NetherlandsWorldwide

Applying for a short-stay Caribbean visa in the United States

If you live in the United States 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.

Do I need a Caribbean visa?

Whether you need a short-stay Caribbean visa depends on a number of factors, including your nationality. 

Check whether you need a visa

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 Dutch 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

Applying via VFS Global

You can apply for a visa at the the external service provider VFS Global in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco or Washington.

Book an appointment with VFS Global

Applicants from the islands

Applicants from the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the US Virgin Islands can only submit their application in person at VFS Global in Miami.

Book an appointment with VFS Global in Miami

Once you have applied, you can return home with your passport and send your passport back to the application center in Miami as soon as possible. The application center in Miami will need the passport to process your visa application.