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Moving to Bonaire: Moving for Med School
Bonaire Talk: Moving to Bonaire: Archives: Archives 2009: Moving for Med School
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Sheila Barrett (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 10:47 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

My husband was just accepted to the Med School in Bonaire and now we are working to get our temp. residency permits. My husband sends his to the Med School and they take car of it, but where do I send my permit application?
Also, what is a good website for affordable housing on the island?
Thanks for any help.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By michael gaynor (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3531) on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 8:31 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

the school should be able to give you info. it is quite involved and I am surprised that the admissions office did not supply you with the necessary info. Lots of luck re housing.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rick C (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Sunday, February 8, 2009 - 3:07 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Sheila I am in much of the same situation, I have been accepted to school for the fall and the school seems reluctant to help with spousal immigration. I have been trying to make my way through the embassy's and have ended up with this http://www.netherlands-embassy.org/article.asp?articleref=AR00000400EN its the contact info for the office we need on the island.
Cheers!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan Jolly (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #622) on Sunday, February 8, 2009 - 4:25 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Sheila and Rick:

Michael probably has the most knowledge about these things. I have heard that people will enter on a tourist visa for almost the max allowed time then depart for a short day or so. They can then re-enter on a tourist visa. Kind of like hopping to Aruba for a weekend then back to Bonaire.

This is only hearsay but it makes sense. I have contacts in Honduras from our mission days who did this same thing there.

Housing is a whole different issue. What about house-sitting ??

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bruce Zavon (BonaireTalker - Post #60) on Sunday, February 8, 2009 - 4:43 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

You can do the 90 days, out a day and stay 90 more, but it's a hassle and I don't know how many times you can really get away with this. We stayed 4 1/2 months last year this way. First, immigration now just gives 30 days to tourists at the airport, so you need to go to immigration to get an extension. Second, it's fun to go to Aruba but it's not a cheap weekend when you add up the airfare, cabs, hotel, meals and whatever you lose in the casinos (or in my wife's case, offset some of the cost and win!)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bruce Zavon (BonaireTalker - Post #61) on Monday, February 16, 2009 - 3:12 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Just a little update. I recently heard that the 90 day rule is going to be enforced. If you want to stay longer you need to become a resident and pay taxes. Don't know if this is in effect already or will be soon but the days of staying on island as a long term non-tax paying non-resident are apparently over. Personally I think it's fair and more consistent with international tax standards (although most tax treaties allow a 180 day non-resident grace period per year.)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rick C (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 11:27 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Although it does seem silly to make ppl start paying taxes yet basically not allow them to work!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bruce Zavon (BonaireTalker - Post #62) on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 11:31 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

If you're not working you don't make money so no taxes to pay (except on passive income like interest, dividends or rentals.)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By shari philpot (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - 6:50 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

For the other people moving to Bonaire for Med school, could we start some kind of informational/ support group for US citizens?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By shari philpot (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #10) on Thursday, March 12, 2009 - 6:29 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Here is the contact information you need:
4200 Linnean Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20008
1-877-DUTCHHELP (phone)
1-877-388-2443 (phone)
202-362-3430 (fax)

See you in class!
Shari

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Charlie Strosahl (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Thursday, April 2, 2009 - 6:51 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I'm still confused. Where exactly should you send your husband's immigration paper work to. I'm coming to Boniare in August for Medical School and I don't know where to send my husband's paper work. I've called all around. No one has a decent clear answer.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Janet Spence (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Saturday, May 2, 2009 - 10:15 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Can anyone give me some information about St James Medical School and the cost of living in Bon Aire. Also I have a 10 year old daughter I am From the US, Florida, and would like to know if there are any English Speaking students who would be interested in forming a home study program to teach the English speaking children from the US??

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By michael gaynor (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3669) on Sunday, May 3, 2009 - 9:32 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

The name of our island is Bonaire...I am amazed that the school still does not give students information that will answer your questions! Check out the volumes of posts re English schools.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Candice Davis (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Saturday, January 16, 2010 - 1:10 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thank you to all. This has been very helpful. As I have a husband and 5 children. I was hoping to consider all of us moving to Bonaire to attend Med School. Anyone else with children planning on immigrating?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By michael gaynor (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3971) on Saturday, January 16, 2010 - 2:16 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Please do yourself and kids a favor and don't bring them to Bonaire unless you are prepared to homeschool them or can afford a private school. Our schools are overburdened and kids must speak Dutch, Papiamentu, etc. For the most part you will have no help with special language accommodations in the schools

 


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