Planning a trip to Curaçao from Ecuador? Between booking flights and choosing which beaches to explore, there's one small administrative step you can't skip: the Curaçao Digital Immigration Card. It's a quick online form, but skipping it-or leaving it to the last minute-can cause real headaches at the airport.
This guide walks Ecuadorian travelers through exactly what the DI Card is, when to fill it out, what information to have ready, and what documents to carry on arrival. By the end, you'll know how to complete the form correctly the first time and avoid the unofficial websites that charge money for a service that's completely free.
What is the Curaçao DI Card, and do Ecuadorians need it?
The Curaçao Digital Immigration Card is a mandatory entry declaration for all non-resident travelers arriving in Curaçao. It's officially called the DI Card and was previously known as the ED Card (the older name for the paper Embarkation-Disembarkation Card). Since October 1, 2019, the paper version has been fully replaced by this online form.
Here's the key point for Ecuadorian citizens: the DI Card is not a visa. It's a separate requirement that everyone must complete, regardless of nationality or visa status. Good news-Ecuador is on the visa-free list for Curaçao, so you only need the DI Card to enter. No Dutch Caribbean short-stay visa is required.
That said, the DI Card applies to every traveler in your group. Each person needs their own individual form, including babies and children. A family of four means four separate submissions.
When should Ecuadorian travelers complete the DI Card?
Timing matters more than people expect. The submission window opens up to 7 days before your departure, but the recommended time to fill out the form is 24–48 hours before you leave.
Why the wait? The DI Card asks for your exact flight details. If you submit too early and your flight changes, you'll need to update the information. Confirming your final flight number and arrival date first saves you the hassle of redoing it.
Once you submit, you'll receive a PDF confirmation by email almost instantly. Save it right away-more on why that matters below.
How to fill out the Curaçao immigration form step by step
The form lives at dicardcuracao.com and takes roughly 5–10 minutes. Here's the process:
- Go to dicardcuracao.com. This is the official, free portal.
- Choose to fill out a new DI Card, or retrieve your stored data if you've visited before.
- Enter your personal details: full name exactly as it appears on your passport (no nicknames), date of birth, nationality, passport number, and expiry date.
- Add your travel details: flight number, airline, and arrival date.
- Enter your accommodation: the full hotel name and address, or your host's full name, address, and phone number.
- Provide your length of stay in nights (minimum 1, maximum 90).
- Add a valid email address.
- Review everything carefully-especially your name and passport number.
- Submit. Your PDF confirmation arrives by email immediately.
- Print the PDF or save it to your phone.
No document uploads are needed to complete the form online. You'll present your physical documents at immigration when you arrive.
Common mistakes Ecuadorian travelers should avoid
A few small errors trip people up more than anything else:
- Using a nickname instead of your full legal name-it must match your passport exactly.
- Entering the passport number incorrectly. Check it character by character.
- Submitting an old or unconfirmed flight number.
- Leaving the accommodation address incomplete.
- Filling out one form for the whole family instead of one per person.
Why you must save the DI Card PDF confirmation
The PDF isn't just a receipt-it's your proof of submission. Immigration officers at Curaçao International Airport (Hato Airport) in Willemstad will ask to see it, either printed or on your phone.
There's another reason to have it ready before you even leave Ecuador: some airlines check the DI Card at the departure gate before boarding. If you can't show it, you could be denied boarding. Don't wait until you land to sort this out.
What documents do Ecuadorians need on arrival in Curaçao?
Completing the online form is only half the picture. When you land, immigration may ask for several documents. Have these ready:
- A valid passport-the same one you used to complete the DI Card.
- Your DI Card PDF, printed or digital.
- A return or onward ticket as proof you plan to leave.
- Proof of accommodation, such as a hotel booking.
- Proof of sufficient funds-roughly USD 50 per day if you're staying in a hotel.
- Travel or medical insurance, which is strongly recommended even if not always required.
Traveling with children who aren't accompanied by both parents? You may also need a parental consent letter and the child's birth certificate.
Avoid unofficial websites that charge for a free form
This one deserves its own warning. The DI Card is completely free on the official portal, dicardcuracao.com. Yet many third-party websites present themselves as official and charge a fee to submit the form for you.
Before you enter any payment details, double-check the web address. If a site asks you to pay for the DI Card itself, it's not the official government portal. You're paying for something Curaçao provides at no cost.
Get your Curaçao trip started the right way
The Curaçao DI Card is a small task with big consequences if you miss it. For Ecuadorian travelers, the process is refreshingly simple: no visa needed, a free online form, and a five-minute submission.
The smart move is to confirm your flight and accommodation first, then complete the DI Card at dicardcuracao.com about 24–48 hours before departure. As soon as you submit, save the PDF confirmation to your phone and print a backup copy. That way you're covered at the departure gate and at Curaçao immigration.
Lock in your travel details, fill out the form, and save that PDF immediately. Then you can focus on the fun part-your trip.
Frequently asked questions
No. Ecuador is on Curaçao's visa-free list, so Ecuadorian citizens don't need a Dutch Caribbean short-stay visa. However, you must still complete the Curaçao DI Card online before you travel-it's required for all non-resident visitors.
You can submit the DI Card up to 7 days before departure, but the recommended time is 24–48 hours before you leave. Wait until your flight details are confirmed so you don't have to update the form later.
Yes. The DI Card is completely free on the official portal, dicardcuracao.com. Be cautious of unofficial websites that charge a fee for this free service.
It's not recommended. You'll need to show the PDF confirmation at Curaçao immigration, and some airlines check it at the departure gate before boarding. Save it digitally and print a copy before heading to the airport.
Bring your valid passport (the same one used for the DI Card), your DI Card PDF, a return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation, and proof of sufficient funds-about USD 50 per day for hotel stays. Travel insurance is also strongly recommended.
Yes. Every non-resident traveler needs an individual DI Card, including children and infants. One form per person, no exceptions.
