Traveling to Curaçao

Travel Notice

Travel to Curaçao

As of January 1, 2021, the Government of Curaçao amended the travel policy. The Government of Curaçao now classifies countries in either high or low-risk countries and amended the requirements thereof. To check a country’s current classification please visit www.gobiernu.cw/corona-travel-to-curacao.

To travel to Curaçao you do not need a visa if you are a national of one of the following countries:

Countries which do not require a visa

Countries A-C
  • Albania
  • Andorra
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belgium
  • Belize
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Brazil
  • Brunei
  • Bulgaria
  • Canada
  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • Costa Rica
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic

Traveling to Curaçao

Curaçao International Airport, located on the beautiful
Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao, connects Europe,
the Americas and the Caribbean.

The modern and comfortable Curaçao International Airport (Hato),
is served by several valued airline partners. Any part of the world is accessible thanks to Star, OneWorld and Sky Team alliances. The Curaçao International Airport has one of the longest runways in the Caribbean, accommodating up to B747 aircraft.
 
Curaçao is centrally located and accessible by a variety of
airlines worldwide such as:

  • KLM
  • American Airlines
  • Avianca
  • EZ Air
  • Caribbean Airlines
  • WinAir
  • Sky High
  • TUI
  • Jet Blue
  • Wingo
  • Copa Airlines
  • Divi Divi Air
  • Jet Air
  • Air Century

Caribbean Visa Application:

There is a visa requirement to travel to the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom, including Curaçao, for certain nationalities. Depending on your location, visa requests can be submitted either at an external visa provider, VFS Global, or an Embassy of the Dutch Kingdom. For information pertaining Caribbean visa check the following webpage: https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/travel/caribbean-visas/short-stay-caribbean-visa-90-days-or-less
 
Visas must be applied for at the relevant embassy or consulate of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, or external service provider (VFS Global) in the participant’s country of residence. For a description of the application process, please see the latest version of the “Guidelines for Caribbean visa” of the Directorate of Foreign Relations of Curaçao.
 
Information provided is divided in the following subjects:
  1. Current process for Caribbean Visa application for travel to Curaçao;
  2. Visa requirements;
  3. Travel to Curaçao;
  4. Overview of important webpages.
In addition, please find a checklist of documents that have to be submitted for the application of Caribbean visa attached.
 
Process for Caribbean Visa application for travel to Curaçao
Below you find the steps to obtain the Caribbean visa:

  1. Make an appointment online via the website of the relevant VFS Global or a Dutch Embassy in your country of residence. If you need assistance or more information please call the relevant VFS Global office or Dutch Embassy.
  2. On the scheduled date you will go to the office of VFS Global or the Dutch Embassy and file your application for the Caribbean visa.
  3. Once the visa is granted you can travel to Curaçao, taking into account the current government travel policy with regard to COVID-19 for travel to Curaçao.
  4. Upon arrival at the airport, you must provide a negative COVID-19 PCR-test results if requested by airport immigration authorities.
Visa requirements
Caribbean visa can be issued for the following purposes:
  1. Tourism;
  2. Business;
  3. Visiting family and friends;
  4. Study;
  5. Retirement.
Visa Exemptions
When traveling to Curaçao you need a “Caribbean Visa” unless you are:
  • a holder of a valid Caribbean visa (the Caribbean visa needs to be valid upon arrival and departure);
  • a holder of a valid residence permit for one of the constituent countries (St. Maarten, Aruba, Curaçao) or special municipalities (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, Saba);
  • a holder of a multiple-entry short-stay Schengen visa or an authorization for temporary stay or residence permit for a Schengen country;
  • a holder of a multiple entry visa or a valid residence permit for the USA (ARC), Canada (PRCard), the United Kingdom or Ireland;
  • a traveler, with a ticket to a final destination, transiting in Curaçao within 48 hours of arrival;
  • a passenger on a cruise ship staying on Curaçao for less than 48 hours;
  • a Captain or crewmember of an air plane or ship, who is staying on Curaçao for less than 48 hours and do not pose a threat to public order, national security or international relations
Requirements
All applications must be submitted in person including children under the age of 18. The following documents must be submitted:
  • A valid passport with at least 2 blank pages. The passport must be valid for at least another 9 months. When you submit your application you must also submit your passport. You will receive a copy of the application form and your reference number;
  • Two copies of the first page of the passport;
  • An intended flight itinerary. You must clearly demonstrate your travel itinerary. For example by providing your flight reservation. You are advised not to buy plane tickets before you obtain your visa;
  • Proof you can return or travel on to your country of residence, nationality or destination after leaving Curacao (e.g. a valid visa or a return ticket). It is always useful if you can provide a job letter (stating the company’s name, your job title, number of years in service, monthly income and permission to take holiday leave);
  • If you are an independent business traveler you must provide official proof that you own a registered business. A Business license/Registration if you are a business owner;
  • If you are a student you must provide proof that you are registered as a student at your school or university;
  • Proof of sufficient funds. For Curaçao a standard amount of US $ 1000 per week is used. Proof of sufficient funds can be provided by means of:
  1. Bank statements in your name (at least the 3 most recent);
  2. Salary/pay slip (at least the 3 most recent);
  3. Tax return.
If you can’t meet the minimum requirement of $1000 a week, you can still qualify for a Caribbean visa in case you have a guarantor. More information in the section below.

