Suriname Visa

By the end of 2010 the National Democratic Party (NDP) of Suriname was beginning their reign. President Bouterse brought a new government to Suriname where a lot of things changed. In particular the rules for foreigners became strict. As an America passport holder I am allowed 90 days on a Tourist visa. Anyone coming to Suriname must come with a round-trip ticket. That wasn't an option for my husband and me.

We didn't and still don't know exactly when we are leaving. We came back in October 2010, and made it clear we would be here for at least a year. After working in the interior with the bush negroes and especially our Haitian brethren we have decided to prolong our stay a couple of months. Seeing that we came on a one way ticket at the airport they gave us a stay for 30 days. That is they stamped our passport with a stay for 30 days, because we applied for our Suriname visa from America (which is valid for 5 years multiple entries). Each entry can be for up to 90 days if you have proof that you will be leaving.

For us we don't have proof that we are leaving anytime soon. Solution? French Guiana! Every 30 days when our stay is up we head on over to Suriname's neighboring country French Guiana. We spend the night at La Tentiaire (pronounced la-tuhn-see-air). It is like a mini vacation from the hustle and bustle of Paramaribo. When you cross the river it is like you are in Europe, technically you are. We wish we didn't have to do this, but this is the only solution.

Last month we went to the States. We bought our ticket in February. When we went to the police station to show our itinerary they finally granted us a 90 day stay until we left for America. Now that we are back we have to keep running for the border until we can get that ticket home. The road is long, but the light at the end of the tunnel is worth it ;-)

Loving the border...