22
Doing BusinesS Visa Several nationalities (e.g. Colombia, Cuba, Haiti and Peru) must present a tourist visa as part of the entry requirements. A visa should be applied for at least one month in advance at any representation of the Netherlands (in the concerning country). Countries that do not need a visa are: All Member states of the European Union, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chili, Costa Rica, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong (holders of British National Overseas Passport or holders of Special Administrative Region Passport), Iceland, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Macao (holders of Special Administrative Region Passport), Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, St. Christopher (St. Kitts) & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Switzerland, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay, Vatican City, United States of America (USA). Foreign nationals require a residence and a work permit to legally reside in Curaçao. • Residence permit: to obtain admission it is necessary to provide information on how the applicant will support himself and accompanying dependents. When eligible for a residence permit the applicant must pay a security deposit which varies depending on the country of origin. Upon final departure the applicant receives the deposit back.
•
•
•
• •
Work permit: will be granted if no suitable local qualified persons are available. A work permit is not necessary for expatriates with a Dutch passport (European Dutch individuals). The National Ordinance on Labor by Foreigners (Landsverordening Arbeid Vreemdelingen, “LAV”) provides for information regarding rules for granting of work permits. A (temporary) work permit can be denied for protection of the local labor market. During the application period for a resident/work permit, the applicant must remain outside Curaçao. The local authorities must decide within 4 months about the outcome of the application process. A work permit is granted for a definite period or for the duration of a project. In some cases a working permit is not necessary: • Persons having admission by right (e.g. Dutch nationals); • Foreign nationals originating from countries in respect of whom a work permit cannot be requested pursuant to international treaties or according to international law; • Spouses or partners who are married to or have concluded a cohabitation contract before a Dutch civil law notary with a Dutch citizen, persons having a residence permit for an indefinite period; • Persons who have a residence permit granted by the Minister of Justice without prohibition for working.