Aruba Immigration Process Step-by-Step

Entry Requirements for Aruba

Your passport must be valid for your entire stay with at least 6 months remaining validity and 1 blank page for the entry stamp. US, Canadian, UK, and EU citizens enter visa-free for up to 30 days. All travelers must show a return ticket and proof of accommodation (hotel reservation, rental agreement, or invitation letter) to immigration officers.

Passport Validity and Blank Page Rules

Your passport requires 6 months validity beyond entry and 1 blank page for stamps. Dual nationals must use the passport granting the most favorable entry conditions or containing their visa.

Visa-Exempt Countries and Territories

US, Canada, UK, and EU nationals enter without a visa for 30 days with possible extension. Colombia and Brazil citizens may qualify under specific conditions. Schengen Area residents with valid multiple-entry visas are also exempt.

• South America: citizens of Colombia and Brazil (under specific conditions) may not need a visa,
• Schengen Area: residents with a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa may also be exempt,
• Duration: visa-exempt travelers can typically stay for up to 30 days, with the possibility of extension.

Requirements for the Caribbean Visa

Non-exempt travelers need a Caribbean Visa valid for Aruba, Curaçao, and St. Maarten. Apply in person at a Dutch embassy with completed application form, 2 passport photos, and proof of legal residence. Processing takes up to 15 days.

Return Ticket and Accommodation Proof

Immigration requires a valid return/onward ticket and accommodation proof (hotel reservation, rental agreement, or invitation letter). Missing these documents results in entry denial.

Aruba Online ED Card Process

Complete the mandatory Online ED Card 7 days to 4 hours before your flight. Submit passport details, flight information, accommodation address, and pay the $20 USD Sustainability Fee. You receive a confirmation email required at check-in and immigration.

What Is the Online Embarkation and Disembarkation (ED) Card?

The Online ED Card is your digital pre-authorization to board flights to Aruba, replacing paper forms. The confirmation email must be shown at check-in and to immigration officers upon arrival.

When to Submit the Online ED Card

Submit 7 days before travel, with a 4-hour pre-flight deadline. Complete it when the 7-day window opens to resolve potential system errors or payment issues.

Required Information for the Digital Immigration Form

Prepare passport number, expiry date, country of issuance, airline name, flight number, arrival date, accommodation address, email, and health declaration.

• passport details: number, expiry date, and country of issuance,
• flight information: airline name, flight number, and date of arrival,
• accommodation details: the address of your hotel or rental property,
• personal data: email address and health declaration.

Payment of the Sustainability Fee

Air arrivals pay a $20 USD Sustainability Fee supporting environmental projects. Aruba residents and certain children are exempt but must complete the ED Card to prove status.

Types of Aruba Residence Permits

Aruba offers work permits (requiring labor market testing), family reunification permits (for spouses and minor children), student permits, Rentenier permits (requiring AWG 100,000/$56,000 USD annual passive income), investor permits, and the 90-day „One Happy Workation” for remote workers.

Work Permits and Labor Market Testing

Employers apply for work permits after publishing vacancies locally and proving no suitable local candidate exists. The permit ties to the specific employer and job role.

Residence Permits for Family Reunification

Residents sponsor legal spouses, registered partners, and minor children. Sponsors must prove sufficient income without social assistance and provide legalized relationship documents (marriage/birth certificates).

Student and Internship Residence Permits

Students need enrollment confirmation from accredited institutions, proof of financial means, and for internships, a signed host company agreement.

• proof of enrollment: a letter from the school or university confirming acceptance,
• financial means: proof that the student can support themselves during their studies,
• internships: students doing an internship must also provide an agreement signed by the host company.

Permits for Retirees and Renteniers

Rentenier permits require AWG 100,000 (approximately $56,000 USD) annual passive income from pensions or investments. Local work is prohibited with this permit.

Investor and Business Director Permits

Foreign investors need substantial capital investment in the local economy. Company directors require business licenses and proof of financial viability through business plans.

Digital Nomad and Extended Stay Options

The „One Happy Workation” program allows 90-day remote work stays. Longer stays require Rentenier or standard residence permits, as no specific long-term digital nomad visa exists.

Aruba Residency Application Process

Apply through DIMAS in 8 steps: verify permit category, prepare apostilled documents, create DIMAS portal account, submit online form, pay fees, attend biometric appointment, track status online, and register at Civil Registry (Censo) upon approval. Processing takes 3-6 months.

Step 1: Determine the Correct Permit Category

Verify your permit category on the DIMAS website before applying. Wrong category applications result in automatic rejection.

Step 2: Prepare Necessary Documents and Apostilles

Foreign public documents (birth/marriage certificates) require Apostille legalization. Non-Dutch/English/Spanish documents need sworn translation. Ensure passport photos meet Dutch standards.

Step 3: Create an Account on the DIMAS Portal

Register on the DIMAS online portal with a valid email address to receive notifications and access codes.

Step 4: Submit the Online Application Form

Select the appropriate form, fill data fields matching your passport exactly, and upload high-quality PDF/JPG scans within size limits. Double-check all entries before submission.

Step 5: Pay the Application and Handling Fees

Pay retribution fees (permit cost) and leges (administrative fees) online or via bank transfer. Keep proof of payment for upload or verification.

• retribution fees: the cost for the permit itself,
• leges (administrative fees): charges for processing the application.

