We called immigration a couple of weeks ago to see how long we can stay on island from the U.S. As tourists and were told "2 times 90"! When asked if those could be consecutive, not a clear response except to check after 10/10/10. Anybody else heard this or have clarification? If it turns out to still be just 90 per calendar yr does Oct. Through the following March work without going off island? Oboy, this could really work for us.. We miss all our buddies on island..

I wish you every success. I wish EU citizens were allowed the 90 days times 2. I am British but am only allowed 90 days on Bonaire. Even 120 days would suit me.

Thanks Trevor! I wish we could have actual confirmation and implementation guidelines- maybe someone on BT knows. It never made sense to me why tourists can't stay longer- it builds loyalty to the island, helps the economy, helps local charitable orgs, etc. We hope lots of good changes are on the way for all of us, especially for the wonderful people of Bonaire.

hey there, dennis and patti.

i was wondering if you had ever heard a definite answer about your question. my wife and i are on bonaire now and will be until december. we don't have a return plane ticket and are trying to figure out just how long we can be on the island! it has been pretty frustrating to try and find information from anyone here as things seem to be in the middle of a change and everyone seems to have a different opinion.

thanks!

Quite some things are changing on the BES islands and not all is known
From the Antillaans Dagblad:
Starting tomorrow 15 Sept the Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland (Dep.Caribbean Netherlands) has a phone number for questions
Mon - Fri afternoons 13.30 - 17.00
Tel #08008-101010
Languages Nederlands, English, Spanish, Papiamentu

Perhaps try it ?

Brigitte-you always come through for all of us- thanks! Matthew-I'll try today ( if the time difference doesn't get in the way) to reach that office- I have tried repeatedly in the BES immigration office on Bonaire-they have been told not to give definitive answers I'm sure because they don't have official word. I have heard from many people all waiting- our lifestyles depend on it so we are very hopeful. Aruba uses the 2x90 rule for property owners- even if it is a yacht docked there- so it would be sensible for Bonaire to copy that- 6 months each place would work too, wouldn't it?! Pls post if anyone hears before we do, otherwise we will be sure to do so if we get lucky.

Sorry, meant we'll call tomorrow, the 15th early AM. Matthew, love your website- you two are true adventurers, lucky guys!

thanks so much d and p, i really hope you find some favorable information for both me and my wife and for y'all! and yes, we are seriously blessed to get to spend so much time in this paradise. i cannot explain how much i love diving everyday!

Matthew-with the time difference in Europe we have not yet gotten thru on phone, will try again tomorrow. We know, Bonaire is very special, to say the least...

no problem here. we're just hoping to glean any information that you guys learn... we beggars can't be choosers.

Ok, typical Bonaire- we tried again to call the Netherlands- can't connect. So called BES office on Bonaire (715-8333 -Matthew you may not have that number) on island and told them we couldn't get thru- they said to call back the BES office after 1:00! so, the regular Bonaire treasure hunt continues. Maybe in Holland they anticipated the deluge and pulled the plug, or they're not ready or just dumped it on the locals. More later..,

Mystery solved- the new RCN ( central gov't) number is same locally( old BES Office on Bonaire) just new name)- 00599-715-8333. Email!!: info-rsc@rsc-bes.nl
fax:005997158330
the 800 number probably works bet the three islands only- we are currently in the States.
open after 1:30 today but I'll bet it will be tough to get thru!
Pls post info, anyone able to connect. Good luck to all..

.... as I wrote
Mon - Fri afternoons 13.30 - 17.00

that is how time is said in Holland + on the islands -- translation 1.30 pm to 5 pm .... but if you want to spend a lot of time on the island better to understand the 24 h time .....

Thanks Brigitte-Dennis is good at military time, it drives me nuts. However, he just got off the phone with the Bonaire office-they carefully took the question and said they will get back to us( didn't say when), also had read our email. So they are responsive and no longer saying call back after 10/10-of course the more people that call with the same question the better. We asked about duration, time between stays and if stays relate to calendar yr, etc.

Just received an email from official source and it is good news for property owners who are non- residents. We can stay 90 days out of every 6 months- this means if you stay 90 days you must be off island 90 days, then return for another 90 days. So, if you wanted to stay nearby you could spend the alternate times on Curacao( 90) an then Aruba(90)-assuming you don't own property on those islands. I sure hope I got this right. If you need confirmation just email them at address I gave earlier- they do respond and were efficient and polite- great to get this news! Matthew, if you don't own property pls clarify that with them since we didn't address that issue- again, best of luck!

Just wondering .... for us going to Florida it is also autmatically 90 days and no way to extend. But if you have a Visa in your passport (to be applied for at the US consulat in Curacao - valid 10 years I think) it is autmatically 6 months .... should be possible also the other way round ....

d & p - you guys are awesome! thanks for sharing this info. we are not property owners but we can call and try and clear it up with them (probably try emailing first). thanks again!

Matthew-no problemo. Brigitte-thanks, I'll check on that tomorrow but I think you need to be working or be a student to get a visa past 90 days-I will definitely check though. Matthew, enjoy every sec, there's no place on Earth like Bonaire. Kiss a donkey for us and say hi to Michael (Chat 'n Browse) and Brigitte, and Marina,and Hershel, and Annie, and all the other wonderful people on island. Gotta get back...!

Hi Patti Thanks for the message you sent.