NetherlandsWorldwide

Checklist: Applying for a long-stay Caribbean visa

Language selection:English

Find out what documents you need in order to apply for a long-stay Caribbean visa.

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.

Complete the application form

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 the date you intend to travel to 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
  • 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.

Documents relating to your travel and stay in the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom

Bring: colour copy of the document

You must be able to prove the purpose of your travel. The document required for this depends on your destination:

  • Aruba: Temporary admission document (VTA)
  • Curaçao: Letter of notification (Oproepingsbrief)
  • Sint Maarten: Landing permit (Landingsvergunning)
  • Bonaire, Saba, Sint Eustatius: Authorisation for temporary stay (MVV-BES)

Bring: colour copy of the document

You will need a reservation in your name for your travel to the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom, or another document showing your travel plans. You do not need a paid travel ticket.

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