My friend tried to leave BON Wed. and did not have an exit letter so could not leave. Immigration is now inside the departure lounge looking for letters and proper documents. Just so you know to remember, to have an exit letter, even if you are going to Aruba.

Ann

Ann, What is an exit letter... and who needs them

I am sorry Jan, good question. If you are a resident of Bonaire (not a Dutch passport holder) you need permission to leave the island any time you wish to do so. This is NOT FOR TOURISTS.

Just curious... permission from whom and what does it need to say?

A naturally curious Kelly

Actually, it's not an exit letter - it's a Bewijs van terugkeer - a permit to retun. Foreign residents of Bonaire (and technically the Antilles, although it's not enforced in Curacao) need them to return back to Bonaire from abroad. They are not legally required for trips within the Netherlands Antilles.

These letters are a real annoyance to deal with, and it's not clear why immigration bothers with them. Can't wait until I have my Antillean rights in a few years (10 years of residency) and no longer need it...

Jake

So what happens if you don't have this letter? Like if you forgot to pack the darn thing or something? That sounds like a real hassle.

Well, for my friend, she could not leave. So she missed her trip to Caracas via Valencia and then onward to Cuba..it was a mess.