WILLEMSTAD – The Curaçao government has renewed its request to the Netherlands to abolish the visa requirement for citizens of the Dominican Republic, arguing that visa-free travel could significantly increase tourism, trade, and investment between the two Caribbean countries.
Minister of Economic Development Roderick Middelhof (MFK) formally presented a business case supporting the proposal to Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Tom Berendsen during a meeting in The Hague.
Minister Middelhof during a visit to the Dominican Republic (archive)
The initiative has been under consideration since 2022, but the Netherlands has not yet made a final decision.
Middelhof believes removing the visa requirement would make Curaçao more accessible to Dominican travelers and create additional economic opportunities, particularly in tourism, logistics, transportation, and business services.
The Dominican Republic has an economy valued at approximately US$127 billion, making it one of the largest economies in the Caribbean region.
According to the Curaçao government, stronger economic ties could help local entrepreneurs enter new markets, establish commercial partnerships, and import products at more competitive prices.
Tourism Growth Could Provide Major Economic Benefits
Tourism is one of the principal arguments supporting the proposal.
The government believes that eliminating visa requirements could encourage more Dominican tourists to visit Curaçao, benefiting hotels, restaurants, transportation companies, retailers, and other tourism-related businesses.
Earlier research by the Curaçao Tourist Board suggested that visa-free travel could potentially generate an additional 80,000 visitors annually from the Dominican Republic.
However, that projection has not been established as a guaranteed outcome.
Middelhof has pointed to Curaçao's experience with Colombia as an example of how visa liberalization can contribute to tourism development.
Following the removal of visa requirements for Colombian citizens in 2014, Colombia developed into one of Curaçao's most important tourism markets and now ranks as the island's third-largest source market.
The minister believes similar opportunities may exist with the Dominican Republic, although the actual economic impact would depend on travel demand, airline connectivity, and other market conditions.
Proposal Has Been Under Discussion Since 2022
The initiative dates back to December 2022, when the Curaçao Council of Ministers, at the initiative of Justice Minister Shalten Hato, agreed to examine the possibility of eliminating the visa requirement.
In 2023, the Ministry of Economic Development prepared a business case outlining the potential benefits.
The Curaçao Council of Ministers subsequently approved the proposal to pursue visa-free travel for Dominican citizens.
The issue was discussed again during former Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof's visit to Curaçao in 2025.
Middelhof has also held discussions with Aruba and Sint Maarten this year. According to the minister, both countries support continuing talks about a possible change to the visa policy.
In June 2026, Middelhof visited Santo Domingo, where he signed an agreement with Dominican Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez to strengthen economic cooperation.
The agreement forms part of Curaçao's broader effort to deepen commercial relations with the Dominican Republic.
Final Decision Rests With the Netherlands
Although Curaçao supports eliminating the visa requirement, the island cannot independently make the change.
Visa policy is handled at the Kingdom level, with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs responsible for decisions concerning the introduction or abolition of visa requirements.
Economic considerations are only one part of the assessment.
The Netherlands must also consider border security, immigration controls, migration risks, and the capacity of immigration authorities to manage increased travel.
Middelhof presented the business case in the presence of Curaçao's Minister Plenipotentiary Sidney Justiana, who will continue addressing the issue through the Kingdom's Council of Ministers.
The Curaçao government hopes the proposal will also be discussed during the upcoming Kingdom Summit involving the prime ministers of the four countries of the Kingdom.
For now, Dominican citizens remain subject to the existing visa requirements.
The government is awaiting a decision from the Netherlands on whether the proposed liberalization can proceed.