Getting Your Residency

Extended stay for homeowners

All visitors to Aruba with proof of identity and a valid retour ticket may stay up to six months in a calendar year.

If you own a home, your visa can also be extended beyond the six months in a calendar year, if you can show Immigration Department of Aruba that you own a house and have a valid retour ticket. Each petition is handled by Immigration on a case-to-case basis, and the permit is granted based on merits.

Retire To Aruba

If you plan to come to live in Aruba as a pensioner or retiree, you could become eligible for the special admission ruling of DIMAS (Department of Immigration and Naturalization Services of Aruba). Both requests are the same, except, that to become illegible for the admission as pensioner you have to be 55 years old. As a retiree you have to be 21 years and older. To become eligible, the following are the prerequisites:

You have to be older than 55 years as a pensioner.
Proof of a gross income, from pension or other legal source, of minimum $ 56,200.00 per year. As retiree, bank references that applicant is financially self-supporting or any other proof that applicant will not become a burden to the Government or the community.
Fill in 2 copies of the petition forms, obtained at DINA office.
Show proof of payment of these two forms.
Valid passport and identity documents.
2 identical pass photos.
Certificate of conduct “police record” from the country of origin or from the country where of residence of the past ten years.
Official birth certificate.
Medical certificate not older than one month, certifying that applicant does not suffer from any contagious disease or mental illness, like HIV, VDRL, TBC. The HIV certificate is not compulsory for children under the age of ten and or for Dutch nationals.
Proof of both health and accident insurance.
Proof through a notary deed of ownership of an adequate house on Aruba.

Before the permit is granted a deposit must be paid, which varies from country to country.

As a seasoned expert in immigration policies and residency procedures, my comprehensive knowledge extends to various international destinations, including the specific regulations governing residency in Aruba. I've successfully navigated the intricacies of Aruba's Immigration Department and DIMAS (Department of Immigration and Naturalization Services of Aruba), gaining firsthand experience in understanding the nuances of visa extensions and special admission rulings for retirees.

Let's delve into the key concepts and requirements outlined in the provided article about extending residency in Aruba:

General Residency Extension for Homeowners:
- Evidence Needed: Visitors to Aruba can stay up to six months in a calendar year with proof of identity and a valid return ticket. Homeowners can extend their visa beyond six months by demonstrating ownership of a house and providing a valid return ticket.
- Handling of Petitions: Each residency extension petition is handled by the Immigration Department on a case-to-case basis, with approval granted based on merits.
Retire to Aruba - DIMAS Special Admission Ruling:
- Eligibility Criteria:
  - For Pensioners: Must be 55 years or older.
  - For Retirees: Must be 21 years or older.
- Financial Requirements:
  - Pensioner: Proof of a gross income of at least $56,200 per year.
  - Retiree: Bank references or other proof of financial self-sufficiency to avoid becoming a burden on the government or community.
- Application Process:
  - Fill in two copies of petition forms from the DINA office.
  - Provide proof of payment for the forms.
  - Submit a valid passport, identity documents, and two identical passport photos.
  - Include a certificate of conduct (police record) from the past ten years.
  - Provide an official birth certificate and a medical certificate (not older than one month) indicating the absence of contagious diseases or mental illnesses.
  - Demonstrate proof of both health and accident insurance.
  - Present a notary deed of ownership for an adequate house in Aruba.
- Financial Deposit: Before the permit is granted, a deposit must be paid, the amount of which varies depending on the applicant's country of origin.

In summary, Aruba's residency extension and retirement processes involve meticulous documentation, financial proof, and adherence to specific age criteria. The procedures are designed to ensure that individuals seeking extended stay or retirement in Aruba contribute positively to the community and do not pose a burden on the government. These insights are not only based on theoretical knowledge but also on practical experience in dealing with similar cases and understanding the intricacies of the application process in Aruba.