The Caribbean has always been a dreamy escape for globetrotters, and in 2025, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has refreshed the visa policy for tourism applicants wishing to visit the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. If you’re planning your next vacation to Aruba, Curaçao, St. Maarten, or the BES islands, here’s your ultimate checklist for successfully securing a Caribbean tourist visa under the updated regulations.
What’s New for 2025?
The 2025 updates emphasize stricter documentation checks, a more thorough evaluation of personal and travel-related documents, and clearer submission requirements for minors. The new policies are aimed at streamlining the application process while increasing the integrity of tourist entries.
Required Documents for a Caribbean Tourism Visa (2025)
Here is the organized list of documents you must prepare and submit for your visa application:
| Category | Requirement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Identification & Legal Status | Application Form | Completed, signed, printed, and submitted with documents. |
| Passport | Issued within last 10 years, valid 3+ months beyond stay, at least 2 blank visa pages, signed. | |
| Photo | Color photo, 3.5×4.5 cm, recent (within 6 months), plain light background. Digital photo taken if applying through external provider. | |
| Legal Residence Proof | Proof of Legal Residence | Original + colour copy of: passport/travel document, valid residence/work permit (3+ months post-trip), visa. |
| Out-of-country Application | Must provide justification for not applying from country of residence. | |
| Proof of Social or Economic Ties | Employed | Employer’s letter (role, salary, contract) + last 3 months’ payslips or bank statements. |
| Self-employed | Business registration or tax return + 3 months’ bank statements. | |
| Student | Enrollment certificate stating program name and duration. | |
| Others | Caregiver documentation, proof of property ownership, or children’s school attendance. | |
| Travel & Stay Arrangements | Proof of Accommodation | Hotel reservation, lease agreement, or proof of property ownership in the Caribbean. |
| Travel Reservation | Travel plan or round-trip booking. Paid ticket not required. | |
| Travel Medical Insurance | Must cover all Caribbean parts of the Kingdom; minimum $15,000 coverage (medical, emergency, repatriation). | |
| Proof of Financial Means | If self-funded: 3 months’ bank statements and 3 recent pay slips (if employed). |
Additional Requirements for Minors (Under 18)
If a child is applying for a visa and will travel without one or both legal guardians, prepare the following:
- Birth Certificate (Recent Extract)
- Parental/Guardian Consent Form: Signed by non-travelling parent(s)/guardian(s)
- Copy of Travel Documents: Passports of non-travelling parent(s)/guardian(s)
- Other Conditions (as applicable):
- Copy of the valid Caribbean visa and passport of the accompanying parent
- Death certificate (if a parent is deceased)
- Guardianship proof (if assigned)
- Court travel permission (if court-ordered travel approval exists).
Application Process Highlights
- Applications must be submitted in person—this includes infants and children.
- The applicant must sign a declaration at the appointment confirming:
- All documents are submitted
- They understand incomplete applications may be rejected
- Interviews or additional documentation may be requested by the Ministry.
To apply, start by selecting your country of residence via the official Dutch government portal to access country-specific instructions and book your appointment as per this update https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/caribbean-visa/checklist/tourism.