Digital nomad visa in Curaçao

Who can get the visa

The visa is open to foreign nationals who work for a company based outside Curaçao. You need to prove your economic standing with a declaration of assignment, a recent employer statement or a certified copy of your employment contract.

Length of the visa

The visa is issued for up to six months and can be extended for another six - up to a year on the island.

Taxes and cost of living

Income earned under this visa is not taxed in Curaçao - the rate is 0%. A family of four needs around $3,600 a month to live on the island excluding rent, a single person around $1,000. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre rents for about $600 a month.

What this permit is

Curaçao's remote worker programme is a temporary stay permit for 6 months with one extension for another 6, up to 12 months in total. It is granted to foreigners who work for a foreign employer, foreign clients or their own company outside the island. There is no formal income threshold, but you must show that you can support yourself. The permit does not lead to permanent residence and does not allow work for local companies.

What it costs

The Caribbean guilder, which replaced the old guilder in 2025, is pegged to the US dollar at 1.79 guilders per dollar, so costs are easy to plan in dollars. Flights to Curaçao usually go via Amsterdam, Miami or Panama, and fares depend heavily on the season.

Documents and where to get them

• A passport valid for the whole stay.
• Proof of remote work: an employment contract, an employer letter or client contracts.
• Proof of income: bank statements for recent months.
• A health insurance policy covering Curaçao.
• Proof of accommodation on the island: a lease or a booking for the period of stay.
• A completed form and the fee receipt.

Documents in English or Dutch are accepted without translation; we translate the rest.

Step by step

1. We check the work arrangement and income and arrange insurance and housing, a week or two.
2. We file with Curaçao's admissions department for foreigners and pay the fee.
3. Review usually takes about two weeks.
4. Entry and life on the island for up to 6 months.
5. Extension for another 6 months, filed in advance before the first term ends.

Curaçao is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands but not in Schengen: nationals of a number of countries, including Russia, need a separate visa to enter unless they hold a suitable valid visa of other countries. We check entry rules before tickets are bought.

Taxes

Income the permit holder receives from abroad is not taxed in Curaçao. Taxes in the country of citizenship depend on its rules: for example, someone who spends more than 183 days outside Russia in 12 consecutive months stops being its tax resident. We calculate taxes in both countries before the move so a year on the island does not become a tax bill at home.

How to get approved the first time

• No proof of remote work for a foreign employer or clients.
• Income is irregular or not enough to live on the island.
• The insurance does not cover Curaçao or ends before the permit.
• No confirmed accommodation for the period of stay.
• The applicant already works for a local company or has overstayed before.

Before filing we match contracts against statements and check that insurance and housing cover the whole term.

Alternatives in the Caribbean

Curaçao beats its neighbours on a low fee and no formal income threshold, but loses on term: 12 months at most.

What changes in 2026

The programme terms in 2026 are unchanged: 6 months with one extension and a fee of about 535 guilders. Since 2025 Curaçao has used the Caribbean guilder instead of the old one, at the same dollar rate. We check document requirements with the admissions department before each filing.

Who it suits and who it does not

The permit suits those who want to spend six months to a year in the Caribbean, work for a foreign employer or clients and are not ready to pay the high fees of neighbouring islands. It does not suit those who need status for more than 12 months, want to work for local companies or hope for a path to residence and a passport: time on the permit does not count towards them.

Life in Curaçao

Most newcomers live in the capital, Willemstad, and around it: that is where restaurants, coworking spaces, healthcare and most housing are. The island lies south of the main hurricane belt, so strong storms are rare. The official languages are Dutch, Papiamentu and English, and English works easily in shops, banks and clinics. Internet in the city is stable, but in remote areas its quality is worth checking before renting. Public transport is limited, so most newcomers rent a car.

Where to start

Send us in the chat who you work for, the country of your employer or clients and statements for recent months. We check whether your arrangement fits the programme, arrange insurance and housing for the required term and check entry rules for your citizenship. If you need status for more than a year, we suggest another island or country with a longer visa.

What we do

Murblz specialists check whether your work arrangement fits, collect documents, arrange insurance and housing, file the application and track the extension. If you need more than a year, we suggest another island or country. A consultant will calculate the cost in the chat.

Advantages of the Curaçao visa

FAQ