Moving To Aruba - Relocation and living in Aruba - VisitAruba.com (2024)

  • Tourist
  • Temporary Permit
  • Permanent Residence Permit
  • Temporary or Permanent Work Permit
  • Written Permits
  • Information

Tourists

Tourists may enter Aruba without a written permit and may remain for a period not exceeding 14 days. For tourists who are subjects of countries which have an agreement with the Kingdom of the Netherlands to abolish the visa obligation - this agreement also being applicable to Aruba - the aforementioned period is three months. Citizens of the Netherlands or the Netherlands Antilles may stay up to six months.

More information on Aruba visas , Aruba entry requirements and Aruba residence permits

Temporary Permits

The same conditions stated above are required for a temporary residence-permit. The persons concerned are not allowed to work, to look for or accept work without the explicit consent of the authority who issued the (written) temporary residence-permit. Neither are they permitted to do business, participate in any business, or start any business on the island.

Permanent Residence Permit

When requesting a residence-permit without a working permit, one must submit certain documents that could include:

  • bank references indicating that the applicant is financially self-supporting or any other proof that he/she will not become a financial burden to the local government or community
  • the home and business addresses for the last ten years
  • the reasons for wanting to reside in Aruba
  • police-clearance (good conduct-paper, not older than 2 months)

Persons desiring a permanent residence-permit must be in possession of:

  • a passport valid for Aruba
  • three passport photographs of true likeness
  • a valid vaccination certificate for smallpox, not more than three years old
  • a medical declaration that the holder is not suffering from any contagious disease or mental sickness, issued within 30 days before the trip started
  • a proof of payment of the required legal fee

Temporary or Permanent Work Permit

Any foreigners who want to exercise a profession must have a work permit. The work permit will normally be granted only if there are no qualified persons locally available. In general, requests for work-permits will only be taken into consideration if filed through a local employer, who has to accept full responsibility for any possible expenses to be made by the government relative to the employee(s).

Written Permits

With the exception of tourists, all other persons should have a written permit to prove their legal presence on the island. This means that one (unless a tourist) should not travel to or be on the island pending a request for a residence-and/or work permit.

Information

For complete information on different types of permits for different scenarios, one would need to contact the department below.

Departamento di Integracion, Maneho y Admision di Stranhero (DIMAS)
The Directorate of Alien Integration, Policy and Admission

Paardenbaaistraat # 11
Oranjestad, Aruba

Phone +297 522 1500
Visit website

Moving To Aruba - Relocation and living in Aruba - VisitAruba.com (2024)

FAQs

What are the requirements to move to Aruba? ›

What is required to obtain a residence permit?
  • bank references indicating that the applicant is financially self-supporting or any other proof that he/she will not become a financial burden to the local government or community.
  • the home and business addresses for the last ten years.

How long can an American live in Aruba? ›

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.

Can you just move to Aruba? ›

Persons desiring a permanent residence-permit must be in possession of: a passport valid for Aruba. three passport photographs of true likeness. a valid vaccination certificate for smallpox, not more than three years old.

Can an American live and work in Aruba? ›

Employment for Expats in Aruba

You will need a job offer to start the application. A work permit will only be granted if no local, qualified candidate is available for the position. It is required that you work for only one Aruban employer in a specified job title.

Can I use my US drivers license in Aruba? ›

You can use your U.S. license.

You don't need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in Aruba.

How long can you stay in Aruba if you own property? ›

Owner Real Estate

Do you want to stay longer in Aruba? This is possible when you own a house in Aruba, a timeshare apartment or a Yacht on Aruba (minimum 14 meters long). You can stay in Aruba for up to 180 days. You must have a private travel insurance in this case.

Can a U.S. citizen buy a house in Aruba? ›

Q.: Can an American/Canadian/ European citizen buy property in Aruba? A.: Yes, there are no restrictions for foreigners on buying property in Aruba. Q.: How much time can I spend in Aruba as a homeowner? A.: Homeowners can spend 180 days of the calendar year in Aruba without residency or additional permits.

How much money do you need to retire in Aruba? ›

In general, for a comfortable retirement in Aruba, an individual would need approximately $2000 per month.

How long can I stay in Aruba with a US passport? ›

Anyone wanting to stay longer than 180 days in Aruba will need a residence permit and will not be considered a tourist.

Is it good to retire in Aruba? ›

Low crime rates, friendly people, and helpful locals make the island what is. Aruba has always been known to be "one of the safest places in the Caribbean." Being located well south of the hurricane belt makes it a great place to live all year round.

Is it hard to buy property in Aruba? ›

The real estate market is stable due to the strict mortgage requirements and little to no speculation. High demand for property makes Aruba a profitable place to invest in for the coming years. The process for buying real estate is the same for non-residents as if you were a local.

How much is housing in Aruba? ›

(In mid-2019, the median price for a house in Aruba was about 580,000 Aruban florins, or about $321,000, according to the Central Bank van Aruba.)

Can I use my US cell phone in Aruba? ›

US cellphones will work in Aruba. However please keep in mind that if you retain your own US SIM card you may incur considerable roaming fees from your US cellphone company, you should call to see if they offer coverage in Aruba and what it would cost.

Can American money be used in Aruba? ›

The official local currency is the Aruban Guilder (AWG), fixed to the US dollar at approximately 1.80 AWG to 1 US dollar. US dollars are accepted throughout the Island. Local currency and US dollar ATM machines (Maestro/Cirrus) are situated all over the islands.

Can a US citizen go to Aruba without a passport? ›

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

Upon arrival in Aruba, you must have: a U.S. passport valid for the duration of your stay; a completed Embarkation and Disembarkation Card (ED-Card); a return or onward ticket.

Can a US citizen buy a house in Aruba? ›

Q.: Can an American/Canadian/ European citizen buy property in Aruba? A.: Yes, there are no restrictions for foreigners on buying property in Aruba. Q.: How much time can I spend in Aruba as a homeowner? A.: Homeowners can spend 180 days of the calendar year in Aruba without residency or additional permits.

How do I get a residence permit in Aruba? ›

You cannot apply for a residence permit yourself. You will need a sponsor. This could be your partner or employer, for instance. Your sponsor must apply to the local authorities on Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St Eustatius or St Maarten.

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