NetherlandsWorldwide

Applying for a short-stay Caribbean visa in the Philippines

If you live in the Philippines and want to apply for a visa to visit Aruba, Curaçao or the other Caribbean parts of the Kingdom for up to 90 days, find out about the rules and how to apply.

Information: Will you be travelling to Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St Eustatius or St Maarten more than once in the next 4 years? Check whether you meet the conditions for the Caribbean Carpet Programme. If so, you can apply for a Caribbean visa more easily. Find out if you can register for the Caribbean Carpet Programme.

Which documents do I need?

Which documents you need for your application, depends on your purpose of travel. Select the checklist that fits your purpose of travel to see which documents you need. If you have more than one purpose of travel, select the checklist that corresponds to your primary purpose of travel.

How much does a visa cost?

When you apply for a visa at a Netherlands embassy or consulate-general, you must pay a fee. You can find the fee here.

If you are applying through an external service provider, you will also pay a service fee.

How long does it take?

The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you intend to travel. In most cases, you’ll be informed within 15 calendar days whether your application has been successful.

Do I need to submit my application in person?

You must always submit your application in person. Children under the age of 18 must also apply in person. If you are participating in the Caribbean Carpet Programme, you only have to appear in person for your first visa application.

Applying for a visa in this country or region

To optimise a timely service for visa applicants, the intake of Schengen and Caribbean visa is outsourced to VFS Global Manila.

For a timely appointment, make an appointment with VFS Global.

Applications of official and diplomatic passport holders

For Philippine diplomatic and service passport holders, travelling to the Schengen area via Schiphol, Amsterdam, the following information is important:

In accordance with immigration regulations as stated in the Dutch Aliens Act, in general, it is required for travellers with Philippine passports to apply for a visa at the Netherlands embassy, prior to arrival at Schiphol airport in the Netherlands.

Consequently, Philippine travelers holding a diplomatic or service passport who benefit from the exemption of a Schengen visa (as agreed by Philippine authorities based on the principle of reciprocity with a number of Schengen states, i.e. Sweden; Switzerland; etc.) are therefore still required to have a valid Schengen visa at the moment of entrance in the Schengen area via Schiphol Amsterdam, The Netherlands, regardless of the fact that their final destination may grant visa exemption for such Philippine diplomatic or service passport holders.

Official and diplomatic passport holders can contact VFS by visiting their web page for Official and Diplomatic Passport holders.

Keep a copy of all your documents

A visa does not automatically give you the right to enter the Schengen territory. Make sure you keep a copy of the documents you submit with your visa application, as you may be asked by migration officers to provide this information in addition to your passport, visa and medical travel insurance.