Breathtaking beaches, exhilarating nightlife, and bountiful natural beauty await in Aruba. This idyllic island outpost is a highlight of the Caribbean – a dramatic landscape of cacti, volcanic rock, and divi-divi trees that beckon to be explored.
There’s a reason Aruba is a bucket-list destination for travelers. The island is a playground for water sports such as kite surfing and scuba diving, as well as terrestrial adventures like hiking and horseback riding. Its hub city, Oranjestad, showcases strong Spanish, Dutch, and indigenous influences, best discovered through its numerous restaurants, pubs, and museums.
However, how easy is it to enter the country? That depends on your passport. Here’s everything you need to know about visas for Aruba.
Who Needs a Visa for Aruba?
Aruba’s generous visa exemption scheme means that many travelers can visit the island without a visa. However, travelers who do need a visa are in for some extra legwork.
Aruba is part of the Caribbean short-stay visa scheme, allowing entry to numerous islands in the region for up to 90 days. These multi-island, multi-entry visas serve as a convenient solution for those island-hopping around the southern Caribbean.
To obtain a Caribbean visa, visitors to Aruba must apply in person at either an Aruban embassy or an embassy or consulate of the Netherlands. The Kingdom of the Netherlands operates a convenient online portal with full information about the rules and regulations.
The list of nationalities requiring a visa for Aruba is extensive. It includes residents of Afghanistan, Belize, Cambodia, China, Egypt, Fiji, Philippines, Laos, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran, Myanmar, Qatar, Uganda, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Venezuela, and Vietnam.
Who Can Travel to Aruba Without a Visa?
Travelers from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, and the 26 members of the Schengen Area (which includes most countries in the European Union) do not need a visa to enter Aruba for a stay of up to 30 days.
Moreover, nationals from Bolivia, China, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, India, Jamaica, and Peru are granted visa-free entry to Aruba if they possess a valid, multi-entry visa for the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, or a nation in the Schengen Area.
To enter Aruba visa-free, it’s essential to have a passport valid for the duration of your trip, a ticket for travel out of Aruba at the end of your stay, and proof of accommodation booking along with sufficient funds to cover your stay (though this is not always checked).
Children younger than 12 do not need a visa if traveling with a parent or guardian. When you leave Aruba, the island offers customs preclearance for US travelers, meaning passengers returning to the US can clear customs on the island, thereby skipping the long lines at mainland airports.
Special Categories for Visa-Free Travel
Some holders of specialized passports are also allowed to enter Aruba without a visa. Diplomatic passport holders from Bolivia, Chad, Indonesia, Jamaica, Malawi, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Russia, Senegal, Serbia, Thailand, Ukraine, Tunisia, and Turkey are exempt from needing a visa. Service passport holders from Bolivia, Indonesia, Jamaica, Malawi, Morocco, Peru, Thailand, Tunisia, and Turkey are also exempt.
Additionally, holders of laissez-passer documents issued by the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, the United Nations, or any of its agencies are likewise exempt. Crew members of vessels or aircraft mooring or landing on the island also do not require a visa.
Furthermore, Aruba has the One Happy Workation program aimed at digital nomads from the US (operated in partnership with local resorts and hotels), allowing a 90-day stay, although this does not permit work for any companies based in Aruba.
Transit Travelers
Travelers spending 24 hours or less on the island can enter Aruba without a visa, regardless of their country of origin. This includes cruise ship passengers disembarking on the island as part of their voyage and airline passengers transferring to another country (or a neighboring Caribbean island) within one day.
How to Extend Your Stay in Aruba
Dutch nationals are legally permitted to stay up to 180 days in Aruba. If you are fortunate enough to own property, such as a house, timeshare, or apartment, or are staying on a yacht longer than 45 feet, you can also enjoy a stay of up to 180 days.
Otherwise, tourists may extend the initial 30-day stay up to a maximum of 180 days by applying for an extension at the Department of Integration and Management of Foreign Nationals in Oranjestad.
Aruba’s Vaccination Requirements
Travelers from areas where yellow fever is endemic, including most parts of Central America, Latin America, and Africa, will need to present a yellow fever vaccination certificate upon arrival.
Moreover, it’s wise to check the latest information regarding COVID-19 requirements and guidelines before you travel. The Visit Aruba website provides regularly updated information on the latest pandemic requirements on the island.
