Aruba

When traveling to Aruba, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if work authorization will be required. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.

What types of activities may I engage in as a business visitor?

As a business visitor to Aruba, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:

• » Attend business meetings
• » Tour a company facility
• » Consult
• » Facilitate training

If I qualify as a business visitor, do I need a visa for Aruba?

Many foreign nationals, including nationals of the United States and many European countries, are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a Short-Stay Caribbean Visa from a Dutch Consulate or Embassy prior to travel. The Short-Stay Visa is valid for all Caribbean islands in the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, St. Eustatius, and St. Maarten).

Frequent visa-required business travelers may also be eligible for the Caribbean Carpet Program, which includes a longer validity period and simplified application process. Please consult with your immigration provider prior to travel to determine eligibility for a visa waiver, Short-Stay Caribbean Visa, or the Caribbean Carpet Program.

What types of activities require work authorization?

The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Aruban law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in Aruba, even if conducted for a short duration.

• » Repairs and maintenance
• » Installation of technical equipment

 
On a case-by-case basis, foreign nationals may engage in certain professional activities or after-sales services without obtaining work authorization, although strict preconditions may apply. Please consult with your immigration provider for an individual assessment to determine whether an assignment exemption may be applicable.

If I am traveling to Aruba for work, what type of work authorization do I need?

Requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work, and on whether your employer has an entity in Aruba. The most common types of work authorization for Aruba are:

• » Temporary Work Permit (short-term work authorization)
• » Work Permit (highly-skilled work authorization)
• » Work Permit for Professionals (work authorization for specialized, high-level positions)

Is it possible to be exempted from work authorization requirements?

There are no nationalities eligible for long-term exemptions to work authorization requirements.

Inevitably, the legal and strategic considerations impacting visa selection, as well as visa waiver and work authorization eligibility, entail the careful consideration of many factors. We recommend that you consult with your immigration counsel before taking any course of action.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. Government immigration agencies often change their policies and practices without notice; please consult an immigration professional for up-to-date information. This document does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. BAL maintains comprehensive immigration information and processing specifics for our clients.