-     2 photos in accordance with the following specifications: https://www.government.nl/topics/identification-documents/documents/publications/2020/06/18/photo-specification-guidelines-2020
  • Proof of travel (including health) insurance. You must provide an official document from your insurance company in which the company confirms that the insurance is in your name and the policy must:
  • be valid in all parts of the Dutch Caribbean;
  • have a minimum coverage of at least USD 15,000;
  • be valid for the entire duration of your stay in Curaçao;
  • -- include de include hospital care, emergency treatment and repatriation (including in the event of death);
  • -- must cover any eventual COVID-19 related incurred costs, including transportation and quarantine costs for the duration of the stay.
If your insurance policy does not cover the above, or if you do not have an official
document providing this, you must take out a policy that does provide this coverage.
 
You are being invited (including guarantor)
If you do not meet the financial requirements to obtain a visa, you might still be able to obtain a visa if you have a sponsor. A sponsor is a person or company who will act as a guarantor for you. This means that the person/company is (financially) responsible for you during your stay on Curaçao. Not only are they supposed to cover all expenses (including medical expenses) you are not able to, they are also responsible for your timely departure and will be held accountable if you don’t.
 
Sports or cultural events
  • You must provide an invitation letter from the organization, with information about the reason for visit. If the event is promoted locally also a copy of promotional material;
  • If you’re staying at a hotel, you must provide a copy of your accommodation reservation containing the contact details and your reservation number. Or provide information that

You are part of a group trip.
 
Documents for minors
If you are applying for a visa on behalf of a child under the age of 18, you must bring the child’s birth certificate and proof of identity for the child’s parent(s) or guardian(s).

If the child will not be travelling with their parents, or if only 1 of child’s parent will be accompanying the child, you must provide a declaration of consent signed by both parents or whoever has parental responsibility. If only 1 parent has parental responsibility for the child, you will need to provide a court judgment or a statement from a court confirming this.
 
Costs and fees
Application fee is 80 euros. Payments and processing are only made after submitting a complete application file.
 
For Children:
  • Children under the age of six are exempt from the visa fee;
  • Children from 6 to 11 years old pay 40 euros in fees.
How long does it take?
The earliest you can apply is 3 months before your intended travel. In most cases you’ll be informed within 15 days whether your application has been successful. A check list for the visa application will be provided as an attachment to this information sheet.
 
Important to be aware of!
  • When submitting all the required documents to obtain a visa, it does not automatically entitle you to a visa. There is still a possibility that your visa request can be denied;
  • There is always a possibility you are requested to provide additional information/documents;
  • Even if you are granted a visa, it does not automatically allow you entry to Curaçao. You can still be denied entry to Curaçao

Travel to Curaçao
As of January 1, 2021, the Government of Curaçao amended the travel policy. The Government of Curaçao now classifies countries in either high or low-risk countries and amended the requirements thereof. To check a country’s current classification please visit www.gobiernu.cw/corona-travel-to-curacao.
JCI Dutch Caribbean and JCI Willemstad
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