WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao is seeking to strengthen its economic relationship with the Dominican Republic, one of the Caribbean's largest economies, as the government continues lobbying the Netherlands to remove visa requirements for Dominican citizens.
Minister of Economic Development Roderick Middelhof believes closer ties between the two countries could create opportunities for Curaçao businesses in trade, logistics, transportation, tourism, and professional services.
The minister recently presented a business case to Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen in The Hague, outlining the potential economic benefits of allowing Dominican citizens to travel to Curaçao without obtaining a visa.
The proposal is part of a broader strategy to expand Curaçao's economic connections within the Caribbean region.
Dominican Economy Offers Opportunities for Curaçao Businesses
With an economy estimated at approximately US$127 billion, the Dominican Republic represents a substantial regional market for goods and services.
According to the Curaçao government, stronger commercial cooperation could help local entrepreneurs identify new export opportunities while gaining access to products and supplies at more competitive prices.
The government also sees possibilities for developing Curaçao's role in regional logistics and transportation.
Closer commercial relations could support businesses involved in importing, distributing, and transporting goods between the two countries.
For Curaçao, which depends heavily on international trade and imported products, expanding its network of regional suppliers could offer additional business opportunities.
However, the government has not yet published detailed projections showing how much additional trade or investment would result from removing visa restrictions.
Economic Cooperation Agreement Signed in June
Efforts to strengthen relations with the Dominican Republic gained momentum in June 2026, when Middelhof visited Santo Domingo.
During that visit, he signed an agreement with Dominican Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez aimed at expanding economic cooperation between the two countries.
The agreement reflects Curaçao's interest in developing closer commercial ties with the Dominican Republic.
The visa proposal is intended to complement those efforts by making travel easier for Dominican entrepreneurs, investors, and potential business partners.
Middelhof has also discussed the issue with Aruba and Sint Maarten, whose governments, according to the minister, support further discussions about eliminating the visa requirement.
Dominican Community Could Benefit From Easier Travel
Beyond the economic implications, the proposal could have an important social impact.
Curaçao is home to a substantial Dominican community with family, cultural, and personal connections to the Dominican Republic.
Removing the visa requirement could make it easier for relatives to visit Curaçao and maintain family relationships across the Caribbean.
Simpler travel arrangements could also benefit individuals traveling for business meetings, cultural activities, and other short-term visits.
The government considers these connections an additional argument for reviewing the existing visa policy.
Curaçao Cannot Make the Decision Alone
Despite the potential advantages, the decision to eliminate the visa requirement does not rest with Curaçao.
The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for visa policy within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The proposal must therefore be evaluated at the Kingdom level, where immigration, border security, and migration considerations will also influence the decision.
Curaçao's Council of Ministers previously approved pursuing the removal of the visa requirement in 2023, following preparatory work that began in 2022.
The issue has remained on the political agenda since then, including during discussions with former Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof in 2025.
Middelhof's latest presentation in The Hague is another attempt to move the proposal forward.
Minister Plenipotentiary Sidney Justiana is expected to continue addressing the matter through the Kingdom's Council of Ministers.
The Curaçao government also hopes to raise the issue during the upcoming Kingdom Summit.
Until the Netherlands makes a decision, the existing visa requirements remain in place.
For Curaçao, the proposal represents more than a tourism initiative. It is also an effort to strengthen regional economic integration, expand commercial opportunities, and improve connections with an important Caribbean neighbor.