Do You Need An Aruba Passport - Visa Requirements And How To Apply

The paradise island of Aruba is known for its beautiful white-sand beaches and incredible atmosphere. It is no wonder it is a top destination for travelers. But before traveling to Aruba, there are a few visa requirements that you need to be aware of. If you are unsure about the requirements and process, the experience can become stressful and difficult. In this guide we’ll talk about the different visas, their requirements, Aruba health regulations and procedures, and how to extend your stay in Aruba. After this guide, you will be equipped with everything you need to know before traveling to Aruba.

Aruba allows certain countries to travel to Aruba without the need of acquiring a specific travel visa. If you reside in such a country, you can enjoy visa-free travel for tourist purposes. These include vacation and relaxation, sport, health reasons, attending to family matters, studies, religious purposes, and completing business trips.

Note that if you are traveling as a tourist, you are not allowed to work in Aruba.

If You Are A US/Canadian Citizen

If you are the US or Canadian citizen, you enjoy the benefit of visa-free travel as long as you complete the ED Card registration process. You may stay in Aruba for a maximum of 90 days for a 180-day period. However, it is possible to extend your stay for up to 180 consecutive days. Later in this post, we will talk about how you can extend your stay in Aruba. If you are traveling to Aruba for purposes that do not include tourism, you will need to apply for a purpose-specific visa.

If You Are A US Green Card Holder

US Green Cardholders will be happy to know that they can visit Aruba without acquiring a visa. You only need to apply for an ED Card before traveling to Aruba. With your US Green Card you are able to stay in Aruba for a duration that does not exceed 90 days. It is also possible to extend your stay for up to 180 days.

If You Are An EU/EEA or Swiss Citizen

If you are a citizen of a Schengen country other than the Netherlands, you are allowed to stay in Aruba for a maximum of 180 days in a 365-day period. Those who want to stay in Aruba for more than the initial 180 days will need to apply for a residence permit. In this post we will talk about how you can obtain your residence permit.

Other Countries

Unfortunately, not all countries enjoy the benefit of visa-free travel. Nationals from countries that are not exempt will need to apply for a specific visa in order to travel to Aruba. Later in this post, we will talk about the different visa types you can apply for.

Once you arrive in Aruba, you will need to present the following documents upon Entry:

• A Valid Passport A valid passport that is valid for the duration of your stay in Aruba. Visitors whose home country requires a visa for entering Aruba need to have a valid visa sticker on their passport.
• An Embarkation and Disembarkation Card You will need to have a filled-in and signed Embarkation and Disembarkation card (ED-Card).
• A Return Ticket Proof that you will return to your country of origin after your stay. You will need to provide a flight ticket that indicates your arrival date in Aruba and departure date back to your home country.
• Proof of Accommodation. You may be requested to provide proof of where you will be staying in Aruba. You can provide hotel reservations, AirBnB bookings, or proof that you own property in Aruba.
• Proof of Sufficient Funds Proof that you will be able to provide for yourself financially during your stay in Aruba. Proof of financial means can include bank statements, credit card statements, or a letter from your sponsor. Note that if you provide a letter from your sponsor, your sponsor will need to attach the required documents to the letter.
• Medical Insurance You must have valid medical insurance that covers any or all medical expenses that may occur during your stay in Aruba. The medical insurance should provide cover for at least USD 15 000 in medical expenses.
• A clean criminal record. If you show that you will pose a threat in any way, you will not be allowed to enter Aruba.

Note that visitors traveling from Central America, Latin America, and Africa are required to prove that they have received the Yellow Fever Vaccination. It is mandatory for all travelers from these high-risk countries.

To ensure the safety of all visitors and locals, Aruba has implemented new requirements for entry to the country. One of the requirements is the Online Embarkation/Disembarkation Card (ED Card). The ED Card has 5 sections that verify that all of the necessary steps and procedures have been taken before boarding a flight to Aruba. If you do not have an ED Card you will not be able to travel to Aruba. In the first section of the ED Card registration process, you will need to fill out your personal information and answer a health questionnaire. It is crucial that you provide accurate and truthful answers. Next we will talk about the following sections of the ED Card.

If you wish to know more about applying for your ED Card, you can check our detailed guide that explains the process of applying for your ED Card.

Section 3 - Negative Molecular COVID-19 Test

Due to the Covid-19 global pandemic, all passengers are required to take a Molecular COVID-19 test 3 days before the intended departure date. Although it is not a requirement, it is possible to upload your test results on the Aruba Health App during the ED Card registration process. If you have uploaded your test results on the Aruba Health App and it has been pre-approved, you will be able to benefit from the faster Pre-Approved Health Lane at the airport.

