Curacao - Immigration

Curacao Immigration Procedures for Yacht Crew

For additional Immigration procedures on arrival, be sure to review the Clearance section.

Immigration forms must be completed by all crew in advance of arrival and a copy of the Digital Immigration Card shown to the officer (this can be on a phone or tablet). They will also want your SailClear Arrival Notification ID.

Immigration will need to see all crew members in person for check-in and check-out formalities.

Immigration has to be visited before the Harbor Master (where the anchor permit is issued).

All visitors require valid passports.

Digital Immigration Card

Curacao has a mandatory Online Embarkation/Disembarkation (ED) Card System to replace the paper arrival / departure cards that travelers file when clearing in and out. All crew members need to fill in the digital form.

Immigration forms need to be completed online at: www.dicardcuracao.com/portal.

The process is:

• For yachts, fill-in the required travel information fields as follows:
  Carrier name: Vessel Name
  Flight number: AB123
  Port of embarkation: Not listed.
• Upload your passport or fill out all required passport information as shown in your passport.
• Fill out your contact and personal information.
• Save the Digital Immigration Card and download the form and/or check your email for a copy of the Digital Immigration Card form

Do you need a Visa?

Visas are granted on arrival.

Only visitors from the US and the Netherlands can stay for six months.

Canadians and EU citizens (other than the Netherlands) can stay for 90 
days.

Other Visa Information

Find out about the Caribbean Visa for Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St Eustatius, and St Maarten at the Kingdom of the Netherlands official website.

Visa extension for up to six months are possible at a cost of US$300 per 
person.

Immigration rules were favorably changed mid-2013 so that visiting cruisers from other countries wanting to spend the winter in Curacao with their boats, can now apply for a 180-day extension to their visa per the calendar year. Once you have arrived, if you want to extend your stay to 180 days, you can apply at the Punda Immigration office. Note that all required forms to apply for the "extension" are in Dutch and difficult to complete with minimal explanation.

If you need to extend your visa, you should apply for an extension at least two weeks before it expires at the main Immigration office, located at the post office building. Passports must be left there for 2 days to be processed.

Be prepared with a letter stating reasons for your request, and copies of your boat’s documentation or registration, passport, proof of financial means of support (e.g. credit card), and your immigration form & crew list. This is a lengthy process, but your good faith efforts to extend legally will generally meet with success and minimal expense.

It is possible to renew your visa online, however, this can take months. Go to https://immigrationcur.org/aanvraag-indienen/.

The Curacao Marine Trade Association have passed on the following information:

When yacht owners want to apply for this 180 days the immigration officer should request a "permit for short stay". The first question to fill in on that form is: “Doel Kort verblijf” which means: The purpose of the short stay. Their yacht owners should choose the option “overwinteraar”  which means: hibernating (staying over the winter).

Applicants should demonstrate evidence of ownership of their yacht. The vessel should measure at least 10 meter or 33 feet at the waterline.

Incoming Crew and Guests:

Incoming crew and/or guests are permitted to arrive in Curacao on a one-way ticket but should carry a letter from the captain/owner stating where they come from and when they will depart with the boat.

Last updated:  August 2025