or residence permit for the United Kingdom or Ireland do not need a Caribbean visa. General entry requirements still apply.
source ↗ - Visa-free· us_green_card · 90 days
Holders of a US residence permit do not need a Caribbean visa; this applies to travelers who would otherwise require a visa. General entry requirements still apply, and local authorities may allow a shorter stay than the maximum.
source ↗ - Visa-free· us_visa · 90 days
Chinese nationals holding a valid multiple-entry US visa are exempt from the Caribbean visa requirement; ESTA is not a US visa. General entry requirements still apply, and local authorities may allow a shorter stay than the maximum.
source ↗
Documents & how to apply
- Completed and signed Caribbean visa application form — Print the form and submit it with the other documents.
- Valid travel document/passport — No more than 10 years old; at least 2 empty visa pages; valid for at least 3 months after leaving the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom; must bear the holder's signature.
- Photo — Colour photo, no more than 6 months old, 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm, white or light-coloured background; if applying through an external service provider, a digital photo is taken at the appointment and a photo does not need to be submitted.
- Proof of legal residence in the country where applying — May be shown with a passport/travel document, residence permit, visa or work permit; a residence permit must be valid for at least 3 months after leaving the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom.
- Proof of social or economic ties to the country of residence — Employed applicants: recent employer statement with job title, contract duration and salary or certificate of employment, plus bank statements or payslips from the previous 3 months. Self-employed applicants: business permit or income tax return copy plus bank statements from the previous 3 months. Students: proof of enrolment. Other evidence may include caregiving, property or children's school documents.
- Proof of stay in the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom — Tourism: hotel reservation or rental agreement for the entire trip, or proof of property if applicable. Business: hotel reservation for the entire visit, or the invitation letter must state that the inviting party arranges accommodation.
- Proof of who will pay travel and stay costs — If paying yourself, provide bank statements for the previous 3 months and, if employed, 3 recent payslips. For business visits, if the inviting party pays, this must be stated in the invitation letter.
- Travel reservation or document showing travel plans — Reservation in the applicant's name for travel to and from the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom, or another document showing travel plans; a paid ticket is not required.
- Proof of travel medical insurance — Must be in the applicant's name, cover all Caribbean parts of the Kingdom for the entire stay, and cover at least USD 15,000 in medical expenses, including hospital stay and treatment, emergency care, prescription medication and repatriation.
- Business or official visit invitation documents · optional — Required for business/official visits only: invitation from the company or event in the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom stating personal details, visit dates and reasons. For trade fairs/congresses without an invitation, provide trade or employment relationship documents and an admission ticket. Official visits require the relevant official invitation/note verbale or government letter.
- Additional documents for minors · optional — For a child under 18 travelling without one or both parents/guardians: recent birth certificate extract, consent form from non-travelling parent(s)/guardian(s), copies of their valid travel documents; if applicable, death certificate, proof of guardianship or court permission.
⏱ The earliest you can apply is 3 months before intended travel; in most cases you will be informed within 15 calendar days whether the application was successful. 💳 80 EUR (government fee) 📍 In China, applications can be submitted at TLScontact Netherlands visa application centres; applications are sent to and assessed by the Netherlands embassy or consulates-general in China. Hong Kong residents may apply at the Netherlands consulate-general in Hong Kong.
Chinese nationals holding a valid multiple-entry US or Canadian visa may be exempt from the Caribbean visa; otherwise applications in China are normally submitted in person via TLScontact visa application centres.
Requirements vary by consulate — verify with the official source. official ↗
Common questions
No, if the US visa is valid and multiple-entry; ESTA does not count as a US visa.
No. China is not on the official visa-exempt nationality list; without another listed exemption, a Caribbean short-stay visa is required.
Yes. The official source exempts holders of a multiple-entry short-stay Schengen visa, a multiple-entry UK/Ireland visa, or a US residence permit from the Caribbean visa requirement.
The official visa-exempt list specifies Taiwan passport holders whose passport bears their identity card number.
No. US nationals are visa-exempt and may stay for up to 180 consecutive days in any 365-day period.
Verify with official sources
Visa policy changes without notice and this page is reference information that may contain errors. Before travel, verify via the official sources below or contact the destination country's embassy / consulate / immigration authority directly; final admission is at the destination government's discretion.