Planning a trip from Suriname to Curaçao? Before you pack your bags, there's one piece of paperwork you can't skip: the Curaçao Digital Immigration Card. It's quick, it's free, and it's required for every non-resident who lands on the island.
But here's where many travelers get confused. The DI Card is often mixed up with a visa-and the two are completely separate things. Getting this wrong can cause stress at the airport, or worse, problems at the border.
This guide walks Surinamese citizens through exactly what the DI Card is, how to complete it correctly, and what documents you'll need on arrival. Just as importantly, it explains why you should double-check your visa situation separately, since the DI Card alone doesn't guarantee entry.
What is the Curaçao Digital Immigration Card?
The Curaçao Digital Immigration Card-commonly called the DI Card or, by its older name, the ED Card-is a mandatory online entry declaration.
It's issued by the Curaçao Immigration and Customs Service and has been required for all non-resident travelers since October 1, 2019, when the old paper ED Card was abolished.
You complete it online at the official portal, dicardcuracao.com, and it's completely free. The form takes around 5 to 10 minutes to fill out. Once submitted, you'll receive a PDF confirmation by email, which you must present when you arrive.
Think of it as a passenger declaration that tells Curaçao's immigration authorities who you are and why you're visiting. It applies to tourists, business travelers, and visitors of every nationality and age-no exceptions.
Is the DI Card the same as a visa? A key point for Surinamese travelers
No. The DI Card is not a visa, and this distinction matters a great deal for Surinamese citizens.
The DI Card is a travel declaration everyone must complete. A visa, on the other hand, is a separate document that some nationalities need in order to enter Curaçao.
Completing the DI Card does not grant you entry on its own-the final decision rests with the immigration officer at the airport.
Because Suriname's visa status can depend on your specific circumstances and current agreements, you should confirm your nationality-specific visa rules through an official source before you travel.
Curaçao falls under Dutch Caribbean immigration rules, and travelers who require a visa need a Dutch Caribbean short-stay visa in addition to the DI Card.
Do not rely on the DI Card as proof that you're cleared to enter. Treat the visa question as a separate step, and sort it out early.
How do you fill out the Curaçao DI Card?
Completing the form is straightforward. Here's the step-by-step process:
- Go to dicardcuracao.com - this is the official, free portal.
- Choose your option - 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, and passport number plus expiry date.
- Add your travel details - flight number, airline, and arrival date.
- Enter accommodation details - the full hotel name and address, or your host's full name, address, and contact phone number.
- State your length of stay - in nights, with a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 90.
- Provide a valid email address - this is where your confirmation lands.
- Review everything carefully - your name must match your passport exactly.
- Submit - your PDF confirmation is emailed immediately.
- Print or save the PDF - you'll need it at immigration and possibly at the boarding gate.
When should Surinamese citizens submit the form?
You can submit the DI Card up to 7 days before departure. The recommended time is 24 to 48 hours before your flight, once your travel plans are confirmed. Submitting too early-before you've locked in your flight-risks having outdated details, so wait until everything is set.
Does every traveler need their own DI Card?
Yes. Each non-resident traveler needs an individual form, including children and infants. A common mistake is filling out one card for a whole family. Every person must have their own.
What documents do Surinamese citizens need on arrival?
The online form doesn't require document uploads-you present physical documents to the immigration officer at Curaçao International Airport (Hato Airport) in Willemstad. Come prepared with:
- A valid passport - the same one you used to complete the DI Card
- Your DI Card PDF - printed or on your phone
- A return or onward ticket - proof you'll be leaving
- Proof of accommodation - your hotel booking or host details
- Proof of sufficient funds - roughly USD 50 per day if staying at a hotel, or more if staying with a private host
- A Dutch Caribbean short-stay visa - if your nationality requires one
- Travel or medical insurance - strongly recommended, though not always mandatory
Traveling with a minor who isn't accompanied by both parents? You may also need a parental consent letter and the child's birth certificate.
Keep in mind that the DI Card confirms your declaration, but your permitted length of stay is set by the immigration officer, not the card itself.
Watch out for unofficial websites
Here's a warning worth repeating: the DI Card is free at dicardcuracao.com. Yet many unofficial third-party websites charge a fee for the same form. These sites offer no advantage-they simply take your money for a service that costs nothing.
Always type the official address directly, and be cautious of search results or ads that lead to lookalike sites. If a page asks you to pay to complete your Curaçao immigration form, you're in the wrong place.
Get your DI Card sorted before you fly
Traveling from Suriname to Curaçao is far smoother when your paperwork is in order. Complete your DI Card early-ideally 24 to 48 hours before departure-directly at the free official portal, dicardcuracao.com. Keep your confirmation PDF handy for both the boarding gate and immigration.
And don't forget the two-step approach: the DI Card covers your entry declaration, but your visa status is a separate matter. Confirm your nationality-specific visa requirements through an official source well before you travel, so nothing catches you off guard at the border.
Complete Your DI Card Before You Fly
The DI Card is free and takes 5–10 minutes at the official portal.
Complete DI Card - Free ↗Frequently asked questions
Possibly. Visa requirements depend on your nationality and current immigration agreements, and they're separate from the DI Card. Curaçao uses Dutch Caribbean short-stay visa rules, so you should confirm your specific situation through an official source, such as the Dutch government's travel information, before booking your trip.
No. The DI Card is a mandatory entry declaration that every non-resident must complete, regardless of nationality. A visa is a separate document that only some travelers need. Having a DI Card does not guarantee entry-the immigration officer makes the final call.
Visit dicardcuracao.com, choose to start a new card, and enter your personal, travel, and accommodation details along with a valid email. Review your name so it matches your passport exactly, then submit. You'll receive a PDF confirmation by email right away.
Bring your valid passport, your DI Card PDF, a return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation, and proof of sufficient funds. If your nationality requires it, bring a Dutch Caribbean short-stay visa. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
It's risky. Some airlines check the DI Card PDF at the departure gate before boarding, and immigration officers require it on arrival. Always have your PDF-printed or digital-before you leave for the airport.
