Living in Curaçao as a Digital Nomad
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Quick facts about Curaçao
Have you ever dreamt of working on an exotic island? We have. Taking a quick dip in the morning, having your breakfast by the beach, and work while you sip your orange juice…Sounds like a perfect plan.
Luckily, Curaçao, just off the Venezuelan coast seems to be a great place to make this dream come true. Let’s explore together how this is possible and how you can make an application.
What Is Curaçao Digital Nomad and Remote Worker Visa
@HOME Curaçao is an initiative that provides a temporary home away from home for tourists, remote employees, extended-stay visitors, and investors. Curaçao welcomes you with open arms, whether you are seeking a place to work remotely and spend the cold winter.
Curaçao welcomes guests from all over the world. If you’re meeting the criteria you can qualify for a temporary stay permit as a remote worker.
Eligibility for Curaçao Temporary Residence Permit for Digital Nomads/Remote Workers
This program is a perfect fit for remote workers and digital nomads who are looking forward to living on an island while they’re working remotely.
The first requirement is to prove that you’re working location independently using telecommunications technologies.
Plus, you’re required to fit in under one of these three categories we’ve listed below:
- You’re working for an employer registered in a foreign country and you have a valid contract
- You’re a partner/shareholder of a company that is registered in a foreign country and you conduct business activity on behalf of this company
- You have contacts with clients in a foreign country and you offer freelance or consulting services to them
If you fit under the first category, you’re eligible to apply regardless of your company’s status. It can be the public or private sector, government or regulatory body, or a non-profit organization. The main requirement is to have a contract.
An employment contract with a local employer is not valid. The company should be a foreign one.
You can stay in Curaçao as a tourist for up to 6 months if you are a Dutch or American national.
Costs for Curaçao Digital Nomad Visa
The fee for a remote worker visa is ANG 535, ($300 approximately). Some extra fees might be charged due to transaction fees but note that they are at your expense.
Required Documents
- Completed digital application form
- Proof of payment for fees and costs
- A clear of your passport’s photo page
- Documents related to employment/company ownership
- Medical/Health Insurance (including. COVID-19 related requirements)
Also, you’ll be required to show your return ticket upon arrival. Before arriving in Curaçao, also make sure to check your entry visa requirements.
Validity for Curaçao Temporary Digital Nomad Visa
Curaçao remote worker visa gives you the right to stay on the island for six months. After this period is over, you’re eligible to apply for a renewal for another six months. Note that staying on the island for one year doesn’t lead to permanent residency.
How To Apply for Curaçao Digital Nomad Visa
The applications can be done online over the online portal: At Home in Curaçao
Applications can be submitted in English, Spanish, and Dutch. Note that you’re required to submit your application before your arrival in Curaçao. If you’re already a tourist on the island, you can also make an application.
Note: Processing time for digital nomad visa application is around 2 weeks.
Useful Information About Life in Curaçao
So, if you’ve already made up your mind about living in Curaçao on a digital nomad visa, here is some information that might be useful.
Getting To Curaçao
- Curaçao is accessible by plane from North America, Europe, and South America, as well as by sea on a cruise or yacht.
Money and ATMs
- The Antillean Guilder is Curaçao’s official currency (ANG). The exchange rate of the Antillean Guilder to the US Dollar is fixed at 1 USD = 1.80 ANG.
- Depending on whether you are buying or selling, the exchange rate at a bank is 1.78 or 1.82 ANG.
- In Curaçao, US Dollars are accepted everywhere. For convenience, the conversion rate utilized in stores and restaurants is normally 1 USD = 1.75 ANG. Euros may only be exchanged in a bank.
- Visa and Eurocard/Mastercard are accepted. Before you spend a lot of money with American Express, double-check if your card is accepted as it’s not accepted everywhere.
- Most petrol stations and several attractions don’t accept debit or credit cards, so carry some cash with you at all times.
Accommodation
- Curaçao offers a diverse range of lodging alternatives, including holiday homes, all-inclusive hotels, hostels, and luxury five-star resorts.
Internet Connection and Cell Service
- High-speed fiber internet with adequate download/upload speeds and 4G mobile services are available on the island.
- Although cell phone reception is good practically everywhere on the island, certain rural areas may have less reliable service than Willemstad. Almost all lodging options will have some type of wifi available for you to use, and several open wifi networks can be found around Willemstad, especially in the downtown area.
Electricity
Standard current outlets on Curaçao supply 110-130 Volts at 50Hz. The typical plug is a two-pin ‘Type A’ power connector, similar to what is used in the United States. Some products are designed to work with both 110V and 220V power, but please double-check. A plug adaptor for various plug types should be brought, however they can also be purchased on the island. There are 220V outlets in certain hotels and flats.
Health
- There are 3 local hospitals in Curaçao: Curaçao Medical Center, Taams Clinic and The Antillean Adventist Hospital.
Activities
- If you’re into diving, note that licensed PADI diving instructors may be found at dive schools all throughout the island. You can get your open water certification if you pass a written exam and complete at least four training dives with an instructor.
- You can swim with dolphins, see the world’s largest ostrich farm outside of Africa, tour an Aloe Vera plantation, and take a 1,000-foot mini-submarine ride into the deep sea.
- In Willemstad, the capital, there are more than 100 food and drink experiences; you can see the UNESCO World Heritage site downtown area with some amazing examples of colorful Dutch colonial architecture and visit the original Curaçao Liqueur distillery.
Culture
- The norms are best defined as international, considering they are so near to South America and significantly impacted by North America and Europe. Curaçao’s people are laid-back, kind, and accepting, so you should have no trouble fitting in.
- Curaçao’s people are known to be very tolerant of others. On Fridays, the Floris Suite Hotel conducts an LGBT happy hour, and in late September, there is Curaçao Pride Week.
- It is considered rude to go to a supermarket, or restaurant in a swimming suit, and you may be denied service.
Weather
- The daily temperature is around 82 degrees (around 29°C). So make sure you’ve packed your flip-flops.
- Curaçao does not have a particularly wet season, however, rainfall varies throughout the year. The driest months are February through June when there is typically no rain at all. Rainfall is possible in January, as well as in July, August, and September. The wettest period is from October to December.
- Showers are most common in the early morning or late evening, and they are brief, powerful, and very localized. They usually provide nothing more than a cool respite from the sun’s heat.
- Curaçao is positioned outside the Hurricane Belt because it is part of the Leeward Antilles. Strong winds may blow, as they do on other islands, although they rarely pose a problem.
Conclusion
There you have it. We’ve given you an overview of Curaçao digital nomad visa and how you can make an application. Have you ever been to Curaçao? Have you ever planned to live there? Let us know. Please also feel free to share your experience on our growing forum.
Interested to learn more about remote worker visas? Make sure to check our ultimate guide on Digital Nomad Visa.