WILLEMSTAD – The procedures for applying for and issuing passports in Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten could become stricter under proposed changes to passport regulations within the Kingdom.
One of the main changes would be the introduction of a mandatory separation between the different stages of the passport process. The application, the decision to issue the document and the final delivery would have to be handled by different employees.
The measure is intended to strengthen internal controls and reduce the risk of errors or abuse by ensuring that one person cannot manage the entire passport process alone.
An exception would be possible in situations where there is temporarily insufficient staff available, for example because of illness. The separation of duties would also not apply to the issuance of emergency travel documents.
The proposed regulations would also remove the current limit of three employees who are authorized to use mobile equipment for collecting fingerprints. In addition, requirements for passport storage facilities would be updated, and some paper-based forms would be replaced by digital services.
The draft changes were submitted for consultation to Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten at the end of 2025. The countries had until February 20, 2026, to provide feedback.
The documents currently available concern a draft regulation. It is not yet clear whether the changes have been formally adopted or when they would take effect.