Tourists that are not exempt from the visa requirements (see below for details) must apply for a visitor visa before coming to Aruba. They must also have it in their possession prior to visiting the island. To apply for the visa, you could either head to a consulate or embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (in-person application) or an approved travel agency (in some countries), who will get it for you.

You may visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (http://www.government.nl/issues/embassies-consulates-and-other-representations/contents) to find address information for embassy consulates abroad.

Note: Your visa is not only valid for Aruba, but rather for the entire Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. If this is not the case, it will have a T.B.G.V. (territorial limited valid visa) abbreviation, which means that your visa is valid only for Aruba (or your main destination country).

Holders of a valid permanent or temporary residence permit do not have to issue a visa to visit Aruba. The same applies to individuals coming from Canada, the USA, another part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the UK, the Schengen Territory, and Ireland.

Also:

• Holders of a valid multi-entry visa for the UK, the USA, Canada, or Ireland coming from Peru, Jamaica, India, Haiti, Cuba, China, and Bolivia.
• Holders of a valid Schengen Visa (regardless of nationality).
• Individuals in transit to a 3^rd country (transit must be completed within 24 hours) who arrive by aircraft or cruise ship to board an aircraft or cruise ship.
• Children under 12 years of age that are escorted by a guardian or parent.
• Holders of diplomatic or service passports from certain countries.
• Holders of laissez-passer or passports issued by the UN, World Bank, IMF, or any of their agencies.
• Aircraft and vessel crew members that are landing or mooring, respectively, in Aruba for no more than 48 hours for commercial purposes and who don’t pose a threat to the safety of Aruba.

Any visa-required tourist about to visit Aruba to participate in a sports event organised by an Aruban organisation cannot apply for a visa without a Declaration of Guarantee/Invitation. The same applies to individuals that will be visiting the country and staying at an acquaintance or relative’s home. In this case, they must have a guarantor (the organisation or person in Aruba, respectively) that will guarantee to cover all costs that may arise from the tourist’s stay on the island for the duration of their stay. The guarantor will also have to send the declaration mentioned above to the tourist. You can download the guarantee form, along with instructions on how to fill it out from www.dimasaruba.aw.

Important note: The Declaration of Guarantee/Invitation and issuing a visa are two different things. The declaration is a requirement so that a visa is issued.

You can stay at Aruba as a tourist for no more than 30 days unless you have applied for an extension of stay. In the latter case, your stay cannot exceed 180 days (annually). You can request an extension of stay if you are a national of the Kingdom of the Netherlands or a national or (visa-exempt individual) that has a property in Aruba (specific property length requirements apply) or a declaration of guarantee from an Aruban (see above for details). Also, if the immigration officer is convinced that you have enough funds to cover your extended stay, they may grant an extension for no more than 90 days.

Important note: All tourists that apply for an extended stay must have travel insurance (liability or medical) that is valid for the duration of the extended stay.

The only case when no extra governmental documentation is required for prolonged Aruba visits has to do with US nationals participating in the One Happy Workation program, who can stay in Aruba for an extra 60 days (beyond the 30 standard ones).

For stays longer than 90 days (and up to 180 days), the tourist must present the following documents:

• The original application form for their extension of stay as a tourist.
• A copy of their ED card (Embarkation-Disembarkation card).
• A copy of valid travel insurance for the duration of their extended stay (liability of medical insurance).
• A copy of all the stamped and written pages of the petitioner's passport (it should be valid for 90 days at the time of the extension application).
• A copy of a valid return ticket.
• A declaration of guarantee (if not staying at a hotel or your own private residence).
• A copy of your visa to enter the country (if applicable).

Important Note: You can extend your stay at Aruba beyond 180 days only if you have a residence permit. In this case, you will not be regarded as a tourist.

US citizens will have to go through the U.S. Customs & Border Protection facility for passport control before departing from Aruba (after checking in at the airport and picking up their luggage – the ones they left at check-in). This saves them the hassle of going through this tedious and time-consuming procedure back in the States. The officer at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection section will run a check on you on their computer and request your Customs Declaration form.

Once cleared, you hand over your baggage, clear security, and walk towards your gate. Upon arrival at your U.S, airport, you are instantly considered a domestic passenger (since you have successfully completed the Aruba pre-clearance process), which means that you are free to just walk off your flight as if travelling from any U.S. point.