NetherlandsWorldwide

Long-stay Caribbean visa and residence permit

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If you are planning to visit Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao or the other Caribbean parts of the Kingdom for more than 90 days, in most cases you will need a residence permit. To collect this permit, you may also need a long-stay visa.

Do I need a residence permit?

If you want to stay in a Caribbean part of the Kingdom for longer than 90 days, you will need a residence permit. If you are a Dutch or US national, you will only need a residence permit if you wish to stay longer than 180 days.

Attention: A residence permit for a Caribbean part of the Kingdom is not valid in the European part of the Netherlands or in other Schengen countries.

If you intend to work during your stay in a Caribbean part of the Kingdom, you will need a work permit. For more information, contact the local authorities.

Contact the local authorities of the relevant Caribbean part of the Kingdom

How do I apply for a residence permit?

You can apply for a residence permit for a Caribbean part of the Kingdom via the local authorities in Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St Eustatius or St Maarten. There are 2 ways to apply for a residence permit.

  • A sponsor applies on your behalf. This could be your partner or employer, for instance.
  • You submit the application yourself.

See the contact details of the local authorities

My residence permit has been approved. What do I do now?

You or your sponsor will be informed by letter that your application has been approved. After that you can collect your permit in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. To travel there, you may need a visa. This will depend on a number of factors, including your nationality.

Check whether you need a visa

How can I apply for a long-stay Caribbean visa?

How and where you apply for a visa depends on the country you are in. Fill in your country of residence to see where you can apply and which documents you need for your application.

Find out how to apply for a long-stay Caribbean visa

Contact

If you have any questions about applying for a residence permit, contact the local authorities of the relevant Caribbean part of the Kingdom.