WILLEMSTAD – The Curaçao government has officially launched the website and registration portal for the legalization program Rib’e Lugá, opening a new pathway for undocumented migrants on the island to apply for temporary legal residency.
The initiative is being led jointly by the Ministry of Justice of Curaçao and the Ministry of Social Development, Labor and Welfare of Curaçao (SOAW) as part of a broader effort to regularize the status of undocumented residents and improve migration management.
Through the new online platform, undocumented individuals currently living on Curaçao can register for a temporary residence permit and begin the process of legalizing their stay.
According to the government, the Rib’e Lugá program is designed to offer people without valid immigration status an opportunity to resolve their situation through a legal and structured process.
Authorities say the initiative also aims to provide the government with a clearer picture of Curaçao’s undocumented population, allowing for better migration planning and policy development.
To qualify for the legalization process, applicants must prove that they were physically present on Curaçao before November 13, 2025, and that they continue to reside on the island.
In addition to proving continuous presence, applicants must meet other eligibility requirements depending on the purpose of their residency application.
The program allows registration under three main residency categories:
employment,
own business or self-employment,
and family reunification or family formation.
Justice Minister Shalten Hato described the program as a humanitarian effort aimed at recognizing the reality of undocumented individuals who have already become part of Curaçaoan society.
“We are giving people who are already part of our society the opportunity to regulate their situation in a fair and transparent way,” Hato said.
The application process is fully digital and can only be completed through the official Rib’e Lugá website.
To support applicants who may need assistance, the government has designated a network of so-called Trusted Partners — organizations authorized to guide people through the registration process free of charge.
Officials stressed that because of these support structures, applicants do not need to use paid intermediaries or unofficial agents.
The website provides information in four languages to make the process accessible to a wider group of applicants.
Special attention is also being given to undocumented children, recognizing their particular vulnerability and the need for protection within the legal process.
Government officials emphasized that undocumented individuals can register without fear, describing the process as an opportunity to regularize their status under clear legal protections.
The Rib’e Lugá initiative marks one of Curaçao’s most significant migration policy efforts in recent years, as the island continues facing challenges related to undocumented migration, labor participation and social integration.
The government says the program is intended not only as an immigration measure, but also as part of a broader strategy to create a more orderly, humane and transparent migration system on the island.
Registration is now open through the official portal at Rib’e Lugá legalization portal.