Section 4 - Insurance Coverage

To ensure that all visitors are properly insured for the risks of COVID-19, the government of Aruba has implemented a mandatory health insurance for all visitors of Aruba. This insurance is also known as the Aruba Visitors Insurance. The Aruba Visitors Insurance will cover the cost of all medical and non-medical expenses that may occur if a visitor tests positive for COVID-19 during their stay in Aruba.

Section 5 - Consent

At the end of the ED Card registration process, you will need to sign and give consent that you will abide by all rules and procedures as mandated by the Aruban Government.

This can include but is not limited to:

• COVID-19 related regulations and rules once at the airport
• COVID-19 related regulations and rules once you are in Aruba
• Procedures put in place to ensure the safety of visitors and locals in Aruba
• Any other relevant safety precautions

If you are unsure about how to complete your personal ED Card, you can follow our quick and simple guide.

Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, there are strict health regulations and procedures that ensure the safety of all travelers entering Aruba. If you wish to visit Aruba, you will need to comply with these safety precautions.

As discussed you will need to complete the online ED Card registration process. Furthermore, there are some other health regulations and procedures you need to know about before traveling to Aruba.

Health Procedures Once You Arrive In Aruba

Once you arrive in Aruba, you will need to comply with the following mandatory requirements:

• Everyone above the age of 12 is required to wear a mask during their flight, at the airport, and until they reach their place of stay.
• Those who have not submitted a negative Molecular COVID-19 test result during the ED Card application process will receive a PCR Covid-19 test at the airport once they arrive in Aruba. After the PCR COVID-19 test, travelers need to quarantine at the accommodation booked until the test results are assessed. These tests will be assessed within 24 hours.
• Before departure, travelers need to download the Aruba Health App. On this app, you will find all the related health information about Aruba.

Health Regulations During Your Stay In Aruba

Once you are in Aruba, you will need to comply with the day-to-day regulations. The following will be required:

• Mandatory Facemask Protocol The Aruba government requires all visitors and locals to wear a mask when in public. Public spaces include shopping malls, casinos, parks, outdoor attractions, and so on.
• Social Distancing
  Visitors and locals are required to engage in social distancing.
• Temporary Alcohol Ban There is a temporary alcohol ban in certain places of Aruba. You can still enjoy alcoholic beverages as long as you do so on the property of the establishment. Meaning, you are allowed to enjoy alcoholic beverages at bars, restaurants, and even hotels. You may not consume alcohol in any public space that is not a licensed establishment.
• Restricted Zones There are restricted zones that you may not enter between 7:00 pm and 5:00 am. These zones include, but are not limited to, public beaches and public parking lots.
• Size of Groups Groups are not allowed to be more than 6 people unless it is a group that consists of family members from the same household.
• Nightlife in Aruba Dancing in restaurants and nightlife establishments is prohibited.
• Restaurant Precautions When going to a restaurant you are only allowed to share a table with a maximum of 6 people. This excludes children under the age of 12.

COVID-19 Test Before You Return To Your Home Country

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries require you to present a negative covid test before you are allowed entry. Aruba offers many testing facilities that can be used by its visitors.

Pro tip: We recommend that you take your test 2 - 3 days before you plan your return to your home country. This will ensure that your test is valid until you arrive at your final destination.

As mentioned earlier, citizens from countries who do not enjoy visa-free travel will need to apply for a travel/tourist visa to visit Aruba. When applying for a visa to Aruba, you will apply for a Caribbean Visa.

With a Caribbean visa, you can travel between any of the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. These include Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, St Eustatius and St Maarten. Note that you are not allowed to travel to any Schengen country with this visa.

The Caribbean Visas can be divided into a Short-Stay Caribbean Visa and a Long Stay Caribbean Visa.

What Is A Short-Stay Caribbean Visa?

The Short-Stay Caribbean Visa will allow you multiple entries to the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Short-Stay Caribbean Visa is valid for 6 months, and it allows you to visit the Caribbean parts for up to 90 days in 180 days.

Countries that enjoy visa-free travel, like the United States, do not need to apply for a Caribbean visa to visit Aruba.

What Is A Long Stay Caribbean Visa?

If you want to visit Aruba for a duration exceeding 180 days, you will need to apply for a residence permit. Once your application for your residence permit is successful, you will need to collect it.

Note that visitors who do not enjoy visa-free travel will need to apply for a residence permit if they wish to stay in Aruba for more than 90 days.

In some cases you will need to apply for a Long Stay Visa to collect your Residence Permit. Examples of these cases include a situation where you have already used the initial 90 days of your travel/tourist visa. Another example is a situation where you are not able or don’t have the correct documents to extend your stay in Aruba.

