“Rib’e Lugá” Policy

The rules governing the admission and residence of foreign nationals in Curaçao are set forth in the National Ordinance on Admission and Expulsion, Landsverordening toelating en uitzetting (Ltu). The Minister of Justice is responsible for admission policy. The Curaçao Admission Organization (TO) is responsible for implementing this policy.

The Council of Ministers, upon the recommendation of the Minister of Justice, has approved a registration and legalization process called Rib’e Lugá. For the policy [click here]. This process offers a temporary and regulated solution for undocumented individuals on Curaçao.

Who is eligible?

If you meet the following conditions, you may be eligible for a temporary residence permit under the Rib’e Lugá program:

• You are currently undocumented on Curaçao
• You were present on Curaçao before November 13, 2025; this is also referred to as the reference date;
• You do not pose a threat to public order or safety;
• You have sufficient means of support.

To substantiate the aforementioned conditions and depending on the purpose of your intended stay, you must submit certain requirements in accordance with the Rib’e Luga policy.

Reference date: Before November 13, 2025

One of the conditions for eligibility for a temporary residence permit under the Rib’e Lugá policy is that you were in Curaçao before November 13, 2025.

• If you entered legally, you can prove this with the entry stamp in your passport. This applies, for example, if you entered by plane or cruise ship.
• If you did not enter legally (by boat via an unofficial port), you must submit a written, verifiable document proving that you were in Curaçao before the reference date. The following documents are accepted in any case:

1. Proof of money transfers in your name, e.g., Western Union, Pagadero, MoneyGram;
2. A statement from a trusted partner indicating that you were present on Curaçao prior to the reference date. The Trusted Partners are currently:

–      UNHCR;
–      PADF;
–      Council of Churches;
–      IOM;
–      Salú pa Tur;
–      (Honorary) Consuls (General);
–      a statement from a governmental or educational authority in Curaçao;

3. Other supporting documents that objectively prove you were in Curaçao prior to the reference date.

Rental agreements, statements from private individuals, and similar documents are not accepted as standalone evidence. These may only be considered if they are objectively verifiable, for example through bank transfers.

Safety and Control

Ensuring public order and safety is an important part of Rib’e Lugá.

This means that:

A Certificate of Good Conduct, Verklaring Omtrent het Gedrag (VOG), must be submitted from your most recent place of residence (issued no more than three (3) months ago) for you and for each family member aged 18 or older.

You are not eligible to participate in this program if you pose a threat to public order or national security. This requires that you have no criminal record. Furthermore, there must be no concrete indications that you pose a threat to public order or national security.

The temporary residence permit is granted subject to conditions. This means that if it later turns out that you do pose a threat to public order or national security, the temporary residence permit may be deemed to have been granted in error and may be revoked. You are aware of and agree that checks and verifications may take place at any time in cooperation with local and international partners. This may include consulting the INTERPOL database.

Checks and verifications may also take place after the temporary residence permit has been issued. If it later turns out that incorrect information was provided or that there are risks to public order or security, the temporary residence permit may still be revoked.

Fees
Fees and charges are payable for the submission of an application for a temporary residence permit.

The amount of these fees and charges depends on:

• The purpose of the stay;
• The duration of the requested permit.

Fees and charges for Employment/Work:

• 1 year XCG   655
• 2 years XCG 1,270
• 3 years XCG 1,885

Fees and charges for Self-Employment

• 1 year XCG   635
• 2 years XCG 1,250 upon renewal
• 3 years XCG 1,865 upon issuance

Fees and charges for Family reunification:

• 1 year XCG   655
• 2 years XCG 1,280
• 3 years XCG 1,905

Other costs:

• In accordance with the Stamp Ordinance of 1908, official statements must be affixed with a stamp of XCG 10. Statements without a stamp will not be accepted.

Objections and Appeals
If you disagree with a decision regarding your application, you may:

• File an objection;
• And, if necessary, file an appeal.

This is done in accordance with the provisions of the National Ordinance on Administrative Justice, Landsverordening Administratieve Rechtspraak (LAR). The deadline for this is 6 weeks.