Welcome to Rib’e Lugá

The Rib’e Lugá process is a practical and accessible registration and legalization process that offers you, as an undocumented person, the opportunity to apply for a temporary residence permit, provided you meet the requirements.

Historical and Regional Context

Migration has long been an important part of Curaçao’s development. Over the years, various migration flows from the Caribbean, Europe, and Latin America have contributed to the cultural, social, and economic diversity of our island.

Even today, Curaçao remains a destination for migrants from the region. Factors such as socioeconomic conditions, family ties, and geographical proximity play a significant role in this. Additionally, political and economic instability in countries such as Venezuela, Haiti, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and Colombia has led to an increase in migration to Curaçao in recent decades.

In response to previous migration flows, various legalization processes have been implemented in the past, including the Brooks Tower Agreement and the Integrashon Responsabel program. Although these processes have provided a solution for some of those involved, they have not fully resolved the issue of irregular residence.

The issue of undocumented migrants touches on multiple policy areas, including:

• Migration management;
• Economy;
• Social development;
• Public health;
• Public order and safety.

The lack of reliable and up-to-date data on the size and characteristics of this group makes it difficult for the government to formulate effective and forward-looking policies.

Registering for Rib’e Lugá: three purposes of stay

You can apply for Rib’e Lugá based on three residency goals. Each residency goal has its own conditions and required documents.

1. Purpose: Employment

This purpose of residence is intended for you if you work for an employer. The employer must complete a guarantee and employer’s statement on your behalf.

2. Purpose: Own Business/Self-Employed

This residence purpose is intended for you if you intend to start or continue your own business as a self-employed entrepreneur or sole proprietor in Curaçao.

3. Purpose: Family reunification or family formation

This purpose of stay is intended for you if you are a dependent family member of the principal applicant in Curaçao, for example:

• The main applicant’s spouse;
• The main applicant’s minor child (under 18 years of age);
• The main applicant’s child who is a student and financially dependent (ages 18 to 27).

Duration of the residence permit
The residence permit granted under the Rib’e Lugá program is temporary in nature.

• Upon the first application, a temporary residence permit is generally granted for a limited period of 1 to 3 years, with the exception of the residence purpose “own business.”

The right to reside is always contingent upon compliance with the conditions attached to the temporary residence permit. If these conditions are not met, the permit may be revoked.

For more information on the duration and conditions for each purpose of residence, please refer to the following pages:

• Purpose of Stay: Employment
• Purpose of Stay: Own Business/Self-Employed
• Purpose of Stay: Family Reunification or Family Formation