Curaçao is a Caribbean gem that captivates visitors with its stunning combination of Dutch colonial charm, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and vibrant island culture. The capital Willemstad, with its iconic colorful Handelskade waterfront, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that looks like a painting come to life. Before you can wander those colorful streets or dive into world-class reefs, there's one essential step: completing your Curaçao Digital Immigration Card. This online registration streamlines your arrival, replacing old paper forms with a quick digital process. With DoVisa, completing your immigration card takes just minutes, ensuring your Caribbean adventure starts smoothly.
What is the Digital Immigration Card?
The Curaçao Digital Immigration Card (also known as the Passenger Locator Card or PLC) is an online registration system that collects your travel, contact, and accommodation information before you arrive on the island. It was introduced to modernize the entry process and replace the paper arrival/departure cards that travelers used to fill out on flights.
When you complete the Digital Immigration Card, you receive a confirmation with a QR code. Immigration officers at Curaçao International Airport (Hato Airport) scan this code to retrieve your pre-submitted information, significantly speeding up the clearance process. Instead of fumbling with paper forms at a cramped airplane tray table, you complete everything online from the comfort of home.
As part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Curaçao maintains high standards for border processing while making the experience as smooth as possible for visitors.
Quick Facts
Required for: All international visitors (air and sea)
When to complete: Up to 48 hours before arrival
Cost: Free of charge
Processing: Instant confirmation
Validity: Single entry
Format: Digital QR code
Separate from: Visa requirements (check if you need one)
Who Needs to Complete the Immigration Card?
The Curaçao Digital Immigration Card is required for all international visitors regardless of nationality or visa status. Even if you're from a visa-exempt country, you still need to complete this registration. Here's who must apply:
- All nationalities: Every international visitor must complete the Digital Immigration Card before arrival
- Visa-free travelers: Citizens of EU, USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and 80+ other countries can visit visa-free but still need the immigration card
- Visa holders: If you needed a visa to enter Curaçao, you must also complete the Digital Immigration Card
- Cruise passengers: Visitors arriving by cruise ship must complete the card before disembarking
- All ages: Children and infants need their own registration (parents can complete on their behalf)
- Transit passengers: If clearing immigration during a transit stop, you'll need the card
- Dutch citizens: Even citizens of the Netherlands visiting Curaçao complete the immigration card
Visa Requirements Separate
The Digital Immigration Card is NOT a visa. Curaçao follows Netherlands visa policy—EU, USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and many other nationalities can visit visa-free for up to 90 days. Check our visa checker if you're unsure about your visa requirements.
Requirements for the Digital Immigration Card
Gather the following information before starting your Digital Immigration Card application:
- Valid passport: Must be valid for your entire stay in Curaçao
- Passport details: Number, issue date, expiry date, and issuing country
- Personal information: Full name exactly as in passport, date of birth, nationality
- Contact details: Email address and phone number
- Flight information: Airline, flight number, departure city, and arrival date
- Accommodation address: Complete name and address of your hotel, resort, Airbnb, or cruise ship
- Purpose of visit: Tourism, business, visiting family, etc.
- Length of stay: Planned arrival and departure dates
- Emergency contact: Name and phone number of someone who can be reached
- Device with internet: Computer, tablet, or smartphone to complete the online form
- Working email: Your confirmation QR code will be sent here
Accurate Information Required
Enter all information exactly as it appears in your passport. Mismatches between your registration and passport can cause delays at immigration. Double-check spelling of names and all dates.
How to Complete Your Immigration Card
Completing the Curaçao Digital Immigration Card is straightforward. Follow these steps:
- Access the registration portal: Visit the official Curaçao immigration website or use DoVisa's guided application for built-in error checking
- Select your travel type: Choose whether you're arriving by air or cruise ship
- Enter passport details: Input your full name exactly as shown in your passport, passport number, nationality, and document dates
- Provide flight/cruise information: Enter your airline, flight number, and departure city (or cruise line and ship name)
- Add accommodation details: Provide the complete name and address of where you'll be staying in Curaçao
- Enter contact information: Provide your phone number and email address
- Include travel companions: You can add family members to your registration or they can submit separately
- Review all information: Double-check every field for accuracy before submission
- Submit your registration: Complete and submit your Digital Immigration Card
- Save your QR code: You'll receive an instant confirmation with a QR code. Screenshot this to your phone AND print a backup
Complete 24-48 Hours Before
We recommend completing your registration 24-48 hours before your flight. This gives you time to correct any errors while ensuring the information is current.
Complete Your Curaçao Immigration Card with DoVisa
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid These Registration Errors
Small mistakes can cause delays at immigration. Here's what to watch out for:
- Name mismatches: Enter your name exactly as it appears in your passport, including middle names and any accents or special characters
- Passport number errors: Double-check every digit. O (letter) vs 0 (zero) confusion is common
- Incomplete accommodation: Provide the full hotel name and address, not just 'Willemstad hotel'
- Email typos: Verify your email address—this is where your QR code confirmation is sent
- Wrong arrival date: If your flight crosses midnight, enter the date you land in Curaçao
- Forgetting the card entirely: Immigration requires the QR code—don't assume you can complete it on arrival
- Not saving the QR code: Screenshot to your phone AND print a backup copy
- Submitting too early: Complete within 48 hours of arrival for best results
DoVisa Catches Errors
Our guided application validates your information in real-time, catching common mistakes before submission. We verify passport formats, check for completeness, and ensure your registration will be accepted.
