A standard visa is valid for all 6 islands and allows multiple entry for a maximum period of 90 days within 180 days. The maximum uninterrupted stay in one of the individual countries is 30 days. The visa is not valid for the European part of the Netherlands. Application takes place at the consular representations of the Kingdom and the main visiting country has to be indicated. The basis for evaluation of the evaluation of the application in the main visiting country is however the same for the whole area. Entry for longer periods is arranged by the different countries separately.
Venezuelan nationals
In October 2019, the government of the Netherlands announced that Venezuelan citizens will require a visa for the Caribbean parts of the kingdom, effective from 1 April 2020. The visa application must be made at the VFS Global visa management office, not through the Dutch embassy in Caracas. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the visa requirement is postponed until further notice. Exemptions for holders of substitute visas, including for holders of visas for Canada and the United States, will also apply to nationals of Venezuela. The visa restrictions are temporary due to the ongoing situation in Venezuela. The visa-free entry will be restored once the situation improves.
History
The two Caribbean "countries" within the Kingdom of the Netherlands were Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles. They each had their own visa policy and thus a list of countries from which nationals could enter without a visa. Through consultation between all countries in the Kingdom the requirements showed strong similarities; they were based on the visa free lists for the Schengen Area, extended with countries in the Caribbean. Upon the Dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles on 10 October 2010, the common visa system was introduced for all territories of the Kingdom in the Caribbean: Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten as well as Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. The maximum period of stay is 3 months for all countries on the visa-free list for which full reciprocity is in place; for other countries the maximum period is 30 days.
Visa policy map
Visa-free entry
Nationals of the following countries and territories do not require a visa for a stay for up to 90 days in Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten and the Caribbean Netherlands. Furthermore, the following groups are exempted from the visa requirement:
Travelers transiting an airport in Aruba between 7:00 and 23:00, in Sint Maarten on the same day, and in the other territories for up to 48 hours ;
Nationals of any country who are not otherwise visa exempted can enter Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten and the Caribbean Netherlands for a maximum of 90 days provided holding a valid visa or residence permit for a Schengen country, Ireland or the United Kingdom, or a residence permit for Canada, the United States, the French overseas departments or the French overseas collectivities of Saint Barthélemy and Saint Martin. Holders of a visa for Saint Martin do not need a visa for Sint Maarten, but need a visa for the other territories. In addition, nationals of the following countries can enter provided holding a valid visa for Canada or the United States.
