Curaçao (CW)

Valid for at least 6 months beyond the planned stay. All non-Dutch nationals must hold a valid passport for entry and immigration processes. Bring the original plus 3 certified copies for VVA and permit applications.

Required for residency permit applications, marriage registration in Curaçao, school enrolment and citizenship applications. Curaçao is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which is a Hague Apostille member; foreign birth certificates from Hague member countries require apostille. Documents must be translated into Dutch or English.

Required for family-based residency applications, name changes and dependant visa applications. Apostille from Hague member countries; translated into Dutch or English.

Required for school enrolment, family permit applications and any child benefit claims. Each child requires a separate apostilled document. Translated into Dutch or English.

Degree certificates and transcripts required for regulated professions (medicine, law, engineering). Recognition is processed through the Curaçao Department of Education or the relevant professional body. Translated into Dutch or English; apostille from Hague member countries may be required by the professional body.

Required for the VVA (Vergunning voor Verblijf en/of Arbeid — combined residence and work permit) application. Must include salary, job title, start date and employer registration details.

Bring your original home-country driving licence. Foreign licences are valid for up to 30 days after arrival; after that, conversion to a Curaçao licence is required. Dutch licence holders can exchange directly. Curaçao drives on the right.

Proof of health insurance coverage is required for VVA applications. BVZ (Basisverzekering Ziektekosten — Basic Health Insurance Curaçao) enrolment is mandatory for residents. Private insurance policies from your home country may need a gap-filler certificate during the enrolment period.

Required for VVA (residence permit) applications as proof of sufficient financial means. The Immigratiedienst Curaçao requires evidence that you can support yourself without recourse to public funds.

A VOG (Verklaring Omtrent het Gedrag — Certificate of Good Conduct) or equivalent from your home country. Required for work permits, teaching positions and certain professional licences. Must be recent (within 3 months). Apostille from Hague member countries; translated into Dutch or English.

Proof of address in Curaçao required for VVA applications and various registrations. A signed rental contract from a registered landlord is accepted by the Immigratiedienst Curaçao.

Last 2 years of tax returns, pension income statements or investment income documentation. Required for long-term residency applications and property purchases to demonstrate financial solvency.

Curaçao follows strict import rules. Required: ISO microchip certificate, rabies vaccination record, rabies antibody titre test (conducted at least 30 days after vaccination), and import permit from the Dienst Landbouw, Veeteelt en Visserij (LVV). Begin the permit process 4–8 weeks before travel.

If importing a car: original title deed, import permit from Douane (Curaçao Customs) and proof of insurance. Import duty typically 12–22% of the vehicle value applies.