Step 6: Schedule and Attend the Immigration Appointment

DIMAS verifies original documents and collects biometric data (fingerprints, digital photo) at your appointment. Missing appointments delays cases by weeks.

Step 7: Track the Application Status Online

Monitor progress through your DIMAS account from „Submitted” to „Under Review” to „Decision Made.” Respond immediately to email requests for additional information to prevent archiving.

Step 8: Register at the Civil Registry (Censo) Upon Approval

Bring approval letter, passport, and original legalized documents to Censo office to obtain your official ID card (Sedula) and complete residency registration.

Required Documents for Aruba Immigration

Submit valid passport, apostilled birth certificate (issued within 3-6 months), marriage/divorce certificates, bank statements showing sufficient savings, employer salary declaration, tax returns, police clearance certificate, medical tests for HIV/VDRL, health insurance proof, and for minors: birth certificate, passport, and notarized parental consent if traveling with one parent.

Standard Identification and Civil Documents

Provide valid passport, apostilled birth certificate, and marriage/divorce certificates. Documents must be original and issued within 3-6 months to be valid.

Proof of Solvency and Income Requirements

Submit bank statements showing sufficient savings/income, employer declaration stating salary and job title, and tax returns for self-employed or rentenier applicants.

• bank statements: showing sufficient savings or regular income,
• employer declaration: for work permits, stating salary and job title,
• tax returns: for self-employed or rentenier applicants.

Police Clearance and Good Conduct Certificates

Provide Certificate of Good Conduct (police clearance) from your country of origin or where you lived for the past 5 years, showing no criminal record. Requires Apostille.

Medical and Health Insurance Documents

Undergo medical testing for HIV and VDRL (Syphilis). Provide proof of valid health insurance covering medical expenses in Aruba.

Specific Requirements for Minors and Dependents

For children, provide birth certificate, valid passport, notarized consent letter from non-traveling parent, and proof of school enrollment for school-aged children in family reunification cases.

Health and Vaccination Entry Rules

Travelers from Yellow Fever endemic countries (parts of South America and Africa) must show Yellow Fever vaccination certificate administered at least 10 days before travel. Keep prescription medicines in original packaging with pharmacy labels; controlled substances require medical statement from your doctor.

Yellow Fever Vaccination Requirements

Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for arrivals from endemic countries in South America and Africa. Vaccination must be administered 10 days before travel. Show the „Yellow Card” at the border.

Importing Prescription Medicines and Controlled Substances

Keep prescription medication in original packaging with visible pharmacy labels. Controlled substances (strong painkillers, psychotropic drugs) require medical statement from your doctor and prescription copy to avoid confiscation.

Extending a Stay in Aruba

Tourists can extend stays beyond 30 days up to 180 days per year by applying at DIMAS with proof of $500 per week funds, valid travel insurance, and return ticket. Residence permits renew 3 months before expiration. After 5 years continuous legal residence, apply for permanent residence.

Procedures for Tourist Stay Extension

Apply at DIMAS to extend beyond 30 days up to 180 days per year. Prove sufficient funds (approximately $500 per week), valid travel insurance for extended period, and return ticket for new departure date.

Renewing a Temporary Residence Permit

Apply for renewal 3 months before your 1-year permit expires. Late renewal creates gaps in legal residence affecting permanent residency eligibility. Process mirrors initial application with fewer documents if situation unchanged.

Transitioning from Temporary to Permanent Residence

After 5 years continuous legal residence, apply for permanent residence by demonstrating community integration, stable income, and no criminal record. Permanent permits don’t require annual renewal.

Costs and Processing Times

Pay leges (administrative filing fee), retribution (annual permit fee), and possible security deposit based on country of origin. Tourist extensions take a few days; residence permits take 3-6 months. Missing apostilles, DIMAS portal outages, and medical clearance delays commonly slow applications.

Overview of Government Fees and Leges

Estimated Waiting Times for Permit Approval

Tourist extensions take a few days. Residence permits take 3-6 months. Peak times cause common delays. Apply well in advance of intended move or permit expiration.

Factors That May Delay the Immigration Process

Missing apostilles cause most rejections/delays. DIMAS portal occasional downtime and medical clearance result delays also slow applications.

• missing apostilles: the most common cause of rejection or delay,
• system outages: occasional downtime of the DIMAS portal,
• health checks: delays in receiving medical clearance results.

Reasons for Visa or Permit Denial

Applications fail due to incomplete documentation, incorrect forms (names must match passport exactly), insufficient financial means below income thresholds, or criminal records (especially drugs/violence). File objection (bezwaar) within 6 weeks of denial with formal letter. Hire local immigration lawyer for appeals requiring precise legal arguments grounded in Aruban administrative law.

Incomplete Documentation or Incorrect Forms

Missing required documents or incorrect form completion results in denial. DIMAS requires exact passport name matches. „Close enough” is unacceptable.

Insufficient Financial Means

Failing to prove income threshold for your permit category results in denial to prevent becoming a public charge.

Security and Criminal Record Issues

Criminal history background checks, especially regarding drugs or violence, result in immediate denial. Security clearance is non-negotiable.

How to Appeal an Immigration Decision

File objection (bezwaar) within 6 weeks with formal letter explaining why the decision was incorrect. Hire local immigration lawyer for appeals requiring precise legal arguments grounded in Aruban administrative law.