Important to know
- Arrive at your appointment well prepared. Choose your country of residence to find out how to apply for a Caribbean visa.
- In most cases you must submit your application in person. This applies to babies and children too.
- The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs may request an interview or additional documents.
- You must sign a document at the appointment, declaring the following:
- you understand that you must submit all documents in order for your application to be processed
- you are aware that an incomplete application may be rejected and that your visa application fee will not be refunded
Personal documents
Bring: original document
You will need a completed and signed Caribbean visa application form. Print the form and submit it with your other documents.
Bring: original document
You will need a valid travel document, such as a passport. Your travel document must meet the following requirements:
- it is no more than 10 years old
- it must have at least 2 empty visa pages
- it must be valid for at least 3 months after you leave the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom
- it must bear your signature
Bring: original document
You will need to submit a photo that meets Dutch requirements:
- colour photo
- no more than 6 months old
- 3.5cm by 4.5cm
- white or light-coloured background
Find out where you can have a photo that meets Dutch requirements taken outside the Netherlands
If you are applying for a visa through an external service provider, you do not need to submit a photo. A digital photo will be taken at your appointment.
Bring: original document and colour copy
You will need valid proof of legal residence in the country where you are applying for a visa. You can show that you are legally resident in the country where you submit your visa application using, for instance:
- a passport or other travel document
- a residence permit. This must be valid for at least 3 months after you leave the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom.
- a visa
- a work permit
If you are not a resident of the country where you are submitting your application, you must show why you cannot apply in your country of residence.
Bring: colour copy of the document
You must be able to prove that you have social or economic ties to the country where you live. What you can use for this depends on your situation:
- If you are employed: a recent statement from your employer stating your job title, contract duration and salary or a certificate of employment. Plus bank statements or payslips from the previous 3 months.
- If you are self-employed: a business permit or a photocopy of your income tax return, plus bank statements from the previous 3 months.
- If you are a student: a document proving you are enrolled in a study programme in your country of residence. The document must state your area of study and the duration of the programme.
If none of the above situations apply to you, you can show that you have social or economic ties using, for instance:
- a document proving that you are a caregiver in your country of residence
- a document showing that you have a home or other immovable property in your country of residence
- a document showing that your children attend school in your country of residence
Documents relating to your travel and stay in the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom
Bring: original document and colour copy
You must provide a completed proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation form. This form must be signed by the person who has invited you and must be legalised by the Civil Affairs Department where that person is registered. The person inviting you can arrange this at:
- Aruba: Department of Legislation and Legal Affairs
- Curaçao: Admission Office Curaçao
- St Maarten: Civil Registry Department
- Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba: IND Rijksdienst
Bring: colour copy of the document
- If you are a family member of the person inviting you, you will need to bring a birth or marriage certificate, or another document that proves your family relationship.
- If you will be staying in a hotel, you will need a hotel reservation for the entire duration of your trip.
Bring: original document and colour copy
You must show who will pay your travel costs and the costs of your stay in the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom.
- If you will pay these costs yourself, you must provide your bank statements for the previous 3 months and, if you are employed, 3 recent payslips.
- If a family member or friend in your country of residence will pay these costs, you must provide their bank statements for the previous 3 months and 3 recent payslips.’
- If the person who has invited you will pay for all your expenses, you will need to bring 3 recent pay slips from this person, a recent employment certificate, or an employment contract valid for at least 12 months at the time of your visa application.
Bring: colour copy of the document
You will need a reservation in your name for your travel to and from the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom, or another document showing your travel plans. You do not need a paid travel ticket.
Bring: colour copy of the document
You will need proof of travel medical insurance in your name.
The document must state that:
- the insurance provides cover in all Caribbean parts of the Kingdom for the entire duration of your stay
- the insurance covers at least $15,000 in medical expenses. This includes the costs of a hospital stay and treatment, emergency care, prescription medication and repatriation to your country of residence (including in the event of death).
Documents relating to the person inviting you
Bring: colour copy of the document
You will need the identity card (ID card) or passport of the person who has invited you. If the person who has invited you does not have an ID card of passport from the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom, you will need their valid residence permit from the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom.
Documents relating to minors
If you are applying for a visa for a child under 18 who will be travelling without 1 or both of their parents or guardians, you will need the following documents:
Bring: original document and colour copy
- a recent extract of the child’s birth certificate
- a consent form signed by the parents or guardians not travelling with the minor
Bring: colour copy of the document
- a signed valid travel document (such as a passport) of the parents or guardians not travelling with the child
- if 1 of the parents or guardians has a valid Caribbean visa: the biographical data page of their passport and of their valid Caribbean visa. The biographical data page contains the passport holder’s details and photo
- if 1 of the parents or guardians has died: the death certificate of the deceased parent or guardian
- if a guardian has been appointed: official proof of guardianship
- if there is a court order in place: permission from the court for the minor to travel