In 2025, travelers planning a visit to Aruba, Curaçao, St. Maarten, or the BES islands should take note of the revised visa requirements introduced by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The updated Caribbean tourist visa process now involves stricter checks on personal and travel-related documents, with a particular focus on minors’ applications and the completeness of all submissions.
Applicants must provide a completed and signed application form, along with a valid passport that was issued within the last ten years and remains valid for at least three months beyond the intended stay. The passport should have a minimum of two blank pages and must be signed. A recent passport-sized color photo is also required, taken within the last six months against a plain light background. If applying through an external service provider, a digital photo may be taken on site.
Proof of legal residence is mandatory, requiring both the original and a color copy of relevant documents such as a passport, residence permit, or visa that is valid for at least three months beyond the travel period. If applying outside one’s country of legal residence, a justification for doing so must be included.
Applicants must demonstrate ties to their home country. Those who are employed need to submit an employer’s letter detailing their job title, salary, and contract terms, along with recent pay slips or bank statements. Self-employed individuals must provide a business registration or tax return and three months of bank statements. Students must show an official enrollment certificate with the name and duration of their academic program. Others can include documents related to caregiving responsibilities, property ownership, or proof of children’s school enrollment.
Accommodation plans must be clearly documented through hotel reservations, lease agreements, or property ownership in the Caribbean. A travel reservation or itinerary is required, though a paid flight ticket is not necessary at the time of application. All applicants must show valid travel medical insurance covering the entire region for a minimum of \$15,000, including medical care, emergencies, and repatriation.
If funding the trip personally, the applicant must submit three months of recent bank statements and, if employed, their three most recent pay slips.
Minors under 18 who are traveling without one or both legal guardians must include a recent extract of their birth certificate, a consent form signed by the non-traveling parent(s) or guardian(s), and a copy of those individuals’ passports. Additional documents may be needed depending on the situation, such as a copy of the accompanying parent’s visa, a death certificate, proof of guardianship, or court permission for travel.
All applicants, including infants and children, must apply in person. At the appointment, the applicant is required to sign a declaration confirming that all necessary documents have been submitted and acknowledging that incomplete applications may be denied. The authorities may request additional documentation or an interview based on the initial review.