Tourists who enjoy visa-free travel will most likely not have to apply for a Long Stay Visa to collect their residence permit, unless they have exceeded their stay in Aruba.

If you want to apply for a Short Stay Caribbean Visa, you will need to do so at your nearest Aruban Embassy or Consulate. If there is no embassy or consulate in your country, you will need to apply at one closest to your location.

What Are The Required Documents For A Caribbean Visa?

• An application form. You can fill this out at the embassy or you online
• A passport with a validity of at least 3 months and that is not older than 10 years
• Colored passport photos
• When applicable, a residence permit
• Photocopies of your passport and previous visas
• Travel itinerary
• When applicable, a letter from your sponsor. Ensure that your sponsor attaches all required documents.
• Proof that you are financially able to provide for yourself during your stay in Aruba
• Valid medical insurance
• Any other supporting documents that show the purpose of your trip.

After you have collected all the required documents, you can go to your nearest Aruban Embassy to start your application process. At the embassy you will also need to provide your signature in the presence of an embassy official.

If you wish to extend your stay in Aruba , you will need to apply for a residence permit.

Step 1 - Get A Sponsor/Guarantor In Aruba

Unfortunately, you can not apply for a residence permit on your own. You will need a sponsor or guarantor who is a resident of Aruba to apply on your behalf. A sponsor can include a family member, your partner, or an employer as long as they reside in Aruba.

Note that your sponsor/guarantor will need to prove that they are able to provide for you during your stay. All related costs will be covered by your sponsor/guarantor. Your sponsor will need to provide supporting documents that show he/she has a gross income of at least Afl. 50 000 per year.

Step 2 - Your Sponsor Will Apply For A Residence Permit In Aruba

Once you have a sponsor/guarantor, they will need to apply to the local authorities in Aruba. Your sponsor will need to inform you of the documents required to apply for the permit. If required, you need to send copies of these documents to your sponsor/guarantor. They will attach the documents to your application form.

Step 3 - After You Have Submitted Your Residence Permit Application

Once your application is successful, your sponsor will be informed by letter. Congratulations, now you need to collect your residence permit. As previously mentioned, there are some cases where you will need to apply for a Long Stay Visa to collect your residence permit.

Once you have successfully obtained your residence permit, you can apply for your Long Stay Visa. If you do not need to apply for a Long Stay Visa, you can book your flight to Aruba and collect your residence permit.

Step 1 - Fill Out The Application Form And Make An Appointment

The first step you need to take is filling out the application form. After you have filled out and signed the form, be sure to print a copy of the application form as you may need it in the future.

Step 2 -Collect The Required Documents

After you have filled out the application form, you can start collecting all the required documents. These documents include:

• Valid passport not older than 10 years
• 2 Passport photos
• Proof of legal residence from the country you are applying from
• Proof of sufficient funds
• Any other documents related to the reason for your stay
• Valid health insurance that will cover all medical expenses during your stay
• Photocopy of the letter from the immigration service. This is the letter your sponsor received from your successful residence permit application. Your sponsor must attach all required documents or mail copies to you.

Pro tip: The documents required can vary depending on the purpose of your trip. We recommend that you contact your local Aruba Embassy or Consulate to ensure that you collect the correct documents.

Step 3 - At The Appointment

At the appointment you will have to submit all your supporting documents for your Long Stay Visa. Once you have done this, you will need to sign an official form in the presence of an embassy official. After completing and signing the form you can expect to wait up to 15 calendar days to receive feedback on your Long Stay Visa application.

Successful applicants can collect their visa at the Aruban embassy or consulate where they applied at.

It is possible for tourists to extend their stay in Aruba if they wish to stay a period that does not exceed 180 days. If you wish to extend your stay, you can head over to the office of DIMAS in Aruba to collect an application form, or you can simply download it.

Once you have filled out the form you will need to present the following documents at DIMAS:

• The application form
• A passport with a validity of at least 3 months
• A copy of your visa for entering Aruba. This is only required if your country is not exempt from having a visitors/tourist visa
• Copy of your ED Card
• A return flight ticket
• Documentation that you have valid health insurance that will provide coverage for the duration of your extended stay
• If you do not have property in Aruba and will be staying with family or friends, you will need to present a declaration of guarantee from a resident of Aruba who will act as guarantor for your stay. Your guarantor will need to provide proof that they are financially able to support you fully during your stay.

Note that you will only be able to extend your stay for a period of 180 days. If you wish to stay in Aruba for a period that exceeds 180 days, you will need to apply for a residence permit.