Working on the BES islands
Do you want work on the islands of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius or Saba (BES islands) as a dentist, doctor, midwife or pharmacist? Then you will need an exemption. The BES exemption is issued for a maximum of 4 years.
Who needs a BES exemption?
On the BES islands, the professions of dentist and doctor are called ‘geneeskundige’ and ‘tandheelkundige’. You will also need a BES exemption if you want to work on the BES islands on an incidental or temporary basis.
Processing time and costs
No costs are involved in applying for a BES exemption. Verification will take place after you submit your application. The processing time for an application with a BIG registration or diploma that appears on the list of designated diplomas will take 8 weeks maximum.
If you do not have a BIG registration or foreign diploma, you may have to apply for a Declaration of Professional Competence BES (VVB). The processing time for a VVB is longer. The precise details of this procedure depend on your situation.
Apply for a BES exemption with a BIG registration
- Fill in the Application form exemption BES islands;
- Print the form and sign it;
- Scan the signed copy;
- Send the scanned form to info@besontheffingen.nl.
Apply for a BES exemption without a BIG registration
If you an international qualification but you do not have a BIG registration, you may need a 'Certificate of competence BES’. The processing time for this exemption may take longer.
Contact the client contact centre via info@besontheffingen.nl. In the email, state your name, the country from which you received your diploma, the exact name/title and date of your diploma and your telephone number.
Costs and processing time
The application for a BES exemption is free. The processing time is a maximum of 8 weeks when you have a BIG registration or when your diploma is listed on the List of approved diplomas.