@Home in Curaçao

The @Home in Curaçao program is a short-stay residence permit for remote workers and digital nomads, administered by the Immigration Service of Curaçao under the Ministry of Justice. Launched in February 2021, it enables foreign nationals to reside in Curaçao while working remotely for employers, companies, or clients based outside the island. A notable benefit is that permit holders are not considered tax residents and pay no Curaçao income tax on foreign-sourced income for the duration of their stay. The program also accommodates seasonal residents ("snowbirds") and capital-intensive investors under a separate short-stay category.

• Must work location-independently using telecommunications technologies for entities outside Curaçao
• Eligible applicant categories: employees with a foreign employer, partners or shareholders in a foreign company, or freelancers/consultants serving foreign clients
• Valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity
• Valid international travel/health insurance with coverage in Curaçao
• Proof of a residential address in Curaçao (hotel/rental booking or lease agreement)
• Clean criminal record
• Proof of employment or business activity (employer's declaration, certified employment contract, or declaration of assignment)

There is no official minimum income requirement, but applicants must demonstrate sufficient means of subsistence through their employment or assignment documentation.

• Proof of payment of the XCG 535 application fee
• Colour copy of the passport photo page (and any signature page)
• Recent employer's declaration, certified copy of an employment contract, or declaration of assignment for the self-employed
• Proof of valid international travel/health insurance covering Curaçao
• Proof of accommodation in Curaçao
• For dependants: family law documents proving the relationship, plus legal guardian consent for minors under 18
• For representatives: an authorisation letter and a valid ID copy of the representative

The initial permit is valid for 6 months and can be extended once for an additional 6 months, for a maximum total stay of 12 months. After the 12-month maximum the permit cannot be renewed further — holders wishing to remain longer must apply for a different type of residence permit. Extension applications may be awaited from within Curaçao, unlike initial applications, which must be awaited abroad. The program retains this 6-month (extendable to 12-month) structure and is explicitly excluded from Curaçao's 1 April 2026 multi-year permit reform.

Dependent family members may apply separately under the same program. Each dependant submits a separate application with the standard documents plus proof of the family relationship through official family law documents, and minors under 18 require legal guardian consent. The XCG 535 fee applies per applicant, including each dependant. There is no separate income requirement for dependants, and they are subject to the same employment restrictions — they may not work for Curaçao-based employers.

Permit holders are not classified as tax residents of Curaçao during their stay of up to 12 months. Foreign-sourced income earned through remote work is not subject to Curaçao income tax, and no tax filing obligations apply to short-stay holders whose income is sourced entirely from outside Curaçao. The program does not provide a path to permanent residency.

Applications are submitted electronically through the Immigration Service's digital portal at permit.immigrationcur.org, or by email to [email protected]. The @Home in Curaçao website also provides application forms in English, Spanish, and Dutch.

1. Collect all required documents in PDF format
2. Pay the XCG 535 fee (approximately USD 299) to Maduro & Curiel's Bank
3. Submit the application online or by email
4. Await the decision outside of Curaçao (for initial applications)
5. Upon approval, schedule an appointment to collect the permit

Applications must be complete and paid at the time of submission; incomplete applications will not be processed. Travellers must also complete the mandatory digital entry registration (DICard) before arrival.

Processing time: Approximately 2 weeks (the Admission Office has up to 4 months to issue a decision).

Fee: XCG 535 (approximately USD 299) per applicant.

Holders may not participate in the local labour market in Curaçao. Employment by or work for any Curaçao-based employer or company is strictly prohibited — all work must be performed remotely for entities outside of Curaçao. Violation of these conditions may result in enforcement measures, including deportation.