If you’re planning a trip to Curaçao, there’s one thing you need to do before boarding your flight: fill out the Digital Immigration Card (DI Card).
In this blog, we cover:
- How to fill out the Digital Immigration Card
- Basic facts about Curaçao for new travelers
- How U.S. nationals can stay long-term or migrate
- How to buy property as a foreigner, and what it costs
🔐 What Is the Digital Immigration Card?
The Digital Immigration Card is a mandatory online entry form for all travelers to Curaçao. It replaces the old paper arrival forms and helps the island’s immigration authorities process arrivals more efficiently.
🔗 Where to fill it out:
Visit the official website: https://dicardcuracao.com
⏰ When to submit:
- Earliest: 7 days before your flight
- Latest: At least 1 hour before departure
📝 What you need:
- Passport details
- Arrival and departure information
- Flight number
- Accommodation address in Curaçao
- Emergency contact
- Health/customs declarations
You’ll receive a confirmation email with a PDF. Save it to your phone or print it—airlines may ask for it at check-in, and immigration may request it on arrival.
❗️ Important: This form is 100% free on the official website. Avoid third-party services charging unnecessary fees.
Curaçao is attracting global attention as an affordable, peaceful island with modern infrastructure and close ties to Europe and the U.S. In 2024 alone, over 200,000 U.S. tourists visited Curaçao, with numbers growing every month.
Many first-time visitors don’t know much about the island, so here are some basics:
🗺 Fast Facts about Curaçao
- Located in the southern Caribbean, 40 miles north of Venezuela
- Part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
- Capital: Willemstad
- Languages: Dutch, Papiamentu, English, Spanish
- Currency: Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ANG); USD is widely accepted
- Climate: Warm year-round, outside the hurricane belt
Most visitors come from:
- Netherlands
- United States
- Canada and Latin America
🏛️ Can U.S. Nationals Stay Longer or Migrate?
Yes! U.S. citizens can visit visa-free for 90 days, but many are now considering long-term relocation or retirement.
🤝 Residency Options for U.S. Citizens:
- Retirement or Rentier Permit
- Show steady income (pension, investments)
- Health insurance required
- Remote Work / Digital Nomad
- Prove financial independence
- Rent a long-term stay property
- No local employment
- Entrepreneur Route (DAFT Treaty)
- U.S. citizens can open a business under the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty
- Requires a modest investment (~$28,000 USD)
- Spouse/Family Reunification
- Join a partner or family member legally residing in Curaçao
Apply through Curaçao’s Department of Immigration and Naturalization (IND): www.gobiernu.cw
🏡 Can U.S. Nationals Buy Property in Curaçao?
Yes. Foreigners—including U.S. citizens—can freely buy real estate in Curaçao. You can purchase:
- Freehold land (you own it fully)
- Leasehold property (government-owned land with long-term leases)
💲 Property Prices Compared to U.S.
- Houses: Avg. $231/sq ft
- Apartments: Avg. $375/sq ft
- U.S. average: $400–500/sq ft in many cities
Curaçao is roughly 40–60% cheaper than most urban U.S. markets. Plus, the cost of living is 40% lower.
✅ Steps to Buy:
- Find a local agent
- Choose freehold or leasehold
- Make a deposit (~10%)
- Finalize through a notary
- Pay transfer taxes (~4%) and registration (~2%)
Mortgages are available to non-residents in some cases.
Bonus: Owning real estate may help in securing long-term residence permits.
🛌 Final Thoughts
Whether you’re visiting Curaçao for a beach getaway or exploring long-term living abroad, the Digital Immigration Card is your first essential step.
Once you complete that, you’ll discover why so many people are now turning their vacation into a lifestyle—thanks to Curaçao’s safe, affordable, and welcoming environment.
Stay informed, travel prepared, and maybe even put down roots in one of the Caribbean’s most charming islands.
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