PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Justice Cornelius de Weever signed a study covenant with American University of the Caribbean (AUC) School of Medicine Executive Dean Dr. Heidi Chumley on Wednesday morning. The covenant enables the educational institution to make requests on behalf of its students to grant or amend a permit for temporary residence for pursuing studies.
“We need to understand the economic and financial contribution that the school, faculty and students make to St. Maarten, and it is of utmost importance that we as a government facilitate the American University of the Caribbean,” Minister de Weever stated.
To come into consideration for a residence permit the educational institution needs to follow the application requirements, such as filling in the student covenant application form in its entirety and submitting this to the Admittance and Residency Office of the Immigration and Border Protection Services.
The signed study covenant between the Minister and AUC is valid through June 30, 2020. Prior to or within 90 days following June 30, 2020, the covenant will be re-evaluated and if the evaluation is positive, will be automatically renewed for an additional term of two years unless terminated by either party, the minister and AUC agreed.
“I believe this covenant can serve as a template as we work across ministries and include education, labour and justice to facilitate all schools with the teachers and their requests for work and/or residence permits,” said De Weever.
