The following is a press release from the Governor’s Office in Anguilla relating to those requirements:

Anguillians, who are entitled to do so, may find it useful to obtain a British Citizen passport, in addition to their Anguillian British Overseas Territory Citizen (BOTC) passport, if they are to avoid potential difficulties with new French immigration requirements for travel to and from French St. Martin.

As from 1 September ’05, all foreign nationals, who are subject to a French visa regime, will have to have a valid French visa in their national passport to enter French St. Martin. Foreign residents on Anguilla should, therefore, check with the French Embassy in St. Lucia if they are in doubt whether they will need a French visa to enter French St. Martin.

Anguillians, who hold a British Citizen passport, have the right of visa free entry to all European Union countries, as well as French St. Martin and other French overseas territories.

Technically, this does not apply to Anguillian BOTC passport holders, who, under the new French immigration rules, if strictly applied, would have to get a French visa to travel to French St. Martin. The Government of Anguilla (and the UK Government) are still in discussion with the French authorities about this in order to seek a relaxation for Anguillian BOTC passport holders travelling to or through French St. Martin.

Nevertheless, in order to avoid potential problems with the French immigration authorities at Marigot, Anguillians, who are entitled to do so, may find it useful to obtain (and travel with) a British Citizen passport, on journeys to or through French St. Martin.

The French authorities have said, however, that as from 1 September ’05, all other nationals travelling to or from Anguilla via French St. Martin, who would normally be subject to a French visa requirement, will have to have a valid French visa in their passport if they enter French St. Martin. This means that citizens of most Caribbean islands, Belize and Guyana amongst others, who are residents on Anguilla, will have to obtain a French visa if they wish to enter French St. Martin, even if only in transit. Foreign residents in Anguilla, who travel on a foreign passport other than a British Citizen or Anguillian BOTC passport, should therefore check the French visa requirements for citizens of their nationality with the French Embassy in St. Lucia (telephone # 1 758 455 6060) if they are in doubt about the French visa requirements.

All persons travelling to French St. Martin, including Anguillians (and US citizens) must now carry a valid, current passport. This rules out the use of Permanent Residence or Belongership cards or any other form of personal identification, which may have been accepted by the French authorities in the past.

The new French immigration regulations also speak of requiring “host certificates,” obtained beforehand through the Mayor’s office in Marigot, for persons staying overnight or longer in French St. Martin other than in a hotel or tourism-related accommodation (i.e. with family, friends or business acquaintances). French immigration officials may also require proof of adequate medical insurance. The Government of Anguilla (and the UK Government) are still in discussion with the French authorities over this (and the administrative arrangements have, in any case, yet to be sorted out on the French side). British Citizen passport holders would be exempt from such requirements.

Governor’s Office
Anguilla

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