Travel Tips for Curaçao
Curaçao offers an exceptional Caribbean experience with Dutch heritage, stunning beaches, and world-class diving. Here's what you need to know:
- Best time to visit: Year-round! Curaçao sits outside the hurricane belt, so weather is consistently sunny with temperatures around 27-32°C (80-90°F). Slightly drier January-September
- Currency: Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ANG), but US Dollars are accepted almost everywhere. Credit cards widely accepted. ATMs available in Willemstad
- Languages: Dutch, Papiamento (local language), English, and Spanish are all spoken. English is common in tourist areas
- Getting around: Rent a car to explore the island's 35+ beaches and hidden coves. Taxis available but expensive. No Uber
- Must-see attractions: Willemstad's colorful Handelskade, Queen Emma pontoon bridge, Shete Boka National Park, Playa Kenepa (Knip Beach), Curaçao Sea Aquarium
- Diving paradise: Shore diving is exceptional—world-class reefs accessible right from the beach. Mushroom Forest and Tugboat are famous dive sites
- Local food: Try keshi yena (stuffed cheese), stoba (stew), and fresh seafood. Old Market (Marshe Bieu) offers authentic local cuisine
- Cultural note: Curaçao has a unique Afro-Caribbean-Dutch culture. Papiamento is a creole language mixing Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, and African languages
- Water: Tap water is safe to drink—it's desalinated seawater
Insider Tip
The colorful buildings of Handelskade exist because of an old law—a 19th century governor got headaches from white buildings reflecting sunlight, so he mandated colors! Visit at golden hour for the best photos.
Why Apply with DoVisa?
Simple guided form completion
Real-time error validation
Instant confirmation with QR code
24/7 expert customer support
Mobile-friendly application
Secure document storage
Track multiple travelers in one account
Combined with visa application if needed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Digital Immigration Card mandatory?
How far in advance can I complete the registration?
Does the Immigration Card cost anything?
Is Curaçao visa-free for my nationality?
Do I need to print the QR code?
Can I complete one registration for my family?
What happens if I forget to complete the card?
What if I make a mistake on my registration?
Do cruise passengers need the card too?
Is my information secure?
Ready for Curaçao?
Curaçao offers an unbeatable Caribbean experience: UNESCO World Heritage architecture, some of the best shore diving in the world, beaches ranging from busy to completely secluded, and a unique culture blending Dutch, African, and Caribbean influences.
Complete your Digital Immigration Card with DoVisa and you'll be ready to explore this colorful island paradise. Our streamlined process ensures your registration is accurate and accepted, while our support team is available 24/7 if you need assistance. The colorful streets of Willemstad are waiting!
Curaçao
Capital: Willemstad
Currency: Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ANG) / USD accepted
Language: Dutch, Papiamento, English, Spanish
Timezone: UTC-4 (Atlantic Time)
Processing: Instant
Quick Facts
- Best time: Year-round (outside hurricane belt)
- UNESCO World Heritage Site (Willemstad)
- Power: 127V, Type A/B plugs
- Country code: +599
- Population: 150,000
- 35+ beaches to explore
Get the DoVisa App
Complete your Curaçao registration and manage travel documents on your phone.
Comments(12)
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Willemstad is STUNNING! The colorful buildings are even better in person. Immigration card took 2 minutes to complete. Smooth arrival at Hato Airport!
Best diving in the Caribbean! The shore diving is incredible - no boat needed. Make sure to do the immigration card before you fly, they check it.
We rented a car and explored the whole island in a week. Shete Boka National Park and Playa Kenepa are must-visits! Form was simple to complete.
Pro tip: Curaçao is outside the hurricane belt, so it's great year-round. Visited in September and had perfect weather plus fewer crowds!
The golden hour photos at Handelskade are AMAZING. Those colorful buildings really pop! Immigration was super smooth with my QR code ready.
Mushroom Forest dive site is incredible - giant mushroom-shaped corals! Curaçao is seriously underrated for diving. Easy immigration with the digital card.
Try the keshi yena at Old Market - it's stuffed Gouda cheese with meat, so good! The island has amazing food. Card registration was quick with DoVisa.
Queen Emma Bridge swinging open for ships is fun to watch! We walked across it several times a day. Everything in Willemstad is walkable.
Renting a car is a must - we found secret beaches that had maybe 5 people on them! Immigration card took 3 minutes online. So easy.
If you dive, do a night dive at the Tugboat wreck - the fluorescent coral is incredible! Curaçao exceeded all my expectations. Quick immigration process.
The tap water is safe and tastes good - it's desalinated seawater! One less thing to worry about. Immigration was super fast with my digital card.
Love that Curaçao is off the hurricane belt - perfect for a spontaneous September trip when other Caribbean islands are risky. Immigration card was easy.