Planning a trip to Curaçao from the United States? Here's the good news: US citizens can enjoy visa-free travel to this Dutch Caribbean island.
But before you pack your sunscreen, there's one step you can't skip-the Curaçao digital immigration card.
Visa-free doesn't mean form-free. Every non-resident traveler must complete this mandatory entry declaration before landing in Curaçao.
The form is free, filled out online at dicardcuracao.com, and required for each person in your group, no matter their age.
This guide covers everything US travelers need to know: what the card is, why you still need it despite visa-free entry, how to apply, which documents to prepare, and the common mistakes that trip people up at the gate.
What Is the Curaçao Digital Immigration Card?
The official name is the Digital Immigration Card, though you'll often see it called the DI Card. Some travelers still refer to it by its legacy name, the ED Card (short for Embarkation-Disembarkation Card).
Here's the most important thing to understand: the DI Card is not a visa. It's a mandatory entry declaration-a Curaçao passenger declaration-that all non-resident visitors must complete. Think of it as the digital version of the arrival form you'd once fill out on paper.
The DI Card replaced the old paper ED Card and has been mandatory since October 1, 2019. The old paper form is no longer accepted. The card is issued by the Curaçao Immigration and Customs Service, and you complete it online at dicardcuracao.com. There's no fee to submit it.
Do US Citizens Need the Curaçao DI Card?
Yes. Every non-resident traveler needs the DI Card, regardless of nationality, age, or reason for visiting.
US citizens can visit Curaçao visa-free for up to 180 days. That's a generous window compared to many other travelers-EU nationals, for example, get up to 90 days. But here's the key distinction that confuses so many people: visa-free does not mean form-free. Skipping a visa doesn't excuse you from the DI Card. They are two entirely different things.
The DI Card is an immigration declaration, not a permit to enter. Your actual permitted stay is decided by the immigration officer when you arrive, not by the DI Card itself. And while 180 days is the upper limit, keep in mind the rules cap your stay at a maximum of 90 nights per visit and 180 days per calendar year.
Who in Your Group Needs a Form?
Every traveler needs their own individual DI Card. That includes children and infants-there's no age exemption.
A common slip-up is filling out a single form for the whole family. Don't do this. If four people are traveling together, you need four separate DI Cards. Parents complete the forms on behalf of their children.
How to Apply for the Curaçao Digital Immigration Card Online
The only official website is dicardcuracao.com, and the form is completely free. The whole process takes about 5–10 minutes.
Here's how to complete it step by step:
- Go to dicardcuracao.com and choose "Fill out new DI Card." If you're a returning visitor, you can retrieve your stored data instead.
- Enter your personal details exactly as they appear on your passport. No nicknames.
- Enter your travel details-flight number, airline, and arrival date.
- Enter your accommodation details-the full hotel name and address, or your host's name, address, and phone number.
- Enter your intended length of stay in nights.
- Provide a valid email address.
- Review everything carefully, then submit.
- Receive your PDF confirmation by email. Print it out or save it to your phone.
When Should US Citizens Submit the Form?
You can submit the DI Card up to 7 days before travel. The sweet spot, though, is 24–48 hours before departure-once you've confirmed your flight details.
Why wait until then? A confirmed flight helps you avoid errors. If your flight changes after you've submitted, you don't need to start over; you can simply update your details at dicardcuracao.com.
Required Documents for US Travelers
To Complete the Form Online
You won't need to upload any documents, but you will need this information on hand:
- A valid US passport (number, country of issue, and expiry date)
- A valid email address
- Your flight number, airline, and arrival date
- Your accommodation address
- Your intended length of stay
To Present on Arrival at Curaçao (CUR)
When you land at Curaçao International Airport, be ready to show:
- A valid passport (the same one you used for the DI Card)
- Your DI Card PDF, printed or on your phone
- A return or onward ticket
- Proof of accommodation
- Proof of sufficient funds-roughly USD 50 per day for hotel stays, or higher for private accommodation
Travel and medical insurance isn't required, but it's strongly recommended. If a minor is traveling without both parents, bring a parental consent letter and the child's birth certificate.
One helpful perk for US travelers: if you're 18 or older and hold a chipped passport, you can use the eGates at Curaçao International Airport for a faster arrival. Just remember this only works if you've completed your DI Card beforehand.
Common Mistakes US Travelers Should Avoid
A few small errors cause the most headaches at the airport. Steer clear of these:
- Using unofficial third-party websites. Some sites charge a fee for a form that's actually free. dicardcuracao.com is the only official portal, and it never charges to submit the DI Card.
- Entering a nickname instead of your full legal name. Your name must match your passport exactly.
- Getting your passport number wrong. Check it character by character.
- Submitting an old or unconfirmed flight number. Wait until your flight is locked in, then update if needed.
- Leaving out part of your accommodation address. Complete details matter.
- Filling out one DI Card for the whole family. Each traveler needs their own.
- Forgetting to print or save the PDF. Some airlines check the DI Card at the departure gate before boarding, so have it ready before you leave home.
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
No. US citizens can travel to Curaçao visa-free for up to 180 days. You still need to complete the mandatory DI Card before arrival, but a visa isn't required for short visits.
Yes, the DI Card is always free at the official portal, dicardcuracao.com. There's no cost to complete or submit the form. Any site charging a fee is not the official portal.
You can complete it up to 7 days before travel. The recommended timing is 24–48 hours before departure, once you've confirmed your final flight details.
Bring your valid passport, your DI Card PDF, a return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation, and proof of sufficient funds (about USD 50 per day). Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Yes. dicardcuracao.com is the official portal for the Curaçao Digital Immigration Card. It's free to use, and it's the safest way to avoid third-party sites that charge for the form.
Get Ready Before You Fly
The takeaway is simple: visa-free travel to Curaçao still requires the mandatory Digital Immigration Card. It's the one document US travelers most often overlook-and the one some airlines check before you even board.
Complete your form at dicardcuracao.com before departure, ideally 24–48 hours before your flight. Save or print the PDF confirmation so it's ready to show on arrival. The form is free and the portal is official, so there's no need to pay any third-party site for something that costs nothing.
Take five minutes now, and you'll breeze through immigration when you land.
